Chord Electronics ☆ Poly ☆ (wireless & microSD module for Mojo) ☆★►USEFUL INFO on 1st PAGE!!◄★☆
Jan 5, 2017 at 8:52 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 19,528

Matt Bartlett

Member of the Trade: Chord Electronics
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Chord Electronics’ Poly brings wireless, network and SD playback to the award-winning Mojo DAC




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Chord Electronics’ new Poly module enables the award-winning Mojo headphone DAC-amp as a fully fledged high-resolution wireless network music player, streamer and SD card playback device, with smartphone control.

Poly removes the need for a wired link between smartphones and Mojo,and allows a world of content to be decoded and played back using Chord’s proprietary DAC technology.


Poly is based on a condensed high-level PC, with data server, DLNA streamer, Wi-Fi hub, Bluetooth module and SD card reader/player functionality, and highly sophisticated software.



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Poly acts as a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth hub and can access music in a number of ways including streaming over Wi-Fi, network storage devices (NAS) and collections stored on SD cards. Bluetooth connectivity and AirPlay functionality providefurther flexibility and enable mutliple Mojo/Poly combinations to be used throughout the home, providing a high-quality multiroom streaming playback solution.


Highly advanced yet miniaturised as a plug-in module for Mojo, Poly has been designed for full control using the best (and most familiar) user interface in the world — the smartphone.

When connected to Mojo, Poly conveniently slips into pockets, bags and handbags — it doesn’t need to be hand-carried or regularly checked like other players. Mojo was always a smartphone-enabling device and the same is true of Poly.

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Poly includes a rechargeable LiPo battery giving around 8 hours playback from a sub-4-hour charge. Both Mojo and Poly can be simultaneously charged using Poly’s Micro USB connector.
Playback
Poly can be controlled with a wide range of music playback apps for both Android and iOS devices, with AirPlay offering additional compatibility and intuitive operation with enabled devices. Poly also integrates with advanced music players such as Roon.
Why Poly?
The name is derived from the ancient Greek word meaning ‘a large number’ or ‘many’. The moniker is ideal for a product that is capable of incredible, wide-ranging functionality.

Features and specifications:


  1. Portable streamer/player that combines with Mojo
  2. Chord Electronics’ award-winning sound quality for streamed and Micro SD music
  3. Wireless streaming from connected devices at home or on-the-go
  4. Control via familiar smartphone apps
  5. 1x Micro SD card slot — unlimited maximum capacity
  6. Materials: Precision-machined aluminium casing with black anodisation, opaque black wireless signal window and silicone feet
  7. Battery: Rechargeable LiPo (Lithium Polymer) 2200mAh
  8. Play time: 9+ hrs
  9. Charging: <4 hours, 2-amp Micro USB input. Both Mojo and Poly can be simultaneously charged via Poly’s Micro USB
  10. Connectivity types: Bluetooth A2DP and Wi-Fi 2.4GHz (for optimum stability)
  11. Playback support: Roon, DNLA, AirPlay and Bluetooth playback
  12. DLNA server and renderer (SD card); SMB Server (SD card); MPD player (SD Card)
  13. Integrated Access Point: allows configuration of connected networks (up to 32)
  14. Hotspot mode: Poly can create its own hotspot where networks/devices/countries don’t support tethering
  15. Files supported: ACC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, OGG VORBIS, ALAC, WMA and MP3
  16. PCM sample rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 358.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz and 768kHz
  17. DSD via DoP sample rates: DSD64 – DSD256 (Quad-DSD); DSD from SD card
  18. Over-the-air software updates
  19. Devices supported: iPhone, iPad, Android phones/tablets, Windows and Mac OS X computers and DAPs
  20. Dimensions: 50mm (L) x 62mm (W) x 22mm (H)
Capabilities
  1. Playback support: Roon, DNLA, AirPlay and Bluetooth 4.1
  2. Playback of SD card audio. The file data is pushed to the phone for selection within a dedicated (MPD Music Player Daemon) app. When playback is initiated the command is sent to Poly for output via Mojo
  3. Playback of audio from a host device to Poly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. File data is read by the host’s MPD music player app and pushed to Poly for output via Mojo
  4. Roon playback pooled from multiple sources including local Micro SD card storage on Poly, storage from host devices, network storage and streaming service storage simultaneously. All audio playback will be pulled through to the Roon application for decoding then pushed back out to Poly to output audio via Mojo
  5. Playback of audio stored on local networks. Music on connected network storage devices can be accessed via W-Fi, for example, a Synology drive read by Poly, decoded and output through to Mojo for playback






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Price and availability

Poly will be available in October 2017, price £499​




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Jan 5, 2017 at 8:53 PM Post #2 of 19,528
Latest Poly Firmware Version

V2.0.4

Latest Gofigure Version

1.08 (73)

Official Poly Manual:-


https://chordelectronics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Poly-User-Manual-English.pdf


Gofigure app for iOS to control Poly can be found here:-

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gofigure-for-chord-electronics/id1344886041?mt=8

Official Gofigure Manual:-

https://chordelectronics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Gofigure-Manual-English.pdf



Chord Electronics Help Desk



Poly instructional videos:


1) How to add a network to Poly: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbVEY_2wOdA

2) How to connect to Roon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8NEgcOOVLA

3) DLNA playback: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR3HhVeQtnQ

4) Micro SD card playback: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv6mMworCPo

5) AirPlay playback: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmMyGBxgUtI

6) Bluetooth playback: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuonZqRA_Xo


Chord Poly in Hybrid Mode (uploaded by a customer)


Here are some additional tips put together by Matt Bartlett Chord’s Manufacturing Director
1. Poly Lights:-
a) Flashing blue then green means Poly is in access point / hotspot mode.
You will be able to see a WiFi network called Poly to connect to and then use the
config webpage to make changes to Poly setup. Bluetooth will not function in this mode.

b) Solid light means Poly is connected to a WiFi network. The light will be blue when fully charged,
then green, yellow, red as the battery depletes. The important thing is that the light is solid and not flashing.

c) Flashing Blue means Poly is connected and playing via Bluetooth.

d) White means Poly is on charge.

2. To access the config webpage Poly must be in access point mode and the light must be flashing green and blue.
You will see a WiFi network called Poly followed by a number. Connect to this and the webpage should automatically
appear. If you don't see the webpage open any browser and type poly.audio into the search bar.

3. Poly hotspot mode can be permanently switched on. In this mode it will always use it's own internal WiFi router and will not
connect to the internet or any other WiFi network previously stored. On the config webpage navigate to the Play mode settings
tab and check the tick box marked Keep in hotspot mode.
Note:- Hotspot mode is the same as access point mode where Poly will be broadcasting and connected using it's own internal
WiFi router so the lights will flash blue and green.

4. Phone hotspot mode should be setup in the same way as any other WiFi network.
Enter access point mode on Poly (flashing blue and green lights) and open the config webpage.
On the WiFi settings tab add your SSID for your phone hotspot and the password. Tick the reboot
on save box and the click the save button.
Note:- Make sure your phone name (SSID) does not include any special characters like a dash or apostrophe.
So don't use the name Bob's iPhone - instead use Bobs iPhone.
On the iPhone you can rename your phone by going to settings - general - about - name.

5. If you are having trouble getting Poly to remember WiFi settings then make sure you tick the reboot on save box
before clicking the save button. This will force Poly to reboot and change settings.

6. Apple Airplay will only output a 44KHz sample rate signal. This means the light on Mojo will always be red even if
you are playing a high resolution file. To play high resolution make sure you use a DLNA/UPnP app such as
8Player or BubbleUPnP where you can select Poly as a renderer output.

7. Tidal on the iPhone will only output using Airplay or Bluetooth. On android phones you can use apps
like BubbleUPnP which include Tidal integration to play music directly to Poly as a renderer.

8. Checking the saved WiFi networks. On the config page is a tab called Manage Connections.
This will show all the WiFi networks setup inside Poly. Here you can delete them if you want to.
Poly will automatically connect to all the WiFi networks listed providing they are in range and
then it will connect to the strongest first.

9. If you have your headphones or HiFi system connected to Mojo then you can make Poly
'speak' the mode and IP address it is connected to. Just give a short press on the config button
and you will hear Poly announce the settings. If you press and hold for more than 2 seconds then
Poly will say 'entering access point mode' and it will reset


Ok all here you go. This is the first update and there will be more to fix other issues.

This evening (UK time) we will start to roll out a Poly update that introduces some improvements and fixes. To update Poly, simply follow the instructions below.



How to update Poly:


Important: Poly must be connected to a Wi-Fi network ( P Status light on and solid colour ) with internet access and be switched ‘on’ or be on charge

1. Poly must be off initially to begin the update process.

2. Switch Poly ‘on’ for at least 30 minutes to connect to the update server and download the update

3. After 30 minutes, switch Poly ‘off’ (or unplug from the charger) and wait until the ‘P-status’ light goes out

4. Switch Poly ‘on’ and wait until the ‘P-status’ light comes back on. Poly has now installed the new firmware. Wait 20 minutes.

5. Switch Poly back ‘off’ and wait again until the ‘P-status’ light goes out

6. Switch Poly back ‘on’. Poly is now ready to use.



The update includes:


  • Wi-Fi MAC and Bluetooth MAC address visibility on the Access Point page
  • Access Point Wi-Fi Manage Connections page, delete networks resolved plus Access Point special character handling for Wi-Fi SSID and password added
  • DLNA FLAC file gapless playback
  • Restart of services when joining a new network
  • SSID 32 characters and password 63 characters max
  • Router DLNA services visibility
  • AirPlay updates
  • SD card database management improvements: If the SD card has space for database then the database will be stored on the SD. Therefore, Poly will only index the SD once, if the content has not changed. If there is insufficient space on the SD card, then the database will be created each time Poly is switched on.

Please be patient. We have a large number of Polys to update. If it doesn't work for you at first then wait and try again another time.
You will know it has been successful as the config page will show the firmware version 1.0.6.


It also important to note that after the update has loaded in the back ground it can only activate after your Poly has been cycled off and on again switch
Mojo off and wait several minutes before switching on again.





I have a question that involves switching Poly from working on a WiFi connection in my house to Roon playback and vice versa.

Keep headphones connected and press the config button until it tells you. Going into roon mode. When you hear that release the pin. It will be in roon mode without access point mode


For the people with the library rebuilding issues - are you guys using an MPD client, or a DLNA client?

My understanding is that there are 2 ways of playing SD card contents via the mojo:

1. Use a DLNA client and configure it to us the library from the poly, and set the renderer to the poly so that it's effectively straming from itself to itself (I'm not sure if the data goes via the phone?)
2. Use an MPD client which is designed by default to remote control a server elsewhere and just send commands like "play"

I am using MALP on android - an MPD client - and I can confirm that after restartng the poly, even though the library is rebuilding (and takes some time), i am able to browse and use the old library.

e.g. I had 4 folders of music working, I stopped poly, loaded more, restarted poly and i was able to play the existing 4 albums. After a while, the other 15000 songs appeared for use. After turning off the poly and restarting again, all 15000 songs are available immediately each time.

After I start the poly, I can always immediately use the MPD client, but if I switch to BubbleUpnP it takes time to rebuild the library each time (though maybe not more than 10)...

Hope that helps!

Poly recognises DSD just the same as MOJO. The application you’re using (8player) does not recognise DSD. Hence why the folders are empty. Sesame also doesn’t recognise DSD. The DLNA applications do not currently recognise DSD. To playback DSD from the SD card, you need to use an MPD application such as MPDluxe. You are already aware of this, you need Polys IP address which is found by pressing the configure button whilst wearing headphones. Poly will read its IP address. The Port should be 6600. No password is required


Using a phone ( in my example I have the iPhone )

1. Put Poly into access point mode with flashing blue and green led.

2. Go to settings - WiFi and choose the Poly WiFi network.
3. The config page should automatically open but if not open the browser and type poly.audio into the search bar.
4. The iPhone has a 'feature' that will not let you connect to a network without internet access so click on the config page and you should get
the iPhone asking you whether you want to 'use without internet' or use another network.

Click 'use without internet' You only ever get this message once.
5. Close the browser down and check you can see the WiFi icon rather than 3G/4G icon.

At this point your phone is connected to the Poly internal hotspot providing a WiFi connection.

Check if airplay is working. If airplay works then Poly is working correctly and you can go onto the next step.

Next we can see if the iPhone personal hotspot can connect to Poly.

For this you will need your personal hotspot settings from the iPhone page settings - personal hotspot.

1. Leaving Poly exactly as it is you should still see the blue and green light flashing.

2. Open up a browser and type poly.audio to open the config window.
3. Go to WiFi settings.

4. Type a name for Poly in the first box - you must name Poly otherwise it will not connect.
5. Now enter your WiFi details. The SSID is first - on my phone this would be matts iPhone (2).
You must type it exactly as it is shown on your iPhone personal hotspot settings including the spaces, capital letters and brackets.
Note:- There is currently a bug in Poly that means you cannot have an apostrophe in the SSID. For example if you had John’s iPhone (2) then this wouldn't work.
You can rename your phone SSID under settings - general - about - name.


6. Next enter the password. Typically on the iPhone this is 13 characters long and should only contain letters and numbers e.g aa12b3cc4dddd
7. Tick the reboot on save box.
8. Click save
9. Poly will now reboot.
10. Whilst Poly is rebooting go to settings - personal hotspot on the iPhone and click to turn it on. Do not leave this page - the iPhone hotspot will only connect when this page is open.
11. Check the P status light on Poly. It should flash and then go to solid blue. On the iPhone you should get a message that a device has connected.
12. Once connected close the personal hotspot screen on the iPhone and try out airplay or 8Player.

Let us know how you get on. Email info@chordelectronics.co.uk with the results tomorrow if you can and we will be happy to give further help. Please be assured we will get you up and running shortly

This information came directly from
Matt Bartlett BEng CEng MIET Chord Electronics Manufacturing Director

I believe what made a difference to me was turning on hotspot mode on the phone while the Poly was rebooting. Previously I was waiting until Poly was flashing blue before turning on hotspot mode on my phone.


Gapless playback - not sure if this has been mentioned before so apologies if I'm repeating.

Discovered last night that MPDluxe on iPhone playing 44/16 FLAC files from the SD card provided gapless playback.

HTH


.... make sure you have an SD card in poly or it won’t show as a server
 
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Jan 5, 2017 at 8:53 PM Post #3 of 19,528
When designing Poly the user's convenience and freedom from cables was the key objective. Poly provides a small easy way of providing a Mojo Ready streaming solution that has the capability to play current Audio formats whilst having the ability to be remotely updated to accommodate new Audio standards as the appear.

Poly is much more than just an SD card player, having Roon integration, DLNA support and MPD functionality all without tying you to any one App.


.... I'd like to be able to play an album on the inserted SD card, program it via my phone's hotspot, and then leave my phone at home and go for a run (just like in the branded video Chord have posted online).

13.43

This will be part of the chord Gofigure app so you can set a playlist playing then
leave your phone at home if you want to.

DLNA works by sending transport commands to Poly to play each
track. If you close down the DLNA app or leave your phone at home
then Poly will not get the commands to keep playing and so it will
stop.


Quote:
You will be able to use your existing applications to stream to Poly via Airplay, DLNA, Roon, and MPD to play the media from the SD card regarding MQA we are in conversation with Roon on this matter


With TIDAL integration will Poly receive TIDAL MQA streaming? Tidal website states TIDAL MQA is currently via Desktop only, so not sure if the Poly is supported?


We are looking closely into the technical support for MQA within the realm of our total support for the Roon playback system through Poly. We will not however be implementing any changes to the already advanced decoding technology within our Dacs.




.... people are forgetting you will have to adjust volume manually which I have to do quite often as track dynamic range varies.


There is an optional volume on your phone screen too.



We are running our multi processor cores at a very fast rate over 2GHz so Poly is extremely powerful so it won't suffer from glitches due to processor waiting time and over use like other typical mobile systems. Poly is not normal technology it far higher than the usual hence its price is more than you all wanted but we had to do this right. It's frustrating when so many guys are saying so much ill informed comment against us when all we are doing is trying to bring truly innovative ideas to market that have been properly engineered.


The price of Poly has not been inflated we at Chord always follow precisely the same Bill of material to selling price ratio. Yes we could have used a cheap single core processor that runs a fraction iof the speed we are running and had no coprocessor. The price is what it is because Poly is what it is please don't judge Poly when you are not fully aware of a Polys cababilities Poly is an amazing product with truly world first cababilities! Yes we could have built it cheaper but it would not have been able to do half of what Poly can do.or at the speed that poly can do it Please hold your fire until you can fully understand what Poly really is about. I would have hoped that by now all of you guys would understand that we at Chord care greatly about what ultra high technology we design. There are many rip off merchants that bring cheap low technology solutions forward with the hope of selling them to the gullible we are proud not to be one of them. So the price of Poly is the right price it could only be Cheapened by crippleing its performance and I'm very sorry but we as a company are not prepared to do that .
 
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Jan 5, 2017 at 8:56 PM Post #6 of 19,528
Why announce a product and not the price?  I know they already know what the MSRP will be so just announce the damn price.  Hell we've been waiting forever for this thing.
 
Jan 5, 2017 at 9:00 PM Post #7 of 19,528
LOL, ironically I think the free AK Connect app would work with Poly.
 
Jan 5, 2017 at 9:02 PM Post #8 of 19,528
so will it play sd card stored music by any music app in android or ios like neutron, or will it be a by dedicated music player for chord specifically
 
Jan 5, 2017 at 9:08 PM Post #12 of 19,528
  so will it play sd card stored music by any music app in android or ios like neutron, or will it be a by dedicated music player for chord specifically


It is a DLNA device so it will only play music that is stored locally on the Poly module. Your smartphone/tablet just acts as the controls and UI. There are numerous DLNA capable apps - some free (AK Connect) others for a few dollars.
 
If you stream music like Spotify or Tidal, Poly can connect via Bluetooth or Airplay.
 
Jan 5, 2017 at 9:09 PM Post #13 of 19,528
 
so will it play sd card stored music by any music app in android or ios like neutron, or will it be a by dedicated music player for chord specifically


I imagine something dedicated or could cause too many problems but Im not sure

 
 
It doesn't require a dedicated app, but it does need to be an MPD (Music Player Daemon) app.
 
Jan 5, 2017 at 9:09 PM Post #14 of 19,528
This looks very interesting! My mojo just arrived today and my primary transport to it was going to be DLNA from bubbleupnp.
 
a few thoughts on the Poly
 
-Will the poly's usb charging port also be usable as a source input or does the Poly need disconnected if you want to physically connect a DAP/Phone/PC?
-Surprised at only 2.4ghz wifi, this is a very congested spectrum and 2.4/5 ghz a/b/g/n/ac chips are a standard for any new wifi product release.
-If using WiFi to connect from phone/pc/whatever to the Poly, there will be challenges at  enterprise wireless deployments, hotels, airports. Most of these wireless implementations use client isolation so one WiFi client cannot directly communicate with another.
-If it supports an AdHoc or WiFi direct type of a connection then this may cause internet/network reachability issues from the phone/pc
-Will it's firmware be upgradable ? (e.g. add Chromecast support, bluetooth aptx, bug fixes?) (WiFi drivers are notoriously buggy and a very fast changing technology)
-It looks like it supports higher DSD rates than the mojo,  future proofing?
-Does it use the usb or toslink as transport to the mojo?
 
 
 
would love to hear more!
 
Jan 5, 2017 at 9:10 PM Post #15 of 19,528
  Why announce a product and not the price?  I know they already know what the MSRP will be so just announce the damn price.  Hell we've been waiting forever for this thing.

 
  What about price? why they didn't announced?

 
 
Price is now listed.
 

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