Audioexcels
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 31, 2006
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First of all, I am not sure where to post my impressions about Tweek Geek, but they are hands down a phenomenal dealer for those in the US that are looking to get your hands on the latest products such as the Hiface 2 or even to take a device for a test spin as they often have a demo of something you may be interested in, and you get a free trial with it. The CEO of the company responded directly with me about the shiipping/handling, and also about my return (see more on that later). I found this to be absolutely top rate as every other place one usually buys something from has multiple customer service representatives and they may do a fine job, but it's not exactly like going one on one with the CEO who is a very good guy from my experience.
Website: http://www.tweekgeek.com/
When the Hiface 2 came out, I was very excited. I know a person that owned the Jkeny MK2 and also a stock Hiface 1 w/custom power supply, and he said his stock Hiface 1 w/custom power supply (nothing fancy) was equal or better to the Jkeny MK2. I made a note of this because the "very few" people reporting excellent results with Hiface 2 vs. Hiface 1 made me think if I did the same w/power supply upgrade, the sound may even be better than anything Jkeny has made. This would save me a solid $200+ if so
! But I was not getting ahead of myself and rather, wanted to hear this device first hand to see just what I was hearing. As mentioned already, I bought and received the item very quickly from Tweek Geek, and they are the only company that had this in stock at the time that I ordered it. So kudos again to them!!!
Regarding what I heard, I have to say right off, that I have not heard much of any "noteworthy" difference between different transports. I have heard some differences in another person's system, but that person's "sound" is extremely different than mine (like polar opposites). So what I will say will not be much of a substantial review, but a more basic one)
Hiface 1: This sound is "ok", as in, it's cheap especially used right now, and you can just plug n' play w/install of drivers. With the used pricing, putting a nice power supply on one makes it an absolute bargain, especially if the sound does in fact improve by a lot. There's plenty of reviews out there, but I would say the main "issues" I have heard with it have been some coating over the sound/signal. It just doesn't sound as transparent as the others.
Hiface 2: This is a very clean sound, very similar to my DVD player, but maybe a bit better
. I use the word clean because it has a very good clarity from top to bottom, without emphasizing anything. It sounds very neutral all in all. Most importantly, it requires no drivers for Linux/Windows...this was a major issue with Hiface 1.
Xonar ST: I found this to have a bit of emphasis in the midrange section vs. other transports, but again, this is very very subtle. I cannot seem to explain how in my system, even very high priced transports do not sound much different than low priced ones. What I like about the Xonar ST is that it supports ASIO and it also does not have the synch issues the Hiface units do. So if you watch tv, this is a good transport that does not give up anything to the Hiface 2, but does sound more "emphasized" than the more neutral Hiface 2. Similar tansparency and other things.
DVD Player: I enjoy using this as a comparison because one can buy them or even get one for free from a family member/friend/etc. The DVD player has held its own with anything I have had in home. It reminds me of something like the Hiface+Xonar ST..a combo of the two.
All in all, this is my summary of these devices:
1) Hiface 1 is a bargain right now if you plan to put say, an Aqvox PS on it. I would bet it sounds fantastic after that.
2) Hiface 2 is a bargain not only for the Linux/Mac users, but for anyone as it is easily a superior sound than the Hiface 1, and it may just get better with an Aqvox supply on it. SO it is without a doubt a real bargain, too.
3) Xonar ST has a very clean sound, too, but does have something on it. It is transparent, but I think what it brings onto the signal is a bit of midrange emphasis, but not in a bad way necessarily. It sounds warmish, yet transparent at the same time. Everything else about it is quite excellent. That it can be used without issues while watching tv is a good thing for people like myself. At its used pricing, it too, is a great bargain.
4) DVD player or any cd transport for the matter all will have different sounds I'm sure, but it's just a cheap ole device that simply works. About all I have to say about it. You want to keep things out of the computer, I2S into a known enough dvd-blue ray-etc. player and have nice sound, but not quite the convenience of the computer obviously.
Everyone seems to have some sort of different notion on what a transport "sounds like", with many making very bold claims so as to say the transport is more meaningful than the external dac/preamp/etc. I entirely disagree with this and if higher end units have been only subtle differences much the same as these more budget units I have just spoken about, then they are hearing things that I may be able to hear, but it's so subtle why bother? I am sure there is some merit to why people do and do not hear differences in transports or better yet, why they hear such a night/day difference, and I am not discounting or taking away their merit since I do not hear whatever they are hearing w/exception of hearing it in a polar opposite type system that I did.
I want to say I have no affiliation with Tweek Geek, but have to recommend them big time. I know in a Hiface 2 thread, they mentioned a UK dealer that was superb. Sounds like we have the US version over here in Tweek Geek.
Don't know if this helps anyone, but there ya go!
Cheers all!
Website: http://www.tweekgeek.com/
When the Hiface 2 came out, I was very excited. I know a person that owned the Jkeny MK2 and also a stock Hiface 1 w/custom power supply, and he said his stock Hiface 1 w/custom power supply (nothing fancy) was equal or better to the Jkeny MK2. I made a note of this because the "very few" people reporting excellent results with Hiface 2 vs. Hiface 1 made me think if I did the same w/power supply upgrade, the sound may even be better than anything Jkeny has made. This would save me a solid $200+ if so
! But I was not getting ahead of myself and rather, wanted to hear this device first hand to see just what I was hearing. As mentioned already, I bought and received the item very quickly from Tweek Geek, and they are the only company that had this in stock at the time that I ordered it. So kudos again to them!!!Regarding what I heard, I have to say right off, that I have not heard much of any "noteworthy" difference between different transports. I have heard some differences in another person's system, but that person's "sound" is extremely different than mine (like polar opposites). So what I will say will not be much of a substantial review, but a more basic one
)Hiface 1: This sound is "ok", as in, it's cheap especially used right now, and you can just plug n' play w/install of drivers. With the used pricing, putting a nice power supply on one makes it an absolute bargain, especially if the sound does in fact improve by a lot. There's plenty of reviews out there, but I would say the main "issues" I have heard with it have been some coating over the sound/signal. It just doesn't sound as transparent as the others.
Hiface 2: This is a very clean sound, very similar to my DVD player, but maybe a bit better
. I use the word clean because it has a very good clarity from top to bottom, without emphasizing anything. It sounds very neutral all in all. Most importantly, it requires no drivers for Linux/Windows...this was a major issue with Hiface 1.Xonar ST: I found this to have a bit of emphasis in the midrange section vs. other transports, but again, this is very very subtle. I cannot seem to explain how in my system, even very high priced transports do not sound much different than low priced ones. What I like about the Xonar ST is that it supports ASIO and it also does not have the synch issues the Hiface units do. So if you watch tv, this is a good transport that does not give up anything to the Hiface 2, but does sound more "emphasized" than the more neutral Hiface 2. Similar tansparency and other things.
DVD Player: I enjoy using this as a comparison because one can buy them or even get one for free from a family member/friend/etc. The DVD player has held its own with anything I have had in home. It reminds me of something like the Hiface+Xonar ST..a combo of the two.
All in all, this is my summary of these devices:
1) Hiface 1 is a bargain right now if you plan to put say, an Aqvox PS on it. I would bet it sounds fantastic after that.
2) Hiface 2 is a bargain not only for the Linux/Mac users, but for anyone as it is easily a superior sound than the Hiface 1, and it may just get better with an Aqvox supply on it. SO it is without a doubt a real bargain, too.
3) Xonar ST has a very clean sound, too, but does have something on it. It is transparent, but I think what it brings onto the signal is a bit of midrange emphasis, but not in a bad way necessarily. It sounds warmish, yet transparent at the same time. Everything else about it is quite excellent. That it can be used without issues while watching tv is a good thing for people like myself. At its used pricing, it too, is a great bargain.
4) DVD player or any cd transport for the matter all will have different sounds I'm sure, but it's just a cheap ole device that simply works. About all I have to say about it. You want to keep things out of the computer, I2S into a known enough dvd-blue ray-etc. player and have nice sound, but not quite the convenience of the computer obviously.
Everyone seems to have some sort of different notion on what a transport "sounds like", with many making very bold claims so as to say the transport is more meaningful than the external dac/preamp/etc. I entirely disagree with this and if higher end units have been only subtle differences much the same as these more budget units I have just spoken about, then they are hearing things that I may be able to hear, but it's so subtle why bother? I am sure there is some merit to why people do and do not hear differences in transports or better yet, why they hear such a night/day difference, and I am not discounting or taking away their merit since I do not hear whatever they are hearing w/exception of hearing it in a polar opposite type system that I did.
I want to say I have no affiliation with Tweek Geek, but have to recommend them big time. I know in a Hiface 2 thread, they mentioned a UK dealer that was superb. Sounds like we have the US version over here in Tweek Geek.
Don't know if this helps anyone, but there ya go!
Cheers all!
