[bartsimpson6994]

I had the same issue with the battery. But when I switched it off it switched it self back on ? Have you checked this ?
So I always make sure it is off by watching it shut down 100%
 
Mine is a replacement model and works fine other than that small issue.
 
Nick 

 

[pekingduck]

  I had the same issue with the battery. But when I switched it off it switched it self back on ? Have you checked this ?
So I always make sure it is off by watching it shut down 100%
 
Mine is a replacement model and works fine other than that small issue.
 
Nick 

The shutdown problem will go away after you update the firmware to the latest 1.084 (available from head-direct.com)
 
There has been several 1.084 versions in existence. The repairman was probably lazy and didn't update the firmware before sending it to you.
 
I know because my replacement unit had the same problem which went away after a firmware update (instructed by their customer service) 

 

 

[LarsHP]

  I used the HM901 balance to C435 today in office. It seems there is a slight hiss for sensitive iem. The hiss didnt bother me until I realized the 24/88 flac files create this regular "tic... tic.... tic.." noise in the background... pretty similar to what I experienced when playing 24/192 flac files on ibasso DX50 and DB2/PB2.
I had the X5 with me so I put the card in X5 to try again, the "tic tic tic" noise was gone however, there was still some hiss but nothing major... the FLAC were converted from DFF files...
I really think balance card is not a good match for sensitive CIEM...but u all know that already LoL

I hear no hiss from Balanced amp card with my UM Miracle (16 Ohm, 114dB) with SE output / TRS connector.

 

[BrasilSamba]

My unit has the same problem as the bartsimpson6994's one. It shuts not down properly.
 
@pekingduck
I did the update 1.084 from the file listed on the Hifiman website:
 
"Here the new firmware V1.084 is updated. To download the firmware, please click:
http://down.head-direct.com/hm901/update.zip
MD5: 8F62320E4EC53D57A7C3924CEBA68886
SHA1: 1D1EC2A6D3895195946A3D1BF728605C54F92295
CRC32: B0615836"
  
I've just discovered another small flaw - when I use the main wheel (scrolling songs etc.), it works for few times OK and then one rotation step (not always the same step) does nothing, further step is OK, then several OK, then problem repeats.
It looks like a flaw in firmware rather than a hw problem.
 
pekingduck, if you have a link to a working 1.084 update,  could you post it here, please?
thanks in advance.
 
~ bs

 

[pekingduck]

BrasilSamba: that's also the same file I used for update as well. May be you can try updating it again.
 
I haven't experienced your problem with the scroll wheel.
 
As a side note, my 901 produced a screeching noise with the faulty 1.084 as well.

 

[BrasilSamba]

I don't know why but the replaced HM901 doesn't play all dff files (extracted from ISO file with sacd_extract).
From certain ISOs it is OK, from certain ISOs not. I extract with  --2ch-tracks --output-dsdiff parameters.
 
And the second strange thing is the main wheel which seems to be defected. turn one direction occasionally leads to scrolling to the opposite direction. I tried older firmware but it is the same. It is a hardware flaw.
 
These several proclaimed quality controls are ridiculous.

 

[LarsHP]

My wheel also "works" like described. It is as you say in the hardware and I think it's because it is a bit loose. It really isn't such a big deal to me though. I can easily live with it.

 

[BrasilSamba]

Yes, my wheel is much looser with the replaced unit. And I came to the same conclusion .
 
Today I got all the dff files playing, I just added a -c parameter to the sacd_extract.
 
If there was a way how to recharge it in the car without an 12->110V inverter it would be perfect.
Well, one more thing: usb dac function ...

 

[axl1]

Yes, my wheel is much looser with the replaced unit. And I came to the same conclusion .


 


Today I got all the dff files playing, I just added a -c parameter to the sacd_extract.


 


If there was a way how to recharge it in the car without an 12->110V inverter it would be perfect.


Well, one more thing: usb dac function ...

 


Can explain how acually you do this?

"I just added a -c parameter to the sacd_extract"

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

 

  Yes, my wheel is much looser with the replaced unit. And I came to the same conclusion

.
   
  Today I got all the dff files playing, I just added a -c parameter to the sacd_extract.
   
  If there was a way how to recharge it in the car without an 12->110V inverter it would be perfect.
  Well, one more thing: usb dac function ...

 


Can explain how acually you do this?

"I just added a -c parameter to the sacd_extract"

 
 

 sage: sacd_extract [options] [outfile] -2, --2ch-tracks : Export two channel tracks (default) -m, --mch-tracks : Export multi-channel tracks -e, --output-dsdiff-em : output as Philips DSDIFF (Edit Master) file -p, --output-dsdiff : output as Philips DSDIFF file -s, --output-dsf : output as Sony DSF file -I, --output-iso : output as RAW ISO -c, --convert-dst : convert DST to DSD -C, --export-cue : Export a CUE Sheet -i, --input[=FILE] : set source and determine if "iso" image, device or server (ex. -i192.168.1.10:2002) -P, --print : display disc and track information Help options: -?, --help : Show this help message --usage : Display brief usage message

 
By the way, have you guys tried to convert those ISO to FLAC 24/88 using foobar and compare those DFF that you guys export? To be honest, I am not hearing much difference...

 

[BrasilSamba]

 --2ch-tracks --output-dsdiff --convert-dst --input"/path/...../any.iso"

first parameter is said to be default but better be sure
 
There is a similar utility dsf2flac for further dff to flac conversion.
 
there is also a java gui for both conversion utilities.
 
I use osx Maverics's automator, I created a service which scans any files/folders selection in finder, filters ISO files and converts them to dff (above syntax). all dff play without issues on firmware 1.084.
 
hope it helps

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

BrasilSamba
Have u tried hybrid SACD ISO contains both 2ch and multichannel tracks? Thanks

 

[BrasilSamba]

@CosmicHolyGhost
 
Yes. Example bellow (info printed from ISO with -P parameter).
Plays flawlessly. Converted  with sacd_extract  OSX version on Mavericks, syntax:

 --2ch-tracks --output-dsdiff --convert-dst --input"/path/...../any.iso"

 
#################################################
Disc Information:
        Version:  1.20
        Creation date: 2011-07-29
        Catalog Number: WPCR-14173      
        Locale: en
        Title: 4
        Artist: FOREIGNER
Album Information:
        Catalog Number: 4943674109012   
        Sequence Number: 1
        Set Size: 1
        Locale: en
        Title: 4
        Artist: FOREIGNER
Area count: 2
        Area Information [0]:
        Version:  1.20
        Track Count: 12
        Speaker config: 2 Channel
        Track list [0]:
                Title[0]: NIGHT LIFE
                Title[1]: JUKE BOX HERO
                Title[2]: BREAK IT UP
                Title[3]: WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU
                Title[4]: LUANNE
                Title[5]: URGENT
                Title[6]: I'M GONNA WIN
                Title[7]: WOMAN IN BLACK
                Title[8]: GIRL ON THE MOON
                Title[9]: DON'T LET GO
                Title[10]: JUKE BOX HERO("Nearly Unplugged" Version)
                Title[11]: WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU("Nearly Unplugged" Version)
        ISRC Track [0]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07559
        ISRC Track [1]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07560
        ISRC Track [2]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07535
        ISRC Track [3]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07561
        ISRC Track [4]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07562
        ISRC Track [5]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07564
        ISRC Track [6]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07565
        ISRC Track [7]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07566
        ISRC Track [8]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07567
        ISRC Track [9]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07563
        ISRC Track [10]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07568
        ISRC Track [11]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07569
        Area Information [1]:
        Version:  1.20
        Track Count: 12
        Speaker config: 6 Channel
        Track list [1]:
                Title[0]: NIGHT LIFE
                Title[1]: JUKE BOX HERO
                Title[2]: BREAK IT UP
                Title[3]: WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU
                Title[4]: LUANNE
                Title[5]: URGENT
                Title[6]: I'M GONNA WIN
                Title[7]: WOMAN IN BLACK
                Title[8]: GIRL ON THE MOON
                Title[9]: DON'T LET GO
                Title[10]: JUKE BOX HERO("Nearly Unplugged" Version)
                Title[11]: WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU("Nearly Unplugged" Version)
        ISRC Track [0]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07537
        ISRC Track [1]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07538
        ISRC Track [2]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07534
        ISRC Track [3]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07539
        ISRC Track [4]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07540
        ISRC Track [5]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07541
        ISRC Track [6]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07542
        ISRC Track [7]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07543
        ISRC Track [8]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07544
        ISRC Track [9]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07545
        ISRC Track [10]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07546
        ISRC Track [11]:
          Country: US, Owner: AT2, Year: 01, Designation: 07547
#######################################################

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

thanks, maybe I forgot to use the "convert dst" switch last time. will try later..

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

it works...
 
But I also tried comparing the exported DFF and 24/88 FLAC files using the ISO file... It seems the DFF playback has softer volume and has a much noisier background. Sadly, it also lacks the "fullness" in sound that I love from HM-901 even when turning up the volume... It seems the 901 handles PCM a lot better...