So one could use a simple RPi to feed his DAC via USB and the result would be the same compared to any streamer, right? I'm talking only about USB, not any other outputs a streamer may have...
Holo Audio Red Streamer
- Thread starter lsantista
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For USB specifically yes. USB does not carry a clock signal for audio, data is sent in chunks, and is actually done so when instructed by the DAC itself. Everything is buffered and converted according to the timing of the DAC's own clock.
The only factor to be concerned about with USB is noise. So a streamer can have a benefit, it's just nothing to do with jitter (and for a DAC like a May with full galvanic isolation anyway even that doesn't matter as it's already solved)
jcn3
1000+ Head-Fier
ok got it -- but you didn't weigh in on the important part of the question that @photobillyli posed. thoughts on that?
photobillyli
Head-Fier
It is really difficult to conduct a fair test. My current setup involves connecting my M1 to an audio switch, which is then connected in series with another identical audio switch via an optical fiber. The second switch is connected to my Holo Red device, and the Holo Red is connected to my Cyan 2 using an audio USB cable.
Since I don't have an audio-grade I2S cable at the moment, yesterday I disconnected the USB cable and used a computer HDMI cable instead to get acquainted with the sound. It was just "OK" and nowhere near the quality of my audio-grade USB cable.
Next, I directly connected my M1 to the Red using the audio USB cable, and the Red was connected to the Cyan 2 using a regular HDMI cable. The first thing I noticed was that after playing for about 10 seconds, there would be an abnormal computer sound, like a "bit" or something similar. It was extremely annoying, and I couldn't even assess the sound quality properly. As a result, I decided to stick with my current setup, the NAA, which provides much more stable playback.
Since I don't have an audio-grade I2S cable at the moment, yesterday I disconnected the USB cable and used a computer HDMI cable instead to get acquainted with the sound. It was just "OK" and nowhere near the quality of my audio-grade USB cable.
Next, I directly connected my M1 to the Red using the audio USB cable, and the Red was connected to the Cyan 2 using a regular HDMI cable. The first thing I noticed was that after playing for about 10 seconds, there would be an abnormal computer sound, like a "bit" or something similar. It was extremely annoying, and I couldn't even assess the sound quality properly. As a result, I decided to stick with my current setup, the NAA, which provides much more stable playback.
Questioned and answered more than once.
Hello, will holo audio red work with a usb laptop in ddc mode please?
With holo cyan 2 or usb or i2s please?
With holo cyan 2 or usb or i2s please?
jcn3
1000+ Head-Fier
in ddc mode, the red does usb input and outputs to coax/bnc, optical, aes, and i2s. the diagram below from the user manual explains:
Last edited:
NoTimeFor
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Just updated FW to:
using Performance mode, Squeezelite, Red Native Output via I2s output sounded way too bright. Great to hear super detail and separation but it hurt my ears. Nothing else changed. Just OS upgrade. Has anyone noticed that? I had to unplug i2s cable, change the setting to USB -> Holo Audio UAC2.0 Gen2.1 Enhance and use the USB out from Red to May DAC. Still sound a slightly brighter compared to previous OS version I had, but it is listenable. In a way it is a refreshing change, but I am curious why the sound change is so drastic.
| Os Release | 2024.04.21 |
using Performance mode, Squeezelite, Red Native Output via I2s output sounded way too bright. Great to hear super detail and separation but it hurt my ears. Nothing else changed. Just OS upgrade. Has anyone noticed that? I had to unplug i2s cable, change the setting to USB -> Holo Audio UAC2.0 Gen2.1 Enhance and use the USB out from Red to May DAC. Still sound a slightly brighter compared to previous OS version I had, but it is listenable. In a way it is a refreshing change, but I am curious why the sound change is so drastic.
I can't remember of a tonal change when I upgraded to 2024.04.21
Reflash that sd card? Or try another card?
Axiom05
Head-Fier
Agree, OS 2024-04-21 in SqueezeLite mode sounds great. Sounds the same as previous OS version.
Found the same.
Reverted back to the older firmware. Less detailed, but also less fatiguing…
musicinmymind
Headphoneus Supremus
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How do you revert back to old firmware?
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Out of curiosity, what is the best SQ connection between Red and May KTE?
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