Holo Audio Red Streamer

[ericx85]

Same, got a text today estimating to deliver Monday

 

[ekjellgren]

1) No, it's not a DAC, it's a digital only device intended for feeding a DAC, similar to an iFi Neo Stream, Audio-GD DI20HE, Singxer SU-6 etc

2) Yes, it can be used either as a network streamer or USB DDC. (Need to reboot to change modes though).
You can use either the clean USB out or the I2S/AES/SPDIF outputs in either mode.

I thought iFi Neo Stream had analoge outputs?

 

[Rhodey]

Same, got a text today estimating to deliver Monday

Does yours show 2 piece IDs?
I ordered a bliss too so not sure if they’re shipping together?

 

[ericx85]

Mine says one, so it's likely the Bliss is with it I'd imagine.

 

[Rhodey]

Mine says one, so it's likely the Bliss is with it I'd imagine.

Ok cool. I appreciate you taking the time to check and respond. Thank you!

 

[ericx85]

@GoldenOne If the Red can take a USB signal from a PC and send a clean and Isolated USB to the dac through its USB out, would that be better than i2s? I don't know if the dac would still be async that way vs sync in i2s. But my guess it wouldn't make a difference. I know USB is technically better, but even when I had the may I preferred its i2s input vs its USB as great as it is.

 

[GoldenSound]

@GoldenOne If the Red can take a USB signal from a PC and send a clean and Isolated USB to the dac through its USB out, would that be better than i2s? I don't know if the dac would still be async that way vs sync in i2s. But my guess it wouldn't make a difference. I know USB is technically better, but even when I had the may I preferred its i2s input vs its USB as great as it is.

Depends on the DAC.
Some DACs have crappy USB and fairly un-bottlenecked I2S inputs.
Some DACs have amazing USB and maybe a strong PLL on the I2S input where you're gonna get no difference or maybe a slightly better result with USB.

Really is situational unfortunately. General answer is try both and see which you prefer.

 

[Clemmaster]

Is there galvanic isolation between the USB input and the DDC/USB outputs?

 

[alanb]

Hi GoldenOne

Are your measurements of the Red published anywhere yet?

 

[iFi audio]

I thought iFi Neo Stream had analoge outputs?

It has these indeed and can be used as a streamer/DAC device, thanks!

 

[jonh1]

Unboxing of Holo Audio RED

Having opened the packaging container, Holo RED meets us with two more boxes:

In the upper box, by tradition, there was a power cable, and ... a flash drive!

In the bottom box, the unpacking hero himself is already waiting for us:

The freed neat, perfectly assembled, red bar also unexpectedly pleases with its weight, which does not colorize with its dimensions:

Here is another example of the small dimensions of RED compared to Holo Spring:

A few more portraits as a bonus:

Next, it is expected to warm up and test in 2 stages:

1) Warming up and testing the streamer itself with a regular Internet connection. Time reference - 3-5 days.
2) The second one is connecting through “cleared shores” courtesy of @LKir and @Nirealto . “Berega” includes: kit with LBP Teddy Pardo, power cables from Fedotov and LAN cables AQ with GCR), i2s HDMI cable RAL and fuse SR Purple. Also, just in case, we put a Samsung EVO MicroSD card, which proved to be good along with the Wolf. I'll figure it out myself as I go along.
The time reference is after January 23, when the above-mentioned nishtyaks arrive.

I will compare with my iMac:

If anyone is interested, I can post a review later.

 

[jonh1]

I'm shocked!

I connected it to a cold one without warming up via i2s with simple cables. And I'm shocked guys! I have goosebumps! And it's at 3 am! How could you cram so much sound into such a small box! Awe and awe for this little box! And to those who developed it! No words!

How much does it cost? Give me two!

Bravo!

 

[kumar402]

I'm shocked!



I connected it to a cold one without warming up via i2s with simple cables. And I'm shocked guys! I have goosebumps! And it's at 3 am! How could you cram so much sound into such a small box! Awe and awe for this little box! And to those who developed it! No words!

How much does it cost? Give me two!

Bravo!

Did you use any streamer or DDC before it ? They do have positive impact on chain

 

[jgladden36]

Received mine. Setup was a snap. Dropped in sd card, hooked up ethernet, usb out to holo may. Selected UAC enhanced via ip on browser and off to the races.

I was using a node nl130. Hated bluos, especially needing low rez cover art, reindexing manually after every addition to library, no bit or frequency filtering, etc. With asset unpnp and mconnect I am a happy camper.

Great tech for a very reasonable price. Looking forward to goldenone measurements but my ears are satisfied listening to the red straight out of the box.

 

[sahmen]

A comparative evaluation of the sonic performances of a "red streamer" vs a singxer SU-6 vs a Pi 2 Design - Mercury Streamer V2 would be very interesting at this moment, and I am hoping there is a member of the head-fi community who can do it.

At least I would be interested in hearing or reading such a comparative assessment. Many thanks in advance.