Holo Audio Red Streamer

[incredulousity]

When I had my Red, Holo was behind in updating the NAA image so I ran Jussi's NAA image.
It always sounded better to me and I only used the Red as NAA.
Has Holo updated the NAA image ?

No they have not. The last FW update was in April. NAA current version is newer than that.

 

[joseph69]

Yesterday I decided to try my Red in DDC mode. Below from the Kitsune site explains the way to switch from streaming mode to DDC mode:

Below explains both--the streamer & DDC selection settings:

Using Roon as my software player > Red > Spring V3 KTE--selecting 'SOURCE' > I2s and 'ENABLING'
(DDC = Holo Audio UAC2.0 Gen2-RED) under 'AUDIO' in Roon 'SETTINGS' allows me to use the RED in 'DDC MODE' which is shown in the Roon signal path.

By 'DISABLING' (DDC = Holo Audio UAC2.0 Gen2-RED) under 'AUDIO' in Roon 'SETTINGS' and selecting the Spring V3 KTE 'SOURCE' > USB-OUT and 'ENABLING' (STREAMER = Holo Audio UAC2.0 Gen2.1 Enhanced) allows me to use the RED in 'STREAMING MODE' which is shown in the Roon signal path.

Why then is it necessary to follow the instructions on the Kitsune site to switch functions from 'DDC MODE' to 'STREAMING MODE' by powering (off/on--USB connected/disconnected) the unit when I can choose one or the other by selecting a different SOURCE on the Spring V3 KTE and then selecting to enable or disable the modes in Roon?

Thanks

 

[Clemmaster]

I never understood the manual’s directions or the configuration page.

What I found was that:

• If you powered up the Red without USB cable attached, the streamer will run
• No matter what the setting in the config page, in streamer mode you can always use either the Digital (S/PDIF, AES and I2S) and USB outputs (both appear in Roon and can be selected)
• If you plug in the USB input while in streamer mode, the RED will immediately turn into a DDC (USB in -> Digital out) and those outputs are no longer visible to the streamer. However, the USB output still is.
• If you power the RED up with the USB input plugged in, the streamer won’t start and it will run in pure DDC mode

 

[joseph69]

I wasn't;t aware you needed to use the USB-inpt for DDC
As I mentioned-- it seems I'm using both--streaming or DDC without even using the USB-INPUT according to my 'AUDIO' selections on Roon.

 

[Clemmaster]

I call DDC a USB to Digital, but - technically - streamer to digital is also 'DDC' mode.

 

[joseph69]

I still find there's no reason whatsoever to power off/on--disconnect/connect via changing the DAC source and enabling/disabling the DDC/streamer via Roon. I'm definitely not saying I'm 100%correct--but would love to hear more from others on my experiences and findings.
Later I'll post snapshots of both--source and DDC/streamer settings in Roon. I'm also hearing a slightly (but noticeable) warmer, fuller tone using DDC over streaming--both sound very good--but different.

 

[joseph69]

As you can see above--bottom left is for DDC mode--bottom right is for streaming mode and I can choose either or--but do have to change my source inout to either I2s-Opt-AES-Coax1-Coax2 (in my case I2s) to use the DDC--or change my source input to USB to use the streamer. Don't understand why the Red needs to be powered off/on--disconnected/connected to change modes? Am I missing something here???

PS: The lower left audio device is always shown in Roon Audio being I have my 'output device' on the Red configuration page set to
Holo Audio UAC2.0 Gen2-RED (as seen below) which = DDC--the lower right audio device is only shown in Roon Audio when the source input is changed to USB.

 

[Mavwong]

I think a lot of people confuse what is a DDC

1) DDC : USB in -----> non USB out, e.g. I2S, coex, opt, AES. No OS is loaded and can't function as network end point. (USB out don't function here)
2) Streamer : Network in (Rj45) -----> USB, I2S, coex, opt, AES output, need OS to load up (running network end point) and running to process data from network, common end point protocol like UPNP, DLNA, Roon, HPQ NAA, Squeecelite etc.

Red can function as DDC only or Streamer only at any one time. As above already discuss way to switch function by whether there's USB out port connected.

During power on:
USB input port not connected with SD card loaded with OS ---> Streamer mode
USB input port connected ---> DDC mode

 

[Clemmaster]

I think a lot of people confuse what is a DDC

1) DDC : USB in -----> non USB out, e.g. I2S, coex, opt, AES. No OS is loaded and can't function as network end point. (USB out don't function here)
2) Streamer : Network in (Rj45) -----> USB, I2S, coex, opt, AES output, need OS to load up (running network end point) and running to process data from network, common end point protocol like UPNP, DLNA, Roon, HPQ NAA, Squeecelite etc.

Red can function as DDC only or Streamer only at any one time. As above already discuss way to switch function by whether there's USB out port connected.

During power on:
USB out port connected with SD card loaded with OS ---> Streamer mode
USB out port not connected ---> DDC mode

the DDC only vs Streamer is decided by the USB input at power on.

 

[Mavwong]

the DDC only vs Streamer is decided by the USB input at power on.

I think you are right, corrected.

 

[joseph69]

I think a lot of people confuse what is a DDC

1) DDC : USB in -----> non USB out, e.g. I2S, coex, opt, AES. No OS is loaded and can't function as network end point. (USB out don't function here)

I'm not using USB in--I'm using USB out. The above is a bit confusing for me to understand as written?

2) Streamer : Network in (Rj45) -----> USB, I2S, coex, opt, AES output, need OS to load up (running network end point) and running to process data from network, common end point protocol like UPNP, DLNA, Roon, HPQ NAA, Squeecelite etc.

I have the network in via RJ45 using Roon as my common endpoint.

Red can function as DDC only or Streamer only at any one time. As above already discuss way to switch function by whether there's USB out port connected.

Understand the Red can function as either or--not both at the same time--I have USB out port connected.

During power on:
USB input port not connected with SD card loaded with OS ---> Streamer mode
USB input port connected ---> DDC mode

Thanks for the correction @Clemmaster .

 

[EMINENT]

Haeloh.
I was wondering what those were for.

I think a lot of people confuse what is a DDC

1) DDC : USB in -----> non USB out, e.g. I2S, coex, opt, AES. No OS is loaded and can't function as network end point. (USB out don't function here)
2) Streamer : Network in (Rj45) -----> USB, I2S, coex, opt, AES output, need OS to load up (running network end point) and running to process data from network, common end point protocol like UPNP, DLNA, Roon, HPQ NAA, Squeecelite etc.

Red can function as DDC only or Streamer only at any one time. As above already discuss way to switch function by whether there's USB out port connected.

During power on:
USB input port not connected with SD card loaded with OS ---> Streamer mode
USB input port connected ---> DDC mode

Since those are not used with HQP, I want to add that having USB connected at power on remains in streaming state when using with HQP.

 

[joseph69]

Haeloh.
I was wondering what those were for.

As far as I understand it--those are my Roon Audio choices for either DDC or streaming mode. without powering off/on disconnecting/connecting USB (again--along with switching the source input on my Spring DAC).
I'm starting to wonder if anyone at all really knows how this unit is configured between DDC and streaming mode--and whether or not the directions on the Holo site are in fact correct?

 

[TChan]

A new toy is coming, little R2R dac Cyan2. May be a good match with Red in term of size.

 

[Deleeh]

A new toy is coming, little R2R dac Cyan2. May be a good match with Red in term of size.

Any technical details about it?