M2Tech HiFace 2?

[ROBSCIX]

I was surprised nobody seemed to have mentioned this yet.
According to the information, the unit supports USB Audio 2.0 so is supported out of the box.  ASIO is also supported and you Linux guys are in luck also.
 
Is anybody here interested in this?

 

[Patu]

http://www.m2tech.biz/hiface2.html
 
There's some more info about it. Interesting product definitely. I'll try it out when my local dealer gets them.

 

[tranhieu]

It's 199$ over there in Australia. If it's better than the original Hiface I'm sold.

 

[tranhieu]

The Hiface 2 came in the mail today, looks no different from the 1st version. Unfortunately I am hundred miles away from my DAC so the comparison with the Hiface 1 has to wait another 2 weeks. However rumor has it that this new chap is way better than its brother so I'm very excited now.
oh well, back to work. Driver installed smoothly and foobar recognized the new toy btw.

 

[realmassy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranhieu /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
However rumor has it that this new chap is way better than its brother so I'm very excited now.

It really is. I got it in the mail today, plugged in my Mac Mini and it's been immediately recognised. Good thing, it supports PureMusic integer mode.
And it sounds excellent. I'm probably biased towards M2Tech products having a Young and a Palmer, but this little toy is pretty good. The BNC input of the Young sounds different than the USB, but I'm not clear yet where the difference is.
BTW, I didn't like the first Hiface, in my previous setup the Halide Bridge was superior.
 

 

[tranhieu]

Quote:

It really is. I got it in the mail today, plugged in my Mac Mini and it's been immediately recognised. Good thing, it supports PureMusic integer mode.
And it sounds excellent. I'm probably biased towards M2Tech products having a Young and a Palmer, but this little toy is pretty good. The BNC input of the Young sounds different than the USB, but I'm not clear yet where the difference is.
BTW, I didn't like the first Hiface, in my previous setup the Halide Bridge was superior.
 

thanks, rumor confirmed

btw how does it stand next to your Bridge?

 

[realmassy]

I no longer have the Bridge. I sold it when I bought the Young, because its USB input was better, to my ears.
So, if the Hiface Two is at least as good as the Young...

 

[tranhieu]

is it? is it? now you made me wanna take the first train back home to test it out!

 

[realmassy]

Quote:

is it? is it? now you made me wanna take the first train back home to test it out!

 
I think so. I don't know if it's because of the USB implementation of the Hiface Two, or the BNC implementation of the Young (USB and SPDIF input are completely different in this DAC), or  PureMusic Integer Mode.

Differences are obviously subtle, but are there: I've been listening to Beethoven Op. 127, Takacs Quartet, and sound is live, rich, with better separation. But there's no artificial air between instruments, if you see what I mean. There's more contrast instead. Tonally I can't hear differences, but for timbre accuracy I probably prefer the Hiface Two.
Young's USB input is smoother, more relaxed, but that doesn't mean the Hiface Two sounds harsh. And probably the Hiface can be tweaked with an external PSU or a better digital cable.
I'm extremely happy so far.
 

 

[WarrenR]

Hi Realmassey.
 
How much was the HiFace 2 and did you get it from Purite Audio?

 

[tranhieu]

Quote:

Hi Realmassey.
 
How much was the HiFace 2 and did you get it from Purite Audio?

It's 140gbp shipped with tax included. I also got it from Purité, just shoot Keith an email. He's an extremely nice guy.

 

[WarrenR]

I've just spoke to Keith.  He has one in stock.
 
Do you think it will be much of an upgrade over the original V-Link?
 
I remember reading that the HiFace 1 had a harsh characteristic and there was an issue about the quality of clocks being used in later batches. 
 
I've asked Keith if he will do a home trial.
 
So we shall see.
 
Cheers.

 

[realmassy]

Quote:

Hi Realmassey.
 
How much was the HiFace 2 and did you get it from Purite Audio?

 
 
 
Got it as home trial from Keith, as tranhieu said. Price is £140.
Problem with home trials is I always end up buying them

 
Quote:

I've just spoke to Keith.  He has one in stock.
 
Do you think it will be much of an upgrade over the original V-Link?
 
I remember reading that the HiFace 1 had a harsh characteristic and there was an issue about the quality of clocks being used in later batches. 
 
I've asked Keith if he will do a home trial.
 
So we shall see.
 
Cheers.

 
I've never tried the V-Link, so I have no idea. But as I said, I didn't like the Hiface 1 either. I don't think the Hiface 2 is harsh, but home trial is the way to go
 
 

 

[WarrenR]

Cool.
 
I seem to remember that the old HiFace needed to use attenuators to control the output.  Is that still the case?
 
Cheers.

 

[WarrenR]

I think I'm going to give this a miss.
 
I don't think it will be much of a step up over my V-Link, just different.
 
I'm going to wait for more feedback and reviews before committing.
 
Cheers.