S-Audio Focus DAC/amp with binaural DSP

[ReAlien]

Ah, i thought you ment a new S-audio fovus amp. Haha.. Do Macim have a website ?

Nope, information only on forums and in chats or directly from him. Hardcore DIY)

 

[ReAlien]

As to the FOCUS, I have installed new connectors on my mains cable (Zu Audio Event) and it opened new horizons for me. I've been in a positive shock ever since)

 

[cleg]

Meanwhile, there is a second revision available. Better UX, bit improved sound, and 2 times lower cost. Pretty untypical for a modern HiFi

 

[ReAlien]

Meanwhile, there is a new version Focus 3 which is a major improvement over the previous ones. It has an A-Class headamp now, new custom-made digital filters, and updated binaural mode which introduces fewer changes to the frequency characteristics while retaining its "magic" holographic and stereo positioning properties.

The main advantages over Focus 2 are better instrument separation and layering, and much more natural-sounding instruments. Classical music is shockingly immersive now. It has a neutral tonal balance and is rather demanding in terms of the quality of a recording. If the recording is poorly produced Focus will show all its weaknesses. But with HQ materials it is really impressive. Genre-wise it is better suited to classical, jazz, folk, and other instrumental music. Metalheads might be disappointed as it does not color the sound and does not add any noticeable signature. Binaural sound mode is also not for everyone but those who dig it are reluctant to move to other non-binaural products. It changes the frequency characteristics a bit but provides a rewarding stereo effect with great positioning and layering, holographic instruments, and overall natural sounds of the instruments. I use Focus for my speaker setup as well.

I use mine with Gutwire USB cable and DIY power cable (mono strand with cotton sheathing) with ATL Power CU connectors.

The exterior design is the same as Focus 2. The changes are inside only.

 

[audionewbi]

This looks very interesting, is there a link for focus 3?

 

[ReAlien]

This looks very interesting, is there a link for focus 3?

Here it is: http://s-audio.systems/focus/?setlang=en

 

[cleg]

My video about the 4th revision



Even during the war, great products are still developing

 

[Phenom24]

I forgot to mention the headphones/IEMs I used for testing:

Hifiman HE4 & HE500, Oppo PM3, Dita Truth.

All of them sounded good, but HE500 sounded less attractive than I expected, maybe that is due to HE500's uneven frequency characteristics. Dita sounds great in low gain mode but with other IEMs you might encounter a noise as Focus was not made for sensitive headphones. IFI Match corrects this properly as per the info I got from other owners.

My main headphones are custom-made isodynamic over-the-ear Final Carbons by MaxNANO (Ukraine), but none of you know what they are (only 4 of them exist at the moment), so there is no reason to use those as a reference.)

Other owners that I know happily use their Focuses with Ananda, Empyrean and Ether CX headphones.

Hello! please tell me if the s focus amplifier had enough power to pump hifiman he 4 and he 500?

 

[ReAlien]

Hello! please tell me if the s focus amplifier had enough power to pump hifiman he 4 and he 500?

Yes, it was enough for me.

BTW, the new Focus 4 is even more powerful, and it features unique digital filters of Focus 3 with upgraded analog output and power. The sound it produces is one of the most realistic I've ever heard. The speed and sound separation levels of this DAC are making wonders with music. It makes each track into a tale that my music system tells. And the binaural experience is as pure as ever.

 

[Phenom24]

Yes, it was enough for me.

BTW, the new Focus 4 is even more powerful, and it features unique digital filters of Focus 3 with upgraded analog output and power. The sound it produces is one of the most realistic I've ever heard. The speed and sound separation levels of this DAC are making wonders with music. It makes each track into a tale that my music system tells. And the binaural experience is as pure as ever.

I have s focus 3 and hifiman he500 and I see that you were not delighted with the 500, I only have them for Sunday, I listen on stock ear pads, and with some incomprehensible cable, the sound is 50/50 somewhere I like it, somewhere not, maybe not enough power for headphones?. And how do you like 500 now? After Centrance M8, I liked s focus 3

 

[ReAlien]

I have s focus 3 and hifiman he500 and I see that you were not delighted with the 500, I only have them for Sunday, I listen on stock ear pads, and with some incomprehensible cable, the sound is 50/50 somewhere I like it, somewhere not, maybe not enough power for headphones?. And how do you like 500 now? After Centrance M8, I liked s focus 3

Sorry, I never had HE500 as mine, just borrowed for some time couple of years ago. I'm glad you like Focus 3, and I'm sure you will enjoy Focus 4 big time when you get a chance to hear it.

 

[Phenom24]

Sorry, I never had HE500 as mine, just borrowed for some time couple of years ago. I'm glad you like Focus 3, and I'm sure you will enjoy Focus 4 big time when you get a chance to hear it.

did you also write that hifiman he4 was listened to, did they also have enough power s focus?

 

[ReAlien]

you also wrote that you haven't listened to them, they still seem to be carcasses for 500, but they played better?

Sorry, lost you there...

 

[Phenom24]

Sorry, lost you there...

did you also write that hifiman he4 was listened to, did they also have enough power s focus?

 

[ReAlien]

did you also write that hifiman he4 was listened to, did they also have enough power s focus?

I'm my books, it sounded properly powered but I never listened to them with powerful amps so not able to judge. And, truth be told, it was so long ago, three Focuses earlier)