Well I met Michael from Centrance at the Tokyo.I exchanged my beta Hifi-M8 for the recent model (it was something we had discussed earlier in June/July).Some differences are already apparent. More to follow.
As the older followers of this thread know Centrance asked us whether we would like to have our idevice Hifi-M8 sent to us earlier (from approx July), or wait until the units factory ready to receive the upcoming online 24/96 patch were released.
I opted for one of the earlier (first) units.
I was in the first 20 batch due to my pre-ordering in October 2012.
I was impressed with the sound straight away, and it compared well to the Fostex hp_p1 i had at that time.
As some may remember on the 4-Pin XLR version the 1/4 channels were crossed and some units had to be sent back to be re-wired. My unit was one of these, but no mind I could use the 3.5mm outlet for my general use anyway.
As I knew myself and M.Goodman would be in Tokyo for the October Headphone Show and I had opted to get mine at that earlier time we discussed that we would exchange units later. We had decided that would be easier than sending it in due to some of Japans Postal restrictions.
This was so I could receive a final build unit with software ready to download and implement the 24/96 update at a future time, and also a unit without the left and right channels on the 1/4 reversed.
This was done as planned yesterday at the Tokyo Headphone Show.
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So I was a beta tester of sorts for the first build, and now I have received the final build at this point.
What do I notice?
Build-
First I was struck by the more solid build of the newer unit, it feels more robust.
Switches are more solid, the usb and power jacks are anchored better within the casing.
Impedance (setting)-
On my earlier unit I noted before on this thread how on 1ohm/11ohm setting the vocals were slightly to the right (also on my Fostex hpp1 at 10ohms) and 2ohms the vocals were 'fairly central'(sometimes i had to move my headphones for the sweet spot) I had come to believe this was perhaps an ohm thing as i had encountered similar before on other devices.
BUT NO- This was a part that was not functioning as it should have, Now on the 1, 2 and 11ohms setting the vocals are placed Very central, again very central.
(Glad it wasnt my hearing either).
So this was a happy surprise! No more needing to find the 'sweet spot'.
Sound-
With everything functioning now as it should be it sounds great, cleaner than before, beautiful even.
I do believe I need to get a few more hours on before I can comment fully though of course.
Lightning to usb cables-
I wrote a few days ago about digital cable differences.
Vmoda Tuono- solid build, slightly darker pronounced low end, more forward vocals.
Venturecraft (VC) - more open, micro detailed, spacious, better imaging.
With the new Hifi-M8 unit the gap in sound differences/quality closes more between the cables but Vmoda for the train commute and VC for cafe and home opinion still stands.
-I also noted that I bought a faulty VC lightning cable the other week and then returned it and purchased a new one. I talked with VC at the THShow and they said I could have sent it straight back to them for a replacement and mentioned one run of twenty or so had a faulty part. Fair enough.
They (Venturecraft/VC)also have a new version Lightning cable to be released later in the year with better cabling, more robust and similar to their existing 30pin to usb-a cable. I tried it at the show, I wish it had been on sale last week
.
Hiss with multi armature IEMs and Hifi-M8-
Shure 535 - hiss when no music is playing, low, Nearly inaudible -but there. NO hiss when music is playing.
JH13, JH16 - same as above.
Centrance have a mod where they reduce the gain on a unit so there is No hiss (upon request). I can understand how this hiss could annoy people, but as someone pointed out 'do we listen to the music or no music(silence ) with our units'.
Is the mod needed? Up to the individual.
Essential? No. Imho.
24/96 from idevice-
When? Centrance is still working on that at the moment.
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And thats my update.
I will have to try to find any posts where I mention what I heard vs the different ohm settings and edit them for current truth.
And I hope to report back once my new unit has settled in.
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Long post written via tapatalk app, sorry for any mistakes.
