Just upgraded: Hiface EVO!

[Part-Time Audiophile]

Some balanced interconnects are actually 110ohm cables. Check out Blue Jeans Cables for an inexpensive and no-BS option that actually sounds great.

 

[ryhchan]

I can only find "Belden 1800F" and "Canare L-4E6S Star Quad" which can order with AES/EBU connector from the Balanced Audio Cables section. Can't find the no-BS option you mentioned. Is it one of them?

 

[Part-Time Audiophile]

LOL!

 

Yes, I meant the 1800F. And by "No-BS", I meant it's a no-bullsh!t cable. That is, not audiophile-approved -- but with specs that beat the living tar out of 9/10 of the competitors cables for a tiny fraction of their price. Definitely worth a hearing, IMO.

 

[ryhchan]

Will give it a try definitely. :-)

 

[G7]

If you're about to order an Evo, you might want to check when it was produced:

 

I've been told (by a highly reliable source) that, though it isn't published, the Evo produced in 2011 will include some upgrades - a new clock and some improved electronic parts.

 

 

 

 

[Encore]

"Can we use analog XLR interconnects as digital cables?"

 

I changed my balanced interconnects, and gave the old one a try as a digital cable, just for the heck of it. It turned out to a really significant improvement over my well-reviewed AES/EBU cable (which, however, isn't specified at 110 Ohms).

 

Now, although it's DIY, the old interconnect isn't just any cable. It has Xhadow connectors, and in my system it was better that NO Valhalla.

 

So go ahead and give your XLR interconnect a try. It can't harm ...

 

[skyline]

Does anyone know the difference between the clock on the Evo (or the superclock/ultraclock on the Empirical Off-ramp), vs. a masterclock like the Grimm CC1?

 

[Jeff In San Diego]

My EE degree has some serious rust on it (been doing software instead for the past 20+ years), but I think it would make a lot more sense to skip the batteries and just use a big-honkin capacitor right at the EVO to smooth out the voltage from the wall-wart supply.

 

An example:

SuperCap

 

Probably would want to put some various sized smaller low-ESR caps in parallel with the supercap with similarly short leads to really cover all the bases. You could also put an inductor (choke) in series with the power before the supercap and wind a few turns of the power cord through a powdered toroid to take it to the next level (A couple more bucks)

 

With a low-current-draw device like this EVO (compared to an EV car or one of the other typical use-cases for A123 batteries), the overkill and nuisance of the battery just doesn't seem to make practical sense and theoretically wouldn't work as well as a well designed wall-wart augmentation.

 

Note that I haven't tried this, just thinking out loud. Seems waaaaay more practical than batteries and if done well should in theory provide an even more stable supply...for $50 instead of $500 and with no recharging hassle.

 

[juliocat]

I'll recommend you get some lifepo batteries to get the best of the evo. i have both and the batteries beat the teradak by miles, no question asked.

 

[sq225917]

Batteries just beat out a SuperTeddyReg supply for me as well with the Young DAC.

 

[ryhchan]

Thanks for your suggestion juliocat.

 

Is it a sonic differences using between LifePO4 battery and Li-on battery?

 

Do you know can I use normal battery charger for Li-On battery to charge LifePO4 battery??

 

[juliocat]

Recently Red Wine Audio change their entire line from Li-On to LIFEPO4 batteries for sonic reasons, JKenny uses LifePO4 batteries in his modified HiFace too, maybe is just an indicator but i think they change for a good reason.

 

LifePO4 batteries need a special type of charger so yo will need a new one.

 

[Matias]

Just passing by to say that the EVO works with the TeraDak power supply (USD 50 on eBay).

1.EMI AC filter.

2.EI Transformers.

3.CLC Low ripple DC filter.

4.MJE15030 , BC550 low noise linear voltage circuits

5.And high accuracy reference voltage output.

6.STTH8S06 fast diodes.

7.High quality Panasonic FM caps.

8.DC output : 0.25V -10 V adjust ( Default DC 8V 1A)

9.AC input :AC 115 or 230V

10.Aluminum body , size is W101 x D115 x H46 mm

11.Hard plastic frosted plastic whitle panel.

12.Includes DC cable for connect Teralink - X2 / X1

13.Weight :700g 1pc

14.High level of silent background and detailed sonic performance can be achieve

 

 

[xsajohn]

I agree. My LifePo battery wins by a small margin. I find the Teradak perfect for everyday and keep the LifePo battery for critical listening.

 

[ryhchan]

Hi Matias, can you post a picture where to change the voltage inside the TeraDak? I opened mind last night and couldn't find where to change it. Thanks a lot!

 

 

 

[xsajohn]

I can't speak for Mat, but I've measured mine @ 8.51V - so I did no mod - works fine with the EVO.

 

[MetalNuts]

The option of external clock is what Evo gets my attention. I am using RME 9632 with a clock module added so I run my Esoteric G-03x clock into RME on one hand and the other to my Esoteric D-07 DAC. If it has not been reported herein this forum that Evo cannot work with those popular word clock, I would have ordered it.

 

It is absolutely disappointing that it only works with designated clock of Evo and that should not be a selling feature at all (in fact it drives me away of buying it), just like give you a power socket that allows you to use other power cords but only those designated by M2Tech.

 

Thank you all for pointing it out.

 

Has anyone compare Evo with RME's sound card?

 

 

 

[Lece]

I am looking at the M2Tech Evo as a D/D interface with a macbook pro and ARC DAC8, any thoughts?

 

[Lece]

The M2Tech Evo came in today and I have been testing it with my Music Hall DAC25.3. The addition of this small silver box has made a pretty substantial improvement.

 

I compared the sound of the DAC25.3 when connected directly from the iMac's USB and from the iMac's optical out to it through AES from the EVO (it seems as if the DAC25.3 AES and Coax share the same circuit as there was no sonic difference between the two with the EVO). In both cases, the EVO added more weight and body to the voices and instruments. It also seemed to push everything back into a more realistic position within the soundstage.

 

When I get my amp back from being repaired, I will post my thoughts as to the EVO's use with the DAC8, but so far this unit is pretty amazing.

 

[Lece]

But yes, this little $500 MSRP unit does improve the overall definition, staging, and sound quality of even the already fantastic ARC DAC8...at least in my opinion it does.

 

[preproman]

Lece,

 

Do you know for sure if the Balanced output works? If so is the SQ as good as the S/PDIF output?

 

[Lece]

Preproman-

 

I have testeed out the AES and the RCA Coax and they both work. I have not had a chance to A/B the two to discern any sonic differences, but so far I am using the AES with a cheap Belden cable and it sounds great. Have you heard reports of the AES not working?

 

[preproman]

I may be mistaken so don't quote me on it. That's good. Next question. I've been reading about different add on power supplies for the EVO. Does it not come with a power source? What comes in the box. What are you using for power?

 

[Lece]

The unit was sent with a small 9V 1A wall wart power supply and a piece of paper telling you where to download the drivers. I am extremely interested in upgrading the power supply, but I really don't know where to begin. If I could find the designs for an audiophile grade LiFePO4 battery powered supply, I would love to make one, but I am having a little trouble with that. Have you seen any power supplies of interest?

 

[preproman]

I think I'm in the same boat as you. I want to get the EVO, but I was worried about the power supply. Did you get the drivers downloaded ok? Do you really think it needs a different one. As I said before, I'm like you. I don't know where to start.