Hiface Evo and Firewire questions

Posted by: dk2 on 06 October 2010

Firstly apologies if these questions have been answered; I've looked, but I can't find answers simple enough for my non-techie brain!

I have a mac mini with an external hard drive connected with firewire 800, I am waiting for an nDAC which is being delivered soon. My questions are:

1. What exactly is a Hiface Evo and will it improve things if I add it into my system?

2. If the answer to 1. is yes, then can I still connect it when the firewire connection is in use?

Many thanks in advance

Posted on: 06 October 2010 by Eloise

quote:
Originally posted by dk2:
Firstly apologies if these questions have been answered; I've looked, but I can't find answers simple enough for my non-techie brain!

I have a mac mini with an external hard drive connected with firewire 800, I am waiting for an nDAC which is being delivered soon. My questions are:

1. What exactly is a Hiface Evo and will it improve things if I add it into my system?

2. If the answer to 1. is yes, then can I still connect it when the firewire connection is in use?

Many thanks in advance

The HiFace Evo is a device which connects to the USB port to provide SPDIF (and other) digital connections. It should provide a higher quality digital signal to the DAC than connecting via the MacMini's optical output.

Yes you can use the HiFace Evo while using an external drive via FireWire.

Eloise.

Posted on: 06 October 2010 by jlarsson

I have used exactly that config for a while when I changed the NAS.

MacMini (2010 model) w. external 2Tb firewiredrive and an Evo on the USB. It works with no problems at all.

Try it with a good quality BNC cable between Evo and DAC. I think you will enjoy the result.

Posted on: 06 October 2010 by Hot Rats

Keith at Purite Audio has promised to let me try out an Evo as soon as UK stocks arrive. He tells me that it is a significant improvement over the Hiface.

I'll post on the board as soon as I have it.

Posted on: 06 October 2010 by totemphile

Please do, it would be great to have a first hand account...

Posted on: 07 October 2010 by dk2

Thanks very much to all for the explanations. When does the Evo hit these shores?

Posted on: 09 October 2010 by Hot Rats

The Evo arrived this morning. Initial impressions indicate a significant improvement over the Hiface.

Posted on: 09 October 2010 by js

I understand that HiFaces did vary due to clock supplier. I bet the evo only get the good ones

besides it's other upgrades.

Posted on: 09 October 2010 by AMA

quote:
The Evo arrived this morning. Initial impressions indicate a significant improvement over the Hiface.

How do you power it?

Posted on: 09 October 2010 by james n

Thread

Posted on: 09 October 2010 by Hot Rats

quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
quote:
The Evo arrived this morning. Initial impressions indicate a significant improvement over the Hiface.

How do you power it?

I have the lithium battery and charger supplied by Purite Audio. Keith says it will give 14 hours between charges and it takes only an hour to recharge. I'm sure I'll leave it on one night and come down to find that I have no juice so I will order a 9v linear mains transformer.

I would expect a battery supply to sound better than a transformer but I will need to check this out for myself. If I have it powered by a transformer I will leave it powered up. perhaps that will make a difference.

Posted on: 10 October 2010 by Aleg

quote:
Originally posted by Doctor Jazz:
quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
quote:
The Evo arrived this morning. Initial impressions indicate a significant improvement over the Hiface.

How do you power it?

...
I would expect a battery supply to sound better than a transformer but I will need to check this out for myself. If I have it powered by a transformer I will leave it powered up. perhaps that will make a difference.

I doubt that. I think abattery less capable of keeping a constant level of stable power

-

aleg