2. pc-audio
  3. 1276968606

M2Tech hiFace192 + Theta Gen Va synergy?

I just want to comment that I am really enjoying listening to the M2Tech hiFace USB/spdif adapter into a very old Theta Gen Va D/A. I have been in this hobby a long time, and I am amazed at how good this sounds.
I would hypothesize that the asyncynchronus data transfer and a resulting reduction of jitter has enabled the now old Theta Gen Va to really shine. The depth, precision of image and "air" around images is amazing, and the sound is truly relaxing with no loss of detail. I know there is a lot of talk about the new Ayre anti-alaising D/A algorithm. I'm not sure how it differs from the algorithm created by Theta years ago. I am sure that it would be difficult to beat the analog output stage of the Theta.
I would encourage relistening to some of these older D/A processors with a now low jitter feed before spending big $ on some of the new stuff.
Has anyone had a similar experience?
oldears
puerto
372 posts
 
It certainly did enhance my system from the first note. (Krell HTS 7.1 pre/pro) In particular, the bass sounded tighter to me. Now it has gone back to Ireland for some modifications which are essentially to drive the hiface with two small batteries instead of the USB power provided by the Mac Pro. Cleaner power should provide cleaner sound. . . so I have read. Other reviews have indicated that the modifications provide another big step up in SQ. We shall see.

Hopefully your thread will breathe new life into some older DACs!!
mryan
24 posts
 
I have used both a HiFace with my Theta Gen Va (balanced, 96K) and an ART Legato with a Theta Casablanca II (Xtreme DACs). For RBCD, the Legato beats the HiFace with reduced haze, glare, and sibilance, giving me the most liquid sound I have ever had. However, the HiFace sounds very nice, especially so with a 5M BNC cable. It might sound better in other systems, depending on the effect that my PC's power and grounds have on it. The Legato uses its own power and achieves galvanic isolation. I can get the HiFace closer to the Legato with a Monarchy DIP, but the Legato still wins.

Either of them beats my Theta Jade transport (which was connected using a 1M AES/EBU wire).

I think you're right on the money regarding the sound quality of the Gen Va. It was, and is, top-shelf. Effectively, the asynchronous USB interface performs a very similar function for Jurassic DACs that buffering/reclocking does in the Generation VIII.

Given that a Gen Va can be had for $1500 or less on Audiogon, pairing it with a top-flight asynchronous USB to SPDIF converter makes a compelling investment.

Since I'm using the BNC output of the USB interface(s), and a modest 5M BNC->BNC cable between the interface and the DAC(s), I am able to unload the 1M Siltech wires I used for RCA and AES/EBU connection for more than the cost of a USB->SPDIF interface.
oldears OP
386 posts
 
Mryan, Thanks for your response. Did you compare the HiFace directly to the Legato through the Theta Gen Va?
I read the info on the Legato and they are not clear on their "very well designed" clock. The hiFace uses a crystal, very precise and cheap. If the Legato sounds better then the power supply might be very important. In which case, the power supply mods for the hiFace and also the new model might be interesting. I am using a normal 75 ohm spec bnc cable and have changed the input jack on the Theta to bnc many years ago. I personally think the bnc spec cables are key , and thay those using rca jacks for digital trahsmissions are wasting a lot of money. MUSE only uses bnc jacks for their products.
More to discover