@arafiq it can do both just not at the same time. ;-) It’s excellent as a Roon streamer and sounds better than my iFi Zen Stream and my Bluesound Node N130. For me it was a worthwhile upgrade without having to spend a lot more with Lumin or Auralic or Innuous. I’m also using a Pontus 2. You really don’t need a DDC if your source is good to begin with.
Holo Red Streamer
I placed my order and paid for it on February 22, 2023; it finally arrived today in my building in NYC. Apparently they are backlogged in a major way.
Their manual is not user friendly to walk through starting it up. Greek to me on their TFT card and finding the IP address and whether I have to do that first. I can connect my Ethernet cable from my router to the Holo Red and then to run an AES/EBU cable from the Holo Red to my PS Audio Mk I DAC, but what else must I do to get going? I now use MConnect for Tidal and use the streamer card I installed in the DAC.
If anyone has experience with the Holo Red streamer, I could use the advice to start up operating it so I don't grind my teeth and pull out my remaining hair. Thank you. Neal
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@nymarty Thanks. I understand that it can do both, but I was kinda hoping to kill two birds with one stone and use both functions simultaneously. A few questions if you don't mind answering ... How are you connecting the Red (while functioning as a streamer only) to the Pontus? USB or another method? You say it's better than Zen and BS Node. How much of an improvement do you think it provides? And specifically which areas did you see the improvement in? Thanks in advance! |
@jackd That's really good info! When you say "connect the Red to a Denafrips streamer ...", I'm assuming you mean Denafrips DAC, right? So basically the configuration looks like this: Ethernet IN >> Holo Red: HDMI cable >> Pontus2: i2S port If there's an improvement in SQ via Pontus2's I2S input then definitely the Red is worth purchasing. Thanks. |
The Holo Red streamer is a definite keeper! Exudes quality and weight, small though it is. Took 7 weeks to receive, instructions not very helpful unless for a software engineer, but Tim Connor of Kitsune was very helpful as were some of the Audiogoners, who pointed out quirks I never would have known, e.g., mConnect I use for Tidal via PS Audio DSD Mk I has to be the mconnect Player, not the mconnect Control.The latter was embedded in PSA DAC. Who knew? Once working, Red is a 25%-33% qualitative sound quality over the Bridge II card I installed in the PSA DAC. Proverbial cleaning of the window. Vocals much clearer and more natural and present; bass tighter and deeper; wider and deeper soundstage; increased internal detail in music. Highly dependent on power cord. Included PC not comparable to a high end PC. Right now, using an AES/EBU Odin cable Red to PSA DAC and sounds grand. Someday I might try I2S. Bottom line: Was not expecting this. Holo Red is a felonious audio steal! Neal |
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