M2Tech HiFace - using it? Like it?


On the Tweak Geek website this little gizmo looks pretty slick and a much simpler way of converting USB to SPDIF. My Pop Pulse does the same thing but it is bulky (by comparison) and the USB capability is terrible at 44/16 max. BTW I use a Mac Pro and iTunes.

If you are using the M2Tech I would appreciate your feedback.
puerto
This little magic box deserves much more attention. When I added the John Kenny MK II HiFace mod to my system and powered it with the the same 12 volt car battery that I use to power my Altmann Attraction DAC, the results were phenomenal. Much, much quieter, smoother yet more detailed, more dynamic. The icing on the cake was the purchase of a Black Cat digital cable for a little over $100. I'm using with the Decibel software. Hardware is a 2006 Mac Mini with 2 GB RAM, so I know that there's room for even more improvement there. But as it stands, this is by far the best digital sound that I've ever heard. Finally, all the convenience of computer audio with sound quality that rivals the best analogue systems I've ever heard. People who still insist that digital has not caught up with analogue have not listened to what I'm listening to right now. Bravo!
After Much moving about, from one OS to another one DAC to another One Coax cable to some others My Hiface (unmodded) landed on my Bedroom system. Feeding directly attached to my Onkyo 805 receiver via a DigiKey BNC to RCA Gold adapter. It is fed from my Vista Laptop via a Belken Gold series USB extension cable. So the Hiface BNC, now RCA, sticks out of my receivers rear panel.

aS I’ve been forced to move much of my main system into my bedroom due to some re-construction efforts, I’m using my main speakers and power filter, power cords, cables, my Odyssey SS Plus amp etc.

the SQ exceeds that of disc playback, STB playback, and rivals that of DVD replay. I’m quite happy with it as is, for what it is it compares favorably with my main setup on many counts. Albeit, my main server is a skosh better overall. It has freed up my Oyaide BNC cable too, which is a real sleeper cable and surpasses anything I’ve heard from SPDIF cables costing several times it’s asking price. It is indeed special. I should perhaps sell my Stereovox wire.
BlindJim, my experience has been the same as yours. Great bang for the buck. It remains in my system. The field is progressing rapidly and what you buy today will be obsolete in less than 2 years. Yet, it is an inexpensive solution that has great sonic capabilities and is a great starter solution for USB to DAC connection. As you say, it benefits from the proper cable. Many devices can best it, but the price goes up. Highly recommended for those dipping their toes in computer audio

Obsolete does not bug me at all.

I make a point of not allowing any of my equipment to subscribe to, peruse, or crawl the web reviews of new gear!

I also make a point of NOT talking about the latest stuff in their presence!

Not working... broken... burned up... blown up... died... these are a few of my not favorite things.... that really do concern me.

Obsolete used to bother me when I lived on the bleeding edge of technology. I've since retired to a less volitile life style and surely a less expensive one.

if or when it breaks... I will address it then.... like anything else... if I'm able.
Well a year after my OP here I am not using the M2 Tech. The first one got fried in a lightening storm (my fault for leaving it unprotected) and the second one didn't seem to work at all. Never could get my Mac to accept the drivers after the first mishap. BUT thanks to this post I discovered Pure Music so now it is back to the Pop Pulse (using the optical option), itunes and Pure Music. To be perfectly honest, had I discovered Pure Music before buying the M2 Tech I doubt I would have ever bought it. Not saying it isn't good - it is but for $129 Pure Music did everything as good as the M2Tech - IMO.