|
|
Post by brettj on Apr 7, 2020 6:42:42 GMT
What are suggestions to upgrade my Halide Bridge USB to SPDIF converter?
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Apr 7, 2020 6:56:26 GMT
Why upgrade? - I've had one for years and I think it's great. It was such a substantial improvement over using a DAC's own USB input that I've just left it alone. Nonetheless, I know there are dissenters to this view and I shall be watching this thread with interest.  |
|
|
|
Post by brettj on Apr 7, 2020 7:00:01 GMT
I like it. But is there better?
|
|
|
|
Post by brettj on Apr 7, 2020 7:00:37 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 7, 2020 7:15:50 GMT
Is that to upgrade the Halide Bridge itself, or to replace it with something better?
|
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 7, 2020 7:17:27 GMT
Oh, just saw the link. Right yes, I have an AP2, it's the nuts. Great deal with AQVOX PSU also.
|
|
|
|
Post by brettj on Apr 7, 2020 7:34:21 GMT
Thinking of replacing the Halide Bridge, which would then go to my school system to replace my M2tech Hiface2
|
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 7, 2020 7:48:21 GMT
I think for that price you can't really go wrong with the AP2 + the AQVOX PSU. The AP2 on it's own is very good (sounds great, and measures very well), but it's very sensitive to quality of the power that it draws from the USB 5v - combined with AQVOX 5v PSU it's excellent. I have the upgraded 'Pure Power' version, which comes with a separate battery module for powering the clocks - sounds really nice, but the improvement on the standard unit + the AQVOX PSU is not huge. At that price, it's a steal. |
|
|
|
Post by brettj on Apr 7, 2020 7:48:38 GMT
Spoke to Drew from Moon Audio who used to assemble the Halide Bridge in the US.
He said opening the housing destroys it.
So no mods possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Apr 7, 2020 7:51:26 GMT
I think for that price you can't really go wrong with the AP2 + the AQVOX PSU. The AP2 on it's own is very good (sounds great, and measures very well), but it's very sensitive to quality of the power that it draws from the USB 5v - combined with AQVOX 5v PSU it's excellent. I have the upgraded 'Pure Power' version, which comes with a separate battery module for powering the clocks - sounds really nice, but the improvement on the standard unit + the AQVOX PSU is not huge. At that price, it's a steal. Have you compared it to the Halide Bridge? |
|
|
|
Post by petea on Apr 7, 2020 7:51:52 GMT
The TP converter is highly regarded it seems. I currently use his DACs which I find very impressive and with those I get the highest SQ using USB from a Fidata server to the TP DAC: I assume he deals with any issues around the USB input in those in a similar manner. I will be comparing the TP DAC with a Lab12 Reference this week and had been toying with trying a U2S in between at some point. tprhost.com/teddyu2s.html |
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 7, 2020 7:59:25 GMT
Have you compared it to the Halide Bridge? Alas no - not tried the Halide Bridge. But compared it to the USB inputs on a few different DACs and it always came out on top. Would be interested to compare them though. |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Apr 7, 2020 8:09:04 GMT
It's certainly worth adding the AQVOX PSU to the Halide Bridge, it takes another significant step up then.
I've also added a Wired4Sound Recovery re-clocker to the digital chain and that was good, too. Seems to work well with the Halide Bridge.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 7, 2020 8:28:39 GMT
Sounds great! There are so many different digital transport set ups here. Once the plague has receded we must do some sort of TAS 'stuff before DAC' bake-off.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 7, 2020 8:50:09 GMT
Looking at the Teddy Pardo unit, there's actually a review where the user also has both the Halide and the AP2 (each without any additional PSU). Of the two, they preferred the Halide, which they describe as less detailed than the AP2 but also less 'digital sounding'. That description of the AP2 on its own certainly chimes to some extent with my own experience of the basic unit before any supply improvements - very detailed, but also a certain harshness, or edginess. In my case, this was all down to the dirty power coming from the PC - it sounds very natural once the power is cleaned up. But the review suggests that the units may well be pretty close (particularly if each has improved supply), so perhaps it would be more of a sideways move. But again, at that price, nothing to lose by trying.
|
|
|
|
Post by brettj on Apr 7, 2020 8:58:43 GMT
Damn. A sideways move?
Never keen on that.
Better the devil you know...
|
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 7, 2020 9:05:01 GMT
Well the review seemed to suggest that you'd get more detail with the AP2, but whether that also comes at a cost I couldn't say, since I haven't heard the Halide. Thing is, if you get that bundle, it includes the AQVOX PSU, which Jerry has already tested with the Halide and found and an improvement, so even if you don't like the AP2, you still stand to make some gains.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Apr 7, 2020 9:10:15 GMT
The AQVOX PSU comes in 2 models iirc, you have to make sure that you get the right one!
|
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Apr 7, 2020 9:16:53 GMT
Oh yes! Looking at it, it's a USB A connector on the bridge, whereas the supply in the bundle is the USB B version. It could be made to work though with a simple A-B adapter.
|
|
|
|
Post by brettj on Apr 7, 2020 9:29:37 GMT
What about the Halide Bridge limited to 24/96?
|
|
