USB-to-S/PDIF converters don’t just convert one digital-transfer protocol to another. They seek to better clock the data and thus minimize jitter. Some take an axe to the detrimental effects of EMI/RFI by deploying improved power-supply regulation and galvanic isolation.
Based around an XMOS receiver chip, it complies with USB Audio Class 2.0 (UAC2) and therefore works with native-mode USB audio drivers. This allows plug-and-play operation for Windows, OS X and Linux operating systems. (As it’s not UAC2-compliant, Windows requires additional drivers to handle anything above 24/96.) Like its predecessor, the new hiFace Two parses data up to 24/192 with each sample rate family—44.1/88.2/176.4 and 48/96/192—which is handled by its own oscillator.
For the hiFace Two, M2TECH has moved the shell cover from white to black, held the recommended retail price at $185 and made coaxial and BNC models available.
The sonic performance of most budget USB DACs doesn’t even come close to that of the hiFace, when feeding it a steady S/PDIF diet. A comparison between many models offering a direct USB connection and the hiFace will unmask the direct USB as relatively lifeless and anemic. This is often the reason that newcomers to digital audio complain that their incoming computer rig doesn’t compete with their outgoing CD player. We call this jitter: timing errors in the digital data flow that, in this instance, aren’t corrected by the USB DAC—sometimes the USB DAC itself is what introduces these timing errors.
Better clocking (i.e. less jitter) takes the listener deeper into the music. Even at this less-expensive end of the USB-converter market, improvements can be heard in terms of micro-dynamics and vitality—Cohen’s aging croak simply sounds more human.
After a few hours I could easily hear why the HiFace has proved such a popular choice for computer audio. It 'digs' deep into the recordings to bring out masses of detail, and there's great transparency. The sound stage is thus well-defined, large, and deep as well as wide. Clarity is very good, lyrics of songs easily discernable, and the Q-sound effects on the 'Amused to Death' (Roger Waters) album clearly portrayed around the listening room. The presentation was easy to listen to with no 'nasties' in the top end, just nice clean, well portrayed notes. As with the more expensive SPDIF Mk3 and Tabla, the sound reminded me a lot of how some of my albums sounded on vinyl! I like 'strong' vocals, where the performer is rendered life-like in the sound stage. The HiFace Two did this well, and as with the SPDIF Mk3/Tabla, there were occasions when I thought that I could 'feel' the presence of the singer in my room.
tonepublications.com/review/m2tech-hiface-two-2/
I/O Standard Input USB 2.0 Audio Format
Output S/PDIF Stereo Digital Audio Format
Sampling Frequency
44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4khZ, 192kHz
Resolution 16 up to 24 bit
Dimensions 10.2(d) x 2.2(h) x 2(w) cm
Power Supply 5V DC from USB bus
Temperature from 0°C to 70°C
Weight 50gr approx
Exceptional product, used just a couple of times, like new condition, selling it due to upgrade to EVO series. No original box but will be extremely well packaged. Would consider posting it internationally but please, ask for a quote as the postage differs from country to country and the amount in the description is for European Union only, thanks.
Arcam / quad / cambridge audio / teac / marantz / denon / yamaha / onkyo / atoll / nad / musical fidelity / gustard / ifi / monitor audio / klipsch / ifi / AudioQuest / Astell & Kern / iBasso / Hidizs / Fiio / Shanling / Cayin / beyerdynamic / meze / hifiman / audio technica / akg