Old Digital Audio Interfaces, set up advice request, Hyface, Halide Bridge [Archive]

Lucerne

17-09-2018, 11:28

After finally getting a system set up again I'm hoping there's some knowledgeable people on here that could offer me advice on setting up an older M2 tech hyface (the white one) and /or an RCA Halide Bridge, both bought some time back and not used in the last 3 years or so.

Principally, will these work from a newer Win 10 laptop? Will I need new drivers, if so from where?

These will go into an Audio synthesis DAC, via BNC connection.

If both now redundant, whats the best best for a cheapish interface that betters the usual laptop sound card?

Cheers

Neil

Stratmangler

17-09-2018, 11:51

The HiFace requires the driver being installed before a PC sees the device.
The drivers are on the M2Tech website.

struth

17-09-2018, 11:55

The RCA Halide Bridge should be plug and play. yup you need to download and install a driver for the other. well i did for the yellow one i had

Lucerne

17-09-2018, 12:20

Thanks for the replies, I did see the Hyface listed on their download section, but it suggested my version was long since discontinued and only for Win 7. I'll give it a go though.

re the Halide Bridge, it used to plug and play on Win 7 but although now showing locked when I attach it to the DAC as soon as I start to play something it "unlocks" I'm wondering if there's a setting in Win 10 i need to change?

Yomanze

18-09-2018, 10:17

The Halide Bridge as suggested is plug & play, and requires no special drivers, works great in Linux too. I wouldn't worry about 'locked' / 'unlocked' messages as long as you hear music when stuff is playing.

The only thing I'd change is to ensure that your Halide Bridge is outputting using WASAPI. What playback software are you using?

Lucerne

18-09-2018, 12:08

Thanks Neil,

I've not managed to get a peep out of it locked or unlocked yet, thinking Win10 might be the issue. If that's not the case i'll have another go...where/how do you change to WASAPI output?

At the moment just using Spotify, but previously used Foobar, which I've just downloaded...is that still OK?

Stratmangler

18-09-2018, 12:11

Spotify from PC?
There's no ASIO or WASAPI compatibility.

struth

18-09-2018, 12:19

you will need to select it from the list of audio players. right click the speaker icon at bottom and select "open sound settings" then select output device

Lucerne

18-09-2018, 12:41

OK, thanks all, will have another bash at it this evening.

Spectral Morn

18-09-2018, 12:44

The HiFace requires the driver being installed before a PC sees the device.
The drivers are on the M2Tech website.

But are not Windows 10 compatible, so Windows 8 or 7 required.

Stratmangler

18-09-2018, 12:49

But are not Windows 10 compatible, so Windows 8 or 7 required.

Windows 10 allegedly has compatibility with some legacy equipment & drivers.
The only way to know for certain is try it.

Spectral Morn

18-09-2018, 13:02

Windows 10 allegedly has compatibility with some legacy equipment & drivers.
The only way to know for certain is try it.

There was a thread on here not long ago when Windows 10 was not compatible with those items. Windows 7 full functionality, and Windows 8 limited functionality in my direct experience.

Stratmangler

18-09-2018, 13:06

There was a thread on here not long ago when Windows 10 was not compatible with those items. Windows 7 full functionality, and Windows 8 limited functionality in my direct experience.

I must have missed that thread.

Update - I can't find such a thread. Can you point me in the right direction please, Neil?

Spectral Morn

18-09-2018, 17:34

I must have missed that thread.

Update - I can't find such a thread. Can you point me in the right direction please, Neil?

It was to do with a M2Tech Young Dac, but I don't know which thread. I don't book mark them.

struth

18-09-2018, 17:48

I remember some of the early young dacs didn't work with win 10. No idea re other m2 stuff tho

Stratmangler

18-09-2018, 18:37

It was to do with a M2Tech Young Dac, but I don't know which thread. I don't book mark them.

Sounds like Bigman80's thread.
Oli was having problems getting a Windows 10 laptop to play nice with a M2Tech Mk1 Young DAC, which is not the same thing as a HiFace.
That thread didn't escape me.

Bigman80

18-09-2018, 19:04

Here it is

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheartofsound%2Enet%2F forum%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D57471&share_tid=57471&share_fid=4177&share_type=t

Sent from my VKY-L09 using Tapatalk

Lucerne

19-09-2018, 09:50

But are not Windows 10 compatible, so Windows 8 or 7 required.

Thanks Neil, yes correct and confirmed by Marco @ M2tech, the white ones will only work with Win 7,8 or Linux

Cheers

Neil

Yomanze

20-09-2018, 18:12

Thanks Neil, yes correct and confirmed by Marco @ M2tech, the white ones will only work with Win 7,8 or Linux

Cheers

Neil

Doesn’t matter, the Halide Bridge is a better unit anyway, and will never need bespoke drivers. [emoji4]

Spectral Morn

20-09-2018, 20:32

Doesn’t matter, the Halide Bridge is a better unit anyway, and will never need bespoke drivers. [emoji4]

Halide does not do 192 only 96. Not an issue for some, but for me I need 192 capability, reason why I did not buy the recent Halide advertised on here.

struth

20-09-2018, 20:41

Currently listening at 32/192. It's the best Ive ever had.

Yomanze

21-09-2018, 16:58

Currently listening at 32/192. It's the best Ive ever had.

Well, you are probably listening at around 22/192. [emoji4]

All those extra bits will disappear into the noise floor in analogue land.

Also, an interesting read: https://people.xiph.org/~xiphmont/demo/neil-young.html

struth

21-09-2018, 17:01

Well, you are probably listening at around 22/192. [emoji4]

All those extra bits will disappear into the noise floor in analogue land.

Also, an interesting read: https://people.xiph.org/~xiphmont/demo/neil-young.html

dunno, but it sounds good.. got gershwin on at moment..:eek:

Lucerne

26-09-2018, 15:51

I've got the Halide Bridge up and working nicely on the works PC (WIN7), into an Audiosector NOS DAC and then a little headphone amp and it sounds great. I even managed the WASAPI thing in Foobar.

What I can't figure out is how to play normally from the computer though this improved setup- e.g. Spotify, (which seems to shut down when I have Foobar open- won't play anything) or radio/Iplayer. Is there a fix, other than just going back to using the usual headphone out...would there be any benefit sound wise in any case?

Thanks for all the help to date btw

Cheers

Neil

Stratmangler

26-09-2018, 16:33

Lucerne

26-09-2018, 16:49

You must have missed this post

No I did see that, but I thought that was a setting specifically associated with Foobar, hadn't realised it would prevent the bridge working with other programmes. If that's the answer I'll just have to keep switching back to the PC headphone jack.

Maybe i'll bring a turntable into work instead....

Yomanze

26-09-2018, 17:03

No I did see that, but I thought that was a setting specifically associated with Foobar, hadn't realised it would prevent the bridge working with other programmes. If that's the answer I'll just have to keep switching back to the PC headphone jack.

Maybe i'll bring a turntable into work instead....

Spotify Core with ASIO and WASAPI support:

http://www.fidelify.net

PS am a fan of the Audiosector DAC, natural and non fatiguing. Benefits from a very low jitter source like your Halide Bridge as there is no reclocking.

Lucerne

27-09-2018, 09:13

Spotify Core with ASIO and WASAPI support:

http://www.fidelify.net

PS am a fan of the Audiosector DAC, natural and non fatiguing. Benefits from a very low jitter source like your Halide Bridge as there is no reclocking.

Great, thanks very much Neil, I'll have ago at that