Hiface FAQ | Download the latest Drivers from M2Tech | Troubleshooting Guide
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The hiFace USB interface was designed to obtain the highest quality digital audio signal from an ordinary PC or MAC and transmit it to your DAC with the least amount of jitter possible. Experience resolution up to 192kHz/24bits, directly from a PC or MAC USB port with the HiFace. You have the choice of a very high quality S/PDIF stereo audio output, or an equally high quality BNC output. The HiFace looks like a small USB pendrive, but features very compact, very low jitter oscillators and proprietary drivers that allow for playing 192kHz/24bit audio files with exceptional quality.
The hiFace does require a little computer savvy to install and configure with your media player. While relatively simple, it is not a plug and play device.
Currently the hiFace is compatible with the following versions of Windows and Mac OS
- Windows 7, Vista & XP
- Kernel Streaming Mode using Foobar
- WASAPI compliant driver
- Direct Sound Compatibility
- Compatibility with 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows
- Windows Certified Driver
- Mac OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard), 10.5 (Leopard, both PPC and Intel) and 10.4 (Tiger)
Why the hiFace is Superior
Most USB audio interfaces and DACs link the data stream clock to the same USB interface clock, resulting in very high jitter distortion. This has prevented the PC from being taken seriously as a high end audio component. Until now. The M2Tech hiFace solves this problem by implementing two quartz precision oscillators as a clock source for the data stream output, offering extremely low jitter(e.g. at environmental temperature stability is 2-5ppm approximately, compared to 50-100ppm performed by oscillators normally used on commercial CD players). This results in a more stable clock signal being recovered by the DAC receiver; resulting in low phase noise, jitter and very little distortion and signal degradation. Excellent sonic performance is also reinforced by an internal supply voltage regulation.
The current audio drivers available on the market (e.g. Microsoft Windows operating system) impose constraints that do not allow for bit for bit input/output precision. This is overcome thanks to the proprietary hiFace drivers: they allow for the precise transfer of audio data and maintaining the original file quality without any loss of resolution. Sampling frequency constraints are also overcome, while Microsoft and ASIO drivers oblige to operate at no more than 96kHz, the hiFace when used together with a player application such as FooBar (available for free on Internet), you can transfer music files to a D/A converter at 192kHz/24bits maximum frequency/resolution, avoiding the undesired PC or MAC audio mixer data processing during the data transfer from hard disk to interface.
The M2Tech hiFace is very compact and can be directly connected to a USB 2.0 port. A very high quality RCA gold (or BNC) connector provides an output signal, ready to be connected to a high quality DAC. No external power supply is required, as hiFace draws its power from the USB bus itself and regulates it with its internal regulators. The hiFace USB interface connected to a current mini PC via the USB port makes for a complete music transport system at a very low price.
Other resources for the hiFace
- Download Foobar - Be sure to download the latest stable version
- Download the Kernel Streaming Module for Foobar. Please read the instructions on how and where to install this module carefully. This will bypass the Windows mixer and allow for bit perfect streaming of your audio.
- Want Foobar to look more like iTunes? Follow this tutorial to configure Foobar to look like iTunes
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Media Monkey is reported by some to sound better than foobar. You will need to run it in kernel streaming mode, which may require a plugin.
- We highly recommend a USB extension cable to take the strain off of the hiFace USB jack. In some cases, a heavy digital cable connected to the hiFace can place enough strain on it that, over time, the USB connector on the hiFace may become loose. We offer a high Quality, 1 foot long extender for $7.99.
See photo below.
