Thank you very much for the review and especially for the comparisons! There are very few reviews of RED out there and most of them talk about RED in isolation without comparing it to other streamers, so it is almost impossible to get an impression how it actually sounds. So thanks a lot. In case you will have an opportunity to compare RED to Volumio Rivo I would appreciate it a lot (trying to decide which one to get). So far you are the only one who gave me an idea how it sounds. Thanks again.
@@zubidoc you’re welcome Thank you for the kind words, there’s going to be a few more streamer videos coming soon Rockna net - ideon serva in comparison and right as well
Holo RED into the Holo May DAC KTE is simpley the most amazing audio experience I've ever had. The i2s output of the RED is highest resolution connection and the one I would reccomend using because it carries both the clock and serial data lines from the master device hence there are no issues with synchronization; also, because the i2s interface can work with clock rates into the many megahertz it has an insane bandwidth. No packets, large buffers or PLL needed or required like with other audio interfaces. I stream Tidal via Roon and every piece of music is "Bit Perfect" from beginning to end without the lag. AmazonMusic HD, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, TH-cam Music and Qobuz are all Bit Perfect streaming services as well.
No unless you are using DC mode, you can’t, with Amazon If that shows you just use this stupid web paste interface Otherwise, if you’re using it as a streamer, neither Roon or Audirvāna will be able to use it
Excellent presentation, as always. I was considering The Red, but in the end I decided to go with SOtM sMS-200 Neo, along with a SOTM sPS-500 power supply. I really appreciate your review style and the fact that you add in your personality.
Thank you for this review..I’ve been curious about a dedicated streamer for my headphone stack. I run Amazon Music HD off my iPhone and iPad …but I prefer something more permanent. Btw, the DAC is the Topping E50 🙂
I agree with you comparing the Red and the Stream. I also found that the 75 Ohm cable made a large difference. The best cheap option is the Blue Jeans Belden 1695A Digital Audio Cable
Great vid, would love to hear you compare the Red with DDC to the super popular Eversolo DMP-A6 in regards to playing from ext USB hdd as I don't do any streaming and I already have a Denafrips Iris DDC to my Pontus II DAC, thanks.
Really want to get the Red someday to compare it to my Zen Stream (w/ Topping LPS & ifi LAN silencer). The LPS upgrade made a huge difference, while the Red has its power built in, and I've heard the Neo is similar to an upgraded Zen....curiosity is going to burn a hole in my wallet!
I've been waiting for some kind of review on HoloAudio Red, that little red box intrigued me the very first time I saw it. I'm wondering how it stacks up against one of the "great olds" - for about 7 years now I've been enjoying my Auralic Aries (the original version with femto clock) and I still love it but as I've been recently modernizing my stack, I've been thinking that perhaps more modern streamer could offer better performance. Unfortunately, I've really grown fond of having Aries connect to my Wi-Fi, sticking USB with my music library into it and I just control it via UPnP, so I would still need to buy some small laptop to get similar experience with HoloAudio Red but if it offered better performance than Aries, why not. Speaking money-wise - Auralic unit was 1500 EUR back in the day while Holo Red is 1000 EUR, so I could still get a WiFi streamer with built-in server for up to 500 EUR (it could even be a small laptop and I'd use Red as DDC) to get it to the same playing field anyway. Unfortunately there aren't many reviewers who still have original Auralic Aries and could compare it to Holo Audio Red - I still think that despite Aries being almost 10 years old, it might not be sonically far behind Holo Red (if behind at all, Auralic really went balls out when it came to optimizing digital output from their unit). Ah the dilemma 🙂 Btw, great to hear that you are preparing review on Feliks Euforia, I'm looking forward to that, ordered one (Euforia Evo version) about a month ago and it should be ready by the end of this month, so hopefully your review is not far away either :)
Thank you, I appreciate it, and that is the unfortunate thing it’s almost impossible to do abe with a variety of things on the market This is obviously due to logistics, but if measuring has any influence on you, this thing is incredible I don’t care about that too much just how it sounds, and honestly the DDC aspect of it has been unbelievable
Great comparison video, you hit it out of the park once again! Can you just clarify one thing for me please? Can the RED be used as a Roon end point which can feed more than one DAC at the same time? In essence, as a streamer and DDC at the same time or or would one have to choose one function or the other, between streamer or DC? With thanks in advance.
Thank you so much I appreciate it. Yes, when you put the red in streamer mode, all of the digital outputs apart from USB will work simultaneously so you can connect roughly 5 DAC. This is excellent for testing though you will probably lose a tiny bit of performance in Clock Jetta, due to the five output simultaneously but who cares if you need to do a quick side-by-side comparison marginal Loss
Great review. However, the info that when using as DDC it can stream out of the USB A is not correct. USB A does not work in DDC more, only in streaming mode. Hence technically it is not a DDC USB-B -> USB-A. You claimed that the REd sounds fantastic. can you be more specific on which configuration you used ?
Unfortunately, you’re correct, it can’t work out of the USB, there was some miscommunication when the unit first arrived in regards to its software and this really actually pissed me off because I wanted it in that scenario LOL
Another great review. (And an awesome watch today) Thank you. If the dac is galvanically isolated, a streamer wont make a difference regarding sound quality?
Thanks so much for this awesome review. I've been struggling to figure out the digital stage. Hqplayer, room correction, streamers DDC, Roon. You've helped complete some more of the mosaic. Wish someone would put the whole thing together. My Spring KTE arrived today and it's truly incredible.
@@ConvinceMeAudio I have a great DAC, amplifier and speakers, but a challenging listening room. Sound quality is my top priority, discovering music is important and convenience is nice to have. So mostly I'm looking for opportunities to improve sounds quality. I've done some acoustic treatments but not sure how to optimize and if digital room correction can improve SQ or at least highlight what's wrong so I can treat the room. I also tried hqplayer but I'm not yet convinced. I haven't tried Roon yet, I simply run qobuz via USB from a Windows PC. As you say the isolation in the Spring 3 KTE should handle that but maybe a Red would improve SQ. So many questions! Appreciate any insights you can share
Jitter I found this fascinating to, I run a May KTE that is galvanically isolated, and did not expect any improvement, and yet big improvement very strange filtering must be much better
I'm still a bit confused, maybe you can shed some light on this: If I combine a streamer with a DAC, such as the ifi Pro IDSD, then both devices can perform the upsampling. In this case, which device should I leave this task to? My streamer can upsample to PCM 768, for example, and this is also possible in the DAC alone. Or can you even let both devices do part of the upsampling? For example, streamer to 256DSD and then to 512DSD in the DAC? Please enlighten me.
I know you are a fan of the Gustard R26. Would the red as streamer i2s to r26 sound better than the r26 alone in LAN mode? I like that r26 is fully balanced and connects to my fully balanced amp but in LAN mode it stutters on 192k songs quite often so wondering if adding a red would not stutter and also improve sound using r26 as just a dac? (tried r26 i2s with my iFi Neo stream in main system and channels are switched so Red can switch pins to resolve that as well I guess)
Compare the internals of the Gustard R26 to the U18 DDC. You will see that there is some duplication in the R26. So putting an external DDC in front of the R26 may be redundant, especially if it is the Red, since the R26 also has some streaming capability.
Hello , Would I notice a decent noticeable difference by adding a RED in front of my Spring 3 KTE (in DDC mode) from my Eversolo A6 Master streamer? Or will the usb input of the Spring 3 KTE be just as good? I was considering using SPDIF or I2s to connect RED to Spring Thanks Craig
@@tedroy13 only in the sense it separates your audio system from your noisy Mac or PC so in that context possibly, yes, but it’s not going to sample or do anything crazy with the original files, but it’s best to use a media player such as ROON Or audirvana
@@my_wood if you get the opportunity to do so, drop a comment here, I’m intrigued Let us know how it goes, unfortunately the unit had to go back so I can’t test
Hi, great review👍, thanks.. Two questions about the RED, does it tidal connect natively? and for my system (speakers, amp, 2x subs, dac, value about 15k together ) is it overkill as a streamer? many thanks
In regards to overkill, definitely not I use it on the aperio and a holo stack north of 20 K by itself I don’t use TIDAL, but Kobus is the same principle I will find out for you because I’ve never used the connect service. I think I saw the option to check box that so I think it’s okay
@@ConvinceMeAudio many thanks for your quick answer👍 so you thing that 15k system is good enough to hear the quality of the RED streamer.. so I will probably go for it.. many thanks again😀
Great video. I've been researching Holo Red for a while. I am using Audirvana on my Win 10 laptop and it is connected to Holo may kte via usb. I'm thinking of using Holo Red as a DDC for better sound, like you. I looked to the Holo Red Specs and ı see that Roon software is supported but not Audirvana. Does it mean that I still have to use Audirvana and my laptop when I use Red as a DDC ( ı am confused)? Do you recommend connecting Holo Red to May Kte via I2S or USB? Last, would you please do a very detailled review of Holo Red? Thanks.
This was just a shootout, full in-depth review is coming, plus set up. It works with audervana as a DDC, as well as a streamer In my experience using it as a DDC connected via USB from the source and digital out to may I2S has yielded fantastic results But as a streamer, even better, so you’re not really losing out, just gaining a lot of functionality It works on both players, I use DDC mode when I want to go systemwide
Hello, very interesting rewiev. I looking for a streamer and i wonder ... with which one streamer can you compare the Red ? Now I'm using DIY streamer based on RPI 3b+ with battery power suply, charged by linear power suply. Will Red be a better sounding streamer ? Coud you compare Red with for example Lumin u2 ? Regards
I have compared it with the Aqua, waiting for the net from rockna Also, with the 2Go from chord Currently using the red with the Aperio it’s superb until you start spending multi thousand pounds genuinely very difficult to beat
Thank's for an answear. My Pontus is very sensitive for souce sound quality. Has well made USB and I2s ports interface. I turned off RPI Allo Digione Sig. Hat and i'm using only USB or I2s connections. Sound is very good ( povered on battery, pure DC ). But as you know an audiophile man always searching (digs 😂) something whih will sounds better....
How does the Red compare to lets say an Innous Zenith or Pulsar? What would sound best, use the Red as a DDC and stream from PC or use the Red as a streamer?
Currently, I have only put up the red against the NEO, ZEN, and pie It wins hands down, you can do both, DDC yield is less of a performance than streamer, but to be honest with you LOL I use it as a DDC 90% of the time because of convenience and it’s still incredible
For me none of these supporting amazon Hd is a killer. So I have to settle for wiim pro ($150) and BlueSound node ($450). Both are much better than pc as a source. There is a steamer from cocktail audio that looks quite good too. But I read the software is buggy.
Great review. It was very interesting. Is Holo Audio Red able to stream and be connected to a DAC via Coaxial, not USB? You sait there is a switch on the back so I guess it's impossible and I will need some kind of DDC converter to avoid USB connection to my amp/dac (audio-gd 27.38)?
The red is both a DDC and a streamer It has both USB in and out You use the USB in for DDC mode, this mode only works with all the digital outs As a streamer, decoupled from your system, it works both ways USB out and digital out You cannot run it as a DDC and a streamer simultaneously, hence the switch on and reboot
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thank you for a quick response. I am in this hobby for a few years and just recently discover how important is a good streamer. I switched from my PC with Windows 10 playing Qobuz , connected to not bad USB cable - to dedicated Asus miniPC with Euphony. The difference is huge, even if it's not a real deal streamer. I am just looking for some solution which will give me similar sound quality and can play Qobuz and not being paid subscription. I can pay once but to monthly. I tried to install Volumio but it doesn't work on my miniPC neither laptop. Dafile doesn't support Qobuz. Best it can do is Deezer. I don't want Tidal. Do you think connecting LG v30 (and USB Audio Player PRO) will be a good choice and similar sound experience?
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thank you, but I don't need AMP/DAC. I need a good source (streamer) to connect to my audio-gd 27.38 amp/dac on my desk. I've heard that LG v30 can be a good streamer.
@@dreamstormPL no I don’t think it can genuinely, these are the ones I would recommend Pie4 running roopi XL £50 IFI zen stream £300 Red £1000 Go for the pie for now
You really should not, because the May is galvanically isolated And yet it’s integrated into the reference system because it is actually yielding a much higher performance level LOL and I don’t get why it’s very strange This could be because the MaC USB is so bad possibly, but the red is such a versatile system not just for the sound quality. It’s part of the reference system now
Thank you for your review. I am planning to buy a Holo Audio Cyan 2. I also look for a good streamer. Do you think, that the Red is the best combination? Or is a WiiM the right one to choose?
Wonder how the neo sounds compared to the matrix mini i3 pro, which I am currently using as my streamer dac. Would be nice if they included an option to attach an SD card or hard drive with music. Have some music that is not available on the popular streaming platforms.
Good afternoon thanks again for the great review man appreciated the knowledge you provide , don't soot me I am using a mac m1 as my source running audirvana with the felix audio euphoria and zmf atrium. How much difference would a dedicated streamer make am I depriving my system using a mac as my source ? . Cheers mate look forward to the euphoria review I know your waiting for tubes to test with it been looking forward to that review I'm looking to swap out the stock tubes and look forward to your opinion on them . Thanks again when should we expect that review ? .
Hey mate, thank you for the kind words I appreciate it Seen as I am a diehard, Apple fan LOL and a Mac user in the Apple ecosystem you’re in good company LOL The Mac USB controller is bloody awful, like terrible A DDC or a streamer is highly required if you’re using audervana or roon I use the red exclusively its awesome Neo is fantastic too zen is pretty good. But yes, I highly recommend to be fair
@ConvinceMeAudio hello koji sorry if I misspelt your name lol I thought that something was off I had a streamer in the past but sold it a while back but never really thought much as to the regards of how bad the mac usb output is I new that my system wasn't given the sound quality that it was able to produce due to the bad source provided I new the felix and the holo was capable of much more , I know the holo red maybe a good choice but forgive me I know what a dac is but as for a ddc I haven't got a clue what that's for ? Why would I need the ddc in a streamer ? I was also looking at the innuos streamers too ? What is a ddc and why would I need one on a streamer lol boy I sound dumb I've been in this hobbie for years lol I should know what a ddc is . Regards Nick
@@nick62876 you do not need a DDC Digital to a digital converter, But the red has one already I explain this in the video already, you connect the Mac to the red via USB the signal is re-converted to digital then output to the red via one of the digital sources, optical, coax, et cetera But it goes through some filtering and really improve the sound system wide if you need it But using it as a streamer, even then will give you even more results
@@ConvinceMeAudio I have bitten the bullet and purchased the holo red can not wait for it to arrive . thanks again for all your reviews I enjoy your content immensely. can finally get rid of the Mac as my source lol. can I ask if I may did you ever review the verite open due to the fact that the vc got five tigers all around the board , the vo are amazing to have you heard them at all . kind regards nick the greek
@@nick62876 ZMF vo caldera and Atrium clothes are all on the table about to be reviewed I’m hoping I can get VC back and the final unicorn autore I will do a full ZMF shootout as well You can use the red as your DDC and get a much much much better performance, and still have the Mac connected for those times. You want to use it systemwide It’s fantastic, currently running late on the hoo and aperio systems
I would love to review their products, but unfortunately it’s very difficult to get hold of on the side of the pond I don’t believe we’ve had a single unit from them yet
Hi kojo quick question .would you say computer to ddc -ddc to dac to amp is inferior to streamer to ddc to amp , I recently removed ddc and laptop from my system and sounds much better to me what is your take on this koji ? And can you use a ddc and a steamer at the same time ?Thanks a million .
@@nick62876 in this scenario, a DDC would be redundant You connect your DAC to the streamer, and control the DAC through a player, such as Roon - Audervana through the UPnP protocol or rune end point Unfortunately, in this scenario, your DAC will only output from the player You would use the DDC instead, when you want a system wide output to the DAC with a better quality than just USB on the pc
I really enjoy your videos, but I do have a criticism to make… Sorry… As a fellow visually impaired Audiophile, I am disappointed that you do not always use the names of devices to which you are referring. I would really appreciate if you can be a little more mindful of this in future. Apologies for taking the matter up in the public arena. Not wishing any ill will towards you. Wit all of my heart felt, thanks.
Thank you for bringing it to my attention, yes, I have fallen into that trap, because of the cameras around me, and having a live crew, the lens becomes my eyes as it were I think you might be the first chap with a visual impairment that has commented on the channel, but I should be mindful yes, If I fall into the trap again, you have my permission to remind me LOL Welcome to the fam 🐅
@@O_D_O_U4YA yes, and it’s all visual mate, that’s the thing, it’s what I’m pointing to or what’s in my hand or what is over there on the set et cetera My bad
+1 this. I am not visually impaired but mainly listen to TH-cam without videos when cycling, working out or just working at my desk. I had to rely on logic to know what you were talking about in this one too.
Hi, wondering if that full in-depth review ever happened (didn't see it on the channel). Writing this around 5 months after the previous message on this matter.
I definitely will, it’s just been absolute bedlam. Honestly there is 25 reviews that have been completed and are waiting to be edited on the editing table right now,
Can I go PC - > USB into Red -> Ethernet Out into DAC -> and still get full PC audio (youtube, netflix, games etc) was a bit confused by your quick mention of it about USB B
Okay, using it as a DDC Pc usb A out into USB B into red Red in the DC mode only has access to the digital out to your DAC Coax optical, AS I2S ethernet is not really necessary in this scenario, but keep it connected, when you go into streamer mode, just take the USB out from the PC to the
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Thank you very much for the review and especially for the comparisons! There are very few reviews of RED out there and most of them talk about RED in isolation without comparing it to other streamers, so it is almost impossible to get an impression how it actually sounds. So thanks a lot. In case you will have an opportunity to compare RED to Volumio Rivo I would appreciate it a lot (trying to decide which one to get). So far you are the only one who gave me an idea how it sounds. Thanks again.
@@zubidoc you’re welcome
Thank you for the kind words, there’s going to be a few more streamer videos coming soon
Rockna net - ideon serva in comparison and right as well
Holo RED into the Holo May DAC KTE is simpley the most amazing audio experience I've ever had. The i2s output of the RED is highest resolution connection and the one I would reccomend using because it carries both the clock and serial data lines from the master device hence there are no issues with synchronization; also, because the i2s interface can work with clock rates into the many megahertz it has an insane bandwidth. No packets, large buffers or PLL needed or required like with other audio interfaces. I stream Tidal via Roon and every piece of music is "Bit Perfect" from beginning to end without the lag. AmazonMusic HD, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, TH-cam Music and Qobuz are all Bit Perfect streaming services as well.
What is the interface for using Amazon Music HD on the Red? I do not believe Roon supports it so is it via an Amazon Music app? Thanks
No unless you are using DC mode, you can’t, with Amazon
If that shows you just use this stupid web paste interface
Otherwise, if you’re using it as a streamer, neither Roon or Audirvāna will be able to use it
@@ConvinceMeAudio I'm streaming Tidal via Roon using i2s with three end points with no issues
@@ocme9210 my response was to the gentleman above, in regards to using Amazon music you’re fine
Excellent presentation, as always. I was considering The Red, but in the end I decided to go with SOtM sMS-200 Neo, along with a SOTM sPS-500 power supply.
I really appreciate your review style and the fact that you add in your personality.
For this video I give 5 🐅 out of 5 to Koji.
Thank you for this review..I’ve been curious about a dedicated streamer for my headphone stack.
I run Amazon Music HD off my iPhone and iPad …but I prefer something more permanent.
Btw, the DAC is the Topping E50 🙂
Ifi Zen stream with lpsu sounds really great and is equal to Neostream in terms of sound
I agree with you comparing the Red and the Stream. I also found that the 75 Ohm cable made a large difference. The best cheap option is the Blue Jeans Belden 1695A Digital Audio Cable
Thank you for the review on the wonderful red! Not enough people know it exists yet.
Welcome, in-depth review with user guide and how to set up will be coming shortly
@@ConvinceMeAudio Can't wait for the full review. Hopefully sometime this weekend.
The little Zen Streamer sounds a lot more profound with the iFi Power Elite.
Great vid, would love to hear you compare the Red with DDC to the super popular Eversolo DMP-A6 in regards to playing from ext USB hdd as I don't do any streaming and I already have a Denafrips Iris DDC to my Pontus II DAC, thanks.
Really want to get the Red someday to compare it to my Zen Stream (w/ Topping LPS & ifi LAN silencer). The LPS upgrade made a huge difference, while the Red has its power built in, and I've heard the Neo is similar to an upgraded Zen....curiosity is going to burn a hole in my wallet!
Just started watching your channel. Love your concise and detailed presentation
Thank you for the kind words, welcome to the fam 🐅
Since you are a Holo Audio fan I would love to see you try a Red/Cyan-2 stack
My units on order waiting for it to arive
I really enjoy UR reviews
It’s very much appreciated, welcome to the fam 🐅
hey, excellent review but some of it is over my head.
is there a way to use the Red without a PC?
can i control it 100% with a tablet, for instance?
I've been waiting for some kind of review on HoloAudio Red, that little red box intrigued me the very first time I saw it. I'm wondering how it stacks up against one of the "great olds" - for about 7 years now I've been enjoying my Auralic Aries (the original version with femto clock) and I still love it but as I've been recently modernizing my stack, I've been thinking that perhaps more modern streamer could offer better performance. Unfortunately, I've really grown fond of having Aries connect to my Wi-Fi, sticking USB with my music library into it and I just control it via UPnP, so I would still need to buy some small laptop to get similar experience with HoloAudio Red but if it offered better performance than Aries, why not. Speaking money-wise - Auralic unit was 1500 EUR back in the day while Holo Red is 1000 EUR, so I could still get a WiFi streamer with built-in server for up to 500 EUR (it could even be a small laptop and I'd use Red as DDC) to get it to the same playing field anyway. Unfortunately there aren't many reviewers who still have original Auralic Aries and could compare it to Holo Audio Red - I still think that despite Aries being almost 10 years old, it might not be sonically far behind Holo Red (if behind at all, Auralic really went balls out when it came to optimizing digital output from their unit). Ah the dilemma 🙂
Btw, great to hear that you are preparing review on Feliks Euforia, I'm looking forward to that, ordered one (Euforia Evo version) about a month ago and it should be ready by the end of this month, so hopefully your review is not far away either :)
Thank you, I appreciate it, and that is the unfortunate thing it’s almost impossible to do abe with a variety of things on the market
This is obviously due to logistics, but if measuring has any influence on you, this thing is incredible
I don’t care about that too much just how it sounds, and honestly the DDC aspect of it has been unbelievable
Great comparison video, you hit it out of the park once again! Can you just clarify one thing for me please? Can the RED be used as a Roon end point which can feed more than one DAC at the same time? In essence, as a streamer and DDC at the same time or or would one have to choose one function or the other, between streamer or DC? With thanks in advance.
Thank you so much I appreciate it. Yes, when you put the red in streamer mode, all of the digital outputs apart from USB will work simultaneously so you can connect roughly 5 DAC.
This is excellent for testing though you will probably lose a tiny bit of performance in Clock Jetta, due to the five output simultaneously but who cares if you need to do a quick side-by-side comparison marginal Loss
great review, my red has been on order a little over 2 weeks. pretty excited...
Thank you for the kind words I appreciate it, it’s fantastic. It’s on the reference system on the channel including feeding Warwick Aperio
Great review. However, the info that when using as DDC it can stream out of the USB A is not correct. USB A does not work in DDC more, only in streaming mode. Hence technically it is not a DDC USB-B -> USB-A. You claimed that the REd sounds fantastic. can you be more specific on which configuration you used ?
Unfortunately, you’re correct, it can’t work out of the USB, there was some miscommunication when the unit first arrived in regards to its software and this really actually pissed me off because I wanted it in that scenario LOL
Thank you
Another great review. (And an awesome watch today) Thank you. If the dac is galvanically isolated, a streamer wont make a difference regarding sound quality?
I purchased a Topping P50 to power the Zen Stream, should be better
Thanks so much for this awesome review. I've been struggling to figure out the digital stage. Hqplayer, room correction, streamers DDC, Roon. You've helped complete some more of the mosaic. Wish someone would put the whole thing together. My Spring KTE arrived today and it's truly incredible.
My pleasure, let me know what you’re trying to do, and let me see if I can assist
@@ConvinceMeAudio I have a great DAC, amplifier and speakers, but a challenging listening room. Sound quality is my top priority, discovering music is important and convenience is nice to have. So mostly I'm looking for opportunities to improve sounds quality. I've done some acoustic treatments but not sure how to optimize and if digital room correction can improve SQ or at least highlight what's wrong so I can treat the room. I also tried hqplayer but I'm not yet convinced. I haven't tried Roon yet, I simply run qobuz via USB from a Windows PC. As you say the isolation in the Spring 3 KTE should handle that but maybe a Red would improve SQ. So many questions! Appreciate any insights you can share
@@TobyConrad Red has a DDC so yea it'll improve sound quality
@@ChaseHub thanks. But given that my source is USB and that the spring DAC has galvanic isolation, how will the DDC improve sounds quality?
Jitter
I found this fascinating to, I run a May KTE that is galvanically isolated, and did not expect any improvement, and yet big improvement very strange filtering must be much better
I'm still a bit confused, maybe you can shed some light on this: If I combine a streamer with a DAC, such as the ifi Pro IDSD, then both devices can perform the upsampling. In this case, which device should I leave this task to? My streamer can upsample to PCM 768, for example, and this is also possible in the DAC alone. Or can you even let both devices do part of the upsampling? For example, streamer to 256DSD and then to 512DSD in the DAC?
Please enlighten me.
Danke!🐅🐅🐅🐅🐅 for you, Koji
Thanks for the support. Very much appreciated 🐅❤️🐅
I really hope you review auralic altair g2.1 anders.. Because I trust your reviews 👍
I know you are a fan of the Gustard R26. Would the red as streamer i2s to r26 sound better than the r26 alone in LAN mode? I like that r26 is fully balanced and connects to my fully balanced amp but in LAN mode it stutters on 192k songs quite often so wondering if adding a red would not stutter and also improve sound using r26 as just a dac? (tried r26 i2s with my iFi Neo stream in main system and channels are switched so Red can switch pins to resolve that as well I guess)
Compare the internals of the Gustard R26 to the U18 DDC. You will see that there is some duplication in the R26. So putting an external DDC in front of the R26 may be redundant, especially if it is the Red, since the R26 also has some streaming capability.
Well done! Do you think that the halo with his ddc would benefit to an mojo 2 that I use as a desktop dac?
Hello ,
Would I notice a decent noticeable difference by adding a RED in front of my Spring 3 KTE (in DDC mode) from my Eversolo A6 Master streamer?
Or will the usb input of the Spring 3 KTE be just as good?
I was considering using SPDIF or I2s to connect RED to Spring
Thanks
Craig
Does the Holo Red improve the sound of Tidal Connect?
@@tedroy13 only in the sense it separates your audio system from your noisy Mac or PC so in that context possibly, yes, but it’s not going to sample or do anything crazy with the original files, but it’s best to use a media player such as ROON Or audirvana
Can a good LPS make IFI NEO STREAM better? thanks
The power supply it comes with is pretty decent, not bad at all I don’t think it would be worth it to be fair
@@ConvinceMeAudio thank you for your reply, but I still want to try it on LPS
@@my_wood if you get the opportunity to do so, drop a comment here, I’m intrigued
Let us know how it goes, unfortunately the unit had to go back so I can’t test
Hi, great review👍, thanks.. Two questions about the RED, does it tidal connect natively? and for my system (speakers, amp, 2x subs, dac, value about 15k together ) is it overkill as a streamer? many thanks
In regards to overkill, definitely not I use it on the aperio and a holo stack north of 20 K by itself
I don’t use TIDAL, but Kobus is the same principle I will find out for you because I’ve never used the connect service. I think I saw the option to check box that so I think it’s okay
@@ConvinceMeAudio many thanks for your quick answer👍 so you thing that 15k system is good enough to hear the quality of the RED streamer.. so I will probably go for it.. many thanks again😀
@@petrpulpytel most definitely I’ve tried it on 3K systems and it’s still an upgrade from bad source
@@ConvinceMeAudio many thanks for sharing your experience.. have a nice weekend.. 😀
Great video. I've been researching Holo Red for a while. I am using Audirvana on my Win 10 laptop and it is connected to Holo may kte via usb. I'm thinking of using Holo Red as a DDC for better sound, like you. I looked to the Holo Red Specs and ı see that Roon software is supported but not Audirvana. Does it mean that I still have to use Audirvana and my laptop when I use Red as a DDC ( ı am confused)? Do you recommend connecting Holo Red to May Kte via I2S or USB? Last, would you please do a very detailled review of Holo Red? Thanks.
This was just a shootout, full in-depth review is coming, plus set up.
It works with audervana as a DDC, as well as a streamer
In my experience using it as a DDC connected via USB from the source and digital out to may I2S has yielded fantastic results
But as a streamer, even better, so you’re not really losing out, just gaining a lot of functionality
It works on both players, I use DDC mode when I want to go systemwide
Hello, very interesting rewiev. I looking for a streamer and i wonder ... with which one streamer can you compare the Red ? Now I'm using DIY streamer based on RPI 3b+ with battery power suply, charged by linear power suply. Will Red be a better sounding streamer ? Coud you compare Red with for example Lumin u2 ?
Regards
I have compared it with the Aqua, waiting for the net from rockna
Also, with the 2Go from chord
Currently using the red with the Aperio it’s superb until you start spending multi thousand pounds genuinely very difficult to beat
Thank's for an answear.
My Pontus is very sensitive for souce sound quality. Has well made USB and I2s ports interface. I turned off RPI Allo Digione Sig. Hat and i'm using only USB or I2s connections. Sound is very good ( povered on battery, pure DC ). But as you know an audiophile man always searching (digs 😂) something whih will sounds better....
How does the Red compare to lets say an Innous Zenith or Pulsar?
What would sound best, use the Red as a DDC and stream from PC or use the Red as a streamer?
Currently, I have only put up the red against the NEO, ZEN, and pie
It wins hands down, you can do both, DDC yield is less of a performance than streamer, but to be honest with you LOL I use it as a DDC 90% of the time because of convenience and it’s still incredible
There is no WiFi on the HoloAudio Red
Yes, apparently not, very frustrating sometimes for conveniency
I connected a Pi (Volumio OS) via USB zu May KTE. Would the Red improve the Sound? Should I use USB or I2S?
Yes, the red definitely improve sound quality over the pie, even the Zen stream, and you get far more options to play with two, I ran it for 18 months
@@ConvinceMeAudio thanks. Can I use my Qobuz account on the Red?
@@userhwoarang uPnP is supported, I recommend using either Roon or Audirvāna
For me none of these supporting amazon Hd is a killer. So I have to settle for wiim pro ($150) and BlueSound node ($450). Both are much better than pc as a source. There is a steamer from cocktail audio that looks quite good too. But I read the software is buggy.
Yes, it’s unfortunate neither of the few players we use regularly can be integrated with Amazon
Great review. It was very interesting. Is Holo Audio Red able to stream and be connected to a DAC via Coaxial, not USB? You sait there is a switch on the back so I guess it's impossible and I will need some kind of DDC converter to avoid USB connection to my amp/dac (audio-gd 27.38)?
The red is both a DDC and a streamer
It has both USB in and out
You use the USB in for DDC mode, this mode only works with all the digital outs
As a streamer, decoupled from your system, it works both ways USB out and digital out
You cannot run it as a DDC and a streamer simultaneously, hence the switch on and reboot
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thank you for a quick response. I am in this hobby for a few years and just recently discover how important is a good streamer. I switched from my PC with Windows 10 playing Qobuz , connected to not bad USB cable - to dedicated Asus miniPC with Euphony. The difference is huge, even if it's not a real deal streamer. I am just looking for some solution which will give me similar sound quality and can play Qobuz and not being paid subscription. I can pay once but to monthly. I tried to install Volumio but it doesn't work on my miniPC neither laptop. Dafile doesn't support Qobuz. Best it can do is Deezer. I don't want Tidal.
Do you think connecting LG v30 (and USB Audio Player PRO) will be a good choice and similar sound experience?
@@dreamstormPL questyle m15 is fantastic for on the go
For a desktop set up, not even close mate
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thank you, but I don't need AMP/DAC. I need a good source (streamer) to connect to my audio-gd 27.38 amp/dac on my desk. I've heard that LG v30 can be a good streamer.
@@dreamstormPL no I don’t think it can genuinely, these are the ones I would recommend
Pie4 running roopi XL £50
IFI zen stream £300
Red £1000
Go for the pie for now
Hey CMA, do you find any benefit to the Holo Red with a Holo May in terms of sound quality?
You really should not, because the May is galvanically isolated
And yet it’s integrated into the reference system because it is actually yielding a much higher performance level LOL and I don’t get why it’s very strange
This could be because the MaC USB is so bad possibly, but the red is such a versatile system not just for the sound quality. It’s part of the reference system now
Thank you for your review. I am planning to buy a Holo Audio Cyan 2. I also look for a good streamer. Do you think, that the Red is the best combination? Or is a WiiM the right one to choose?
does Holo Audio Red outputs all simultaneously when used as a streamer(no USB input)? I cant really find definite answers in forums :(
Bar-usb otherwise they will work
Wonder how the neo sounds compared to the matrix mini i3 pro, which I am currently using as my streamer dac. Would be nice if they included an option to attach an SD card or hard drive with music. Have some music that is not available on the popular streaming platforms.
The matrix is not really a streamer, I feed it via my phone with AirPlay.
Good afternoon thanks again for the great review man appreciated the knowledge you provide , don't soot me I am using a mac m1 as my source running audirvana with the felix audio euphoria and zmf atrium.
How much difference would a dedicated streamer make am I depriving my system using a mac as my source ? .
Cheers mate look forward to the euphoria review I know your waiting for tubes to test with it been looking forward to that review I'm looking to swap out the stock tubes and look forward to your opinion on them .
Thanks again when should we expect that review ? .
Hey mate, thank you for the kind words I appreciate it
Seen as I am a diehard, Apple fan LOL and a Mac user in the Apple ecosystem you’re in good company LOL
The Mac USB controller is bloody awful, like terrible
A DDC or a streamer is highly required if you’re using audervana or roon
I use the red exclusively its awesome Neo is fantastic too zen is pretty good.
But yes, I highly recommend to be fair
@ConvinceMeAudio hello koji sorry if I misspelt your name lol I thought that something was off I had a streamer in the past but sold it a while back but never really thought much as to the regards of how bad the mac usb output is I new that my system wasn't given the sound quality that it was able to produce due to the bad source provided I new the felix and the holo was capable of much more , I know the holo red maybe a good choice but forgive me I know what a dac is but as for a ddc I haven't got a clue what that's for ? Why would I need the ddc in a streamer ? I was also looking at the innuos streamers too ?
What is a ddc and why would I need one on a streamer lol boy I sound dumb I've been in this hobbie for years lol I should know what a ddc is .
Regards
Nick
@@nick62876 you do not need a DDC
Digital to a digital converter, But the red has one already
I explain this in the video already, you connect the Mac to the red via USB the signal is re-converted to digital then output to the red via one of the digital sources, optical, coax, et cetera
But it goes through some filtering and really improve the sound system wide if you need it
But using it as a streamer, even then will give you even more results
@@ConvinceMeAudio I have bitten the bullet and purchased the holo red can not wait for it to arrive .
thanks again for all your reviews I enjoy your content immensely.
can finally get rid of the Mac as my source lol. can I ask if I may did you ever review the verite open due to the fact that the vc got five tigers all around the board , the vo are amazing to have you heard them at all .
kind regards
nick the greek
@@nick62876 ZMF vo caldera and Atrium clothes are all on the table about to be reviewed
I’m hoping I can get VC back and the final unicorn autore
I will do a full ZMF shootout as well
You can use the red as your DDC and get a much much much better performance, and still have the Mac connected for those times. You want to use it systemwide
It’s fantastic, currently running late on the hoo and aperio systems
Schiits urd is going to be a transport/ddc I wonder how that’s going to sound and if you’d review jt 🤔
I would love to review their products, but unfortunately it’s very difficult to get hold of on the side of the pond
I don’t believe we’ve had a single unit from them yet
The Holo Red can't be a streamer and a DDC at the same time?
I also read it like that. Makes it kinda pointless. So when will we get a DDC with I2S inputs too?
Hello Koji,
Does it make any sense to have an HDMI output from Holo Red to USB at Mojo 2?
It’s I2S using that shape
It’s not HDMI
So that will not work
Hi kojo quick question .would you say computer to ddc -ddc to dac to amp is inferior to streamer to ddc to amp , I recently removed ddc and laptop from my system and sounds much better to me what is your take on this koji ? And can you use a ddc and a steamer at the same time ?Thanks a million .
Yes it can be
Depends on the ddC
But eliminating the sourse, in such a way, will Potential electrical noise from your PC board
@ConvinceMeAudio sorry mate I'm so confused, so how would I conect my streamer to ddc then to dac to amp ?
Or do I even need the ddc ?
Or is it one or the other?streamer or ddc
@@nick62876 in this scenario, a DDC would be redundant
You connect your DAC to the streamer, and control the DAC through a player, such as Roon - Audervana through the UPnP protocol or rune end point
Unfortunately, in this scenario, your DAC will only output from the player
You would use the DDC instead, when you want a system wide output to the DAC with a better quality than just USB on the pc
One or the other
I really enjoy your videos, but I do have a criticism to make… Sorry… As a fellow visually impaired Audiophile, I am disappointed that you do not always use the names of devices to which you are referring. I would really appreciate if you can be a little more mindful of this in future. Apologies for taking the matter up in the public arena. Not wishing any ill will towards you. Wit all of my heart felt, thanks.
Thank you for bringing it to my attention, yes, I have fallen into that trap, because of the cameras around me, and having a live crew, the lens becomes my eyes as it were
I think you might be the first chap with a visual impairment that has commented on the channel, but I should be mindful yes,
If I fall into the trap again, you have my permission to remind me LOL
Welcome to the fam 🐅
@@ConvinceMeAudio mostly fine, but occasionally when discussing several devices you refer to them as this and that LOL
@@O_D_O_U4YA yes, and it’s all visual mate, that’s the thing, it’s what I’m pointing to or what’s in my hand or what is over there on the set et cetera
My bad
+1 this.
I am not visually impaired but mainly listen to TH-cam without videos when cycling, working out or just working at my desk. I had to rely on logic to know what you were talking about in this one too.
Is this running Linux? Could you plug in a cd-rom and rip CDs to a usb external add?
No, of course, not this is just a streamer and ddc
which one sound best ?
The one stated in the video LOL why don’t you watch?
😂
@@ConvinceMeAudio hehe i feel silly , thank you and keep up the good work
Dear god if the zen stream is the most solid of the 3 I have zero interest in any of them.
he ranked the Zen last of the three...
Are you going to do a full In-depth review of the Red?
Definitely, I think I’m shooting that this week
Hi, wondering if that full in-depth review ever happened (didn't see it on the channel). Writing this around 5 months after the previous message on this matter.
I definitely will, it’s just been absolute bedlam. Honestly there is 25 reviews that have been completed and are waiting to be edited on the editing table right now,
Can I go PC - > USB into Red -> Ethernet Out into DAC -> and still get full PC audio (youtube, netflix, games etc) was a bit confused by your quick mention of it about USB B
Okay, using it as a DDC
Pc usb A out into USB B into red
Red in the DC mode only has access to the digital out to your DAC
Coax optical, AS I2S ethernet is not really necessary in this scenario, but keep it connected, when you go into streamer mode, just take the USB out from the PC to the