Neutron HiFi DAC V1 Review

[Robbo99999]

@dmitrykos , are you far off your Virtual 7.1 Surround implementations? Have you been happy with the work you may have done on it so far? If you end up getting it implemented do you think it would be a big selling point that you'll highlight in the "sales information"?

 

[neutroncode]

@OHtaru thank you for your kind report! The issue was identified and fixed in the just released Firmware 58.

Release Notes:

Firmware 58 - Neutron Forum

@dmitrykos , are you far off your Virtual 7.1 Surround implementations? Have you been happy with the work you may have done on it so far?

Note yet implemented but analyzed available resources already. Will try to approach this task soon.

 

[Robbo99999]

@OHtaru thank you for your kind report! The issue was identified and fixed in the just released Firmware 58.

Release Notes:

Firmware 58 - Neutron Forum

Note yet implemented but analyzed available resources already. Will try to approach this task soon, unfortunately time resources are spread over all projects...

When you've completed your Virtual 7.1 do you think you'll release some audio demo files with the surround implementation baked in so we can see if the Virtual 7.1 implementation works for us?

 

[neutroncode]

When you've completed your Virtual 7.1 do you think you'll release some audio demo files with the surround implementation baked in so we can see if the Virtual 7.1 implementation works for us?

Yes, if implementation is successful I will provide demo files for evaluation.

 

[Robbo99999]

Yes, if implementation is successful I will provide demo files for evaluation.

Nice!

 

[Overseas]

When used exclusively with a phone, all updates, firmware etc can be done smoothly ? Thanks.

 

[neutroncode]

When used exclusively with a phone, all updates, firmware etc can be done smoothly ? Thanks.

Yes, if the phone is Android device. There is NConfigurator app in Google Play for it:

NConfigurator - Apps on Google Play

Configuration utility for Neutron HiFi USB DAC audio device

play.google.com

If it is iOS (iPad/iPhone) then Apple currently limits access to the connected USB device and thus it is not possible to communicate with DAC V1 via USB HID on iOS.

 

[Overseas]

I see purchase only possible direct from Neutron site.
For EU clients is this delivered from a non-UE location ? Customs may be a hustle.

 

[neutroncode]

For EU clients is this delivered from a non-UE location ? Customs may be a hustle.

There is no Customs clearance for any buyer in Neutron HiFi online store, whether you are from EU, USA, UK or any other place. All orders are shipped on DDP basis, it means you just get package delivered to your address without any additional action from your side. It is specified in the Shopping Card when you make the order.

 

[Stan Smitchen]

... Neutron HiFi™ DAC V1 Listening Tests
I tested the DAC V1 with Sennheiser HD650. It performed excellently with comfortable level at around 60% volume. There was plenty of bass and of course detail and overall fidelity. I then switched to Hifiman HE400i. Similar performance was had, making me want to sit there and listen. Instead, I decided to pull up the frequency response corrections from different sources. Not the fault of DAC V1 but I thought all of them were poor. Not only was tonality wrong, but level of distortion increased due to lack of headroom. This might work better for high impedance headphones where the DAC V1 doesn't clip. ...

Hi Amir,

I read your remarks regarding frequency response corrections (FRC) in your review of the Neutron HiFi DAC v1, where you mentioned that “all correction profiles were poor” and caused distortion due to lack of headroom.

My question is:
Did you also test Oratory1990’s profiles (e.g., for the HD660S, HD700, Koss KSC75, and Koss Porta Pro, which I use frequently for music listening)? These are widely regarded in the community as especially accurate and well-designed. I’ve personally used them without noticing any distortion or obvious sound issues. For the AirPods 3, I used a preset from SuperReview with similar results. I haven’t focused much on precise tonal accuracy, but subjectively I’m quite satisfied with the sound.

I tested all of these profiles using Neutron MP across several devices: an LG V30, the Chord Mojo, and even a generic sound card on a PC.

Did you specifically try these particular profiles, or were you referring to other correction profiles that might not have been properly adjusted?

I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on how you evaluate Oratory’s profiles compared to others, and whether your conclusion mainly applies to certain types of FRCs.

Thanks and best regards!

 

[Overseas]

I have the same question, cause my buying point is the AUTOEQ on this device/ app, my scenario is to use it with phone & headphones (not IEMs).
So, for a non technical guy like me, does it mean the device does not function optimally with any and all EQ presets ?

 

[neutroncode]

So, for a non technical guy like me, does it mean the device does not function optimally with any and all EQ presets ?

Nope, @amirm didn`t mean that, note he is saying "Not the fault of DAC V1 but I thought all of them were poor". The cited comment was related to the quality of AutoEQ presets design. Probably those presets he tried didn't have optimal Preamp value (low enough) which caused audible distortions due to increased amplitude of audio waves by PEQ.

DAC V1 gives the same functionality of PEQ which is present in Neutron Music Player. You have fully configurable bands for each channel and Preamp which allows to adjust output gain and for example lower volume if EQ filters increased it. Commercial music is mostly normalized, thus EQ set to above 0 dB will likely cause distortion due to overloaded sound, so you have to set Preamp to at least similar but negative value. This is general guidance, unrelated to DAC V1.

You can also design own FRC preset and avoid using AutoEQ at all

 

[Overseas]

Nope, @amirm didn`t mean that, note he is saying "Not the fault of DAC V1 but I thought all of them were poor". The cited comment was related to the quality of AutoEQ presets design.

Very important clarification, especially for non engineers
The device is definitely on my shopping list but... especially for the AutoEQ.

 

[Stan Smitchen]

Based on my experience with FRC in Neutron MP: As a precaution, I’ve always set Pregain to around -6 dB before using FRC, EQ, or PEQ adjustments. Maybe because of that, I’ve actually never noticed any audible issues or distortion—everything has sounded to me clean from the start.

For reference, the oratory1990 HD650 preset applies a +6.40 dB boost in band 2 and already includes a -6.10 dB preamp reduction built into the FRC preset to compensate for this.

 

[Robbo99999]

@dmitrykos , just been comparing your DAC here to the latest Topping DAC that's been reviewed here on ASR that also does EQ. I've been saying & noticing that your V1 DAC is more flexible with it's EQ and has more bands but I've become a bit confused about the maximum number of PEQ bands the V1 DAC can use. I saw one post where 40 band was mentioned if at or below 48kHz but then somewhere else saying 20 bands per channel. What's the definitive latest number of bands available and the various combinations in terms of per channel, etc? (I mean that's still more than the Topping, but wanted clarification on the exact possible configurations).

 

[Overseas]

Does Nconfigurator only work with the Neutron HIFI Dac dongle ?

Edit: yeap, I found the information on Neutron website.

New question: Comparing to AUTOEQ settings imported in Wavelet, is there any advantage for using Nconfigurator (with Neutron DAC) from the point of view of the filter itself ? I mean that Nconfigurator has multiple bands PEQ while Wavelet ony has GEQ. Don't know about peak/ shelf filters, if supported by both apps.

 

[neutroncode]

What's the definitive latest number of bands available and the various combinations in terms of per channel, etc? (I mean that's still more than the Topping, but wanted clarification on the exact possible configurations).

Sorry for replying a bit late, there is DSP Mode Max Frequency table with all combinations mentioned, including PEQ:

Neutron HiFi DAC V1: Specs, Features And NConfigurator Downloads

Explore the Neutron HiFi DAC V1 - a portable, high-resolution USB DAC and preamp featuring ESS ES9219Q, 32-bit/384 kHz PCM, DSD256 support, and integrated DSP for studio-quality, audiophile-grade audio on the go.

neutronhifi.com

Comparing to AUTOEQ settings imported in Wavelet, is there any advantage for using Nconfigurator (with Neutron DAC) from the point of view of the filter itself ? I mean that Nconfigurator has multiple bands PEQ while Wavelet ony has GEQ. Don't know about peak/ shelf filters, if supported by both apps.

NConfigurator is configuring DAC V1 device. But the PEQ DSP is operating on device, so it is independent from any software. You can configure PEQ/GEQ using any software then save in Neutron EQ preset compatible format or AutoEq compatible format (NConfigurator can import AutoEq configuration from TXT file) and then load it to DAC V1 with NConfigurator.

 

[neutroncode]

Firmware 59 is released today (update via NConfigurator -> Firmware tab):

https://forum.neutroncode.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7411

There are 2 important changes:

1. USB descriptor now declares 32-bit stream before 24-bit (8.24) stream that allows Linux to use 32-bit stream. Thanks to DAC V1 user it was revealed that Linux kernel does not support 8.24 format and mistakenly selects it if 8.24 stream is declared first. It is quite surprising, I checked Linux kernel source code and besides refactoring in comparison to 10-years old code nothing changed regarding 8.24 format support.
2. ADC related code is fully rewritten. It was a looOoong battle with NXP's MCU limitation regarding DMA throughput as it is used for OLED, DAC and ADC. Nevertheless now DAC V1 captures sound with high precision (most precision is achieved at 8, 16, 32, 48 kHz) resulting in a more pleasant voice functionality (less noise - to none on my test device and with AKG earbuds) via headset's inline mic.

NConfigurator 1.8.5 will be released soon with a new option - Channel Swapping.

 

[PetZoundz]

Firmware 59 is released today (update via NConfigurator -> Firmware tab):

https://forum.neutroncode.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7411

There are 2 important changes:

1. USB descriptor now declares 32-bit stream before 24-bit (8.24) stream that allows Linux to use 32-bit stream. Thanks to DAC V1 user it was revealed that Linux kernel does not support 8.24 format and mistakenly selects it if 8.24 stream is declared first. It is quite surprising, I checked Linux kernel source code and besides refactoring in comparison to 10-years old code nothing changed regarding 8.24 format support.
2. ADC related code is fully rewritten. It was a looOoong battle with NXP's MCU limitation regarding DMA throughput as it is used for OLED, DAC and ADC. Nevertheless now DAC V1 captures sound with high precision (most precision is achieved at 8, 16, 32, 48 kHz) resulting in a more pleasant voice functionality (less noise - to none on my test device and with AKG earbuds) via headset's inline mic.

NConfigurator 1.8.5 will be released soon with a new option - Channel Swapping.

View attachment 470294

Channel swapping can come in handy, even if just for troubleshooting a speaker. Nice touch.

 

[neutroncode]

Channel swapping can come in handy, even if just for troubleshooting a speaker. Nice touch.

NConfigurator 1.8.5 is released for all platforms too, Swap Channels option is now exposed:

https://forum.neutroncode.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=7412

It was proposed by the user on Neutron Forum to fix channel swapping caused by the car's audio system, so besides debugging it also will help in such situations. Swapping is done on DAC chip, therefore there is no performance penalty.