I remember there was a discussion somewhere about USB-C split cables that you could listen music and charge your phone at the same time. Has anybody found such cable that would work with Neutron? I've bought one, but it does not work, it neither charges a phone, nor you can listen to music.
-
Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
Neutron HiFi DAC V1 Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
staticV3
Grand Contributor
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2019
- Messages
- 14,860
- Likes
- 25,972
This one works, but only if your phone supports USB Power Delivery charging: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...8d-review-portable-dac-amp.21556/post-1045358
Thanks! However Ugreen link is either broken or not active anymore. I tried to google it by name, but it looks like it's not available anymore? Scrolling the internet to find it somewhere in Europe's wharehouses.
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2024
- Messages
- 219
- Likes
- 513
USB-C connector (one of 2) connected to USB host or Isolator V1 needs to have USB OTG function. Probably you can achieve that with USB-A -> USB-C short cable + USB-C to USB-A OTG tiny adapter (like this one or similar: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005991190196.html) between host and Isolator to get connection working with Isolator V1.
I gave it another go with this one https://www.amazon.de/-/en/dp/B0DP9PXLMJ?ref=fed_asin_title It's on the way already and I will let you know if it works.
I can confirm, that this splitter works with iPhone 15 Pro. I can charge the phone and use a DAC at the same time. The only drawback is when I disconnect charging cable, DAC disconnects for awhile as well. But it's just for a couple of seconds and after that I can play music without any problem.
Speaking of charging iPhone while powering DAC, I've solved with Apple magnetic charger, so not using anymore USB-C port for charging. Tested on iPhone 16 and DAC V1. I guess that a similar technology is available for recent Android devices too.
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2024
- Messages
- 219
- Likes
- 513
Firmware 60 + NConfigurator 1.8.6 are released.
Firmware's release notes:
NConfigurator's release notes:
There are important changes in this firmware update which improve noise performance of DAC V1's PEQ DSP. PEQ DSP was using float32, that is fully valid but due to 24-bit mantissa of the float32 type computations introduce quantization noise in the low frequency range. Now implementation is using fixed-point math that allowed to increase resolution and lower the noise.
Besides that, the output optimization via THD was revised towards more user friendly presets which cover all possible usage scenarios. For example, new preset [No Load (DAC/Preamp, >= 1kohm)] achieves max DAC chip capabilities: THD = -117 dB, THD+N = -114 dB at 0 dBFS and shall be used if you are using DAC V1 as Preamp/Decoder between your USB host device and Amplifier.
By user request there is additional option in the Advanced tab [Disable in-line Mic and Media Buttons] which turns off all Mic associated peripherals (ADC, Comparator, Amp chip) as well as Mic voltage bias, thus you get pure audio output only with headsets having inline Mic and buttons.
Screenshot with new options:
Firmware's release notes:
NConfigurator's release notes:
There are important changes in this firmware update which improve noise performance of DAC V1's PEQ DSP. PEQ DSP was using float32, that is fully valid but due to 24-bit mantissa of the float32 type computations introduce quantization noise in the low frequency range. Now implementation is using fixed-point math that allowed to increase resolution and lower the noise.
Besides that, the output optimization via THD was revised towards more user friendly presets which cover all possible usage scenarios. For example, new preset [No Load (DAC/Preamp, >= 1kohm)] achieves max DAC chip capabilities: THD = -117 dB, THD+N = -114 dB at 0 dBFS and shall be used if you are using DAC V1 as Preamp/Decoder between your USB host device and Amplifier.
By user request there is additional option in the Advanced tab [Disable in-line Mic and Media Buttons] which turns off all Mic associated peripherals (ADC, Comparator, Amp chip) as well as Mic voltage bias, thus you get pure audio output only with headsets having inline Mic and buttons.
Screenshot with new options:
Hello Dmitrykos,
high output or low output are parameters of the headphones connected?
Example. If DAC V1 is set for 2 V output and connected to https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/7hz-x-crinacle-zero-2-iem-review.50534/ which is the best option?
Thanks
Stefano
OHtaru
Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2021
- Messages
- 89
- Likes
- 121
The firmware has a severe bug!!! It can make loud noise, especially when playing bass-heavy music.
It can be reproduced by just dialing in a high-shelf filter. The filter should not influence low frequencies, but it makes huge noise when playing 20-100Hz sweep sine. (Update: The setting makes noise at sample rates more than 88200Hz, but it still makes noise at 44100Hz by dialing in a gain=0.1dB, Q=0.7, f=100Hz high-pass filter. Some other extreme equalizer settings may also produce noise, which didn’t happen before. I previously tried a 50dB gain and it was still stable. I guess the fixed-point algorithm is not as stable as the floating-point one when handling clipping.) If the bug can't be solved shortly, please provide a temporary firmware to avoid hearing damage!
By the way, the NConfigurator can‘t set THD-compensation state when applying profiles, it ignores this parameter according to the console log. I've reported the details on the Neutron forum.
Attachments
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2024
- Messages
- 219
- Likes
- 513
Firmware 61 has been released couple of minutes ago. Please update to it, the issue with noise is solved by it.
As to 50dB gain. Why do you need this huge value? It does not make sense and it is better to normalize EQ setup towards negative values then.
For the Profile thing - will double check, bugs happen sometimes
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2024
- Messages
- 219
- Likes
- 513
It depends on your listening scenario. If you do not listen with a very high volume then Low Impedance & Low Output will give high precision (lower noise) , otherwise for loud listening select Low Impedance & High Output to get max power available.
OHtaru
Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2021
- Messages
- 89
- Likes
- 121
I believe the Neutron DAC is a worthwhile product. I only used the 50dB gain out of curiosity and for stress testing. Other DACs won’t provide such flexibility, not to mention the fact that issues are resolved so quickly every time.Firmware 61 has been released couple of minutes ago. Please update to it, the issue with noise is solved by it.
As to 50dB gain. Why do you need this huge value? It does not make sense and it is better to normalize EQ setup towards negative values then.
For the Profile thing - will double check, bugs happen sometimes
Yes---I measured THD vs output of the new compensation settings (will post later when I get a chance).
Here is how to interpret each THD compensation setting:
- Low Impedance (< 50ohm) & Low Output (< 0.5V) Optimized for reasonably sensitive (low-impedance, too, in most cases) headphones & IEMs fed with < 0.5V signal most of the time.
- Low Impedance (< 50ohm) & High Output (>= 0.5V) Optimized for demanding situations in which low-impedance phones are driven hard (e.g., boosted bass, somewhat insensitive headphones), requiring high-level (> 0.5V) signals often times.
- High Impedance (>= 50ohm) Optimized for high-impedance (> 50 ohm) headphones.
- No Load (DAC/Preamp, >= 1kOhm) Optimized for connection to an external device such as a headphone amp or active speaker system.
Last edited:
50 dB gain works now with updated firmwareI believe the Neutron DAC is a worthwhile product. I only used the 50dB gain out of curiosity and for stress testing. Other DACs won’t provide such flexibility, not to mention the fact that issues are resolved so quickly every time.
OHtaru
Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2021
- Messages
- 89
- Likes
- 121
Firmware 61 resolved the noise issue. I have not noticed any noise anymore as long as the level is below 0dBFS. Filters with any gain can be used with preamp gain which is properly applied for compensation. When clipping is less than 6dB, the signal has normal clipping behavior. But clicks will occur when clipping exceeds 6dB. This is not a problem though, as long as the preamp gain is used for compensation.Firmware 61 has been released couple of minutes ago. Please update to it, the issue with noise is solved by it.
As to 50dB gain. Why do you need this huge value? It does not make sense and it is better to normalize EQ setup towards negative values then.
For the Profile thing - will double check, bugs happen sometimes
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2024
- Messages
- 219
- Likes
- 513
It is normal behavior because PEQ works in a digital domain and we shall assume limitations. If you design EQ preset and listen to commercial normalized music then most likely sound will become overloaded if EQ bands >0dB, especially Low/Mid frequency bands. Therefore, compensating with Preamp is a must. Just set it to the negative value of the loudest Low/Mid band and it will help most of the time. By default DAC V1's PEQ DSP does not enforce any volume gap nor assumes that volume shall be corrected by its logic internally, it is up to the user to use Preamp and set it to a sensible value.
Out of curiosity, if possible I would be interested in the measurement results especially for the low impedance + low output preset as I drive my sensitive IEMs with 1V setting + -20db max limit.
THD compensation has its effect only above -24 dBFS in 2V setting (or above -18 dBFS in 1V setting). So, in your use case (very low-level application), THD compensation has no effect whatever preset you use. Just use the low impedance low output preset just in case you would apply a very large bass boost and increase the volume limit later on.
Similar threads
- Poll
