Neutron HiFi DAC V1 Review

[migo77]

Connection to NConfigurator works from mac(OSX), Linux, PC, Android, but from iPhone not. It doesn't connect. Are there some additional steps needed on this platform? Thank you!

 

[neutroncode]

It is working for me with RPi2B. Changing DSP settings stops playback, is it normal? Thank you!

Yes, it is normal if DAC V1 is re-attached briefly from USB bus due to report correct max frequency via USB descriptor, otherwise USB host will not re-enumerate capabilities and will try non existent frequencies. So probably you changed modes which affected max output frequency (they are listed in Details page on web site).

 

[migo77]

Yes, it is normal if DAC V1 is re-attached briefly from USB bus due to report correct max frequency via USB descriptor, otherwise USB host will not re-enumerate capabilities and will try non existent frequencies. So probably you changed modes which affected max output frequency (they are listed in Details page on web site).

Thank you, that makes sense And what about problem with iPhone not connecting to headless NConfigurator? Any ideas? Thank you!

 

[neutroncode]

Connection to NConfigurator works from mac(OSX), Linux, PC, Android, but from iPhone not.

It is probably a limitation by Apple for Safari on iOS to access IPs of the local network. What if you try other alternative browsers - like, Opera or any other.

 

[migo77]

It is probably a limitation by Apple for Safari on iOS to access IPs of the local network. What if you try other alternative browsers - like, Opera or any other.

OK, you are right, Opera and Friefox Focus works fine here. Safari and Chrome doesn't... Thank you very much for adding this feature of remote control for headless mode for arm32 too!

 

[migo77]

Would it be possible to make/modify NConfigurator binary that it can directly connect to another NConfigurator running in httpd mode, that it can control directly DAC V1 connected headless endpoint? For example If NConfurator can't find USB connected DAC it will prompt for IP and port. This will mitigate problems with web browser compatibility and internet connection problems. Thank you.

 

[neutroncode]

OK, you are right, Opera and Friefox Focus works fine here. Safari and Chrome doesn't... Thank you very much for adding this feature of remote control for headless mode for arm32 too!

This is really great, I will update Details page with this information.

Would it be possible to make/modify NConfigurator binary that it can directly connect to another NConfigurator running in httpd mode, that it can control directly DAC V1 connected headless endpoint?

It is possible to implement and actually a good idea. It would need some work but does not look impossible as long as web app is sending commands already, so another instance of NConfigurator could do the same.

 

[migo77]

This is really great, I will update Details page with this information.



It is possible to implement and actually a good idea. It would need some work but does not look impossible as long as web app is sending commands already, so another instance of NConfigurator could do the same.

Thank you! I'm ready to test it when needed.

 

[neutroncode]

Thank you! I'm ready to test it when needed.

Meanwhile, you can use web app in PC's web browser, this scenario works fine already now. Added into to-do the support for a native PC app.

 

[migo77]

Meanwhile, you can use web app in PC's web browser, this scenario works fine already now. Added into to-do the support for a native PC app.

It works fine on phone too, with the right browser. It would be more convenient (without web browser and your web bridge) with NConnect in server mode and another one in client mode. One app for all user scenarios. I've created systemd service for NConnect on RPi to start it up in httpd mode after boot and control it from all my devices, like a remote control. Nice. Thank you!

 

[neutroncode]

Hot-fix urgent announcement - got 2 users when after touching some settings DAC V1 was getting soft-bricked (stuck on Hi! message, not visible on USB bus).

The offending combination was: Full-Speed Mode or UAC1 Mode + limited frequencies by deselecting all frequencies below 176400 Hz.

Just released Firmware 72 fixes the issue. Otherwise, if you get DAC V1 soft-bricked - do not panic! DAC V1 is booting via a Kinetis bootloader and misbehavior can be fixed by connecting it with KinetisFlashTool + Firmware 72 (please ask for a link if you got this problem).

Details:

https://forum.neutroncode.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7533&p=22974#p22974

 

[migo77]

@neutroncode Another usability idea, would it be possible to add + and - buttons to volume slider to precisely adjust volume in dB steps? Setting exact volume with finger on small screen is really challenging now. What do you think? Thank you!

 

[migo77]

Another usability quirk are big fonts/magnification after app start. I need to scale down UI to see volume slider and other controls. Maybe this is Opera problem IDK.

 

[neutroncode]

@neutroncode Another usability idea, would it be possible to add + and - buttons to volume slider to precisely adjust volume in dB steps? Setting exact volume with finger on small screen is really challenging now. What do you think? Thank you!

+/- buttons with fixed steps make sense, will add it into to-do.

As to large font - probably browser dependent, because web app is based on Google Angular and does not force some specific font size.

 

[migo77]

+/- buttons with fixed steps make sense, will add it into to-do.

Thank you!

 

[JazzFan01]

After a lot of research I think I'm ready to pull the trigger on the Neutron DAC V1. This will be for connecting to an iPhone 12 mini so I'm going to need a lightning to usb-c adaptor. Are there any of you running this configuration and if so what adaptor cables are you using. I want as short and light as possible and thinking this cable from ddHifi might be a good choice: https://www.ddhifi.com/en/product/mfi05-m2/ . Any reasons why this adaptor won't work, or you don't recommend it? TIA!

 

[staticV3]

Any reasons why this adaptor won't work, or you don't recommend it? TIA!

No reason, that's the exact type of cable you need

Just be mindful that, in a pinch, the Lightning cable that you can buy from Apple will not work, as it's not an OTG cable.

 

[HeartByte]

After a lot of research I think I'm ready to pull the trigger on the Neutron DAC V1. This will be for connecting to an iPhone 12 mini so I'm going to need a lightning to usb-c adaptor. Are there any of you running this configuration and if so what adaptor cables are you using. I want as short and light as possible and thinking this cable from ddHifi might be a good choice: https://www.ddhifi.com/en/product/mfi05-m2/ . Any reasons why this adaptor won't work, or you don't recommend it? TIA!

I use this one and never had any issues: https://www.tanchjimaudio.com/produ...ng-to-type-c-otg-adapter-cable-for-iphone-iso

 

[HalmondD]

Hi @neutroncode, thank you for being so open to community feedback — it really makes a difference.

I had a small question about the Adaptive Loudness Compensation (ALC) feature (apologies in advance if this has already been asked). Would it be feasible for the MCU to track its current output Vrms, and combine that with user-provided impedance and sensitivity values to estimate the output SPL? That way ALC could reference an approximate real-world loudness rather than just a relative level.

Totally understand if it's not practical — just curious whether it's on the table. Thanks again for all the work you're putting into this!