From what I’ve read, make sure you haven’t anything plugged into the USB-IN because that will lock the RED into DDC mode. You will no longer be streaming over ethernet.
“When the USB-IN is effectively connected, the USB DDC will be connected to the USB-IN and disconnected from
the USB processor; I²S, COAX-1, COAX-2, OPT, AES will simultaneously output the audio signal from the USB-IN.”
At the risk of getting into yet another cable debate Ill attempt to clarify.
I also think cables are important. I just dont think they are as important with a streamer vs. other components. Certainly I dont see them making such a difference where Scotte1 suddenly thinks his Holo sounds different. Ill agree there are many on this board who have better hearing than I BUT not good enough to hear a cable make much of a difference in a streamer.
But such comments will stimulate a cable debate so Ill close by saying my hearing is not in the league of some on this board like VMAX or dchang05. Im envious of their sensory abilities but also wonder if it may be as much a curse than a blessing.
Thanks to all that keep me checking this community daily now
And just to be clear, nothing I posted in this thread was meant to imply the quality of a power cable or I2S cable in my system was responsible for the initial, nearly dreadful, sound of the Holo Red when I was fumbling around with its installation in my system.
That said, I did manage to make the Pre-Emphasis feature/flag (whatever it is/does) go away in concert with a return to great sound rivaling, if not bettering, that of the Bridge II Ethernet card - and can’t help but wonder if the jiggling around with the I2S cables and switching them up in terms of which is plugged into which DS DAC input might have solved the problem.
On the other hand, maybe the Red’s OS was out of sorts an no longer is.
I may never know what actually solved the initial problems with Red. I am just glad I got it sorted (and hope the muddiness does not return).
[Addendum: The above notwithstanding, I do not believe the quality and design of cables are immaterial.]
Curious to know if you swap back to I2S-1 will the flag come back and if so what is wired different between the two. If there is a difference then your accidental discovery will help a couple of others.
Looking for „dedicated“ I2S cables that don‘t connect all pins of the HDMI connector would indeed be an elegant solution. The pink faun is a bit over the top for me with its 950€, but does anybody know of more moderate options?
FWIW, like most higher-priced kit, I purchased the Pink faun Interlink HDMI cable on the used market (from a fellow forum denizen, if I recall correctly).
You can really stretch your budget if you have an acquisition plan and the patience to wait for your target to pop up on the used market.
That‘s exactly the point: my plan is to upgrade to Mk2 in as soon as possible, and there seems to be a high likelihood that I connect it via USB, not I2S. Until then it would be nice to get the most out of the Mk1, but only at reasonable cost.
It might be due to an obvious lack of experience, or the tracks I selected, but AirPlay feels less impressive than wired Roon/Qobuz to me with the Red. YMMV