It has cropped up before with the Red.
Anything that really does sound like a blanket over the speaker is not a light difference in presentation, it’s a problem for sure, and there have been several mentions in this thread of DACs thinking the Red was setting the preemphasis flag and therefore “de-emphasising” the top end.
I went from BII to Sonore Signature Rendu and found Sonore to sound way better Day 1. It was used so no burn in. I then compared to a Stack Link II. I went from there to MKII DAC. Said the USB can sound as good so I tried Stack Link II. Sounded just as good. No real differences in SQ. I sold Sonore since i could make some money on it. Then I got the Red. Those two were undisguisable from each other. The Red is a DDC so I kept that. Eversolo came out and I loved the screen and software. So moved on to that. I think that sounds better than the red. Image was a bit bigger at first after a bit of burn in they sounded very close. I would not miss anything if I kept the Red.
The loss of heights can be fixed by any of the following adjustments:
- play hires files instead of red book resolution of 44.1kHz/16bit
- use a different connection than I2S
- find an I2S cable with only the “relevant” wires connected instead of real HDMI with all wires connected.
The reason is that there is no standard how components communicate via I2S over HDMI. So, each combination of vendors over I2S has its own set of surprises. In the case DSD Mk1 and RED this means, the DSD always “sees” a command from the RED to apply the redbook preemphasis, i.e. to lower the heights.
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Not in my case. The I2S cable I am using b/t Holo Red and DS Sr. Does not throw the PE flag.
FYI/FWIW,
Regards.
(@jens42)
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Great info! Curious how your impression of the Eversolo vs. the Red has evolved with burn-in.
I did keep the Red for a few weeks together with Eversolo. In the end very hard to tell differences. I think the eversolo had a bit wider soundstage. But very close after about 2 weeks burn in. The Eversolo did not need much. The software makes it killer over the red. Not to mention it has a DAC (which I do not use).
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Hi vsrrr, Welcome to the forum. I hope you enjoy our company and also to see your comments some more!
Thanks! Hope to start contributing my thoughts on the iFi Zen Stream vs. Holo Red vs. Eversolo DMP-A6!
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Well the Eversolo smokes the Red for breakfast in my system. In both detail and especially soundstage.
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No way! Did you find either device to be particularly sensitive to power cable / ethernet cable? Out of curiosity, did you ever test the Eversolo over WiFi? Curious if it sounds better over WiFi like the Auarlic devices supposedly do.
I’m liking the built in DAC on my Eversolo A6 more and more as time goes by. Bass issues remain but to a much lesser degree as it continues to burn in. Power cord upgrades and being “suspended” for vibration isolation are key. Bass still a bit warm and not particularly deep but soundstage and imaging are strong points. It’s quite musical. Makes a nice alternative to an analytical or dry DAC.
Haven’t tried wifi yet.
I own both the Aries G1 and the Eversolo. I have run them both wired wireless and heard no real advantage to either. So since wireless is simpler and requires less parts and pieces I run them both that way and see no reason to use wired ethernet.
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I will be very interested to hear your thoughts. I bought an iFi Zen Stream to replace the Bridge II that I used in my DS Mk1 when I moved up to the MK2. I would have bought a Holo Red, but those were not available to order at the time. I was impressed by the sound quality of the Zen Stream, particularly given its price. Unfortunately, it would not play DSD256 no matter what I tried, so I ended up returning it. Then I bought a Sonore ultra Rendu, which is better than the Zen — but the latter has nothing to be ashamed of, that’s for sure. Soon hopefully we can see how the AirLens (what I wanted to buy months ago) fits into the picture.
Does the Eversolo output i2s? I see it has an HDMI out, but that doesn’t necessarily mean i2s out… and I can’t seem to find any definite answer online so I’m hoping for the collective knowledge of PSA forum. 
No
Thanks and exactly what I was afraid of… Seems like there’s no good options for streamers with i2s output that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg or has issues (doesn’t seem like the Red is that stable… with drop out issues etc)
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FWIW, the Red has been very stable via I2S to my DS Sr. DAC.
The only connectivity issue I have had is with the RAL I2S cable “throwing” a Pre-Emphasis flag; so I have to use a different cable.
Cheers.
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Red has been bombproof-stable for me. Took me no time to set up, haven’t had to touch it since, humming along nicely and sounds great.
Red was stable for me, but with MKII I could not get DSD and PCM to be on the same page from a left right perspective. If I fixed one the other went backwards. But no skips on anything streaming with the Red.
I wen Eversolo mostly due to the software and screen. Yes it was slightly better in my system SQ wise. But the software and flexibility won me over.
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