Yes, do report on comparison.
I just replaced the current Node with the Neo Stream, significant improvement. (using it as streamer/dac). Wrote my comparison here a few days ago.
Sick!! Tell us how the first three compare!
Makes me think you arenāt, or might not be, super satisfied with the Red. Also, I love the name PI2AES HAT and want to pronounce it in a fun way. J/kā¦HATs and RPis are every bit as cool as they were like 10+ years ago.
@2muchgear If you had to keep only one, as of today, which would it be?
Come on guys heās only had it about 10 days so not broken in or time to do the ādefinitiveā comparisons you guys are looking for to justify your expense. Those who have already ordered the Red will have time to do your own comparisons and canāt cancel no matter what his opinion is in āhisā system. You need to judge for yourself with your gear and software favorite.
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The voice of reason. I like it.
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Had no idea, honestly, so thanks for that info refresher.
Speaking of sound quality, I donāt expect it to be much different. It would be weird if it were much different, right? That doesnāt mean I wonāt be listening closely and drawing experience based conclusions, obviously. It wonāt even be strange if the conclusions praise the technology for lifting some veil of ignoranceā¦on the sound (twist on John Rawls).
ā¦then try to re-purpose my current streamer set-up to the ever evolving theater room.
ā¦then decide to travel.
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The difference in sound would kind of depend on what your previous streamer was in combination with the software you were using before and are going to use with the Red. When I swapped out the Aries Mini for the Zen Stream in the Family Room system the change was pretty dramatic even with the same LPS due to the advances in tech from 2016 to 2021. Plus a different OS altogether. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on one tonight so in 4-6 weeks I will find out for myself what it will do.
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I somehow forgot to list a couple 
Pro-ject stream box s2 ultra
Wiim Mini
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I have not yet had a chance to do a SQ test with the Red, it may still need some burn-in. I will report back in a few days. Functionality-wise, I like that it lets me stream with Roon to 2 DACs at the same time (one on I2S, one on USB) so it replaces 2 boxes for me, streamer and DDC.
The Red is well-built and sturdy.
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Letās say that if the Lumin U1 mini had I2S output I would not look any further.
The iFi has some nice features like the optical box, I2S output, NAA mode, and higher resolution than the Lumin, but switching inputs without a remote is a hassle and I dislike the Volumio UI, so it is relegated to my desktop setup.
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āSubscribedā!
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Yep, one reason I replaced my Lumin T2 (basically the U2 plus a DAC) with the Redāi2s. And like the NAA capability just in case I decide to fill around with HQP
SR Purple fuse has settled in and is a nice uptick in clarity and focus.
Current network path that is sounding quite nice;
switch ā Ethernet ā Optical Module Deluxe ā 24m Fiber ā EtherREGEN with Clock ā Ethernet ā Holo Audio Red ā USB ā Holo Audio May KTE
Using as HQPLayer NAA at PCM 1.4/1.5 MHz and DSD256 rates without issue.
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Iād be a liar if were to say that I havenāt thought about a fuse upgrade before even having the damn thing in my possession.
How long have you had your Red?
Also how long between order and delivery?
Thanks!
Ordered November 30th
Shipped January 18th
Received January 20th
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Seems like the six week forecast is holding true. I think you are the third person I am aware of that had similar timelines. If this holds steady I hope to see mine the week of March 6th.
I ordered mine on January 31. Figuring some time in March.
Having said that, right now my Nucleus+ USB direct into the Mk2 sounds really great. (Thanks Vince!)
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My Red is replacing my now defunct ultraRendu used for my headphone rig. I am so familiar with the sound of that rig, itās going to easy to understand the Redās sound after it breaks in.
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