Of all the M2Tech devices whose USB interface is based on xMOS technology, only the hiFace Two may need to update the interface code.

Due to the fact that different memory ICs were used during production and that each one needs a specific firmware, we cannot release a single firmware for upgrading.
On the other hand, we are aware that firmware is unofficially available on the “network.”
We kindly ask customers who need updating for their hiFace Two, not to use such firmware; they should contact us, providing the serial number of their device (found on the bottom of the case or on the back of the package) and the version of the firmware present (which can be read from the “info” tab in the Windows driver control panel or from the USB information in the hardware settings of Macs).

Note that it is not possible, through the USB connection, to update the firmware of other processors and controllers used in a certain M2Tech device. Should a firmware update of these be necessary, you must send them to M2Tech, which will perform an in-factory update.

This might be feasible with Windows 10 using the old Windows 7 driver. Not all Windows 10 installations, however, accept the driver: some allow installation but then do not activate it. It is necessary to check the specific case.

With Windows 11 this is generally not possible.

Most likely not. First-generation M2Tech USB interfaces require a driver that is only available up to Mavericks. Newer versions of OSx are not supported.

Almost certainly yes. Most Linux distributions include support for first-generation M2Tech products in their kernel, so ALSA recognizes and manages them. If the specific Linux distribution you are using does not include the necessary driver, you can download it in source format from https://github.com/panicking/snd-usb-asyncaudio and install it. The operation, however, requires recompilation of the kernel.

Unfortunately, no.

Not possible: the USB input of M2tech DACs is a “device” type and can only be connected to a “host” device such as a PC or streamer. Conversely, USB memory devices are also device type and therefore cannot be read by M2Tech DACs.

Unfortunately, no. The only solution is to change the product to a more modern one. In the case of the Young 384/32 and Vaughan 384/32, the user might consider purchasing a hiFace Two and driving the DAC from one of its coaxial inputs. This solution allows you to use the DAC with your computer at least for files with sample rates up to 192kHJz and resolutions up to 24 bits.

No, because the display drive circuit does not provide dimming.

Yes, the Evo and Evo Two products are mutually compatible, although certain functions related to the specific interfacing may not be active. For example, automatic switching of the clock generated by Evo Clock Two works only when it is connected to hiFace Evo Two.

It is possible to upgrade the Joplin and Joplin MkII to MkIII (for a fee).

The update includes:

• Implementation or update of the input impedance matching function for MC cartridges.
• Increased input headroom to 2.55 Vrms at 0 dB gain
• Optimization of phono eq curves to reduce insertion loss (dynamic increase 6-8 dB)
• Replacement of the front panel board with a new one with OLED display
• addition of I2S output
• firmware upgrade
• replacement of the cabinet with one in the style of Rockstars (see Young MkIV)

Customers who wish to upgrade their Joplin or Joplin MkII to MkII can contact their local distributor for a quote or contact us directly.

No, because their circuit structure does not involve the use of an external clock.

Actually, the Young MkIV makes an exception only for the I2S input, on which a master clock also arrives. Only in this case does the Young MkIV use a master clock external to the device.

This is because the player you are using (software on a computer or streamer), does the initial unwrapping of the music program, sending the Young MkIV a song at twice the sample rate of the base song, still partially encoded. The Young in this case performs only the second unwrapping. “OFS” stands for “Original Sampling Frequency” and indicates that you are listening to a song in the same sampling frequency as the master from which it was obtained.

No, it is normal. The maximum level of a song recorded in DSD is always 6 dB lower than that of the same song recorded in PCM. It depends on the DSD format.

First you need to check that this happens only when listening to the DAC and not other sources as well. If this is the condition, then first you need to check in the menu the balance setting between channels. If the balance is in the middle, then there are two cases:

• we are using a balanced output connection and one of the cables is damaged or a plug is not making good contact;
• DAC is defective.

In the latter case, it must be sent to M2Tech for service.

Absolutely not, the signal is invoked directly to the analog pre section of the DAC and therefore does not undergo any conversion.

The Nash app allows you to manually set the interface and gain parameters for a generic cartridge, based on the data stated by the cartridge manufacturer and the output voltage value you want the Nash to produce. However, please contact us and make us aware of the shortage and we will add the missing model in the first possible release.

The Nash has a very high gain, so the maximum gain of the MM input (60 dB) might be enough to amplify the signal of an MC cartridge with an output voltage of at least 0.5mV. However, it is not possible to set the MM input impedance as best as possible, although probably the lowest available value (15 kOhm) would be fine.

Otherwise, a transformer pre-pre or step-up must be used on the MM input.

First, you need to move the rear panel mode switch to “BRG.”

Then you need to connect the signal cable coming from the preamplifier on the left input (single-ended or balanced) and then connect the two poles of the speaker cable to the two positive terminals of the Crosby’s speaker output, the red one to that of the left channel and the black one to that of the right channel.

Note that the same thing must be done for both channels.

It is absolutely recommended that all connections be made with the unit turned off or, better yet, not connected to mains power.

If the chosen power supply has sufficient performance (48V stabilized and at least 4A maximum current) then the thing is possible. In any case, it should be known that there is already a low-noise voltage regulator inside the Larson that provides the amplifier circuit with a very clean current, so the improvements perceived with the alternative power supply could be limited or totally nil.

The Larson is a pure class A power amplifier in a “quasi-single-ended” configuration. This means that its power transistors are always turned on at maximum current. This is the only way to prevent them from switching off or saturating and then switching to class AB, a configuration in which crossover distortion makes the sound less than perfect, especially at low listening levels.

So much current means so much power dissipated in heat and so much power absorbed.

Granted that the actual power required depends not only on the sensitivity of the speakers but also on the characteristics of the room in which they are installed (a large, highly absorbent room will require more power than a smaller, more reflective one), one must also consider the type of amplifier used. In this sense, the peculiar circuit structure of the Larson makes it very similar to tube amplifiers, which are generally perceived as much more powerful than their nameplate figure. The Larsons drive speakers of 88 or more dB/1W/1m sensitivity with no problem, with impendencies up to 4 Ohms nominal. At M2Tech we usually pair them with Magneplanar LRS and Audel Magika Plus.

Certainly. Obviously, the listening level of the two headphones cannot be adjusted independently of each other.

This connection can only be made if you can replace the headphone cable with another cable with a tetrapolar connector in which the negatives of the two transducers left and right are not connected to each other.

If, on the other hand, this connection is present, or if a tetrapolar-to-jack adapter is made in which the two negatives of the tetrapolar are connected together with the one negative of the jack, then it will damage the final stage of the Marley MkII, which consists of four independent amplifiers: the connection between the negatives would short the two negative signal amplifiers, burning out their final stages.

Certainly, the Marley MkII has special “pre out” outputs on the rear panel for this very purpose. Keep in mind that these outputs presentalo the same signal that goes to the front headphone output, so you will not be able to adjust the volume of the pre output independently of that of the headphone outputs.

The Mitchell is a purely analog electronic crossover: the signal enters analog, is processed analog, and exits analog. This choice was made by M2Tech in view of the fact that the A/D and D/A conversion process is critical and, to ensure adequate transparency and sound quality, requires costs beyond the budget of a nonexorbitantly priced multiamplified system. In addition, even if it enters and exits digitally in an electronic digital crossover potted on DSP, it will not be able to handle the DSD signal. It should be added that current commercial DSPs used in digital crossovers for hi-fi use seldom reach 192kHz sampling rate, while today music tracks sampled at 352.8kHz or 384kHz are not uncommon.

We also thought of those who have a totally analog system by philosophical choice: they would never accept their analog source signal going through A/D and D/A converters. For this type of user, classic analog crossovers, whether hi-fi or professionally derived, often do not offer adequate versatility and sonic performance.

The Mitchell, an analog of excellent sound qualities and great versatility, is the answer.