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 each of them needs a specific firmware, we cannot release a single firmware for upgrade.
On the other hand, we are aware that firmwares are unofficially available on the “net”.
We kindly ask customers who need an update for their hiFace Two, not to use these firmwares; must 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 firmware version present (which can be read from the “info” tab section in the Windows driver control panel or from the USB information in the Mac hardware settings).

Note that it is not possible, through the USB connection, to update the firmware of the other processors and controllers used in a certain M2Tech device. If a firmware update of the latter is necessary, they must be sent to M2Tech which will carry out an in-factory update.

This could be done with Windows 10 using the old Windows 7 driver. However, not all Windows 10 installations accept the driver: some allow installation but then do not activate it. It is necessary to verify the specific case.

With Windows 11 this is generally not possible.

Most likely not. The first generation M2Tech USB interfaces need a driver which 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 your specific Linux distribution does not include the required driver, you can download it in source format from https://github.com/panicking/snd-usb-asyncaudio and install it. However, the operation requires a recompilation of the kernel.

Alas no.

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

Unfortunately not. The only solution is to change the product for a more modern one. In the case of the Young 384/32 and the Vaughan 384/32, the user could evaluate the opportunity to purchase a hiFace Two and drive the DAC from one of its coaxial inputs. This solution allows you to use the DAC with your computer at least for files with sampling frequency up to 192kHz and resolution up to 24 bits.

No, because the display driving circuit does not include dimming.

Yes, the Evo and Evo Two products are mutually compatible, even if certain functions related to the specific interface may not be active. For example, the automatic switching of the clock generated by the Evo Clock Two only works when connected to the 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 input impedance matching function for MC cartridges
• increase input headroom to 2.55 Vrms at 0 dB gain
• optimization of phono eq curves to reduce insertion loss (6-8 dB dynamic boost)
• replacing the front panel board with a new one with an OLED display
• addition of I2S output
• firmware update
• replacement of the cabinet with a Rockstars style one (see Young MkIV)

Customers wishing 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 require the use of an external clock.

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

This is due to the fact that the player being used (software on computer or streamer), performs the first unwrapping of the musical program, sending to the Young MkIV a song with a sampling frequency twice that of the base, still partially encoded. The Young in this case performs only the second unwrapping. The indication “OFS” stands for “Original Sampling Frequency” and indicates that a track is being listened to in the same sampling frequency as the master from which it was obtained.

No, it’s 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 only happens when listening to the DAC and not other sources as well. If this is the condition, then first of all you need to check the balance setting between the channels in the menu. If the balance is in the center, then there are two cases:

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

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

Absolutely not, the signal is sent 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 declared by the manufacturer of the same and on the output voltage value that you want the Nash to produce. However, please contact us and let us know about the shortage, 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) could be enough to amplify the signal of an MC cartridge with an output voltage of at least 0.5 mV. However, it is not possible to set the impedance of the MM input to the best, even if probably the lowest value available (15 kOhms) could be fine.

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

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

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

Note that the same thing needs to be done for both channels.

It is absolutely recommended to carry out all the connections with the appliance switched off or, better still, not connected to the mains voltage.

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

The Larson is a pure class A power amplifier in an “almost 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 going out or saturating and therefore switching to class AB, a configuration in which crossover distortion makes the sound less than perfect, especially at low listening levels.

A lot of current means a lot of power dissipated in heat and a lot of power absorbed.

Given that the power actually required depends not only on the sensitivity of the loudspeakers, but also on the characteristics of the environment in which they are installed (a large and highly absorbent environment will require more power than a smaller and more reflective one), it is also necessary to consider the type of used amplifier. 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 rated value. The Larsons drive loudspeakers of 88 dB/1W/1m sensitivity or more, with impedances up to 4 Ohms nominal, without problems. At M2Tech we usually combine them with Magneplanar LRS and Audel Magika Plus.

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

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

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

Certainly, the Marley MkII is equipped with dedicated “pre out” outputs on the rear panel for just this purpose. Note that these outputs present the same signal as the front headphone output, so it will not be possible to adjust the volume of the pre-out 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 consideration 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 not exorbitantly costed multi-amplified system. Also, even if I digitally enter and exit a DSP-powered digital electronic crossover, 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 rarely reach 192kHz sampling rates, while nowadays it is not uncommon for pieces of music to be sampled at 352.8kHz or 384kHz.

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

The Mitchell, analogue of excellent sound quality and great versatility, is the answer.