HRT music streamer ??
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skyline315
Active Member
I use it and it's a solid product. Hard to beat in that price range...
Do you need an amp as well?
Do you need an amp as well?
rnorton
Super Member
Yes. It's really, really good. A great deal for the price. Just be sure to use a powered hub with it.
tppc
Dogs know best
Powered hub ?
I just use a USB port on back of PC and the MSII works just fine. USB 2.0 ports on desktop computers supply 500mA power per port and the MSII only requires 250 mA.
Of course, my PC and configuration could be quite different from yours and in your case a pwr hub may have solved a problem you were having. According to spec, MSII should work with any desktop USB 2.0 port.
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skyline315
Active Member
I use a powered hub as well. It may not always be necessary, but whenever someone has a problem with the MS2, that seems to be the first thing recommended.
tppc
Dogs know best
What types of problems occur when MSII is directly connected to the PC's USB 2.0 port i.e., not through a hub?
It's rare in my experience but bad USB port implementations can occur due to manufacturing defects in the Motherboard or defective parts. The result is always a dead port.
It's rare in my experience but bad USB port implementations can occur due to manufacturing defects in the Motherboard or defective parts. The result is always a dead port.
skyline315
Active Member
Popping and clicking noises are probably the #1 issue that I've seen. Some computers just don't give it steady enough power, apparently, due to a variety of reasons.
I use one and love it. A powered hub will isolate the HRT MSII from the computer power supply and any noise from it.
tppc
Dogs know best
Right, if you have PS or EMI problems on the computer side, then all bets are off with anything you connect.
If the computer is ok though, MSII will work just fine right from one of the built in ports. In this case it definately does not "require" a powered USB hub.
I have it connected directly and it works perfectly
If the computer is ok though, MSII will work just fine right from one of the built in ports. In this case it definately does not "require" a powered USB hub.
I have it connected directly and it works perfectly
ldatlof
We are all steak
I just bought a used MSII off of Barter Town. It is an excellent sounding DAC. It amazes me that is built in the U.S. and is still inexpensive.
I have been using it plugged directly into my laptop's usb port and have not had any problems at all. Yesterday I plugged it into a powered hub because I ran out of usb ports on the laptop. No problems hooked into the hub either. IMO, there was no change in SQ.
I compared the MSII to a Cambridge Audio DacMagic and IMO opinion they are very close. I think the MSII has deeper bass than the DacMagic. I just sold the DacMagic on Barter Town so I guess that speaks volumes about what I think of the MSII.
I have been using it plugged directly into my laptop's usb port and have not had any problems at all. Yesterday I plugged it into a powered hub because I ran out of usb ports on the laptop. No problems hooked into the hub either. IMO, there was no change in SQ.
I compared the MSII to a Cambridge Audio DacMagic and IMO opinion they are very close. I think the MSII has deeper bass than the DacMagic. I just sold the DacMagic on Barter Town so I guess that speaks volumes about what I think of the MSII.
ldatlof
We are all steak
The hub plugs into the wall socket and into one of the usb ports on the computer. This leaves four usb sockets on the hub to hook various devices to. It gives the usb ports a constant power supply which is independent of the computer's power supply. They work very well.
Some hubs have more than four additional usb ports.
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
I tried a powered hub and it made what was already bad, worse.
rnorton
Super Member
Using the hub's other ports is not part of the plan. You want the whole PS dedicated to the DAC.
rnorton
Super Member
What brand? 90%+ of powered hubs are junk. Went through many (for other applications) before I found CyberPower.
estreeter
Super Member
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - it raises the noise floor, and any perceived 'advantages' go out the window from that point on. The jackasses who keep rolling out the powered USB hub as a cure-all for USB DACs need to get out more often, IMO. Unless you have truly abysmal USB ports, there is no need to resort to such wanton skullduggery.
skyline315
Active Member
*shrug*
It's just part of life when you use a laptop as a desktop and need ports for a keyboard, mouse, usb dac, and a whole host of other miscellaneous items that you are constantly connecting and disconnecting.
