Neutron HiFi™ DAC V1 device

[dmitrykos]

> I'm sure you know this but using the gain sliders really spams the flash memory, I noticed it when looking at the command window when I tried Windows OS.

Filter is uploaded to the device but not stored inside the Flash. It is stored in RAM unless you click Save inside NConfigurator and only then filter setting becomes persistent across device restarts.

> Is there a way to save custom EQ that I am missing so I don't have to type it in every time I change things around and customize for different IEMs?

Currently there is no way unless you modify currently uploaded EQ setup but will add into to-do to implement possibility to save custom presets, like in Neutron Player, there it is possible.

[rlw6534]

Understood on the flash memory, which make perfect sense. Yes, adding the ability to save custom presets will be a great addition. Thanks for the support.

[TheDocho]

I've received my device today and already had some fun with the NConfigurator for PEQ and crossfeed

However, is it possible that the left and right channels are swapped by default? I've tested in on two PC's, and in both cases the left and right channels are reversed. I don't see an option anywhere to change this?

[rlw6534]

I've received my device today and already had some fun with the NConfigurator for PEQ and crossfeed

However, is it possible that the left and right channels are swapped by default? I've tested in on two PC's, and in both cases the left and right channels are reversed. I don't see an option anywhere to change this?

I'm seeing the same on my iPhone 15 Pro. I hadn't picked up on it before.

[dmitrykos]

Sorry for the delayed reaction. I confirm this bug in the firmware (unfortunate typo in the channels swapping function which swaps channels in DSD mode but mistakenly swapped in PCM mode - a matter of missing ! in the boolean check, C/C++ developers will understand).

Firmware 41 with a fix is now available via NConfigurator:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7104&sid=2cde31835 ... 916c20e009

[TheDocho]

Thank you for solving it

Interesting to read that the latest firmware now supports the ambiophonics R.A.C.E. algorithm, I'll have some fun with that today

[DSperber]

Just received a Neutron HiFi DAC V1.

Totally baffled as to anything related to "how do I use it?" and "how do I configure it, if at all?".

(1) The item came with ZERO INSTRUCTIONS.

(2) I plugged it into a USB-C port on my Windows 10 laptop (Lenovo P70) and the display lit up briefly, and then said "bye" and turned off. I suspect there is some problem with USB-C support in the laptop, but can't be sure because there are no instructions delivered with the DAC. It certainly didn't go through the expected steps of recognizing new PnP hardware and automatically auto-installing the appropriate driver.

(3) I then used a USB-A to USB-C cable instead, plugging the DAC into a USB TypeA port on the laptop. And now sure enough Windows recognized the new hardware as an audio device, and auto-installed driver support for the new device. And it now shows up in Sounds -> Playback as "Speakers - Neutron HiFi DAC V1". And I can select it to be the default audio outpu. And sure enough sound comes out.

(4) However... L and R channels ARE REVERSED!!! I don't know how to cause a swap of L and R. Normally this would be done through Properties -> Levels, and there is supposed to be a way there to swap L and R. But for the HiFi DAC the Levels tab only shows a level control. There is no additional checkbox to cause reversing of L and R. SO HOW DO I CORRECT THIS?

(5) I tried to find out how to install this thing called 'NConfigurator" which I assume is important. I cannot find any download link anywhere, including on this very thread in post #1 where I would have expected to find a link. It is also not in the Microsoft Store. If it is on Github I can't find it. SO WHERE IS THIS, and why should it be so difficult to do whatever is necessary to use this product?

(6) There appears to be a firmware upgrade available. I have no idea if my just received DAC needs this, or if it is already at the latest firmware (which I would assume to be the case). Perhaps NConfigurator would tell me... if only I knew how to download and install the Windows version.
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(7) If only there were an instruction booklet that came with the product, perhaps that is what is needed. And that's where full instructions should be provided as to what you need to do in order to use this DAC both on Windows, as well as on both Android and Apple phones.

(8) So while the device "works" simply plugged into a USB TypeA port on my laptop (I am not concerned about the USB-C port issue at the moment), I sure would like to know about what this device can actually do, how it can be "configured" and "customized" if there is such capability, etc. Again, I assume this is part of the critical NConfigurator software... if only I knew where to get it from and then how to use it, LIKE INSTRUCTIONS OR REFERENCE PDF DOCUMENTATION!!

(9) I've noticed that when sound is sent from the laptop to the headphones through the DAC, the display lights up briefly. I'd like to know all about this display, what it will show me, when it turns on and off, etc. In other words, DOCUMENTATION!!

(10) I will now disconnect it from my laptop, and instead connect it to my Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phone, to see what happens.

Can somebody please help me?

[DSperber]

There is a sub-forum named "Nconfigurator 1.6.1", which presumably provides information and discussion about this crucial software. Presumably this is the software I need to use to say control volume via the DAC/amp, set up an EQ profile (say if I accept the phone's offer to offload DSP from the Neutron player to the DAC), etc. I'm sure this software is useful... if only I could get it downloaded and installed from wherever it's hiding.

And once you open that sub-forum, on the one and only first post #1 there is a link labeled "DOWNLOAD", which purports presumably to either trigger the immediate download of the software or possibly point to another page where there will be a download link.

Well, actually that second link points to the product description page for the DAC where there is a tab called "software". AHA! Presumably that is where I will finally be able to download NConfigurator from!

Well.. not.



Nothing but a continuing mystery. Why does "software" not provide a link to something explicitly named "NConfigurator"???

Why is this so confusing and baffling?

[DSperber]

Firmware 41 with a fix is now available via NConfigurator:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7104&sid=2cde31835 ... 916c20e009

I clicked on this link, which theoretically should then provide information and instructions about how to install this thing called "Firmware 41".

So I click on that link, and it takes me to a page that purportedly enumerates instructions for how to install Firmware 41:



And the very first instruction listed says to "Start NConfigurator" with a parenthetical pointer to "Downloads" and a link presumably to a page where I can download NConfigurator from.

Well, once again, it's that very same "Details" page I showed in my previous post. Again, the "software" dropdown doesn't provide any mention of 'NConfigurator" as one might expect to find.

So, I once again plead for help. WHERE IS THIS THING CALLED NCONFIGURATOR SUPPOSED TO BE DOWNLOADED FROM?????????/

And is there any sort of real documentation on how to use it? Maybe a PDF or DOC or web page, or anything???

I know nothing. But I'm anxious to learn. I use Neutron player on my phone, and I just spent over $200 buying this DAC for use with my phone and my laptop. I'd sure like to know how to use it.

[MotleyG]

Lots of info on the device main page including links to the software and manual.
https://neutronhifi.com/devices/dac/v1/details

User manual
https://neutronhifi.com/download/user-m ... 20v1.1.pdf

Software - click the link for your OS to get the one you are looking for.

You will find answers to all of your previous posts there.