I-O Data Soundgenic

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by bigbear1997, Sep 1, 2018.

  1. bigbear1997

    bigbear1997 Acquaintance

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    For the past 6 months, RPI & DAC/Digi hat was the hot kid on the block in Hong Kong. In the past month or so, I-O Data Soundgenic is the new kid on the block.

    Disclaimer: I am just a user of the product. I bought mind from Amazon Japan and I don't sell or make any money off this product. If you google this product, you may end up finding a company called "After Dark" in Hong Kong. I do recommand NOT to buy from this company because this company takes other people's product, put some carbon fibre stickers or other simple mod (I am sure you can do as well) and sell for a ridiculous price.

    Ps. I bought mine for around USD250 delivered to my home from Amazon JP
    https://www.amazon.co.jp/ネットワークオーディオサーバー-USB-DAC-CDリッピング対応-Soundgenic-HDL-RA2HF/dp/B079DCRLGT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&keywords=HDL-RA2HF&language=en_US&qid=1534927927&sr=8-1

    The photo below shows you how the product works.

    Basically it is a fanless streamer (w/o the DAC) with a built-in 2T (much better price) or 3T. I uses the Twonky server on some kind of lunix system.. Currently it only support e-onky music (Japan domestic music stream which I believe only works within Japan).

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    1. It has a LAN connection so the app can access the Soundgenic. You can asses your NAS from the LAN as well.
    2. You connect your USB DAC to one of the USB ports on the Soundgenic. I am using the Topping DX7s and also an iFi nano iusb3.0 (since I have one).
    3. You can connect an USB thumb drive/HD to the other USB port and play the music. There is a built-in func. that you can copy music files to the internal HD.
    4. (On shown on the diagram) You can also connect an USB CD/BD rom and rip your CD directly to the internal HD. The utility supports AccurateRIP.
    5. The power brick supports 100~240V and the power cord is detachable. Some people even replace it with a linear power supply. Please note the DC socket is an unusual 5.5mm/3.3mm type (You can buy it from Amazon JP at the same time - a bummer that I didnt buy it).

    My Review:
    I was previously using a RPI/Digi hat setup in my home office which music stored on my Synology NAS. I want to have a backup of my music and at the same time improve the sound quality department. As the soundgenic is the new kid on the block (an USD250 entry level streamer with HD built-in), I ordered it from Amazon JP.

    I am not an audiophile by any stretch of imagination. However, I can hear the soundgenic is one step up from the RPI setup in terms of darkness in the music background, extra details and slight improvement in the sound stage.

    My setup is Soundgenic -> nano iusb3.0 (which I have on hand) -> Topping DX7s

    The Soundgenic only has IOS apps and main part of the app UI is in Japanese. The Twonky setup page can be changed to English though.

    I use the IOS app on my IPAD.
    On my Andriod phone, I use the Lumin app (as I know the Linn app also works).

    The Pro:

    1. Better sound quality
    2. Built in fanless storage.

    The Con:
    1. Lack of wifi (which I don't need)
    2. Built in app is a bit not user friendly
    3. Mainly Japanese user interface
    4. No spotify, Tidal.... support

    ps. Sorry, I only use images from the Amazon JP website as this site does not support image upload.

     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2018

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