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Via AES/EBU, as with the Hermes, we get a slightly rounder, fuller reproduction that, as far as we’re concerned, works fine with digital audio and Roon. It makes it all just a little friendlier. Via i2s we get even more detail and a bit more air out of recordings but if you put a Mutec in between, the sound is about the same and it is mainly a matter of taste. Then it’s really very close. If you want to do better you have to look at more expensive streamers from the Auralic, Aurender, Lumin or Innuos stable.
After a few weeks of listening we do not notice any significant differences in sound between the Red and the Hermes. Somewhat logical since both use a PI structure and optimize it. The Holo Audio Red sounds exceptionally good and is especially very stable. It never loses signal and due to its build quality this device exudes high reliability.
Flexible
It is also more price-friendly, has more connection options and plays almost through every software imaginable. When comparing it with the Metrum Ambre and Sonnet Hermes, the differences were also minimal and often unconvincing. Again, we dare not speak of substantial, clearly audible differences. It is more the peripheral factors, the switch and software package, the cables and clock that cause changes in sound as we indicated at the beginning of our story. But the basics of the Red sit very well. And you get Tidal Connect and a DDC on top. Then again, the Sonnet Hermes has a small and handy screen where you can see what and if something is going wrong. Then again, we find it handy.
Would you choose the RED or the Primo (with LPS) for AES? Or is there another streamer in this price region I don‘t get with even better performance?
Thanks a lot!
Hello Adam,
If you choose the Primo you can upgrade it with a nice power supply. We think using the Primo with a nice power supply gets the best result.
Best regards
Where you say “Those who want to use the DDC do so via the usb-c output.” Do you mean the USB-B 2.0 input?
The Red doesn’t appear to have a USB-C output and the DDC function converts from USB input to all of the outputs except for USB-A. USB-A output only operates in Streaming mode.
Hello,
Yes, that’s correct. I got them mixed up.
Best regards.
Geoff
Thank you, it looks like a solid prodct.
It is! Very decent product!