The M2Tech hiFace Evo by M2Tech is the new statement in high quality computer audio interfaces. Hosted in a compact and stylish aluminium case, hiFace Evo is capable of flawlessly transferring audio data up to 192kHz, 24 bits to virtually every DAC or A/V receiver around, thanks to its comprehensive outputs set.

The hiFace Evo incorporates the same leading edge technology as the classic hiFace – with some extras. Asynchronous operation up to 192kHz is used in conjunction with proprietary drivers which allow for Kernel Streaming, Direct Sound and WASAPI operation (the latter under Windows vista and 7). Windows and Mac drivers are already available, Linux drivers to come soon.

Very high precision, very low phase noise (jitter) crystal oscillators are used. To further improve their performance, they have a dedicated shunt voltage regulator which ensures a very low noise and spurious-free supply.

hiFace Evo is powered by an external power supply (not included), to avoid the dirty USB bus supply from negatively affecting hiFace Evo’s performance. Linear regulators are used all around, to allow all jitter-sensitive digital circuits to operate at their best.

Also, a low-pass filter is provided at supply input to further reduce any bad influence from the supply. hiFace Evo can be powered by an external wall adapter (9V 1A will fit), or with a 9V alkaline battery, or with a 7.2V/10.8V Lythium battery.

Several outputs are available at the same time: coax on RCA, coax on true 75 Ohms BNC, AES/EBU on male XLR, optical on Toslink™ (Toslink™ is guaranteed to operate up to 96kHz, though we got operation up to 176.4kHz on certain setups), optical on ST (for high-speed operation up to 192kHz and up to 1.6km or 1 mile), straight I2S for direct connection to DIY DACs on RJ-45 (NOT plug-in compatible with NorthStar products!).

All outputs, except straight I2S, are galvanically isolated (coax and AES/EBU via a pulse transformer). AES/EBU output can be set to professional or consumer mode by an internal jumper. In addition, an input for an external clock is available, for those who have a extremely precise and stable clock generator to be used with hiFace Evo.

hiFace evo automatically recognizes the presence of the clock on its input and switches on it whenever available. This input is also galvanically isolated via a pulse transformer. Three LEDs indicate power, external clock presence and incoming data from the PC. Connection to the PC is via a type B female USB connector.

• Size: 105x46x104mm (w x h x d, case)
• Sampling frequencies (kHz):  44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192
• Resolution (bits): 16 to 32
• Inputs: USB 2.0, supply, master clock
• Outputs:  S/PDIF x2 (RCA & BNC), AES/EBU (XLR), optical Toslink, optical ST, I2S (RJ-45).
• Supply voltage:  7-11VDC
• Supply current: 60mA (I2S not driven) (to be confirmed)
• Master clock input voltage:  3.3V
• I2S output voltage:  LVCMOS (3.3V) with 25mA current capability on each line