Holo Audio Red Streamer/DDC

Audio Gear Talk
22

Magna Audio delivery details have changed to 5-14 days.

23

It get more interesting. Thanks for posting!

1 Like
24

Although I like red, it’s quite difficult to match other audio components. The character is written in a traditional way, to give it a classy flare. It’s pronounced differently too, still meaning Red.

I would suggest that they also make silver and black models and print the word in red in front of the unit.

This model doesn’t seem to have wireless feature as a streamer, which is a deal breaker to me.

25

You can replace the CM4 and add wireless if you really wanted to. All the third party software would see it.

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26

Case might present an issue?

27

Really? ….

28

It is the point of the CM4 modules. They are specified with or without WiFi, with memory ranging from 1GB to 8 and none up to 16 or 32GB of flash storage.

As this is the full version of the Pi module and not the SBC I would expect it to come with the ability to connect a proper antenna. I do have a CM4 module with WiFi on its way to me (from China) so I will hopefully be able to see what the logistics are. I already have the full sized official CM4IO board obtained locally for comparison purposes.
Obviously a point to make here is I am a trained engineer and not too concerned about voided warranties and that sort of thing. I wouldn’t actually be doing anything with the Red, just the China bought module and CM4IO.

29

I know but you’re talking about something you’re not sure it will work … will the Holo Red firmware support a different CM4 module?

30

I’ll let you know when I find out.

31

Just received tracking information. It’s on its way.

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32

Well I have it now. No operating system but delivered with a SD card in its retail packaging. I will let it sit for 24 hours before doing any more because it is a very cold 2kg lump of aluminium! It is pretty though!

5 Likes
33

That’s a level of patience I don’t have.
Two to three hours maximum until clocking off time at least.
Look forward to an update in due course.
Enjoy.

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34

OK, so update. There does appear to be an OS on the SD card. I realised the package wasn’t sealed so I presumed it had something on it. And it has identified itself in Roon so I’ve enabled it and it works well. Ropieee also works beautifully. With both though I haven’t yet figured out how to get the USB to work!

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35

Have you enabled USB in Ropieee?
Only one output USB port, which DAC are you connecting to? do you get lock?
If you have trouble I would drop Jeff an email @ Holoaudio…

36

I’m pretty much sorted now, I’ve figured out that the Holo OS has its own homepage and that I can engage the on board USB controller or that of my DAC. USB has to be connected then it all appears. I will go back to Ropieee and see if I can make it see both the on board and DAC USB. In the absence of any written guidance it takes a while to figure out what’s going on but the key is the homepage of your chosen OS.

1 Like
37

Were you able to run RoPieee XL on it?
And a curiosity … is Squeezelite configurable or is it just on/off (using the original OS)?

38

RopieeeXL is usable, even so is Gentooplayer, Snakeoil-OS, Audio-Linux and Picoreplayer.
Squeezelite on RoPieeeXL in not configurable, on Audio-Linux: yes

39

I was asking for original Holo Red OS

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Only on/off

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The options are simply toggle on or off. I’m not an XL user so haven’t tried it but basic Ropieee works well. The next project is to load moOde to create a stand alone player which should be fun. If it works well it will become my fall back if Roon is unavailable.