New Gear Review: CEntrance HiFi-M8

CEntranceHiFiM8The CEntrance HiFi-M8 (“HiFi-Mate”) is a portable digital-to-audio converter (DAC) with headphone amplifier. The HiFi-M8 is a battery-powered (6 hours) portable audiophile level DAC useful for streaming high-resolution audio from any smartphone, tablet or laptop.

The HiFi-M8 is extensible; it’s offered in several models with various audio input/output configurations including USB input. All models have playback 24-bit/192kHz files—a useful feature for the itinerant music mixer, location sound recordist, FOH at live shows or anyone who wants consistency in playback DAC quality anywhere in the world.

Besides the iOS input and headphone output, you can buy the HiFi-M8 PRO with male XLR jacks and +4dBm line-level output for connection to professional equipment or get the HiFi-M8 LX model with a TOSLINK optical input to accommodate an S/PDIF input signal.

For extra sonic flexibility, HiFi-M8 offers a number of tone shaping controls to EQ and customize the sound for use with any headphones—pro models to trendy and stylish lifestyle models. HiFi-M8 sells for $699 while the HiFi-M8 PRO sells for $599.99. See http://centrance.com.

By Barry Rudolph

miniBio: Barry Rudolph is a recording engineer/mixer with over 30 gold and platinum RIAA awards to his credit. He has recorded and/or mixed: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart, the Corrs and Robbie Nevil. Barry has his own futuristic music mixing facility and also teaches recording engineering at Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA. http://www.barryrudolph.com