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HELIX HEC USB VS BT THE REALITY

18K views 19 replies 10 participants last post by  dumdum  
#1 ·
Hi guys,



I have come accross 2 local realtime end users claiming nothing was gained even though on paper specs state otherwise and that bt was more then great but we always want better right :) well is usb really better do we notice any sonic improvement?


has anybody went from Helix HEC BT to upgrade to HEC USB and can chime in and comment there findings?
 
#3 ·
I started with the HEC USB. I had some issues. I'm an android user and I could never find a OTG cable that reliably charged the phone while connected to the Helix. About once a week it just wouldn't connect. I would have to do a combo of disconnect-reconnect and switching the speed until it finally connected. So I switched to the BT one and was more pleased. No connection issues. Phone could also be charging. I could connect. I thought everything sounded the same, nice and clear. I stream primarily, so I don't have a huge frame of reference. I'm working on moving more toward using a DAP player though.
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the reply, I too use an android (LG V30 plus) though I dont mind not being able to charge the phone as I do a 40min one way trip and my phone barely looses %10 charge on this journey ,can always recharge at the office/house


so in this case if I'am not after a OTG cable that will both charge the phone and connect to the phone/dsp will all be ok?

I mean if I just go phone usb out to helix dsp is there still chances I will face connection issues like you did yourself?
 
#4 ·
If you have Tidal Masters or some other hi-res streaming get the USB. If you have Spotify get Bluetooth.

The biggest difference between Tidal Hi-Res (24bit/96khz) and Spotify 320kbps is separation and clarity. I would switch between the two and I could hear a night and day difference. If you are feeding the USB dac vs Bluetooth Spotify the difference will be a lot less.
 
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#5 ·
As said, your source material is all that matters. A connection cannot be any better than the source. A streaming service like spotify is one of the worst so bt would be perfectly fine. You use hi rez files played back on phone or tidal hifi and you will get an advantage to using a wired usb connection.

But then not everyone will notice the difference, depending on their audio equipment and themselves.

Personally i use android auto wireless. It's the same quality as wired.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
#8 ·
I started with an android phone into a P-Six via a BT card and APTx signal. Worked well enough but the phone kept interrupting advising me to turn the volume down before I damaged my ears (was on full volume to ensure the best signal into the DSP), and I got occasional half second drop outs.

Combined with the hassle of not being able to charge as I couldn't find the right OTG cable meant I got a USB card, ipod shuffle and camera kit as soon as I could. Much better usability (until recently when Apple decided not to support the USB audio to Helix and stopped charging it).

I do prefer the USB Audio android app over all, so if the problems have been solved in the few years since I used it, the BT card isn't a bad option.
 
#9 ·
I do prefer the USB Audio android app over all, so if the problems have been solved in the few years since I used it, the BT card isn't a bad option.
This comment is contradictory... USB Audio but over BT? I don't get it.

You could try using the Android Auto app on the phone. Even without using a HU interface, the app may lock the usb audio output to line level like it does for the HU.
 
#14 · (Edited)
Pretty certain it is the same module just different cover plates.

I installed and used my MK2 USB HEC in my Ultra while I was waiting for the Ultra USB HEC to arrive.

HEC modules come with a specific cover plate that is matched to the specific DSP dimensions. Once you install the HEC module the stock cover plate does not have openings for the added HEC module feature, like an opening for the usb input for the USB HEC module or a spot for the Antenna for the BT HEC.

The module itself is the same.

If you use a HEC from the MK2 for the Ultra:

1) You would have to buy a cover plate individually. (Check with dealer if they are willing to.)

or

2)Drill/Create opening on original stock plate

or

3) Not use a cover plate or fabricate one yourself

or

4) Sell the MK2 HEC and just buy the HEC kit for the Ultra

265690
 
#16 ·
Never used the BT HEC so I cant offer much on that.

As of now, using the USB HEC is the most direct and hi res signal input for a Helix DSP.
  • USB HEC is at 192 kHz / 32 bit (USB Audio)
  • Digital Coax is at 192 kHz / 24 bit (SPDIF)
  • Digital Optical is at 96 kHz / 24bit (SPDIF)
  • BT HEC is at 44.1 kHz / 16bit (aptX codec and A2DP codec)
What your ears can perceive as far as bitrates vs your value of a wireless connection will have to be the deciding factors.