|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 15, 2022 20:17:41 GMT
I listened to the existing Canare LV-61S before replacing it with the Belden 4694R. The latter is the same clock cable as already feeds my two downstream clocks.
The effect is one of a small improvement in precision. Performers' timing is sharpened up, transients strike harder. Where a band might sound like a good amateur pub band, now they sound like Dire Straits. Everything is the same but the impression is that it's faster and dynamics are wider.
This is pretty much what I heard before when I upgraded from Canare LV-61S through Canare LV-77S to the Belden. Amazing that a short shielded clock cable can be so audible in its contribution.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 16, 2022 15:59:39 GMT
I can hear the calming effect of 18 hours' continuous running on the Belden. No change to the tightening up of performances, but the low level soundstage has expanded further and it sounds just a tad less 'hot'.
Interesting that on a couple of other forums people go searching for the holy grail in expensive clock cables made by companies I've never heard of. In the high frequency digital transmission world, Belden are pretty much the experts and it's amusing that the double-shielded Brilliance 4694R 4K UHD video cable is not considered expensive enough to be taken seriously. It's certainly the best clock cable I've tried out of half a dozen.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Feb 16, 2022 16:22:41 GMT
Confess I think of Belden as being cheap, budget, ok if you are tight for funds
Another surprise for me today
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 16, 2022 16:31:33 GMT
From Wikipedia...
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 16, 2022 16:55:27 GMT
MikeMusic gave me an idea: I tried swapping the Aucharm XL (P3 regenerator) with the Quartz Acoustic (P10 regenerator) grounding boxes, based on the idea that the P3 is powering all the sensitive digital electronics so should get the QA. Another surprise: it sounds better as originally configured. The long Aucharm XL is obviously no slouch.
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Feb 16, 2022 18:25:50 GMT
Agree on the long Aucharm
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 17, 2022 19:51:33 GMT
I was afraid that some brightness might return with the increase in resolution but I forgot that the Belden cable is brand new. Another 24 hours' burn-in and it sounds perfectly balanced now.
I forgot to say that the thick Belden cable is beautifully finished with Neutrik NBNC75BTU11X rear twist BNCs with Swiss antraloy plating, using a special assembly tool, as with my other two. Really nice for 14 quid.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 18, 2022 21:05:49 GMT
Great to have the system back. It sounds pretty good after only 2 hours of warm-up from stone cold, not bad considering there are 3 OCXOs in circuit and the room had dropped to 14C. MikeMusic I think my original assessment was right and the Vertex Jaya is not doing it for me. I've taken it back out again and all is well. I'll try with it again tomorrow. |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 19, 2022 12:29:31 GMT
This is an experiment. I was thinking about my power supplies and where I have weak links. This is a summary of the 5 DC power supplies I have... | Router | 12V | Weiliang | | Clock 1 | 12.5V | Paul Hynes | | EtherREGEN | 12.5V | Weiliang (Coherent modified) | | ultraRendu | 8V | Coherent QP-1 (1) | | Mutec | 5V | Coherent QP-1 (1) | | Clock 2 | 12.5V | Coherent QP-1 (2) | | Clock 3 | 12V | Coherent QP-1 (2) |
Possible weak links would be the Clock 1 and EtherREGEN PSUs, with probably the Router PSU the least important. I was perusing AliExpress, as I often do, when I came across a PSU I hadn't seen before, called a Zero Zone 01-A. Further research highlighted that it already had some good comments and was known among DIYers. What really got my attention was the reservoir capacitance consisting of 46 x Rubycon 2200uF = 0.1F. That sounds interesting, with a hopefully low ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance). Almost a supercapacitor, then, with possibly better performance. It's inexpensive, too, so I took a punt and ordered one. I spot a rear panel fuse and an internal DC fuse. Gosh darn it, more fuses to buy!  It should arrive soon and I look forward to trying it out. If it proves successful, I may buy another one. |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 22, 2022 20:58:29 GMT
The Zero Zone 01-A 'ultracap' PSU arrived today. Very, very swift work indeed, the fastest shipment I have yet known from AliExpress in China. Since I started experimenting with the third clock into the EtherREGEN, the system has looked a bit like the lash-up from hell, so after a quick listen I plumbed in the ZZ 01-A properly into the rack. It's the unit with the red LED voltage display in the photo. I set it all up properly because it took no time at all to know that this (and the third clock) is a keeper. I've added a Gustard 20mm fuse into the rear panel fuse holder as I had one handy after ordering it to try. The standard internal DC fuse remains, but I'll be ordering a HiFi Tuning for it soon.  Since the Coherent-modded Weiliang became free, I redeployed it to supply the BG7TBL clock with 12.5V power, putting away the Paul Hynes. Everything only had an hour or so to settle in so the Zero Zone has had no real burn-in and had barely reached temperature. With 46 Rubycon caps to 'form', it should continue improving for a while. Nevertheless, I was reminded how well the EtherREGEN responds to a really good power supply. Instantly sounding at the same time more relaxed and flowing yet with even more edge detail than before, music pops from the speakers more than ever. It just sounds so good that I prefer to listen some more while I can stay awake. The Zero Zone 01-A has the makings of my stock recommendation for an inexpensive but very good linear power supply. I can see myself ordering another one soon. |
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Feb 22, 2022 21:08:16 GMT
That's a lot of boxes !
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 22, 2022 21:59:07 GMT
All with a single purpose.
|
|
|
|
Post by karatestu on Feb 23, 2022 7:23:33 GMT
That psu looks interesting. I would be dreading recap time though  |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 23, 2022 8:33:00 GMT
LOL - that would be tedious and pricy!
I'm looking forward to a less rushed listen tonight and expect the PSU to have burned-in somewhat. It really is a well built and heavy unit.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 24, 2022 18:14:33 GMT
More Black Ravioli Pads arrived this evening. I had to switch off two of the clocks to fit them to the one underneath, and also to the new Zero Zone PSU. It's all powered up again so I'll wait for things to settle a bit before I listen later. That puts every component in the system on BR, quite an investment. I don't know of any better supports, though.
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Feb 24, 2022 18:57:05 GMT
Expensive but worth it
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 24, 2022 19:31:12 GMT
Oh yes, really worth it. Well, I'm having a listen now and it all sounds incrementally better. A touch tighter timing, lower noise floor and a bit more note decay. Definitely into diminishing returns but I'm not spending much these days. The Zero Zone PSU has impressed me as being great value for money. 12V at 4A of low noise ultracap linear PSU for just over £100.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Feb 24, 2022 20:50:53 GMT
More to come from the BRs I bet
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 28, 2022 8:18:26 GMT
You will have seen in the Gustard U18 thread that I was a bit wowed by it after trying out John's. I have since ordered one from AliExpress and await its arrival. Meanwhile, going back to the Mutec will hopefully reconfirm what I already heard about the differences in performance.
It also gives me time to optimise the cabling at the back. I'm sure they are naughty and tangle themselves up again during the night...
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Feb 28, 2022 9:30:10 GMT
I find cables do this - all on their own !
|
|
