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Post by MartinT on Nov 29, 2022 20:13:54 GMT
So am I, Nick, but then again nothing about digital replay should surprise us any more.
I actually have 5 stages of isolation now: 4G, DXE, EtherREGEN, fibre link, U18.
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Post by nicholas on Nov 29, 2022 20:38:39 GMT
Funny... I have a pair of DXE's roosting in my kit box, too. Guess I now have something else to do tomorrow!
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Post by MartinT on Nov 29, 2022 21:16:13 GMT
Make sure to use them both in the right direction - the label should read right way up with the signal flow from left to right.
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Post by nicholas on Nov 29, 2022 21:20:22 GMT
Make sure to use them both in the right direction - the label should read right way up with the signal flow from left to right. Will do, thanks. |
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Post by nicholas on Nov 30, 2022 23:32:26 GMT
So I put the DXE's in my main system and I think I heard a small improvement. As my main system's network is comprised of Buffalo switch > Uptone EtherREGEN reclocker > Fiber > Sonore Signature Rendu SE streamer, the network signal is already pretty clean.
Then I put the pair of DXE's in my office system which is RJ45 > fiber > RJ45 > Gustard R26 network player and the uptick in quality was significantly more pronounced.
I'll be leaving them in place in the office system as I weigh the potential benefit of acquiring another pair for the main system.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 1, 2022 20:19:41 GMT
Well, I don't think the DXEs have done any harm, after 48 hours' of Tara Labs burn-in, and I do hear a subtle cleaning up of the music in ways I cannot easily describe. I think I've reached the limit of achievable benefit from galvanic isolation and the sum effect of it all is fundamental.
If you have no isolation in your system, start with the DXEs or fibre link, both effective and affordable tweaks.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 2, 2022 10:27:11 GMT
My two extra Quartz Acoustic grounding boxes, plus six more Black Ravioli Pads, are on their way.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 2, 2022 13:55:51 GMT
Truly thou art the King of Grounding Boxes , Martin. What's the running total??  |
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Post by petea on Dec 2, 2022 15:06:59 GMT
It'll come to no good I tell you. All that extra grounding mass will create a black hole and Basingstoke will end up being sucked into it. Hmm, come to think of it...
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Post by MartinT on Dec 2, 2022 15:20:11 GMT
It'll come to no good I tell you. All that extra grounding mass will create a black hole and Basingstoke will end up being sucked into it. Hmm, come to think of it... Indeed, Pete. Watch it, you're not far away. Not far away at all. |
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Post by MartinT on Dec 2, 2022 15:23:09 GMT
What's the running total?? Currently, I have 9 of them. They're breeding so it'll soon be 11. Two QAs will replace the Aucharms on the Rendu and DDC, with the latter taking on mains duties. |
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Post by petea on Dec 2, 2022 21:17:33 GMT
It'll come to no good I tell you. All that extra grounding mass will create a black hole and Basingstoke will end up being sucked into it. Hmm, come to think of it... Indeed, Pete. Watch it, you're not far away. Not far away at all. And getting closer by the second!  |
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Post by MartinT on Dec 7, 2022 12:42:33 GMT
I received this LMR-400 clock cable from AliExpress just as a punt for trials. Its the thickest BNC cable I've ever seen, the cable being about the same diameter as the plugs. No idea what it'll sound like but I will connect it to my 2nd After Dark clock, feeding the U18 and X26 Pro, and will give it some time to burn-in (could be a while).  |
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 7, 2022 16:23:06 GMT
Perhaps you could add a link Martin, as it's quite difficult finding specific items on AliExpress...
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Post by MartinT on Dec 7, 2022 16:27:11 GMT
I will do if it proves to be any good, Jules. I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking I'm recommending it yet.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 7, 2022 18:32:33 GMT
Ah, very wise!
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Post by MartinT on Dec 7, 2022 19:10:53 GMT
Well, it's certainly not doing badly at all considering it was brand new and stone cold this afternoon.
I'm hearing very tiny differences from my favourite 4694R so far. They're both good cables.
Important point:
LMR-400 is 50 ohm
4694R is 75 ohm
My clocks are sinewave so I don't care. If you have a squarewave clock, impedance matters.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 7, 2022 19:49:19 GMT
Martin, I understand that the U18 is 50 ohm but its BNC connector is 75 ohm - does this mean you have to buy a sinewave clock?
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Post by MartinT on Dec 7, 2022 21:29:48 GMT
I've just had a good look at the rear panel photos and I believe you're right, the U18 has a 75 ohm BNC connector while the clock input is specified at 50 ohms.
Yes, almost certainly you'd be better off with a sinewave clock. It also explains why I hear almost no difference between 50 and 75 ohm cables.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 8, 2022 20:11:08 GMT
With about 30 hours on the LMR-400 clock cable, I can confirm that it's a good'un. Perhaps, being 50 ohms, it's a better match to the receiving U18 (despite my AfterDark clock being sinewave), or the huge double-shielded low loss design optimises things better, but no matter, it's a great inexpensive cable. It's very stiff (1cm diameter), though, so don't go thinking it'll fit around things easily. Playing Mavis Staples - Eyes on the Prize and Paul Simon - Late in the Evening, two very busy tracks, showed it in great light with a calm, separated and exciting performance with a touch more coming to light than I've heard before. www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004220227551.html |
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