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Post by MartinT on Aug 13, 2023 16:45:26 GMT
Switched over to Spotify and found the album Rio After Dark.
Viola Fora De Moda sounds as good as I remember it, which must be at least 5 years since I played the CD.
Thanks, both.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 17, 2023 20:40:45 GMT
My Tweaky List
Small things I may or may not look at in the near future.
EtherREGEN Gen 2. This is a definite because it offers the promise of more precise sinewave clocking and, even better, the hope of an SFP cage on the 'B' side for lower noise. The launch is delayed so we await its release.
Tungsten cube for the clocks. If you remember, I modded my old BG7TBL clock with a 20mm tungsten cube glued to the clock module. I am ordering two tungsten cubes for modding my two AfterDark clocks, together with some enhanced internal damping.
Tubulus Concentus 50 ohm clock cable for upgrading the Harmonic Technology Digital Copper III clock cable to the 2nd clock.
SR Purple fuses for both my regenerators to upgrade from SR Oranges.
Superior PSU to replace the Zero Zone supercap PSU (possibly the Uptone JS-2), thinking about it.
Quartz Acoustic Triple Aces grounding box - just thinking about it, but pricey.
Usher crossovers. Very long term thinking about this one, although my chances of buying a kit of upgrade components seems to have passed.
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 18, 2023 8:48:03 GMT
Triple Aces
More in depth test coming soon. Might tempt you
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Post by brettj on Aug 18, 2023 22:47:08 GMT
My Tweaky ListSmall things I may or may not look at in the near future. EtherREGEN Gen 2. This is a definite because it offers the promise of more precise sinewave clocking and, even better, the hope of an SFP cage on the 'B' side for lower noise. The launch is delayed so we await its release. Tungsten cube for the clocks. If you remember, I modded my old BG7TBL clock with a 20mm tungsten cube glued to the clock module. I am ordering two tungsten cubes for modding my two AfterDark clocks, together with some enhanced internal damping. Tubulus Concentus 50 ohm clock cable for upgrading the Harmonic Technology Digital Copper III clock cable to the 2nd clock. SR Purple fuses for both my regenerators to upgrade from SR Oranges. Superior PSU to replace the Zero Zone supercap PSU (possibly the Uptone JS-2), thinking about it. Quartz Acoustic Triple Aces grounding box - just thinking about it, but pricey. Usher crossovers. Very long term thinking about this one, although my chances of buying a kit of upgrade components seems to have passed. I have a list like this constantly running in my head. And it does change. I found the Plixir Elite BDC power supply to be very good. |
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Post by MartinT on Aug 31, 2023 16:53:02 GMT
Reporting back on my opening up the AD clocks, I am really noticing a change in the sound.
If you remember, I was going to mount a tungsten cube right on top of the OCXO but, due to virtually zero headroom because the clock board is mounted on high posts that go down through the case, I was thwarted. I thought 'never mind' and took the chance to push strips of fibre heat insulation material* into the spaces either side of the clock to preserve heat inside and prevent any air resonances from the music.
Well, that change alone to the two clocks has further smoothed the sound and given it a slightly darker background. I didn't expect that at all. Meanwhile, I'm going to investigate re-purposing the tungsten cubes to potentially go inside the Gustard U18 and X26 Pro directly on the K-2 synthesiser modules. That one's for a rainy day.
* the material is used to send my insulin to me in the post, keeping it cool. I have stacks of it.
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Post by brettj on Aug 31, 2023 23:47:21 GMT
It's here and placed immediately on the burn-in signal before I have a first listen later. Build quality looks great.  I'm curious Martin about your Tubulus Argentus I2S purchase. Wondering if there was a reason for that instead of the Concentus cable? |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 1, 2023 4:38:14 GMT
That's a good question, Brett. I knew I wanted a top performing I2S cable for this link, but at the time I was most interested in smoothness rather than the last degree of detail. Not being able to hear one in advance, I perused the specs a lot and decided that the Argentus with its pure silver core, carrying the signal, would give me the best balance without being hyper-detailed.
I think balance-wise, I got it about right and it's not the bottleneck in my system. Now that the system is performing so well, perhaps a Concentus would give me more, who knows?
I am looking at one of their clock cables and wondering if it might be worth a punt in the future? Terrific quality cables.
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Post by brettj on Sept 1, 2023 7:58:18 GMT
Thanks for the answer.
I need to move away from my Audience AU24SX AES/EBU cable. It's not compatible with my system, refusing to play anything above 16/44.1
Thought upgrading my i2S is a reasonable move.
The Tubulus range is well considered.
Would pretty much be a straight swap price wise.
Also have the benefit of tying the DDC and Dac clocks together if I use i2S.
I'm leaning towards the Argentus, as you have.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Sept 1, 2023 9:04:37 GMT
Reporting back on my opening up the AD clocks, I am really noticing a change in the sound. If you remember, I was going to mount a tungsten cube right on top of the OCXO but, due to virtually zero headroom because the clock board is mounted on high posts that go down through the case, I was thwarted. I thought 'never mind' and took the chance to push strips of fibre heat insulation material* into the spaces either side of the clock to preserve heat inside and prevent any air resonances from the music. Well, that change alone to the two clocks has further smoothed the sound and given it a slightly darker background. I didn't expect that at all. Meanwhile, I'm going to investigate re-purposing the tungsten cubes to potentially go inside the Gustard U18 and X26 Pro directly on the K-2 synthesiser modules. That one's for a rainy day. * the material is used to send my insulin to me in the post, keeping it cool. I have stacks of it. Any chance of a photo of this insulation you use Martin for reference. |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 1, 2023 16:55:34 GMT
Here you go. It's a very good heat insulator.  |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 3, 2023 17:13:43 GMT
Today I have bonded a 20mm tungsten cube to the K-2 synthesiser module in my X26 Pro DAC (after removing the Gustard label) and installed the T-Flex 405 clock cable even though I don't connect my clock here (it comes via I2S). All done, about to put it back into service and take a listen after a warm-up.  |
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Post by nicholas on Sept 3, 2023 17:44:58 GMT
^^^ Nice work... when are you coming over to do mine? ^^^
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Post by MartinT on Sept 3, 2023 19:16:07 GMT
I'm a tad surprised as the benefits I'm hearing by damping the K-2 synthesiser are the exact same ones as I remember when doing my first tungsten upgrade to the BG7TBL clock OCXO.
I hear tighter bass (is this really possible?), sweeter treble and a sizeable increase in delineation of different strands of the music.
Examples: Christine and the Queens - Tilted now has almost wall-shaking but very tight bass. Rebecca Pigeon - Svayambhu has a nice amount of treble detail without any glare. Kate Bush - Waking the Witch really has more insight into this busy mix with the chanting and church bells coming further forward and the helicopter towards the end having greater impact.
It has taken this already excellent DAC further along the high end path. Next I will see what can be done with the U18 which Tony has already breathed on. Getting into these cases is a challenge in itself.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Sept 3, 2023 20:21:00 GMT
Excellent Martin, funny enough been discussing about Tungsten on Head Fi on R26,along with damping.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 3, 2023 20:28:15 GMT
Excellent Martin, funny enough been discussing about Tungsten on Head Fi on R26,along with damping. Nothing stopping you doing this to the R26 - does it have a K-2 module? |
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Post by John on Sept 3, 2023 20:30:58 GMT
Yes
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Post by stellabagpuss on Sept 3, 2023 21:17:20 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Sept 3, 2023 21:26:09 GMT
Yes, I'm following various threads especially the Master Clock thread. Maybe be a bit careful with the R26 but the cube works superbly with the X26 Pro and does the opposite of thinning the sound. I knew this from experiments three years ago.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 4, 2023 18:27:50 GMT
Well, the combined clock treatments have had a startling effect once again, but this time more pronounced as my system performs at a higher level already.
The combination of thermal insulation in both AD clocks and the tungsten cube on the K-2 synthesiser in the DAC really lifts it to another level. Surprising considering that K-2 is fed by the external AD via I2S from the DDC. Makes me wonder what will happen if I do the same to the U18's K-2?
The U18 is a whole other level of difficulty to get inside so I'll wait until the weekend to try it with patience and lots of light. I also have to test fit to see if the case will accommodate a 20mm cube.
So what's going on here? I'll fall back on what I suggested earlier: I think it's a combination of thermal stability (holding the temperature very steady once warmed up) and damping (big block of tungsten bonded to the chip, damping vibrations). Whatever the mechanism, I'm surprised it's this audible at the volumes I'm used to. Goes to show how much can be done to standard components that the manufacturers miss.
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 4, 2023 20:05:20 GMT
Bonkers and obvious at the same time, to the fairly enlightened anyway
If I can see the logic then quite a few others must as well
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