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Post by MartinT on Sept 8, 2023 13:30:11 GMT
I have another tungsten cube and some 2-part epoxy arriving. The U18 DDC is going to be more tricky to open up and I'm not sure if there is enough clearance as yet. This will be done carefully, but I'm wowed by the effect of the cube in the X26 Pro.
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Post by Slinger on Sept 8, 2023 13:32:04 GMT
I have another tungsten cube and some 2-part epoxy arriving... You hope.  What's next, Osmium? |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 8, 2023 13:32:55 GMT
Nah - I've got that one already (from AliExpress not using either Evri or Yodel)!
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Post by MartinT on Sept 8, 2023 13:35:49 GMT
Platinum and Gold look promising... Or even Polonium? Cheap from RasputiExpress, I hear. |
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Post by nicholas on Sept 8, 2023 16:06:33 GMT
Plutonium might work a treat and remove virtually all noise from your system!
;^)
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bencat
Rank: Quartet
Posts: 357
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Post by bencat on Sept 8, 2023 18:13:41 GMT
Plutonium might work a treat and remove virtually all noise from your system! ;^) . And if your not careful all noise from any listeners as well ! |
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 8, 2023 18:27:19 GMT
Have AliExpress got Unobtanium yet ?  |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 8, 2023 20:30:17 GMT
So back to the tungsten...
I can't really explain the amount of resolution this brings to the party, I first heard it way back doing the same thing with the BG7TBL, only this time around it's at a far higher level of performance. I wasn't entirely sure it would have much effect coupling the tungsten cube to the DAC's K-2 synthesiser (which combines the internal clock with the synthetic derivation of all the frequencies required) and it's now clear to me that Gustard have designed the K-2 to be 'disciplined' by the external clock rather than just switch it in place of the internal clock.
This gives me the desire to do the same thing to the U18 DDC, bonding a 2nd cube to its K-2, passing the goodness of my 2nd AfterDark clock through the I2S cable.
I will do it soon.
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Post by nicholas on Sept 8, 2023 20:44:00 GMT
^^^ Looking forward to your results... did you acquire your Tungsten blocks on eBay by chance? ^^^
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Post by MartinT on Sept 8, 2023 21:01:04 GMT
This time on Amazon and AliExpress, Nick.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Sept 9, 2023 13:33:20 GMT
Any links Martin?
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Post by MartinT on Sept 9, 2023 13:50:58 GMT
The work is done - Gustard U18 (with Tony's mods) further upgraded with tungsten cube on the K-2 clock synthesiser.  I've had a quick listen to check all is well (not half) and am leaving it with Tara Labs to warm up and burn-in for a bit. Full listening impressions later. |
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 9, 2023 14:09:45 GMT
Excellent Martin. Could you remind me what the Coherent mods were?
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Post by MartinT on Sept 9, 2023 15:41:55 GMT
Could you remind me what the Coherent mods were? Recalling the PCB, the main reservoir cap, the regulator, some other caps and lots of RFI pads on components. |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 9, 2023 19:40:20 GMT
I'm surprised at the outcome, because I expected the second tungsten cube to give me more of the same. However, there seems to be something symbiotic between the two K-2 synthesisers which is perhaps not surprising as they're linked by I2S which also carries the external clock.
The two cubes are producing a very heightened sense of fine detail, timbre and that which differentiates transients from percussion instruments. The soundstage and note decay are enhanced and the bass is incredibly structural, tight and textured. However, over and above that is infectious music making, a sense of rhythm and flow that draws me further into the piece.
I'm listening to Spiritchaser by Dead Can Dance (just standard res) and it is simply stunning, so much more than I was getting from it a year ago, with the percussion highlighting the rhythms and bass lines. Lisa Gerrard's voice can test any system's midrange but I'm hearing all her power without any break-up or harshness creeping in.Earlier, I was listening to some more Norah Jones in 24/192 and, if ever there were examples of hi-res pulling ahead, her first two albums are up on a pedestal. Her voice is amazing, breathy and textured and imperfect, exposed like never before and just making you admire her singing chops more than ever.
The equipment is now running pretty hot (the DDC and DAC run the hottest of all my components), showing 36C on the IR gun. All it needs is one or two more nights of Tara Labs burn-in although, frankly, it sounds bloody amazing now.
These are just my preliminary thoughts, I'll keep on reporting until I hear no further changes.
EDIT: I've just noticed a remarkable reduction in sibilance in Heidi Happy's voice in Yello's Kiss in Blue. Not to mention the huge bass.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 9, 2023 19:43:48 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Sept 10, 2023 18:41:00 GMT
Clocks (or, rather, the whole system) are sounding superb on day #2 of their combined impact. While I'm on this diversion, I thought I'd try an ultimate clock cable for my 2nd clock since both the Harmonic Technology Digital Copper III and Neotech NEVD-2001 bring different strengths to the presentation. What if I could have it all?  So I have on order an appropriate cable to arrive in a couple of weeks' time. |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 15, 2023 17:45:53 GMT
Well, this is interesting. The process of applying the Tara Labs burn-in signal to my U18 and X26 Pro combo has followed the exact same path as for burning-in cables. It goes roughly like this (with intermittent listening):
- you apply the change to the system and it sounds pretty good, if slightly lacking coherence
- it goes downhill after a few days making you wonder if, this time, you've got it very wrong
- it climbs back up to sound about equal to how it started, but smoother
- the width and depth fill out, dynamics gain shape and detail sounds very natural, ending up as a real improvement
I have experienced this u-shaped trend too many times and it still catches me out.
However, this time it was two tungsten cubes. Seriously? How can tungsten cubes experience burn-in? More likely it's something about the K-2 circuit or even the physical bond that has 'adjusted' to the new reality.
All I can say is, it wasn't very enjoyable on Wednesday but I stuck with the 24-hour Tara, feeling that it would come good. And so it has.
I have to thank Russ Andrews for this as he has written the clearest and most accurate portrayal of burn-in for cables many years ago.
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 15, 2023 19:29:00 GMT
Just mental
and great
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Post by MartinT on Sept 17, 2023 18:36:56 GMT
Sunday evening and the X26 Pro has had its tungsten cube for 2 weeks and the U18 for one week. The following is my best attempt to summarise the changes in sound from the overall combination plus a lot of Tara Labs burn-in signal, compared with before:
Fine detail and edge/transient detail are both up. It sounds like a DAC with even greater resolution, and way up on the R26 which I've now heard on a few occasions.
Dynamics are wider with certain percussion having a striking (!) effect on the sound. Also bass transients really hit the sofa with greater punch.
Bass is considerably more potent but remains tight, on occasion creating room shaking vibes at the same volume as I've always used.
Sibilance is down. Treble is smoother.
Balance - after burn-in - is not far from how it sounded before but slightly darker, emphasising the soundstage in the background.
I want to give a warning once again about performing this mod: I based my permanently bonding the cubes on my previous experiences. Don't do this unless you're sure and try testing it first by using a small knob of Blu-tac to hear if you like it. Be certain to give it a week's Tara Labs before evaluating it.
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