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Post by Slinger on Oct 9, 2019 20:29:58 GMT
I ordered an Audioquest Cinnamon AES cable. The supplier was out of stock and so are Audioquest. He sent me a Carbon as a goodwill gesture. Result! It's bloody good, too. "You," to quote from Monty Python's Life of Brian, "lucky lucky bastard!"  |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 10, 2019 8:53:33 GMT
I have to say that the 0.5m JuiceBitz USB cable made a nice improvement over the lowly 1.5m USB cable I was using.  |
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Post by Pinch on Oct 10, 2019 9:30:42 GMT
Another cheap thing to try if space allows: Eliminating the USB cable entirely, by using an A-B connector (like this). I haven't tried this since I don't have the space to have the streamer and the interface directly connected (since the interface itself is already directly connected to the back of the DAC), but otherwise I'd give it a go. |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 10, 2019 9:40:16 GMT
Interesting idea but that's not going to work with the streamer that close to the back of the Mutec.
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Post by Pinch on Oct 10, 2019 9:41:58 GMT
Yes, same situation here. Ah well, let the cable comparisons commence!
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Post by MartinT on Oct 10, 2019 9:56:27 GMT
I may be done with USB cable selection for the time being. Bigger issues to look at, with the Asus looking the most promising for cleaning up USB performance at source.
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Post by Pinch on Oct 10, 2019 11:51:52 GMT
Sensible, I think - while I have seemed to find that subtle differences between USB cables, the differences made by cleaning up the USB output are much more marked.
Just took a punt on one of those JuiceBitz cables, though, to feed power to the battery supply for my interface - not in the signal path, but can't hurt to use something well constructed.
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 10, 2019 18:01:04 GMT
Delayed report on visit to Mr.T Have heard many iterations of Martin's system over some years. Every time I visit the sound quality takes a step up. Same again this time. Most noticeable changes from the last visit Townshend speaker stands replacing Ikea washing machine mounts  Super duper reclocker Must be a few interconnects and the odd mains tweak as well. Sound is exceptionally good with main points noticed Lots of detail, background brought forward with great separation, lots of lovely bass Tracks I know well sounded different and better than I have heard before Listening at peaks of around 85db was perfect. Certainly not fatiguing in any way. Lovely system, lovely sound Made me think about a few things on my system Continued over in The Quest for more music,...... |
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Post by The Brookmeister on Oct 10, 2019 19:18:10 GMT
Just for once could you perhaps say it sound worse? LOL
Impossible to sound better after every tweak, not possible.
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 10, 2019 19:26:16 GMT
Just for once could you perhaps say it sound worse? LOL Impossible to sound better after every tweak, not possible. Possible to sound better every time I visit and it always has |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 10, 2019 21:02:23 GMT
Impossible to sound better after every tweak, not possible. Agreed, but I quickly discard the tweaks that don't work or sound worse! |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 14, 2019 8:14:52 GMT
I did a lot of listening yesterday and it's all coming together very well. The Asus Tinkerboard S and cables have burned in and that touch of treble harshness has disappeared. I played some severe tests in the form of mid-1970s DG classical recordings which often sound harsh but yesterday they sounded not too shabby at all. Bass remains stonking and the overall feeling is still one of vibrancy, excitement and real music-making.
Because I like the Audioquest Carbon AES cable so much, I'm on the lookout for a Carbon USB A to B cable too, getting all my digital cabling up to scratch.
Meanwhile, I hope to receive my uprated QP-1 power supply and a Mutec MC-3+ USB in lovely silver (sorry, Mike) in the near future. Reminds me, I need to order some more Black Ravioli Pads for the Mutec.
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 14, 2019 9:12:45 GMT
Just think how much better it would sound in black !
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Post by MartinT on Oct 14, 2019 20:49:26 GMT
I have an Audioquest Carbon 0.75m USB cable on its way. This one I had to pay for!
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Post by MartinT on Oct 15, 2019 11:47:30 GMT
I have an Audioquest Carbon 0.75m USB cable on its way. This one I had to pay for! ...and it has arrived. Very speedy service again from Future Shop. |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 17, 2019 17:14:05 GMT
Even while the system is slightly hampered by not having my Coherent QP-1 power supply, which is with Tony for uprating to provide the current required for the Tinker Board S, I am really enjoying the music making.
Just focussing on one album, Ouroboros by Ray LaMontagne, played in 24/96 from Qobuz, the sound is huge and enveloping. His voice is huge and cavernous while the acoustic guitar and drums are pinpoint sharp. His crunchy guitar is full of distortion but there is detail and focus buried in there, too.
It's harsh when the music is harsh but there is nothing added. The whole album is absorbing but, if you have to pick out one track, it has to be the truly wonderful In My Own Way with that guitar singing sweetly and then switching back to crunch.
It's quite a task doing this album justice but I'm smiling lots.
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Post by John on Oct 17, 2019 18:43:29 GMT
I am just listening now and enjoying the album. Very atmospheric
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Post by MartinT on Oct 17, 2019 18:48:42 GMT
Another variation is In Praise of More by Engineers. LaMontagne is closer to shoegaze than perhaps people realise, but then that genre is a strictly British thing. Big breathy vocals again, sharply focussed instruments. Lovely swathes of soundstage with some great songs. Try What It's Worth or To An Evergreen, for example.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 19, 2019 18:37:07 GMT
My uprated QP-1 power supply has passed its tests and is setup to run my newly ordered Mutec MC-3+ USB modified for 5V DC power, which should push its performance even higher and eliminate one power cable from the system. I will take delivery of it all later in the week so watch this space. I can then take a photo of it all in place and properly review the Asus Tinker Board S and Mutec.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 26, 2019 16:40:41 GMT
The system as of today, with more natural lighting in the photo.  |
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