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Post by MartinT on Jun 11, 2020 17:14:25 GMT
I took my QP-1 and one of my Chinese power supplies to Tony today for upgrade work. The QP-1 powers the Asus streamer and Mutec reclocker, the LPSU powers the EtherREGEN and OCXO master clock, so they're both key to the performance of my digital chain.
While I was there, we measured my cheap-shit BG7TBL OCXO master clock to see how it performs. The answer is - not too shabby. Much more interestingly, by moving 12V power from the LPSU to Tony's very low noise lab power supply, we saw the jitter drop from around 40ps to around 30ps. That's a hell of an improvement, and goes to show how very important noise performance is in power supplies. I'm confident that Tony will make the LPSU work better and that will directly impact sound quality, not to mention what an improved QP-1 will achieve.
I'm looking forward to quadruple-whammy with two improved PSUs driving four components.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 11, 2020 17:16:11 GMT
Meanwhile, back at MCRU-towers, David will be delivering a custom Black Ravioli Eflos grounding box with BNC connector and MCRU DC cable to further improve the clock's performance.
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Post by John on Jun 11, 2020 18:36:08 GMT
Looking forward to reading your findings
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Post by MartinT on Jun 12, 2020 10:13:37 GMT
I temporarily lashed up the EtherREGEN, Asus TBS and OCXO on SMPS (spit) plug-ins and the Mutec on its internal power supply.
The inner detail and huge soundstage are diminished but it doesn't sound at all bad - like going back 6 months or so. It'll do and it's a good lesson on progress made.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 15, 2020 12:27:57 GMT
The QP-1 and LPSU have been returned, complete with a new Coherent DC cable for the EtherREGEN. I'm using my MCRU DC cable for the master clock and have another one on order for the router. Everything is warming up for tonight  Also, all my parts are here for the master clock upgrade to 75 ohm outputs. |
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Post by John on Jun 15, 2020 12:54:07 GMT
Good to hear Martin
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 15, 2020 13:23:31 GMT
Hope it does the business Martin.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 16, 2020 8:58:28 GMT
Some detail of my BG7TBL master clock PCB. I have swapped two outlets to 75 ohm BNC connectors, leaving one sinewave outlet at 50 ohms. Top side.  Underside. Note the PCB is dated later than my rear panel, 2020-03-13.  Detail showing ceramic bypass capacitors added. There is only just enough clearance in the case, it's a tight fit.  |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 16, 2020 9:41:41 GMT
I setup the upgraded QP-1 supercap power supply (feeding Asus and Mutec) and upgraded LPSU (feeding the EtherREGEN and clock) back in my system last night. A Coherent DC cable feeds the EtherREGEN and an MCRU DC cable feeds the clock. The Asus remains with the AudioQuest Cinnamon for DC feed and the Mutec is on its Coherent DC cable.
I heard two things: 1) the sound of capacitors still burning in (some glare) and 2) another big drop in noise floor, revealing the tiniest details, studio noise, big air movements and deep soundstage.
This is really promising and exactly the direction I'm going in. My system has plenty of clout, bass extension, midrange clarity etc. Further insight into the music and recording are really welcome. All icing on the cake.
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Post by John on Jun 16, 2020 9:52:59 GMT
It does sound promising, we both seem to be on a path of lowering the noise floor and creating musical flow as we both have all the impact we could wish for
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Post by MartinT on Jun 16, 2020 15:28:11 GMT
A quick listen just now and the glare is already much reduced. Tony did some good work on those power supplies, money very well spent.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2020 15:49:08 GMT
Martin I suspect ceramics are the culprits at the moment but this will soon dissipate as the word clock is drawing a constant 850ma, so a couple of days use on 10nf capse
The QP-1 Rev2 measures in real use around 18uv of ripple noise @ around 1amp constat current draw and the point of entry (after the cable transmission) on the DUT (Martin's clock) At idle after the dc umbilical cable it was measuring around 920nv so reasonably quiet  All coming together nicely now by the sounds of it |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 16, 2020 17:58:39 GMT
Listening now to London Grammar's second album, a slow grower but ultimately just as wonderful as their first one, I am struck by the reverb and decay behind Hannah Reid's simply phenomenal voice. Just try Wild Eyed for controlled power: open.qobuz.com/track/41062552Before adding the EtherREGEN, external clock and going down the improved power supply route, my system created barely a semblance of such soundstage and note decay. I used to say that it just wasn't a strength of the system. Now I know that it was always capable, it just wasn't being fed with the purity of signal it required. |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 18, 2020 20:33:55 GMT
The noise floor is incredibly low. I feel as if I'm sucked into the recording, such is the ambience and low-level detail.
I still have the BR grounding box for the clock to come. I can't believe it can get any better.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2020 4:41:19 GMT
You are still only scratching the surface, plenty more to come REALLY
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Post by MartinT on Jun 21, 2020 6:39:10 GMT
I should have received the Black Ravioli Eflos BNC grounding box for the clock, but as happens a lot around here, it's been delivered to a neighbour. Looking forward to trying that out.
I have some more information about the OCXOs used in these Chinese BG7TBL OCXOs. It seems that the Russian Morion oven-controlled module is even better than the Chinese DAPU (as in mine). Here are the specs:
DAPU O55A (Frequency range 5.00MHz ~ 40.00MHz) Offset Noise at 10Hz: -125dBc/Hz, Single Oven
MORION 89A (Frequency range 4.096 MHz ~ 10 MHz) Offset Noise at 10Hz: -124dBc/Hz, Double Oven
That Morion spec is hard to believe. Seeing as the DAPU has been so good, I might try and source a Morion-equipped board for comparison.
EDIT: data above corrected. Always worth fact checking!
So the Morion is really not worth pursuing.
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Post by John on Jun 21, 2020 8:05:07 GMT
Exciting times Martin I am looking forward to when safe to visit
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Post by MartinT on Jun 21, 2020 22:13:33 GMT
See my edit in the post above John's. The Morion is not better than the DAPU I have.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 24, 2020 9:47:52 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Jun 24, 2020 12:08:33 GMT
I replaced the AMR Gold fuse in the Coherent upgraded LPSU feeding the EtherREGEN and OCXO clock with an SR Red. It made an improvement in the fluidity and sheer presentation of soundstage. I just tried a track where the opening studio sound was incredibly wrap-around. Nice!
I also found in my baggy of fuses another SR Red I had forgotten I had. This is going into the other LPSU feeding the router later on.
I also - at last - have the Black Ravioli Eflos custom made for me with a BNC connector, received from MCRU. Tonight's going to be fun trying that out.
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