|
|
Post by julesd68 on Nov 7, 2022 20:40:40 GMT
John, could you briefly explain what cables / signals are going in and out of this gadget?
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Nov 7, 2022 21:23:40 GMT
This is the cable I got for it www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07KXT86VY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1It really important to get the right cable. I could not find anything shorter than 1m The cable has one twist in it, so it transfers the signal. Basically, I have Cat 8 from Ethernet to the two boxes the above cable between the two boxes and a small cat 8 cable going into my IFi stream It doesn't take up much space I just go from my router as only have the zen stream running off it |
|
|
|
Post by stellabagpuss on Nov 7, 2022 21:45:45 GMT
Nice video John
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Nov 12, 2022 15:56:16 GMT
Well John, you got me spending again. Optical isolation has to been a good thing. I’ve just plugged it together. In my case (so far) I don’t detect glare reduction per se but on some tracks the top end is more pure, I suspect the recordings I’ve used vary a lot in their SQ. What I noticed immediately was a more vivid presentation, more “you are there” yet relaxed / natural. Maybe it’s due to better micro-dynamics and separation. edit: this really is giving my Qobuz music a significant lift. Maybe my router is awful or the 10m patch cable has too much opportunity to pick up grunge…whatever it is I’m very happy. I have a spare Supercharger ps, I ought to try this on the optical transceiver feeding the streamer. In some ways I really hope it doesn’t improve things! |
|
|
|
Post by John on Nov 12, 2022 17:36:06 GMT
Yes, I would use the supercharger for the best results
Sorry to cause you more expenditure but at least a cheap upgrade
I had a bit of issues getting the treble right think as using a powerbank. Using cascade burn has helped. I have a proper LPS on the way
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Nov 12, 2022 17:40:54 GMT
Yes suprised just how much difference it has made I was only using a 2m ethernet cable but a nice increase in depth and resolution
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Nov 15, 2022 6:59:16 GMT
Rather than mess up Martin U18 thread I thought I add my two cents on the DDCs I had in my system
I had 3 different DDC in my system all of them improve the sound. The U18 adds a lot more detail but without the aid of a clock on certain songs was just to forward using I2s. I can see why people like it. But I have space limits in my system so adding a clock I just considered a step to far.
The Audio GD di 20 he can be initially impressive but without the aid of a clock to balance the sound out, it is just a bit too smooth.
The Mutec MC-3 is not as detailed as the U18, but it is also does not change the presentation of my speakers. Again, I think to really make the most of it you need an external clock.
So, I think using an external clock with a DDC is crucial but space limits this in my room
|
|
|
|
Post by stellabagpuss on Nov 15, 2022 18:30:14 GMT
Great Summary John, a clock certainly does make a difference.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Nov 15, 2022 19:17:31 GMT
I agree with John, a high quality external clock moves the system significantly forward. I can hear some of these standard canned clocks used inside everything, none worse than the fabled Crystek 575 - known for all the wrong reasons (there's one inside the EtherREGEN and there was one inside the LKS).
I would say my two AfterDark sinewave clocks have repaid their cost many times over.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Nov 16, 2022 11:49:59 GMT
The U18 adds a lot more detail but without the aid of a clock on certain songs was just to forward using I2s. That was my experience too, specifically on guitar based music it was difficult to listen to. Switching to AES brought a much more balanced sound in my system and suits me well right now. |
|
|
|
Post by John on Nov 16, 2022 17:53:29 GMT
I could have probably fixed this with a clock. But agree the guitar is far too important to have sounding wrong
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Nov 16, 2022 18:12:41 GMT
I will happily try I2S again once I have an external clock.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Nov 23, 2022 22:18:40 GMT
Always good to see John for music and chat but today was the first time in many months I had been able to visit and hear the system. Lots has changed in the meantime - quite apart from numerous 'tweaks', changes to grounding and power, the building blocks of the system were nearly all new. In fact the only components carried over were the Temple monos - in came the iFi streamer, the Gustard R26 DAC and the standmount Gold Note speakers.
Straight off the bat I'm gonna tell you these speakers are absolutely frikkin' AWESOME. They genuinely do it ALL - soundstage, depth, dynamics, texture, timbre, detail, it's all there in spades. Even at lower levels on Steven Wilson's "Drive Home" I was also struck by the bass quality - I didn't actually feel I was missing anything as it's very well defined and satisfyingly low, especially for a box of modest proportions. If you need an outstanding standmount you simply have to try these. I'd love to hear Gold Note floorstanders in a big room and if / when I move house I would want to be shortlisting them myself for sure.
Next up, the iFi streamer - shock horror, unlike some of their other products this is a very fine streamer and good value. I could find no fault with it sonically in John's system. In fact for me, the only question mark I would have with the overall presentation comes from the R26 here. Having listened to a broad playlist I felt that it gave all the music we listened to a somewhat warm glow. I'm especially aware of this on heavy guitars which don't quite have enough bite and crunch to them. The Dream Theater system torture track "Awaken the Master" was masterfully handled by the Gold Notes - so many speakers fall apart with this complex and dense mix. If it had just rocked a bit harder on the mids ... For my taste John is one step away from having the perfect system for a smaller space if he can get a bit more neutrality in the mids. Tonal accuracy is one of my hifi obsessions so that's what I would want to tweak next. Of course this is just my take, my ears, and the tonal balance might be perfect for some. I can see why the R26 is touted as a DAC for 'analogue lovers' due to its lush and slightly warm presentation.
This is so close to hifi nirvana and I congratulate John for going a bit off piste and thinking outside the box with the astonishingly good speakers and completely competent streamer.
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Nov 24, 2022 5:30:19 GMT
The speakers are certainly the best purchase I made this year I just love what they do as they just do it all apart from that last bit of bass extension, however it excels with bass texture and do kick drums with real slam.
At some point next year, I will probably get Tony to do his magic as loved what he did to the A22 I used to own.
The IFi Zen stream is clean and with the Ethernet converter and LPS just works and for the first time I feel I have the streamer sounding right (no sense of glare).
I have a factory close by so grounding helps cleans everything up on my mains This has been also really important in keeping the sound clear from electrical noise. It all goes to help the sound clean dynamic without any sense of glare.
The Evos demand good source as just so open.
If I had more space and budget big Gold Notes would be high on my list to try
Great to see you Jules
|
|
|
|
Post by stellabagpuss on Nov 24, 2022 7:03:36 GMT
Great to hear you both had a good time. Surprised you are hinting you may return back Hot Roded A22.
Perhaps one day l'll get to pay a visit to you both.
Damien
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Nov 24, 2022 7:38:28 GMT
No hinting at hot rodded R26
|
|
|
|
Post by stellabagpuss on Nov 24, 2022 7:52:06 GMT
Now that would be very special indeed
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Nov 24, 2022 9:46:54 GMT
Nah - you want an X26 Pro, mate  |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Nov 24, 2022 12:59:45 GMT
Lol - let's get this sorted like men, sounds like we're brewing up for a DAC-off some time!  |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Nov 24, 2022 13:53:02 GMT
|
|
