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Post by julesd68 on Mar 26, 2022 11:34:15 GMT
Thank you for your diagnosis Dr Jerry - funnily enough I do indeed have OCD! I do hope you're not charging for this ...  Maintaining 'order' in very small ways like this can be quite compelling and often happens at strange hours, like late last night. |
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digititis
Mar 26, 2022 11:57:19 GMT
via mobile
Post by jandl100 on Mar 26, 2022 11:57:19 GMT
No worries, Jules. The invoice is in the post, but there is a special discount for you.  With very little doubt, if you visited my listening room you would rapidly go totally insane. Not only is it cluttered, untidy and randomly organised but there are so many things asymmetric that I suspect a total meltdown is inevitable. |
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 26, 2022 12:22:11 GMT
Strangely enough I would be very at home with that Jerry! The rest of my living room is chaos, it's just the rack where I attempt to keep order and calm.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 26, 2022 12:24:07 GMT
There's usually too much kit coming and going for it to be a sensible thing for me to worry about! The only thing I would have to do if I needed to accommodate such equipment traffic is to have longer than necessary cables and some spare shelf space. Neither of which I have. |
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 22, 2022 15:29:00 GMT
What a morning.
First time I have had access to the system in months. Fired it up after two hours warm up and then ... WTF??
Low rez, mushy, lacking dynamics and no bass definition or grip across both channels. Spent ages reinstalling Spotify and Volumio, updating, checking all settings etc but still no joy. Satanic curses.
The boy John *very* kindly came over with his DAC to rule out issues there. The best result we got was streaming to it via Bluetooth but even that wasn't as good as it should have been. We then ruled out the Gustard U18 and preamp by taking them out the chain. This seems to suggest that my power amp needs some attention but I will try to see if I can borrow one just to be sure it's the culprit. I know my system can deliver so much more than this.
Frustrating much. 
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 22, 2022 15:40:53 GMT
Technology
You seem to have moved to my world Jules !
Months without music ?
I would have ceased to exist
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Post by MartinT on Jun 22, 2022 16:19:58 GMT
Is it the same sound quality from both channels, Jules?
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Post by John on Jun 22, 2022 16:30:17 GMT
Yes heard your system and now lacks grip everything a bit vague with no tightness
The issue is on both channels
I hope you get this sorted
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digititis
Jun 22, 2022 17:13:06 GMT
via mobile
Post by julesd68 on Jun 22, 2022 17:13:06 GMT
Thanks again John, your efforts much appreciated.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 22, 2022 18:28:17 GMT
Technology You seem to have moved to my world Jules ! Months without music ? I would have ceased to exist It's only a temporary move I hope Mike ... I have been listening to music, but not on the system sadly. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 22, 2022 19:02:57 GMT
Technology You seem to have moved to my world Jules ! Months without music ? I would have ceased to exist It's only a temporary move I hope Mike ... I have been listening to music, but not on the system sadly. I miss the sound of the main system when listening to the kitchen set up |
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 25, 2022 18:16:04 GMT
More cursing. After an eternity waiting for my Ghent Audio AES cable from China, it's arrived today but am not able to test it with the system down.  I'm really not sure what to do - I can try a couple of amps I have in the system but they are not in the same league as the Audio Synthesis so not sure whether they will tell me whether the AS is ill or not ... My system doesn't sound 'broken' with the AS, it's just a shadow of its former self. |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 25, 2022 19:31:04 GMT
If you can substitute another amp, Jules, it should tell you something. It may be a bit deficient compared with the AS but it should still sound better than "a shadow of its former self".
I feel you must confirm or otherwise that the problem lies within the AS.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 25, 2022 20:21:37 GMT
I feel you must confirm or otherwise that the problem lies within the AS. That's for certain, I'm just umming and erring about the best way to do that. |
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digititis
Jun 25, 2022 21:29:06 GMT
via mobile
Post by John on Jun 25, 2022 21:29:06 GMT
I don't think I came come around next week, but I might be able to do
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digititis
Jun 25, 2022 22:14:03 GMT
via mobile
Post by julesd68 on Jun 25, 2022 22:14:03 GMT
Much appreciated as ever John but I'd feel bad about you making the trip again!
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 9, 2022 19:07:39 GMT
First up, I want to say a huge thank you to Coherent Tony.  Very kindly, he invited me over this afternoon to troubleshoot some of my gear and try to find out why my SQ has taken a sudden hit - it was a fascinating visit. He suggested bringing both my DAC and new preamp to check all is well with them in addition to my power amp that I thought was the troublemaker. The Topping D70S DAC and the Pre90 both gave a *stellar* performance in terms of a range of measurements on Tony's analyzers, definitely no issues there. My Mogami XLR cables were also tested and working perfectly. Then Tony plugged my power amp into a little system he keeps for testing, and after it had warmed up for a while, much to my surprise it was apparent that the amp isn't the problem! I was 99% sure it was the amp but just goes to show how many variables there can be in a system. So next week, first chance I get I will assemble the system as was and look at other variables such as power cables and speaker cables, hopefully ruling out everything before the speakers. Tony has lent me an integrated amp just to double check that the amp isn't the culprit. So a bit more Inspector Poirot needs doing with the system but hopefully will know more in a few days. |
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Post by MartinT on Jul 9, 2022 19:52:59 GMT
Good for Tony, very kind.
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 10, 2022 12:39:07 GMT
Another interesting thing that came up yesterday - after measuring my D70S, Tony measured his D90 (AKM version) and the results were similarly superb and uniform. But briefly listening to music afterwards, it was quickly apparent that the D70S definitely had the edge.
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 11, 2022 12:26:35 GMT
System Report 11/7/22
Today’s task was to see whether I could get the system making proper music again. I carefully put the DAC and power amp back in the system, checked all cables. Found one slightly loose speaker cable terminal connection but no idea whether that was causing the issue. To have as few variables as possible, I’m going DAC direct to power amp. Only difference to previous is that I now have two U18 outputs wired up - I2S and AES, with my new Canare AES cable finally arrived from Shanghai. The bottom line - after full warm up and a couple of tracks I can say that I am now back on track and the system is now performing like it should. Phew. Another quick summation, I’m sticking with AES from the U18 - in my system the music feels more natural and flows with more ease. Guitars sound correct and not too forward. Simples innit. So here's where I'm at - Spotify Premium ATB > Gustard U18 > AES > Topping D70S > XLR > Power Amp > Speakers
Next job for another day - does a preamp add anything to the mix? Test track of the day is the new Lari Basilio which has a wonderfully open and spacious sound, any electric guitar fiends must listen -
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