|
|
Post by stanleyb on Feb 26, 2020 10:36:18 GMT
I have been thinking about designing a digital switch box for audio application. Specifically, to add extra inputs to a DAC. But switching units for TOSLINK, coax, and USB already exists. So what's so different about my chain of thoughts? Well, first of all I would like the output of the switch to be at least galvanic isolated on the USB and coax side in order to reduce powerline related noise, and to also protect the DAC from any issues with potential differences between say a PC and a DAC. Input and output wise I was thinking of: Inputs: 4 x TOSLINK, 2 x coax, 2 x USB Outputs: 1 TOSLINK, 1 coax, 1 USB Other option: make TOSLINK and coax outputs interchangeable. So if you have a TOSLINK only output on your TV, but only a spare coax input on the DAC, you could convert the TOSLINK signal to a coax signal. The one problem with a galvanic isolated switch is that it would require two independent power supplies. But that's another issue.
Just trying to get an idea of whether it is a sensible thing that would find a thankful userbase. So any feedback would be most welcome.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 26, 2020 10:43:00 GMT
I would say that those specifications alone may not tempt many users.
However, make it reclock the input signal to a decent stable superclock while translating formats could be something for everyone, regardless of which DAC they use.
|
|
|
|
Post by SteveC on Feb 26, 2020 13:16:55 GMT
Ethernet isolation and reclocking would be a welcome addition for those who stream music from a router.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Feb 26, 2020 15:01:31 GMT
I'm not sure of a wide appeal for the unit you mention Stan. At least in my DAC / streaming set up I wouldn't have a use for it.
Agree with Steve that something for routers could be good.
Another possibility is to develop something like the Mutec MC-3 but at a much more affordable price point. I could see that doing very well.
|
|
|
|
Post by stanleyb on Feb 26, 2020 21:13:21 GMT
OK, thanks for the inputs. At least I have some pointers to start with.
The RJ45 network is already an isolated system. Cables can also be bought that have extra isolation. So that one might be a waste of effort. The re-clocking is something to look at.
|
|
|
|
Post by Firebottle on Feb 27, 2020 8:06:39 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 27, 2020 8:28:47 GMT
The re-clocking is something to look at. ...and I think it would be applicable to a large number of DACs out there which would open up a market of new users to you. |
|
|
|
Post by John on Feb 27, 2020 8:51:38 GMT
I agree the reclocking with something like a world or master clock would open up new markets
|
|
|
|
Post by stanleyb on Feb 27, 2020 10:05:32 GMT
I have been experimenting with reclocking of the USB on the SEG via a modification. And the few people who have bothered to get in touch with me to let me know if it has improved the sound, are all very pleased. So I am doing some work already in that area.
But it's funny how I tend to end up with coming up with ideas for switch boxes. I just wish I had patented my multi coloured RJ45 patch box. I must be the only person who didn't make a penny out of the millions of sales.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Feb 27, 2020 10:46:56 GMT
Ideas are the first step
Nailing down the patent or similar is the thing, then the marketing
Apple have the world for nicking other's ideas and marketing them
|
|
|
|
Post by stanleyb on Feb 27, 2020 10:51:32 GMT
Ideas are the first step Nailing down the patent or similar is the thing, then the marketing Apple have the world for nicking other's ideas and marketing them The company I worked for did sell the invention by the container loads, but I made nothing on the sales. I also invented the world's 4th portable mp3 player, and the company I worked for managed to sell 50,000 pieces. But indeed Apple turned out to be the one that cornered the market with their iPod years later. |
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Feb 27, 2020 10:59:27 GMT
I did clever things (he says of himself) while running my print business
Some were *very* clever and thanks to a blabby sales rep one of our competitors got at least one of them.
Thanks to my soft in the head employees they also gave away an operation manual for a piece of kit we wrote ourselves
Generically I got a lot of my ideas from W.Edwards Deming applying them in specific cases
Managed to produce around twice the work with half the people through natural wastage, IE the punters left of their own free will.
Too busy running the place to market properly so was glad to sell the company as turnover went into decline
|
|
|
|
Post by stanleyb on Feb 27, 2020 11:30:02 GMT
Too busy running the place to market properly so was glad to sell the company as turnover went into decline You did well in the end to sell. They made you an offer you couldn't refuse  . |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 27, 2020 11:44:05 GMT
Deming was the man!
Stan - what I have found is that despite using a superclock (actually a femtoclock) in my DAC, reclocking at the signal end still makes a difference. I suspect that creating an external box that can accept co-ax, optical and USB and superclocking it to a selection of outputs is where the SQ shoots up and could win you customers you have not previously dealt with. If you have the technology already, all the better, but make it an external box rather than just built into your own DAC. You could also sell into high end DACs that already feature a femtoclock, happy in the knowledge that the SQ still goes up if you reduce jitter further up the line.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Feb 27, 2020 12:00:31 GMT
Too busy running the place to market properly so was glad to sell the company as turnover went into decline You did well in the end to sell. They made you an offer you couldn't refuse . They paid over the odds IMO. Shame I could not work wt them after the wonderful pictures they painted turned out not so good. I would have had to fold the company within months had the sale not happened so anything above £0 would have been some sort of deal  |
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Feb 27, 2020 14:04:39 GMT
How about something along the lines of the Oehlbach XXL MasterClock, or the Ifi Nano iUSB 3.0 (which I hear has just has been discontinued); a combination of a good reclocker and a clean power (re)supply?
|
|
|
|
Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Feb 27, 2020 14:17:08 GMT
Deming was the man! Stan - what I have found is that despite using a superclock (actually a femtoclock) in my DAC, reclocking at the signal end still makes a difference. I suspect that creating an external box that can accept co-ax, optical and USB and superclocking it to a selection of outputs is where the SQ shoots up and could win you customers you have not previously dealt with. If you have the technology already, all the better, but make it an external box rather than just built into your own DAC. You could also sell into high end DACs that already feature a femtoclock, happy in the knowledge that the SQ still goes up if you reduce jitter further up the line. I'd also add Ethernet connectivity, lot of people using that now. |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Feb 27, 2020 14:55:31 GMT
How about something along the lines of the Oehlbach XXL MasterClock, or the Ifi Nano iUSB 3.0 (which I hear has just has been discontinued); a combination of a good reclocker and a clean power (re)supply? The performance of the Mutec at the price of the Oehlbach would be ideal.  |
|
alp
Rank: Trio
Posts: 161
|
Post by alp on Feb 27, 2020 21:16:40 GMT
How about something along the lines of the Oehlbach XXL MasterClock, or the Ifi Nano iUSB 3.0 (which I hear has just has been discontinued); a combination of a good reclocker and a clean power (re)supply? The performance of the Mutec at the price of the Oehlbach would be ideal. +1 The Oehlbach improves the sound of my SEG but has an awkward voltage (6-8V) so I ended-up having to buy an radio controlled car battery and charger to power it instead of the wallwart for a reasonable cost, so 5V, or 12V/15V like the SEG would be nice. |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Feb 27, 2020 21:44:19 GMT
That's interesting - what didn't you like about the supplied charger? It sounds fine in my system, certainly in a different league to the horrible thing that gets supplied with the pi for example ...
|
|
.
