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Post by MartinT on Aug 16, 2022 9:27:50 GMT
I just want to add that there seems to have been an extended period of slow improvement to the Coherent mods in the U18. I know from past experience that Tony's caps take a long time to come fully on song. Last night, the sense of soundstage, depth and detail was better than ever, really very pleasing to hear.
As for an external clock for the DDC, I would agree that it's essential. I love how the I2S pass-through of the clock means that only the U18 needs a clock connection, the DAC gets it automatically (at least, my X26 Pro does).
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Post by stellabagpuss on Aug 16, 2022 11:43:53 GMT
I am finding that Martin, although had to put the breaks on after 12 hours of use, l am on Holiday. l know when John and Vic heard it, it only had 4 to 5 of use.
And l noticed a further improvement with each session.
Damien
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 16, 2022 11:51:00 GMT
At some point I will look at adding a clock to my U18 - I think the After Dark requires an external LPSU?
Would prefer not to add two more boxes if poss.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 16, 2022 13:02:07 GMT
At some point I will look at adding a clock to my U18 - I think the After Dark requires an external LPSU? Would prefer not to add two more boxes if poss. Yes it does, Jules. A Zero Zone LPSU won't break the bank but the combined cost is something to think about. |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 16, 2022 13:10:00 GMT
It’s not so much the cost as having to house another two units really - I like keeping the system as ‘slimline’ as possible.
I’d also probably need a new shelf on the rack for two units.
Have you ever seen any alternative to After Dark at similar or lower price points?
The only one I have found is the Gustard C16 which takes IEC power but I’ve no idea about its performance whereas the AD clocks are tried and tested.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 16, 2022 13:12:23 GMT
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Post by HD Music & Test on Aug 16, 2022 13:29:48 GMT
Joolz, I have nice little clock you have to try neat and compact a basic psu will run it no problem it splits the AD stuff cost is about £200.
I feel in the next month or so I will run a digital masterclass on how to extract the best from your front ends, from very affordable to whats REALLY possibly currently we can find a venue so where handy for most pretty sure I can cover the dac and clocking aspects.
Will bring along so industry leading measurment equipment then you chaps can judge for yourselves what particular measurment or trait is the key factor here (if any at all recognised standard is previlent)
Maybe around 24-30 to accomidate
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Post by MartinT on Aug 16, 2022 14:08:58 GMT
That sounds like a great plan, Tony. Let's discuss in some more detail offline and I will talk to the team about it.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Aug 16, 2022 14:12:55 GMT
At some point I will look at adding a clock to my U18 - I think the After Dark requires an external LPSU? Would prefer not to add two more boxes if poss. I got lucky on my used AD CLOCK purchase,personally you can place these completely out the way,as once connected,they just sit there, so could always hide from view |
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Post by stellabagpuss on Aug 16, 2022 14:15:01 GMT
Joolz, I have nice little clock you have to try neat and compact a basic psu will run it no problem it splits the AD stuff cost is about £200. I feel in the next month or so I will run a digital masterclass on how to extract the best from your front ends, from very affordable to whats REALLY possibly currently we can find a venue so where handy for most pretty sure I can cover the dac and clocking aspects. Will bring along so industry leading measurment equipment then you chaps can judge for yourselves what particular measurment or trait is the key factor here (if any at all recognised standard is previlent) Maybe around 24-30 to accomidate Sounds like a great idea Tony, l actually believe you have a lot knowledge that would educate myself and other TAS members |
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Post by nicholas on Aug 16, 2022 15:23:19 GMT
Prior to the availability of the Afterdark Ultra Trifecta Edition with its high performance clock and three outputs, I had the Gustard C18 in my system and found it to perform very well. It provided clocking for an Etherregen, a Gustard U18 and a Gustard X26 Pro. Not wanting to accommodate multiple clocks and their power supplies on my rack the multiple outputs of the C18 was attractive with its four outputs. I feel that there is an undiscussed benefit to running devices with external clock capabilities with the "same" clock. In the end, the Afterdard Ultra Trifecta costs much more and has better specs but that doesn't diminish the value of a C18 which is worthy of consideration for those wishing to spend a little less. |
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Post by mirzo93 on Sept 15, 2022 17:27:11 GMT
Hello, I'm new member from france, I've had the U18 for 2 weeks, it's connected to the Gustard R26 DAC which is connected to a Line Magnetic LM-845 amp and my speakers are Klipsch forte 3. I've ordered the gustard fuse, which I'm awaiting receipt . But currently I don't have a streamer, I directly connect my laptop  . I'm looking for a good streamer for around 2000€. Which streamer do you recommend? Lumin ? Auriliac ? Thanks, |
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Post by John on Sept 15, 2022 17:44:16 GMT
The lumin is supposed to sound good but it's interface is poor
The aeres I have no personal experience but imagine easier to use.
The novafidelity X50d might just meet your needs and can store up to 8TB of music. Nice interface.
A lot cheaper and you have the Sonroe Rendhu, which a few members here like. Easy to use.
Whatever you get will be a step up in sound quality
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 15, 2022 17:55:05 GMT
If I had 2k to spend on a streamer I would buy a Sonore ultraRendu with a decent PSU and then keep the change to spend on other toys ...
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Post by MartinT on Sept 15, 2022 18:33:00 GMT
But currently I don't have a streamer, I directly connect my laptop . I'm looking for a good streamer for around 2000€. Which streamer do you recommend? Lumin ? Auriliac ? Sonore ultraRendu plus linear power supply is well within your budget. Excellent streamer, very stable operating system (unlike some), will do streaming and files from cloud repositories like Google Drive and OneDrive. I used to have one before upgrading to a Signature Rendu SE. |
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Post by brettj on Sept 15, 2022 20:34:23 GMT
I have nice little clock you have to try neat and compact a basic psu will run it no problem it splits the AD stuff cost is about £200. I'm interested in this option Tony. |
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 16, 2022 13:34:52 GMT
Joolz, I have nice little clock you have to try neat and compact a basic psu will run it no problem it splits the AD stuff cost is about £200. Hi Tony, my apologies for missing this - I was on my way to Gatwick when you posted! I will certainly be interested in an external clock in the future - right now I'm just in the process of sorting out one or two basics of my system. |
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Post by MartinT on Nov 14, 2022 20:03:43 GMT
The U18's raison d'etre
I've read some strange assumptions and bad purchasing decisions elsewhere recently and feel that I need to explain what the U18 is highly focussed on achieving.
- If you're buying it for USB in to AES out because your DAC doesn't have I2S, don't bother. Buy a Mutec.
- If you're buying it for use with a strange DAC that may or may not have compatible I2S, don't bother.
- If you're going to use it without an external clock, don't bother.
The U18 is absolutely superb for one use case only: high quality USB in, converted to superb quality I2S out, for use into a Gustard or similar compatible DAC. With an external clock. A decent I2S cable. On good footers. With an SR Purple fuse. And a grounding box. Now you're talking.
Starting with the separation of the serial feed into I2S, clocked with that external master clock, it passes those signals plus that clock feed down the I2S cable in the language that the DAC chip understands directly. And can also use that same clock feed (in fact, the DAC will ignore a directly connected clock when I2S input is selected).
Essentially, the two boxes are symbiotic and work as one, together with that external clock. That's where the U18 scores. Used this way, it's an outrageous bargain in terms of the step up in sound quality.
I will continue to recommend the U18 as an excellent purchase if you're thinking of using it or building up to using it this way. Don't even talk to me about using it for AES, it's not in the same galaxy.
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Post by julesd68 on Jan 1, 2023 21:45:17 GMT
I love how the I2S pass-through of the clock means that only the U18 needs a clock connection, the DAC gets it automatically (at least, my X26 Pro does). Do all DACs get this clock pass-through with I2S Martin? |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 1, 2023 22:54:51 GMT
Do all DACs get this clock pass-through with I2S Martin? I couldn't guarantee it, although I2S usually does carry a clock signal. Not much use if the clock isn't a good one, i.e. external to the DDC. |
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. I'm looking for a good streamer for around 2000€. Which streamer do you recommend? Lumin ? Auriliac ?
