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Post by MartinT on Mar 11, 2022 8:04:37 GMT
l wonder if we will see U18 cloans from other manufacturers SMSL have the B2 but that looks to be withdrawn. SMSL B2Audio-GD have the rather pricy Di-20. Audio-GD Di-20 |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 11, 2022 8:06:34 GMT
either an external clock or a nice Modwright valve pre amp. Do you not fancy using the X26 Pro in preamp mode with digital volume? |
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 11, 2022 9:35:35 GMT
l wonder if we will see U18 cloans from other manufacturers SMSL have the B2 but that looks to be withdrawn. SMSL B2Audio-GD have the rather pricy Di-20. Audio-GD Di-20The SMSL B2 looks like a possible option for John? |
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gat474
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 13
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Post by gat474 on Mar 11, 2022 11:58:14 GMT
either an external clock or a nice Modwright valve pre amp. Do you not fancy using the X26 Pro in preamp mode with digital volume? No because I also use a turntable and need an analogue preamp. I have thought about trying the X26 as a pre but it won’t be permanent. |
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 12, 2022 17:45:42 GMT
So a little update,and the in typical fashion, just like Buses, everything turns up at once.
Today l added the Gustard Gold Fuse to U18, and updated the power cable to a DIY silver cable.
Also added a new PSU for the the Matrix Element H card, the Zero Zone 12volt.
lt's taken three or four hours, but everything starting to click together, that harshness is nearly gone from the Outsider USB cable, and l am left with a nice smooth sound, with detail. Result,as this will just get better.
And l managed to grab a used AfterDark clock and psu for a reduced price, so l have to wait patiencely.
Damien
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Post by MartinT on Mar 12, 2022 18:41:56 GMT
All very nice mods. The Zero Zone takes a while to reach its best performance and I'm awaiting a second Gustard fuse for my U18, which is still running the stock fuse as I've run out of 'special' 20mm fuses. The external clock in the U18 will wow you  |
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Post by brettj on Mar 13, 2022 6:55:14 GMT
I'm surprised how reasonably priced the Gustard U18 is.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 13, 2022 11:11:55 GMT
Last night the U18 and system as a whole continued to settle down into a very fluid and natural presentation with bags of detail, incredible transient pulses from percussion and huge soundstage, but still easy on the ear.
The U18 was the necessary symbiotic adjunct to my DAC and is incredible value for money considering its low price and high pleasure factor.
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Post by brettj on Mar 14, 2022 10:14:27 GMT
I'm wondering which I2S cable to try.
AVplay is a possibility, but have kept away from silver.
Blue Jeans?
Gustard?
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Post by MartinT on Mar 14, 2022 10:22:48 GMT
I will only recommend what I know, which is the Blue Jeans. In two lengths (60cm and 30cm) it sounds very good indeed. The Belden HDMI cable they use, YR52550, is an excellent build of cable with great specs. I have hopes for the AVplay, which has still not arrived. However, like you, I am suspicious of silver in my system. The Gustard gets good recommendations in Head-Fi, but that's all I know at the moment. |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 16, 2022 18:14:01 GMT
I've just received and installed a Gustard fuse in the U18 rear panel. I'm resisting more than one change at a time, and incrementing them in small steps. I could have put an SR Purple in (as I have for the DAC) but I thought I'd try another Gustard as I have one in the Zero Zone PSU that's doing a good job.
I'll leave it to burn in for a while.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 16, 2022 19:00:19 GMT
very wise Martin, unlike myself, and it normally be the case,l changed Fuse to U18,new power cable,added a zero zone psu,new USB and I2s cables in one go.
So still burning in what l can say,that replacing my Ifi psu for the Zero Zone has made things more dynamic, and the biggest surprise ,the lower octaves on recordings are more present,the Outsider USB cable is still a little harsh, but l will leave things a while to settle in, gut feeling, the USB cable will swapped out.
Damien
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Post by MartinT on Mar 16, 2022 19:53:48 GMT
My Mad Scientist Black Magic USB cable from ultraRendu to U18 is a keeper, having beaten AQ Cinnamon and Carbon and Wireworld Starlight 8 USB cables before it.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 17, 2022 20:34:14 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 17, 2022 21:16:58 GMT
I hope to be trying a U18 in my system next week.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 17, 2022 22:16:08 GMT
I hope to be trying a U18 in my system next week. Let us know how you get on with it |
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 17, 2022 22:55:23 GMT
So another update, my used AFTERDARK Project CLAYX GIESEMANN OCXO 10m Master Clock arrived today, complete with a AfterDark PSU,a silver psu lead,and AfterDark own 50ohm BNC cable.
l also had just purchased a Belden 75ohm BNC cable,as l didn't realise l was also getting the extra bits.
So l connected everything up,and tried the Belden lead, thats very strange l thought, when l switched to the AD clock it sounded slightly out of tune, l then noticed that the U18 display was flashing Error.
This lead me to checking the PSU, and that was fine.
l must admit l thought l had a faulty unit, but l thought l should change and check the BNC cable, plugged in the AD 50 ohm BNC cable,....thats better, the clock doesn't seem to like the Belden probably a resistance mismatch.
So ,l am happy to report, yet another gain, although a small one, the best way l can described things is the synology is better, everything it tighter,in short added a clock to U18 lifts the performance up up to another, it's not instantly wow, but you can hear little bits of additional details,that you never picked up on before.
Can l live without the AD yes, but the AD does provide the lceing on the cake.
This in my view,what makes the U18 so good, it's still sounds good on its own, with or without a external clock.
Give it a week, and l should be more accustomed to the sound.
Damien
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Post by John on Mar 18, 2022 4:01:03 GMT
Good result on the clock
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Post by MartinT on Mar 18, 2022 6:18:15 GMT
Great result but strange about the Belden cable. Mine works very well and gives me no error.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 18, 2022 7:56:58 GMT
Yes l did think the worst, that the AD was faulty,l can only describe as the sample frequency being slightly out,making a piano sound like it's being played by Les Dawson.
Anyway thankfully, it's was just the lead, l don't pretend to know why,but the impedence must be a factor, or even a faulty lead.
I think,that's it for myself, the only way l can push it forward is purchasing a JCAT USB card for the PC to replace the Matrix, but l doubt l would hear the difference, as the improvements are beyond the threshold of hearing, and the JCAT is expensive. Apart from that, l wonder if there is anything to be gained running Jriver from Linux instead of Windows 10, all very subtle things l guess.
Can l say a BIG thanks to MartinT and John as you both helped me get to this point.
l am looking forward to other members reviews on the U18.
Damien
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