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Post by MartinT on Jul 7, 2022 4:55:36 GMT
So spill the beans Martin, what upgrades are being done to your U18 ? Mostly capacitors and attention to noise reduction. It's a great device but its noise output could be better. Based on how good it sounds, there is scope for improvement. |
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Post by John on Jul 7, 2022 6:15:19 GMT
I do see this as a sensible move for Martin. At this stage, as good as the U18 is, I would see it as a potential bottleneck, and the upgrades should lower the noise floor allowing Martin to get more from his system
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 7, 2022 8:23:48 GMT
Black case  |
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Post by petea on Jul 7, 2022 9:15:36 GMT
To match the Optical Rendu. You know it makes sense, Martin!  |
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Post by MartinT on Jul 7, 2022 10:33:36 GMT
Nope. Sonore have silver cases at extra cost. I'll see what can be done in the long run but it's not important right now.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jul 7, 2022 17:49:55 GMT
So spill the beans Martin, what upgrades are being done to your U18 ? Mostly capacitors and attention to noise reduction. It's a great device but its noise output could be better. Based on how good it sounds, there is scope for improvement. Are you doing the work Martin? Would be interested in any details you can share? |
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Post by MartinT on Jul 7, 2022 18:13:30 GMT
No - these circuits are beyond me now. Too many surface mounts in a tight space. I also don't have access to the very high quality caps, rectifiers etc.
Tony @ Coherent is doing the work.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jul 7, 2022 19:01:36 GMT
l see, well will be very interested to hear your views on the mods. That is before faint at the cost 😳😅
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Post by MartinT on Jul 7, 2022 19:25:09 GMT
l see, well will be very interested to hear your views on the mods. That is before faint at the cost 😳😅 I'll give you the full low-down on how it sounds. |
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jhop
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 20
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Post by jhop on Jul 9, 2022 14:27:44 GMT
U18 question: my Gustard U18 has just arrived, and I want to make sure I’m using it effectively. I am connecting my Afterdark 10M clock directly to the U18, and selecting on the U18 “REF:EXT”, which I take to mean an external clock. Is this correct? Second question: from the U18 (now operating with the external clock) I am connecting a Blue Jeans I2S cable into my X 26 Pro. If I have read the previous entries correctly, the internal X26 clock is automatically overridden by the U18 I2S input. Is this correct? More specifically, when I am given the choice with the X26 to use an internal or external clock it really doesn’t matter, since the I2S input is running the show. I ask because if I switch the internal clock setting on the X26 to external I get an error message, which of course makes sense since there is no external clock connected! I hope I have all of this right, but any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 9, 2022 14:31:30 GMT
U18 question: my Gustard U18 has just arrived, and I want to make sure I’m using it effectively. I am connecting my Afterdark 10M clock directly to the U18, and selecting on the U18 “REF:EXT”, which I take to mean an external clock. Is this correct? Second question: from the U18 (now operating with the external clock) I am connecting a Blue Jeans I2S cable into my X 26 Pro. If I have read the previous entries correctly, the internal X26 clock is automatically overridden by the U18 I2S input. Is this correct? More specifically, when I am given the choice with the X26 to use an internal or external clock it really doesn’t matter, since the I2S input is running the show. I ask because if I switch the internal clock setting on the X26 to external I get an error message, which of course makes sense since there is no external clock connected! All points are correct. You are using it optimally and the displayed messages are correct. I leave the U18 in REF: EXT and the X26 Pro in INT. This only works in I2S connection mode. |
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jhop
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 20
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Post by jhop on Jul 9, 2022 14:39:49 GMT
Good! At least I’m not a total dummy. And thank you Martin for all your help. On a related question, I’m thinking of buying some products from a British company called MCRU, specifically one of their linear power supplies for my Zen streamer, to replace their cheap switching supply, and to also perhaps obtain some AMR fuses to replace the stock fuses in the X26 and U18. Sensible deployment of resources?
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Post by MartinT on Jul 9, 2022 15:45:57 GMT
MCRU uses a chap called Nick 'Lurcher' Gorham of Longdog Audio for most of his designs. He's an excellent circuit designer. You'd be on solid ground there.
If you can possibly stretch to it, put an SR Purple fuse in the X26 Pro, then save up for another one later in the U18. In these products, they are worth every penny.
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jhop
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 20
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Post by jhop on Jul 9, 2022 16:08:16 GMT
Duly noted. Meanwhile, I will keep everyone abreast of my U18 experiences, once I’ve given it a week or so to settle in. But so far so good. It works! And I suppose that’s something.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jul 9, 2022 17:29:31 GMT
Duly noted. Meanwhile, I will keep everyone abreast of my U18 experiences, once I’ve given it a week or so to settle in. But so far so good. It works! And I suppose that’s something. Welcome to the U18 club! l am hoping you'll hear the difference myself and other members enjoy. Report back soon. |
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Post by brettj on Jul 10, 2022 8:41:35 GMT
There was a U18 for sale here.
Last price was £260.
Pity it wouldn't fit in my space.
Would have been a good piece in my system.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jul 14, 2022 6:33:51 GMT
l see, well will be very interested to hear your views on the mods. That is before faint at the cost 😳😅 I'll give you the full low-down on how it sounds. Any news on the patient yet |
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Post by MartinT on Jul 14, 2022 10:40:04 GMT
No, I'm abroad and will collect it next week.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 21, 2022 19:51:18 GMT
Coherent Modified U18
While the U18, when accompanying a suitable I2S DAC, and using an external master clock, can sound absolutely wonderful, it is known not to measure well in terms of noise in the circuit. How, then, would it sound if that noise could be reduced by judicious component swapping? Over to Tony at Coherent Systems for a breathing over to see what could be achieved.
I have just received it back and have had it running in my system. It still needs burning-in so I'll leave sound quality comments for another evening. What Tony has done, from memory of our conversation earlier, is to improve the 5V power supply by swapping in faster rectifier diodes, better quality capacitors including the large main reservoir, and a fancy regulator. He has also improved the isolated USB side and secondary 5V rail and added RF shielding. There are a few other small component changes, too.
I saw the before-and-after noise performance and the modified unit shows a remarkable reduction in noise amounting to some 2.5X. This noise on the digital I2S lines does not manifest as analogue noise, but rather as a reduction in fine detail and soundstage. That is very clear when listening to it before and after.
I shall leave it burning-in with music playing and will try to describe what I hear once it has settled down.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jul 22, 2022 17:49:54 GMT
Been looking forward to reading about this Martin, sounds like you can hear a difference straight off the bat.
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