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Post by stellabagpuss on Aug 7, 2022 21:33:21 GMT
Now day four... and U18 is really cooking, early redbook masters are offering dynamics and detail lve nevere heard.
Excellent
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Post by HD Music & Test on Aug 8, 2022 7:38:31 GMT
I remember the joys of discovering all of those lost spatial cues, spaces between the notes and ambience that for a few decades were lost in the fog, it's a good feeling when listening to music that you have known since an early age to realise there was so much more just waiting to be unearthed.
Almost impossible to obtain that now, unless some unearthly new format, noise reduction techniques and being able to reset our hearing back to when we were 22!
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Post by MartinT on Aug 8, 2022 9:55:48 GMT
I still gasp at the long reverb or cymbal decay on a recording I haven't played for a while.
I want that to continue!
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Post by speedysteve on Aug 8, 2022 10:54:09 GMT
I read these things with interest. The I2S over HDMI isn't really HDMI / "do not use an HDMI cable", written on every pinout configuration🙂 I wonder if any is those configurations could be connected directly to my Najda 'raw' I2S input? I'm guessing not, but haven't figured it out yet.. Gustard  The points that need to be connected Frame sync, clock and audio data, with associated gnds.  With regards to ever improving systems after tweaks, alluded to above. My take on it. Not all changes are improvements and get binned. The brain is very plastic. It's not a digital machine, it's not constant, it ages, as do our sensory organs, it learns and reinvents itself to some extent. The brain gets bored. After a while we listen and the once wow becomes the usual (that's the brains' nature). A new wow comes along, that can be true wow, or it is different. Regardless, after a while the brain will get bored (not all brains seen to be like this, but certainly audiophile brains are), and wants more. Upon this, the audio upgrade industry is based. What's interesting is to go back to an old system that once upon a time wowed us. Our brain has probably moved on and finds this unsatisfactory. Nothing wrong with it, it's the brains nature. |
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Post by MartinT on Aug 8, 2022 11:30:36 GMT
I think you just need the chip that does I2S over HDMI voltage conversion and the reverse. LVDS?
As for the brain getting bored, I don't really see that. As the SQ improves, and fatigue reduces, the wow factor remains. At least it does for me.
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Post by HD Music & Test on Aug 8, 2022 11:48:21 GMT
Martin is going to hate me for this, I don't like I2s and I have four totaly different dacs that accept the various LVDS input settings and it has the same effect on all of them (even a Holo May lol). NO denying it has an effect at all, whether you like that effect its a personal thing nothing more.
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Post by HD Music & Test on Aug 8, 2022 11:52:14 GMT
The reason HDMI is used is for I2s audio is simple LVDS )low voltage differeentia signals) was designed for video signals hence HDMI, I have designed LVDS for RJ45 as well. Though as I have mentioned a few tiems TPE (twisted pair ethernet) will be the next serial data pathway transmision line conenction change
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Post by speedysteve on Aug 8, 2022 12:27:00 GMT
I think you just need the chip that does I2S over HDMI voltage conversion and the reverse. LVDS? As for the brain getting bored, I don't really see that. As the SQ improves, and fatigue reduces, the wow factor remains. At least it does for me. Boredom is perhaps not the right word, it's more subtle than that. But familiarity breeds a need, for something, as the saying goes 🙂 |
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jhop
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 20
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Post by jhop on Aug 8, 2022 13:15:44 GMT
U18 Update: It’s been about a month since I’ve had the U18 up and running. Others far more articulate have described what they’re hearing, so I will only add this: All the improvements I’ve been incorporating into my digital front end over the last two years are essentially cumulative in nature. What they lead to I suppose is the definition of ‘having your cake and eating it too.’
Which is to say it is actually possible to have sound more detailed *and* relaxing. More dynamic and tranquil. Greater slam/impact and ambience… Thus, Medeski Martin & Wood‘s version of Hey Joe has gone from being striking and moody to riveting, with late night jazz club atmosphere so thick you can cut it with a knife. Meanwhile, Roger Waters’ The Ballad of Bill Hubbard is an audio extravaganza with floor to ceiling depth and dimension, yet chock full of real life detail and audio asides. Maybe I’m staying up too late! But it really is remarkable, and I am seriously considering going with the U18 mods outlined by MartinT.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 8, 2022 13:28:33 GMT
I've compared AES with I2S several times and agree there is a preference in presentation. For me, I2S has the immediacy and impact I look for, as well as being easy to listen to. With the modded U18, it's perfect.
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Post by brettj on Aug 13, 2022 0:20:23 GMT
Just having a rethink of part of my system.
Was a sleepless few hours last night.
Ditching my plan of using the M2Tech HiFace Evo Two system (DDC with external clock).
Replace with a better system.
Needs to be smaller than full width.
Options?
Obviously a Gustard U18.
Any others viable?
240v, I2S out.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 13, 2022 8:38:35 GMT
Just a point for you, Brett. I found the LKS' AES in to sound very good, possibly a little better balanced than I2S. Your opinion may differ, but you should try both. Of course, the Gustard U18 would still work.
This is just a comment about the LKS, generally I prefer I2S.
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Post by brettj on Aug 15, 2022 1:55:55 GMT
A couple of days later.
Have found comparable DDC units to the Gustard U18.
Singxer SU-6
Topping U90
Denafrips Iris.
Audio GD DI-20HE (although a step up, is twice the price for me with import duty/tax).
Have therefore set my sights, hopes and savings on the Gustard U18.
It wins or equals others for my needs; size, function, performance.
Am a month or so away from the purchase.
And considering adding the mods from Coherent Systems.
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Post by brettj on Aug 15, 2022 1:57:33 GMT
Just a point for you, Brett. I found the LKS' AES in to sound very good, possibly a little better balanced than I2S. Your opinion may differ, but you should try both. Of course, the Gustard U18 would still work. This is just a comment about the LKS, generally I prefer I2S. I will try the LKS with both I2S and coax (Black Cat Silverstar). |
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Post by MartinT on Aug 15, 2022 5:02:59 GMT
Ok, but AES sounds better than co-ax.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Aug 15, 2022 20:41:39 GMT
A couple of days later. Have found comparable DDC units to the Gustard U18. Singxer SU-6 Topping U90 Denafrips Iris. Audio GD DI-20HE (although a step up, is twice the price for me with import duty/tax). Have therefore set my sights, hopes and savings on the Gustard U18. It wins or equals others for my needs; size, function, performance. Am a month or so away from the purchase. And considering adding the mods from Coherent Systems. If it helps, John ,myself and Vic did a comparison between the Coherent modded U18 and a Audio GD. In Stock format, the GD was a clear winner, more relaxed, slightly less noise,certainly warmer presentation. We then tried a AfterDark clock, the U18 improved to the point, that it was a tough call between both units,with the GD having a slight edge,but no longer leaving the big gap that was apparent,without a clock. Damien |
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Post by brettj on Aug 15, 2022 22:44:11 GMT
Thanks Damien
I like the impressions of the Audio GD DI-20HE.
It sounds like it will suit my listening tastes.
If I sell a few things perhaps?
A month is a long time before final decisions are made.
Curious if you tried the DI-20HE with the AfterDark clock?
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Post by John on Aug 16, 2022 5:31:07 GMT
There is a big price difference but in this case you get what you pay for. With Damien after dark clock the U18 was very close and hard to tell the difference, but put the clock on the DI20he and it was just a different level
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Post by HD Music & Test on Aug 16, 2022 6:31:46 GMT
I would make an observation that any quality ddc with a reference input has a very positive difference
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Post by John on Aug 16, 2022 7:44:05 GMT
Yes external clock helps
Better the ddc will mean the external clock makes a bigger difference; at least that's what I heard
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