atoz
Rank: Trio
Posts: 147
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Post by atoz on Feb 12, 2024 13:29:45 GMT
Hi Damien, I opened up the LB this morning and applied the insulation tape/copper shielding as shown in your pics.
First thoughts on this when listening Damien, very surprised for a start I must say. Highs have more attack than before,cymbals etc sound clean and clear. It has brought a balance to left/right channels and centre vocals here, with the vocals still clear. Nice easy tweak for all LB owners to try.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Feb 12, 2024 17:29:30 GMT
Hi Damien, I opened up the LB this morning and applied the insulation tape/copper shielding as shown in your pics. First thoughts on this when listening Damien, very surprised for a start I must say. Highs have more attack than before,cymbals etc sound clean and clear. It has brought a balance to left/right channels and centre vocals here, with the vocals still clear. Nice easy tweak for all LB owners to try. Excellent News Clifford, l wish could have been the one to have discovered this,so we have to thank Rodders for it. On the other hand this may have been forgotten and overlooked if yourself and l hadn't tried it,so thanks for giving it a go, and thankfully clearing me of being insane,l'm sure there's plenty of people who think that already on TAS 😄
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Post by MartinT on Feb 12, 2024 19:43:33 GMT
Don't worry, we're too busy trying to prove we're not insane.
You should have seen the looks I got trying to explain the P12 to work colleagues.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Feb 18, 2024 17:16:34 GMT
What a busy week it's been.. Managed to get Clifford over the line with his server and Wiim Pro. It's been a long road, but enjoyable all the same, plus we have both had a great blast, getting to know each other better. So last week l part modded one of my FMC, so decided to take things further. FMC MOD INTERNAL by Damien Read, on Flickr Swapped out for bigger cap it was a 220uf 10v, replaced with 220uf 50v Panasonic FC. This may look like a easy thing to, but being that it's SMT board it took me age to expose the pins, and l even manage to trash one of my FMC in the process, to much heat... So beware ! I also added a tungsten 5mm block, and some Copper sheilding. And lastly, removed the flashing LEDs from the board, it was easier just to pull back and forth and pull and cut them from the board. l plan to do another FMC, provided l don't brake it again tomorrow, so l will have at least one pair of FMCs modded. The finished article.. Will report back tomorrow. Damien FMC Mod completed by Damien Read, on Flickr
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Post by Tim on Feb 18, 2024 17:52:15 GMT
What a busy week it's been.. Managed to get Clifford over the line with his server and Wiim Pro. Good stuff, I knew you'd sort it all out
I think the WiiM Pro is great, punches well above it's weight for the price especially with a decent external DAC. Once the dev team get Qobuz connect released and stable, I can switch over from Spotify.
It's been promised for sometime now . . .
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atoz
Rank: Trio
Posts: 147
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Post by atoz on Feb 18, 2024 19:15:16 GMT
What a busy week it's been.. Managed to get Clifford over the line with his server and Wiim Pro. It's been a long road, but enjoyable all the same, plus we have both had a great blast, getting to know each other better. So last week l part modded one of my FMC, so decided to take things further. FMC MOD INTERNAL by Damien Read, on Flickr Swapped out for bigger cap it was a 220uf 10v, replaced with 220uf 50v Panasonic FC. This may look like a easy thing to, but being that it's SMT board it took me age to expose the pins, and l even manage to trash one of my FMC in the process, to much heat... So beware ! I also added a tungsten 5mm block, and some Copper sheilding. And lastly, removed the flashing LEDs from the board, it was easier just to pull back and forth and pull and cut them from the board. l plan to do another FMC, provided l don't brake it again tomorrow, so l will have at least one pair of FMCs modded. The finished article.. Will report back tomorrow. Damien FMC Mod completed by Damien Read, on Flickr Surprised you can still bring yourself to mention my name Damien after the week I put you through but as I said "If you don't know you don't know" Oh and a big shout out to Tim also cheers. Server starting to sound good now, had my doubts on Friday comparing against my cdt6000 but Saturday things got better,Damien was good enough to help me out with a Zerozone 19v for the Brix, plus I added a IFI x to Netgear switch and also IFI x to Wiim ..what a nice lift to things this made. Still a couple of lps to be added, Martin is going to help me out with one, so I am getting there. Saturday night listening ,the cdt6000 didn't enter my mind...a good thing for myself.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Feb 18, 2024 20:11:13 GMT
No worries Clifford... Just my way of paying in forward. And as you rightly said "All Hail Tim... King of TAS Linux 🤣"
All joking a side,isn't this what life and hobbies should be like... Caring and sharing...
Anyway Clifford it's about Time you started your Blog!
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Post by stellabagpuss on Feb 18, 2024 20:30:21 GMT
What a busy week it's been.. Managed to get Clifford over the line with his server and Wiim Pro. Good stuff, I knew you'd sort it all out
I think the WiiM Pro is great, punches well above it's weight for the price especially with a decent external DAC. Once the dev team get Qobuz connect released and stable, I can switch over from Spotify.
It's been promised for sometime now . . . l suggested the Wiim Pro as its a good balance for Clifford, as you say great VFM, and now he sorted his server, he can also venture to the world of streaming if he wants. Like Clifford said,l have to thank you,if you hadn't have helped me out on Linux, l couldn't have helped Clifford.... So many thanks Tim
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Post by stellabagpuss on Feb 19, 2024 10:34:34 GMT
As promised a update on the FMC Mod. So after destroying one yesterday, l took a different approach,l simply left the existing tag from the original cap in the board,and solder the replacement on to the tags....So much easier.
So after all that nonsense... l can report a definite improvement in sound. With one just done and operating, l couldn't really detect any difference, but it didn't sound any difference,so at that stage, not a backward step.
lt was obviously straight from the off, when put the other modder FMC at the other end,and not even run in. Playing Sade "Your Love is King" there was a charmer presence,lower noise,and accompanied backing vocals,seemed to easier to follow.. more analogue and slightly smoother,the timble and tone of instruments sound that bit more realistic.
Now these are small but noticeable improvements,so it doesn't mean that the FMC are poor, there excellent... and like everything,at the this stage of my system, its all small gains that ultimately add up.
This does beg the question,what will the set up sound like when l go back to a FMC to the Server,as due me destroying one FMC,the Server is on LAN.
Roll on next weekend.
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atoz
Rank: Trio
Posts: 147
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Post by atoz on Feb 19, 2024 11:14:07 GMT
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Post by Tim on Feb 19, 2024 11:44:09 GMT
"All Hail Tim... King of TAS Linux"
Haha, that made me laugh . . . . you're welcome chaps
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Post by stellabagpuss on Feb 24, 2024 23:47:32 GMT
So we get a midnight oil update tonight sponsored by German Wheat Beer 🍺 🤣
l am out on my travels to a old pal in Newport, to set up a Plex setup, basically,than involves HP stream a Leaf Audio Reclocker and a SMSL SU 8 DAC.
So where to start... Firstly and Clifford aka Atoz beat me to the punch with the PlayStation One PSU, incredibly mine turned up late at DOA... I mentioned this on the LB thread, but in a nutshell... it all turned out well, a discovery of a cheap Chinese 9volt psu saved the day,l turned the voltage down to 8.25v DC, and quite frankly... was amazed. I will look at some improvements on the psu... but thats for Mondays Blog.
So if you follow my blog, l mentioned that l destroyed one of my FMC units,tonight I modded the two more, so l could get my server FMC line up and working to replace LAN.
l can confirm that now I have both my FMC lines up and running, l can report that it's a definite worthwhile improvement. And yet strangly in the past,when l swapped the server line from LAN to FMC, l recall stating it was a small improvement,and l could live with LAN. However the adding of a larger voltage cap, a small 5mm tungsten cube, and then sheilding, and total removal of the LED lights has now made the server network line more pronounce,than it was before. With the mods... l won't be going back to LAN...
The difference is that noticeable. l naturally expected that on the main R26 FMC line, but this has surprised me. Actually.. as it stands..l am amazed things have up gone up a notch.
Have a great weekend...l'll report soon!
Damien
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Post by mattspl on Feb 25, 2024 0:07:27 GMT
Good to hear it’s all working well and the other FMC mods were successful.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 3, 2024 16:31:30 GMT
Had a up and down week. Was on a bit of a downer in regards to atoz set up, he was not enjoying it. But out of the blue, he discovered he has a mains lead interfering with his set up, so now he's happy.... Phew. LB update.... I had MartinT Zero Zone 01 turn up, so l swapped out it our from a old R Core Zero Zone that had been on network duties. Then l had a light bulb moment.. Try the R Core on the LB and turn the power down to 8.25v. ln a word...Wow this psu totally beasts everything l have tried on the LB. ifi power x, Elite, Zero Zone 01. lt's similar to the cheap Chinese LPS in gains,but much lower noise floor,more resolution, no mid high harshness... total touchdown in comparison to my others so far. Zero Zone 30va 12v R core down to 8.25v by Damien Read, on Flickr Here is a link.. l guessing you should get the 9v, but my 12 volt reaches down to 8.25v without issues. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145022883145?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=MFakcJXUQJu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=BciNUykhRZm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPYHere is a photo of the Variable resistor pot you turn,naturally you'll need a multi meter and a ceramic screwdriver,to adjust the voltage. Variable Resistor Pot by Damien Read, on Flickr Now... Tomorrow I will be checking out a highly acclaimed PSU that ranks by many as up there as one of the best. l managed to grab a bargain at the right price. So let's see how the Farad Super 3 at 7v performs
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atoz
Rank: Trio
Posts: 147
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Post by atoz on Mar 3, 2024 17:09:19 GMT
First off Damien , my apologies for involving you on my downer, as it was certainly nothing of your doing.
So glad you've ended it on a high and what good fortune that you where in the tinkering mood to try your smaller lps . Looking forward to your thoughts tomorrow.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 3, 2024 17:38:18 GMT
A bit of black card over that silver front and you're sorted !
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 3, 2024 18:49:00 GMT
A bit of black card over that silver front and you're sorted ! Thankfully also available in Black.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 3, 2024 18:50:53 GMT
First off Damien , my apologies for involving you on my downer, as it was certainly nothing of your doing. So glad you've ended it on a high and what good fortune that you where in the tinkering mood to try your smaller lps . Looking forward to your thoughts tomorrow. No need to apologise.... Clifford...lf you weren't honest in your views, you wouldn't have discovered it. So a positive outcome for all.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 4, 2024 14:49:35 GMT
Well..l bit... Did a MartinT. Today l collected a mint condition Farad Super 3 psu. And managed to pick it up at about 60% of its new cost. So it's about 1k in total worth if you had to purchase new. But why so expensive, this unit has there level 3 pure silver lead, and the TAS favourite Purple Fuse fitted. The FS3 voltage on this unit is set a 7v, apparently you are unable to change the internal voltage on these units, but l will take look anyway.The manufacturer offer a voltage change service for $100,which l believe involves some component swap outs. Sadly the FS3 has my pet hate blue LED on the front panel,so out comes the Rochelle Salt...at least it cuts the glare. Farad Super 3 PSU by Damien Read, on Flickr Now yesterday l swapped over to the Zero Zone R core LPSU set at 8.25v it proved to be a excellent upgrade. Surely this highly regarded psu would improve on things. Well yes indeed... it does... but it's all about subtle things. The SF3 definitely has lower noise floor.. and cleaner though out the frequency range.This became immediately noticeable on some of my go to test tracks. Doubling up on vocals, and backing tracks seemed more noticeable,within a mix, giving more acoustic space. Bells ringed and sparkled. Now if you where playing Dream Theater, you wouldn't notice some of these differences,but put on some Dire Straits Love Over Gold on, and the FS3 pulls ahead, as you would expect. I'm pretty sure that changing the Voltage from 7v to 8.25v would bring even bigger gains. But this is about future planning, for when the new LB arrives, as it stands its sounds excellent, once we learn more about the LB, l can get the voltage changed. So thankfully.. the risk has paid off. But l must add... that cheap Zero Zone Rcore performance is really close... at a fraction of the price... And l could easily live with it in my set up permanently. l plan to send the ZZ Rcore over to atoz, so it will be interesting to have his feedback. Just l thought would add an Internal shot of the FS3... If you look closely, l've put a Purple dot on the photo, right next to what looks like a dedicated 7v board, they probably just swap this out l'm guessing. Farad Super 3 7v lntrernal by Damien Read, on Flickr
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atoz
Rank: Trio
Posts: 147
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Post by atoz on Mar 4, 2024 15:26:06 GMT
Nice review there Damien on the FS3 and the purchase sounds like it's paid off, well done.
Thanks again for the offer of lending me the ZZ rcore, very kind of you, especially what I've put you through, surprised you're still talking to me..lol
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