exaSound e18 - e20 - e28 - Info and Experiences Post All Here

[Superdad]

The Corning cable has copper power leads within it just like any other USB cable. There is power on those when you plug into any normal USB jack at the PC end. It worked fine for me without doing anything special, except using a USB3 port instead of USB2 and an adaptor at the DAC end, as has been explained. You are overthinking it.

 

It is well known that available 5VBUS current at the far end of a Corning cable is extremely limited. To quote directly from Corning's main web page for the product:

 

"USB 3.Optical Cables by Corning are designed to be used with self-powered peripherals only. No significant power is available after powering its internal opto-electronics. A self-powered USB 3.0/2.0 hub can always be used at the peripheral (B-side) to provide power if desired."

 

That is why a great many Corning Optical USB cable owners use a REGEN (or similar) after the cable, before the DAC.

[Fitzcaraldo215]

It is well known that available 5VBUS current at the far end of a Corning cable is extremely limited. To quote directly from Corning's main web page for the product:

 

"USB 3.Optical Cables by Corning are designed to be used with self-powered peripherals only. No significant power is available after powering its internal opto-electronics. A self-powered USB 3.0/2.0 hub can always be used at the peripheral (B-side) to provide power if desired."

 

That is why a great many Corning Optical USB cable owners use a REGEN (or similar) after the cable, before the DAC.

 

Right. However, the Exasound DACs are not powered by the USB connection. They have their own wall warts. And, while I did not use it extensively, it did work fine to my Exasound e28.

[Le Concombre Masqué]

indeed. The 5V pin of the Corning can even be taped when using a Regen

It is well known that available 5VBUS current at the far end of a Corning cable is extremely limited. To quote directly from Corning's main web page for the product:

 

"USB 3.Optical Cables by Corning are designed to be used with self-powered peripherals only. No significant power is available after powering its internal opto-electronics. A self-powered USB 3.0/2.0 hub can always be used at the peripheral (B-side) to provide power if desired."

 

That is why a great many Corning Optical USB cable owners use a REGEN (or similar) after the cable, before the DAC.

[Le Concombre Masqué]

caution : might be (even) less stable when the 5V pin is taped though...

indeed. The 5V pin of the Corning can even be taped when using a Regen

[plissken]

I would go and get a Behringer Uphoria UMC204HD from Amazon and run it for a few weeks and see if the problem stays or goes.

 

Also use the Belkin Gold USB Cable for ~$8

[Fitzcaraldo215]

It is well known that available 5VBUS current at the far end of a Corning cable is extremely limited. To quote directly from Corning's main web page for the product:

 

"USB 3.Optical Cables by Corning are designed to be used with self-powered peripherals only. No significant power is available after powering its internal opto-electronics. A self-powered USB 3.0/2.0 hub can always be used at the peripheral (B-side) to provide power if desired."

 

That is why a great many Corning Optical USB cable owners use a REGEN (or similar) after the cable, before the DAC.

 

I did not mention it before, but I am actually happier with the Exasound without the Regen. The Regen is out of my system. And, the Corning alone worked just fine without the Regen. But, the Corning is also out of my system in favor of a modest copper/silver metallic USB cable 5 meters long. My experiments with cables and extra boxes are done for now.

[johndoe21ro]

I did not mention it before, but I am actually happier with the Exasound without the Regen. The Regen is out of my system. And, the Corning alone worked just fine without the Regen. But, the Corning is also out of my system in favor of a modest copper/silver metallic USB cable 5 meters long. My experiments with cables and extra boxes are done for now.

 

How come you don't like the Regen?

 

P.S. 5 meters long USB cable?! I find 0.75m significantly better (soundwise) than 1.5m!

[EdmontonCanuck]

How come you don't like the Regen?

 

P.S. 5 meters long USB cable?! I find 0.75m significantly better (soundwise) than 1.5m!

 

I'm not dealing with trying to get a long USB run working, but I did purchase a Regen and I found no audible difference with my Exasound DAC so quit using it. I find Exasound DACs relatively immune from USB reclocking devices.

[johndoe21ro]

I'm not dealing with trying to get a long USB run working, but I did purchase a Regen and I found no audible difference with my Exasound DAC so quit using it. I find Exasound DACs relatively immune from USB reclocking devices.

 

Well neither do I but my findings are dissimilar. In my system the Regen brought less tension to the music, a better separation and clarity to the sound, a more fluid presentation. Maybe my system is more transparent. Also, I don't have a CAPS which I'm sure it helps a lot...

[Fitzcaraldo215]

How come you don't like the Regen?

 

P.S. 5 meters long USB cable?! I find 0.75m significantly better (soundwise) than 1.5m!

 

It is simple. I preferred the sound into the e28 without the Regen. I gave it a lengthy trial. I assumed initially that the slight sonic change I heard was "better". But, after awhile, I think my expectation bias wore off and my evaluation was more just about the sonic result on its own terms.

 

5 meters is what I need to get from a noisy computer in the next room. Tried the Corning, but I preferred my metallic cable. I am quite happy with the sound of the 5 meter cable.

 

Not taking about jaw dropping differences in either case. But, each changed the sound slightly.

 

And, if 0.75 meters is significantly better, how about 0.1 meter or just a MM A-B adapter? Have you tried that? Double blind? I assume you are using an Exasound.

[Jud]

 

And, if 0.75 meters is significantly better, how about 0.1 meter or just a MM A-B adapter? Have you tried that? Double blind? I assume you are using an Exasound.

 

Fitz, I have always been curious how one would go about doing such a comparison "double blind," i.e., the person plugging and unplugging the components would have no awareness of what they were doing.

[Fitzcaraldo215]

Fitz, I have always been curious how one would go about doing such a comparison "double blind," i.e., the person plugging and unplugging the components would have no awareness of what they were doing.

Details, details.

 

Quick, near instaneous a-b switching would likely be impossible anyway. But, the testor and the testee could be alternately shuttling into the room and back outside. Or, just go with single blind on a blindfolded listener.

 

My real point is I suspect that the perceived difference or preference would vanish under any sort of reasonable bias controlled listening. I am quite happy even if proven wrong on that.

[Miska]

...or how about just take and measure what kind and how much difference something makes?

 

I've been measuring quite many things, including ferrite beads on the USB cables (which I use). That's actually easy with snap-on ferrites, having those on - off the cable is easy.

[huaklom]

OMG my e22mk2 is a legend now.

 

Welcome e32!

 

exaSound Audio Design > e32 > e32 DAC Overview

[exa]

OMG my e22mk2 is a legend now.

 

Welcome e32!

 

exaSound Audio Design > e32 > e32 DAC Overview

Thanks! Those were great times, but now the new ES9028PRO by ESS Technologies opens new possibilities, and we are happy to be amongst the first companies to release a DAC with the new PRO series Sabre chip.

[johndoe21ro]

Guys, you move too fast... e20 MkI, MkII, MkIII, e22 MkI, MkII and now e32...

[rickca]

@exa what is new about the e32 compared to an e22 MkII besides the ES9028PRO?

[exa]

@exa what is new about the e32 compared to an e22 MkII besides the ES9028PRO?

The e32 has significant improvements in the way DSD128 and DSD256 are handled. The new DAC chip, the es9028pro requires new circuit board design and new firmware. There are numerous stability improvements. The drivers are updated to control the SPDIF/TOSLINK/USB input selection. The appearance of the front and rear plates is upgraded.

[jmdesignz2]

The e32 has significant improvements in the way DSD128 and DSD256 are handled. The new DAC chip, the es9028pro requires new circuit board design and new firmware. There are numerous stability improvements. The drivers are updated to control the SPDIF/TOSLINK/USB input selection. The appearance of the front and rear plates is upgraded.

 

Difference between e28 mk1 and mk2?

[exa]

Difference between e28 mk1 and mk2?

New e28 Mark II features include:

• Auto–power up after sleep
  
• User adjustable power down after inactivity
  
• Maximum volume limiter allows the e28 to directly drive a power amplifier while protecting your loudspeakers from damaging overloads
  
• MP3Safe™ software protection against clipping caused by faulty or erroneous signal processing and data manipulation. MP3Safe analyzes incoming musical information, and safeguards against poorly formed data words caused by errors in lossy encoding and digital signal processing. MP3Safe takes the crunch out your lower resolution music
  
• The ability to extinguish the display light via the e28’s included IR remote for no visual distractions while listening
  
• Redesigned, more substantial and deeply sculpted front plate
  
• A 12V trigger output has been added for amplifier sequencing and automation
  

[bmoura]

Difference between e28 mk1 and mk2?

Then there's the differences between the e28 Mk. II and the new e38....

[exa]

Then there's the differences between the e28 Mk. II and the new e38....

I've listed these in another thread:

 

• Lower noise
  
• Lower distortion
  
• Faster locking when sampling rate is changed
  
• Faster switching between inputs
  
• More stable and consistent processing of DSD128 and DSD256.
  
• Inputs can be selected from the Dashboard
  
• New drivers and firmware
  
• DoP support, if anybody needs it.
  
• Front plate cosmetic enhancements
  

The old ES9018 had to be handled with custom settings under controlled hardware conditions to be able to play DSD256. It was possible with very limited room for customization. The new ES9028PRO allows more freedom at the top sampling rates and can be further fine-tuned.

[jmdesignz2]

I've listed these in another thread:

 

• Lower noise
  
• Lower distortion
  
• Faster locking when sampling rate is changed
  
• Faster switching between inputs
  
• More stable and consistent processing of DSD128 and DSD256.
  
• Inputs can be selected from the Dashboard
  
• New drivers and firmware
  
• DoP support, if anybody needs it.
  
• Front plate cosmetic enhancements
  

The old ES9018 had to be handled with custom settings under controlled hardware conditions to be able to play DSD256. It was possible with very limited room for customization. The new ES9028PRO allows more freedom at the top sampling rates and can be further fine-tuned.

 

How much lower noise and distortion? I have done some searches and have not found any concrete numbers

[jmdesignz2]

How much lower noise and distortion? I have done some searches and have not found any concrete numbers

 

ok - found this for the e28

 

Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: 0.000359% @ 1KHz, 0dBFS

 

Intermodulation Distortion: 124 db / 0.0000605% % @ 19KHz + 20KHz 0 dBFS

2nd order IMD

 

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 125 dB, A-weighted, 2 Vrms

 

DAC Master Clock Jitter: 0.13 psec rms

 

Frequency Response: 0 Hz - 20kHz (-0.15dB)

 

Phase-Non-inverting

 

Channel Separation: 134 dB @ 1KHz for adjacent channels, 123 @ 1KHz between channel groups

[Bob Stern]

• DoP support, if anybody needs it.
  

My understanding is that Mac users need DoP to play native DSD if we want to use a player other than HQPlayer or Decibel. Because neither of these supports plugins, I prefer Audirvana.

 

Plugins are the only way to implement on-the-fly parametric EQ, which I find useful to tame screechy old recordings. It amazes me that so few audiophiles take advantage of user-adjustable EQ (as opposed to fixed room EQ). Somehow the old hairshirt mentality of analog preamps has carried forward unnecessarily into the digital age.