UpTone JS-2 Power Supply Listening Impressions

[jtwrace]

Looking forward to my JS-2 next month.

[jtwrace]

Excellent call! Congrats!

 

Guess this means you're still happy. :-).

[jtwrace]

Ordered my JS-2 and MMK over the weekend. The next 4 weeks are going to be loooong. Wah! I want it NOW!!

 

Will be comparing to my Paul Hynes SR-3. And possible my friends Core Audio.

 

I am also on the list for a Regen.

 

April is going to be a FUN month.

 

So you're going to use it on a Mini and Regen?

[jtwrace]

Ok. Look forward to your feedback. I'm pretty sure the SR3 is fine on the Regen from what I remember from the thread.

[jtwrace]

I'm curious - which components are you going to use it with? (if you aren't already)

 

AURALiC ARIES & UpTone Audio Regen

[jtwrace]

Jason, I have mine inhouse right now (and using it for exaSound e12 review, up against the Hynes SR3-12) and it is a beauty. Nicely done, and sounds great so far. I have nothing else yet to say cuz I haven't seriously a/b'd yet.

 

Yeah mine arrived while I was in Hawaii. Got back and was surprised just with the packaging. I've purchased items that were 5x the cost and weren't packed as nice. Well done for sure. The Hynes was good for me but I never thought it was that great when used previously compared to my diy effort. Throw in the INSANE time delays and quite frankly it's off the map imo. People waiting 1.5 yrs for a power supply is a joke.

 

I would imagine for your use (dac) the JS-2 should be stellar based on its topology.

[jtwrace]

I added to my post before you posted. We are on same page. I will likely use second rail for 5V (JCAT USB power replace RWA Acopian, or SSD replace for SOtM battery).

 

haha. Awesome news Ted! I look forward to reading more about your experience.

[jtwrace]

I purchased a JS-2 last month and it arrived in April. The whole ordering process with Alex is painless. His communication is second to none and guy just aims to please. In fact, sometimes I read his emails and just think "get to the point" but he really is detailed oriented in his replies and most importantly in his equipment too which looks stunning in person.

 

After an extended listening session I've come to a conclusion. The JS-2 works, and works well. The $925 question becomes is it worth it for you? Let me explain quickly.

 

I'm using the JS-2 to power my AURALiC ARIES. The stock LPS provides 16Vdc (1A) whereas the JS-2 is 12Vdc on this rail with a current rating of 5A. This is a massive linear power supply that can supply most audio demands. The packing of the unit is absolutely incredible. For an item to be $925 and packed this well shows the care and detail that are thought about which I commend Alex on. As I mentioned elsewhere, I've purchased much higher dollar items that didn't have this type of packing.

 

Sonically, the JS-2 is a winner to me. There is certainly more clarity. Now, before everyone rushes to judgement I want to make myself very clear. Well, as clear as I'm capable of. Is it OMG, WOW blah blah blah? No, but most things are not that way when one has what I think is a very neutral setup that has been setup properly in a dedicated space. I do believe that minor changes like this are more noticeable though. In closing, if you have $925 and everything else is to your satisfaction do I recommend that you try the UpTone Audio JS-2? Hell yeah! Nice job Alex and John Sweson. I look forward to trying more of your products soon; the REGEN being the next.

 

DISCLAIMER

I suck at this stuff and never claimed to be a reviewer. Further, I'm all about being objective so please excuse me while I was totally subjective. :-)

[jtwrace]

Hi Alex,

thank you, yes my great JS-2/MMK are just arrived.

I hope to find some time to install the MKK cards into the MINI.

I will try, in the meantime, to connect JS-2 to the jack already installed for the Clones mPSU.

One question, may I use the spare output to power (12V.) an external disk (OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual) ?

 

Paolo

 

Not Alex but yes, you can use the awesome JS-2 on your external HD that requires 12vdc. Just remember to set the JS-2 to the proper output voltage. Have fun!

[jtwrace]

If anyone needs to split one of the outputs and doesn't feel the need to make a "Y" you can use this one from Amazon. Maybe I'll make one at a later date but this certainly will work just fine.

 

NOTE

Remember, if you split the output you must make sure both devices that are connected are OK with excitation of the same voltage. Further, make sure you do not exceed the total amp rating of the JS-2. If you're not sure, just ask Alex.

 

[jtwrace]

Good job on finding a "Y" cord with 2.5mm barrel plugs Jason!

All I have come across have been "Ys" with 2.1mm plugs and sockets. I'll definitely be bookmarking the link to that one on Amazon. Still don't know how you knew to take a flyer on it since the product page says nothing about it being 2.5mm.

 

EDIT: Just figured out how you might have known. The brand, Heat Demons, makes mostly gear and devices for keeping you warm on a motorcycle. And that slitter is listed as a battery harness on their web site. "Y" Splitter - Heat Demon And there, where they sell the cable for $15, they do say it has 2.5mm plugs.

 

Yes, nice P.I. work.

[jtwrace]

you'll be amazed!

 

just got an HD-Plex (sorry Alex: can't afford a second JS-2 at the moment ) for my NAS and, as it didn't came with the right DC cord for it (but it's on its way here), I'm using it for the ethernet switch between NAS and Mac mini: it does make a difference indeed!

 

Guess this is why using a NAS with an ARIES is an advantage.

[jtwrace]

no idea about the Aries, but the day I changed NAS/Mac mini connection from wi-fi to ethernet... WOW!!!

 

Yeah, one day I changed from the Mini to ARIES. WOW!!!

 

;-)

[jtwrace]

I'm a simple guy with very old-fashion tastes

 

 

Yeah right! That's why you're in this hobby and have a JS-2. LOL.

[jtwrace]

Are you running the two REGENs from the same JS-2 outlet? If so, did you get a Y-connector? Thanks.

 

I have linked one from Amazon that works.

[jtwrace]

Thank you for the parts, Alex. Now my preamp will be powered from the JS-2 with the same wire. :-)

 

 

Ready for install and already treated with DeOxit.

[jtwrace]

Thanks for that Joel.

Had been considering getting a hdplex or js-2 (hdplex was more wallet friendly) but as you've reported a noticeable difference it has made the decision much easier in favour of js-2 :-)

 

Just bite the bullet and go for it!

[jtwrace]

Just waiting for my personal quote!

 

Great!

[jtwrace]

Anyone know what the current lead time for a JS-2 is now?

[jtwrace]

I do.

 

OK, can you share?

[jtwrace]

Thanks Alex for the super reply. ?

[jtwrace]

 

P.S. Now that I have first-rate contract house assembling my custom Oyaide/Belden shield, star-quad, 15awg DC cables, I can at last begin offering them for sale to other than just JS-2 owners. So look for them on my web site sometime in September. Both 5.5mm x 2.5mm and 5.5mm x 2.1mm Oyaide plugs are available and the cables can be with with any combination of those. Always 5-feet (1.5m) long, and for now, still just $60.

 

I'm looking to buy an additional 5.5 mm x 2.1 mm/ 5.5 mm x 2.5 mm cable to connect my Regen Amber to the JS-2. Is said cable available to purchase separately from you or, if not, can you point me to a vendor who will make one for me at a reasonable cost? Thanks.

 

Esau

If you can wait until September it appears that you can order one then. Otherwise, if you can DIY you can, well, DIY.

[jtwrace]

Alex, OK, I stole the above quote from a different thread (Regen PSU Add-on), and couldn't find a UTA MMK thread, so here it goes...

 

Is that MeanWell PSU an option for a MMK, or just a one-off. And do you have any other options/recommendations for an inexpensive Mac Mini external PSU ??

 

Of course, I would love to order a JS-2, but it is just too expensive for me now But, I have been thinking about a MMK kit w/ some kind of affordable PSU. Others might be interested as well. Oh, and what kind of lead time do you have on MMK's, what with all the Regens, JS-2's, development work, home life, goofing off, and such ?

 

Thanks,

Just save for the JS-2. It really is that good.

[jtwrace]

You could always just wait a couple of days and see for yourself.

 

Nah, speculation is much more desirable in this hobby.

[jtwrace]

You're running three separate devices from your JS-2?

 

I had four from it.