jtwrace Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 I thought this would be good idea since the other thread is so large with development updates this will be quick impression thread for all to read. http://uptoneaudio.com/products/usb-regen W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 Yes, this thread is for listening impressions. You can request a Regen by going to this thread or contacting Alex who is "superdad" on this forum. OR you can just send him an email at crespi (at) sti (dot) net W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 Mine is in the house! Yes, it's very small! W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 Installed and playing! W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 And ? Honestly? My first reaction was Holy Shit. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 I'll be back later but wanted to note that my JS-2 is set at 7Vdc for anyone else who will be using one. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 Take good notes. haha. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 You'll, of course, tell us what usb cable(s) you use. DH Labs Mirage 2)JS-2 with Aries(for people like me that own an Aries but not a JS-2). Hmm, maybe you need to buy a JS-2. ;-) 3)Regen without allergies engaged : ) Nah, they're gone. Thankfully. - My Regen should arrive at work on Monday but I'm on vacation with no plan to get back to work until a week from Monday. Same thing happened to me with my Aries, as I recall! : ( They call it work for a reason... W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 In this hobby there's need and there's want...we've all been down the rabbit hole. Esau Well, yeah, got news for you though. We don't "need" any of this. It's 100% want! Just keepin' it real. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 Yup, better. Thanks Alex and John! That's it?!?! W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 OK, I've been listening non-stop since this little gem arrived today. I did leave for dinner and even set the Tivo for the UFC fights. I've been really confused as I really didn't know what to say other than it's good and I like it. I've been listening to all kinds of material and the normal stuff actually sounded mo better. What was weird was that I actually listen to stuff that I like, not just well recorded stuff. These particular tracks aren't recorded all that well but with the REGEN actually sound good. Then I put on Dire Straits "Money For Nothing" in DSD and tried the same test with/without the REGEN. The best way to describe it for me is that there is less distortion. It's bizarre. The guitar riff at the beginning sounds almost f'd up without the REGEN and then you put it in and it sounds like something just got fixed. It's really strange but it's staying in my system. In fact, I think I need to order one for my Micro iDSD system. Yikes! Oh but first I need to do something...I'll report back if I'm able to get what I think could be useful for all. Give me a few weeks. Bottom line, go order your REGEN from batch #2 due at the end of May. I'd be shocked if you didn't like it. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 Ha! What can I say, sometimes I like a tease. I want to do a few things before I expand on that initial comment: - Let the Regen break in for a while (100 hours or so). - Sit here with this big relaxed grin I've got on my face and listen to lots of music. But just FYI - I have a CD called Go Tell It On The Mountain by The Five Blind Boys Of Alabama. One of the tracks, a spoken word rendition of Oh Come All Ye Faithful by Meshell Ndegeocello, just came on, and I didn't recognize the piano intro at all. It sounded so beautiful and so right that I thought it must be a classical piano recording I forgot I had. Nice. My head has been spining since the REGEN arrived. It's crazy what it does. I just turned off my system as I've been going for nearly 6 hrs. Nuts. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 Next up is my iFi Micro iDSD and my ODAC. That should cover the whole "reasonable priced" range of dacs. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 Very nice. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 Just because everyone likes pics. Yes, it sounds really good too even though it's not as close the Micro as it could be with another adapter. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 I have no doubt that this has been covered in some detail. But I am "that" guy that sees information like units of voltage and immediately a wash of cluelessness comes over me. I've gotten over trying to fake it. So I am going to ask you to explain in Kindergarten terms. I looked for a place to message you privately, but I can't seem to relocate where you do that. My setup is similar to yours. NAS wireless to Aries, then on to an iUSB>iDSD Micro>RCA out to analog integrated amp. I think you have basically stated that yes, the Regen can and should simply REPLACE the iUSB, and should improve things. Hoping I got at least that right. It looks as though my choices of input and output are limited to USB, so I don't have to overthink that at all? And, is my understanding correct that the Regen comes with a more standard power supply, like a "wall wart", and that will perform just fine, however there is an upgraded power supply that even better? If all of this is true, sounds like my biggest issue is the wait for one of these to get here! Thanks as always! Yes, you're correct! W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 As I see it there are two areas where the Regen can improve SQ - improved 5V Vbus & cleaner USB signals Can those giving impressions please state if their USB device receiving USB signals from the regen are also dependent on 5V VBus from the Regen? AURALiC Vega - No 5Vdc on the Bus. Data only. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 Couple of additional comments about a day in: - Yes, the well recorded stuff is great, but what I'm finding more gratifying is that the ordinary recordings are sounding more real. Tom Petty, Jimi Hendrix, John Mellencamp, all from CD rip, are sounding better than I've heard before. Funny, it didn't take my subjective self to post that yesterday. hahaha. My JS-2 and REGEN have left the building. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 This is the best way to connect the REGEN if possible as you want it as close to the input as possible. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 I am happy to report the REGEN is working well with the SOTM SMS-100, Corning USB 3 cable and the Auralic Vega! First impressions are that there is a definite increase in SQ, more clarity, depth and improved "point source" of sound from individual instruments and vocalists. Better tone too, at least on Sara Bereilles piano. Sound stage is a little bigger, with more ambience. FYI - The REGEN is running from a 5volt line that was previously powering a J5create USB 3 hub. The Vega doesn't need the 5volts so I used my modified USB adapter with pin 1 removed and insulated ground shield. All for now. Does it really get better with break-in? Many thanks to John and Alex for this terrific product. Very cool Have you tried with/without the Corning but with the REGEN? W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 No, that would mean de-tweaking. I am having too much fun! Maybe later. Nice. Have fun! W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 Post in the other thread and leave this one to listening impressions. ;-) W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 That is precisely what I mean. I consistently have my volume knob a couple of clicks down now, because the music is so clear it seems louder. Yet even at lower volumes it still seems clearer. Yes, then I found myself going the other way. ? W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 25, 2015 Author Share Posted April 25, 2015 Has anyone tried to place an ifi iPurifier or Aubisque USB Filter in between the USB cable and the Regen? Is there any positive/negative impact on the sound? It's not recommended. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
jtwrace Posted April 25, 2015 Author Share Posted April 25, 2015 Funny you should mention that. The idea has been on my mind all week (since John suggested that the Corning would provide truer isolation if its receiving end had separate power instead of the computer VBUS), and I plan to discuss it on our call today. Have no idea about the availability or quality of the optical tranciever chips required to do such a piece the "good way." And then, what does it take to properly terminate the glass fibre? So while I'd love to offer a two-piece optical solution (in cases the size of REGEN or maybe even smaller), I make no promises about it being possible for us. And Le Concombre, you have ruined the element of surprise! I'll send you an email later. You would be perfect to take over the communication I've been having about getting them made. W10 NUC i7 (Gen 10) > Roon (Audiolense FIR) > Motu UltraLite mk5 > (4) Hypex NCore NC502MP > JBL M2 Master Reference +4 subs Watch my Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMw_bZWBMtRWNJQfTJ38kA/videos Link to comment
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