UpTone Audio USB Regen Listening Impressions

[jtwrace]

That's fine as the REGEN is guaranteed (for 4 years, but should last forever) with a 6-8V input, and even 9V if the DAC is not drawing full 500mA USB max.

 

Best,

--Alex C.

What about at 12Vdc and the dac doesn't use any BUS power? Does it degrade or just quit working?

[jtwrace]

I am sure your comment is aimed at parameters around my 4-year warranty,

No it wasn't. I'd just rather know that it's dead or working and not degrading.

 

but of course I have no way of knowing what someone powered it with and under what conditions.

JS-2 of course.

 

But as to the question of degradation or failure, do we need to go back again and do the math?

No, it's too late for that right now....

 

With a DAC that does not use any VBUS power, the only draw is then on the REGEN's 3.3V regulator. So while yes, an 8.7V drop (12V-8.7=3.3) seems like a lot, the hub chip of the REGEN draws less than 50mA (0.05A). 8.7 x 0.05 equals just 0.435 watts, well under the 2-2.5w that John conservatively designed the board/chip heat sinking for.

That's why you did it.

[jtwrace]

I have a few basic questions:

30W DC9V HiFi Linear Power Supply Regulated PSU for DAC Amp Digital Display | eBay

 

I understand I can use this for the Regen. But what are people using to replace a higher voltage ps for their DACs? I have a MH LIO 8, which uses a 24vdc ps. Any benefits to using a Lps for this device? (For PCM) and a iFi Micro DSD which uses 9w. Same question, would a LPS also benefit this DAC (forDSD). Sorry for the 'basic' questions but I don't know too much about this topic.

 

And lastly, will the MMK work on 2015 Mac Minis (still 1.4 inches) which is the same width as the "thin ones" of 2010,11,12,14.

 

Thanks a lot

Chris

 

Nearly everyone will say that the LIO will not benefit from an LPS. I found quite the opposite when I built one.

[jtwrace]

An update on my earlier reported meanwell/regen harshness issues:

 

Eurodriver came by and let me try his js-2. With the js-2 powering the regen it is a very nice upgrade to my Accuphase DC-37. The soundstage improves in all 3 dimensions, colours are more vivid and there's something hard to describe it adds, the best fitting description I can think of would be "it makes the music come alive".

 

We also tried daisychaining a green and an amber but we couldnt get the naa to see the dac, the corning didnt want to work either.

 

Very interesting that the powersupply (pre low noise regulator) changes the regen from a down- to a significant upgrade! So my money is on some sort of negative effect from the meanwell on the mains.

 

Thank you Eurodriver for the trial

 

Did you leave the Mean Well plugged into the wall while powering the REGEN from the JS-2? If you did and it sounds good that way that means your equipment isn't bothered by the Mean Well. Otherwise you might just need an isolation transformer for the Mean Well.

[jtwrace]

Can you explain this a little please, I am not following. Are you saying that Mean Well is not the issue, but AC line itself, and an isolation transformer will solve it?

 

The SMPS could be polluting the mains. I do know that my P.I. Audio Uberbuss takes that pollution out though. Oh, and I use an UpTone Audio JS-2 for all DC power. ;-)

[jtwrace]

Here's my brief review :

Auralic Aries>Audiolab Mdac > Primaluna Prologue Integrated>Kef Ls50

 

Soundstage widened significantly , bass much more defined , clarity raised a notch . More 3 d dimensionalty. Grade A

 

iMac 2009 >Bencmark dac2 Hgc >Genelec near field monitors .

 

While the Benchmark Dac is clearly better then the Audiolab Mdac imo my jaw dropped when I inserted the Regen .

Huge Monstrous Soundstage ,more dynamic , better bass , less grain . I used some of my test songs and I damn near pissed myself . Grade A times 10 !!

 

I have to assume the Aries has better USB implementation then my 2009 iMac . It makes sense .

Nice. Have you sent it to your favorite NYC resident to try?

[jtwrace]

Miggy told he was finished tweaking the Aries for awhile .

 

He should definitely give the Regen a try .

 

Make it happen!

[jtwrace]

I come here for pleasure...can we not pollute this thread with this stuff. Please.

[jtwrace]

can I use an ipad to a regen to a dac?

thanks

 

You mean with a camera kit? Hmm.

[jtwrace]

Any update on the batch of regens shipping this month ?

 

The other thread has the update...

[jtwrace]

I wouldn't think twice about getting another Paul Hynes power supply for the Regen..

 

I'd argue that you would need to try the JS-2. I'd have to ship mine up to VT for a go!

[jtwrace]

Thanks, Alex. The JS-2 arrived an hour ago and it is now unpacked.

Will give the installation a go this weekend, having read your instructions and the ones more specific to a 2014 Mini with PCIe SSD.

 

You are going to love the JS-2! It's awesome.

[jtwrace]

Got mine today, yes it's a significant sq improvement, not silver tongued in describing just let me say my $300, completely untweaked laptop using a Belkin gold, a temporary set up until my Mini is back, now is very close to my Synology playing to my PSA DS. I had to use the 6" cable, others on both sides are in the way.

 

If you're into headphones at all you should come to this meet. Very low key and good bunch of guys.

[jtwrace]

Can I ask a simple question. Why was the Regen original not made by simply cutting a USB cord and soldering the ends directly to where the USB input and output jacks are located on the Regen. This way you eliminate the need for an extra USB cord and give yourself a 10 cm extension on the USBoutput end.

 

Because I wouldn't use it then. ;-)

[jtwrace]

All I know is I love the REGEN and JS-2. ??

[jtwrace]

Hi Alex,

 

Would you be willing to experiment with me by offering your REGEN as an option in the system I built on here:

 

Ultimate NAA/Roon endpoint/AirPlay receiver etc

 

It's a DIY project, but for those who don't mind DIY, it's an option.

 

Anyone can order one.

[jtwrace]

Yeah I know but if people decide they want to start building these with his units inside they will be part his technology. So I thought it would be nice to ask.

 

Not sure building one with the REGEN inside is really of benefit given the way it was designed.

[jtwrace]

I'm interested to try the Regen, especially if I can simply use the 9v output on my Anker but I think that spits out almost 4A...I'll have to check.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

9Vdc and 4A are different. The PS puts out 9Vdc up to 4A. That's all.

[jtwrace]

OK folks. So just set your alarm clocks for November.

Nothing more to see here.

Move along, move along. ;-)

 

Nope, this is the REGEN listening impression thread so it can continue. ;-)

 

This thread is for the mystery PS box.

[jtwrace]

thanks Jud and Evo

 

:evilplan: ask Alex a custom Oyaide "Y" DC cable

 

Already done.

[jtwrace]

Tests like that really are just entertainment to me at best. If you want to know what it does just buy one. It's $175 which is peanuts in this hobby.

[jtwrace]

Every metal material changes with temperature from my objective testing. :-) But yes, you are correct...do it right!

[jtwrace]

BTW - was thinking of plastic micrometers; do they make those?

 

Yes, but they're as accurate as Mark's test. ;-)

[jtwrace]

Some just not as much.

 

It's all relative...

[jtwrace]

I purposely left off a whole bunch of what Waldrep would surely consider "fringe" DACs--assuming he had ever heard of them. Metrum, TotalDAC, AMR, iFi, Chord, and others could also have been listed. I probably should have included mention of some "pro-sound" brands he would have been familiar with that REGEN users own. Metric Halo and Lynx Hilo come to mind.

 

Metric Halo LIO is Firewire only as far as I know. I owned one...