UpTone Audio USB Regen Listening Impressions

[JohanS]

Using two Curious - one (1.2M) from MBP to Regen at dac, one (special short cable for Regen) from Regen to dac.

Thanks for your contribution, but I guess many here want to know how the Curious holds up against Lightspeed, Transparent etc. combined with the REGEN. Can you tell us a bit more?

[Jim Smith]

Thanks for your contribution, but I guess many here want to know how the Curious holds up against Lightspeed, Transparent etc. combined with the REGEN. Can you tell us a bit more?

 

I certainly prefer Curious in my system, but this may be system dependent...

[satfrat]

That was then. This is now. No apologies, no excuses.

 

Fortunately, computer audio is currently a very fast-moving target, with frequent significant steps forward in many areas.

 

The most surprising and enjoyable aspect is that many of the new improvements are ridiculously affordable: Regen, Curious USB, linear PS, etc., making it viable to try more options. At the same time, online fora - especially CA - make it easy to share experiences with a global community of enthusiasts.

 

Just looking for clarification Al. You had originally replaced the hard adapter with the AQVOX so I wasn't sure if the Curious Cable was a computer to Regen cable or an actual replacement of the AQVOX which by the way was much more expensive than the Curious Cable.

 

Clarification is good, especially for all those who went out and tried out the AQVOX who might want to now try the Curious Cable. Think I'll stick with the hard adapter myself as both cables are too rich for my fixed income but you did have me curious 2 months ago with your AQVOX post and now you have me curious with the Curious Cable. Ain't the internet grand?

[sdube]

Clarification is good, especially for all those who went out and tried out the AQVOX who might want to now try the Curious Cable.

 

Completely agree. I just got AQVOX short cables because I was travelling to Germany, and customs are curious. And now Curious Cable is the flavour of the month. The problem is mine, of course: I am just so bleeding literal and willing to trust strangers such as Al Jones. Strange Worlds.

[PeterG]

Thanks, Richard. I'll consider this over the next couple days. I'm a bit concerned that at some point the whole setup becomes too complex--if we view the Jitterbug and Regen as add-ons to improve upon the DAC's shortcomings, then add a second Jitterbug to improve upon the Regen's shortcomings--it becomes a bit of a brain teaser.

 

In any case, I'm glad I tried and I appreciate UpTone's stand-up return policy as noted by satfrat below.

[satfrat]

Completely agree. I just got AQVOX short cables because I was travelling to Germany, and customs are curious. And now Curious Cable is the flavour of the month. The problem is mine, of course: I am just so bleeding literal and willing to trust strangers such as Al Jones. Strange Worlds.

 

 

So did you think the AQVOX short cable was an improvement over the hard adapter and more importantly, was it worth the cost? Just curious,,, it's an audiophile quirk of mine.

[sdube]

Got back two days ago, jet-lagged, with the stuff. Have not used them. Maybe should have used one. But just wanted to listen to music rather than obsess, so did not even think of it, actually. Opinions after I fetch more goodies, including Regen(s), next week from travels north to the US. This whole rigmarole is getting exhausting, and I have just myself to blame.

 

next week through travels.

So did you think the AQVOX short cable was an improvement over the hard adapter and more importantly, was it worth the cost? Just curious,,, it's an audiophile quirk of mine.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]21630[/ATTACH]

[sdube]

After our last exchange, inserted one of the AQVOX short(est) cables between the Regen and the Alpha USB: it sounds good, maybe already better than the hard adaptor, but then I am also easy to convince (especially after spending 130 Euros on each of the thingies). Seriously, while I like taking the mickey/piss out of myself, unlike some around, can I post next week? Travelling tomorrow to pick up other goodies, as it were!

So did you think the AQVOX short cable was an improvement over the hard adapter and more importantly, was it worth the cost? Just curious,,, it's an audiophile quirk of mine.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]21630[/ATTACH]

[sdube]

I've put nearly 100 hours on two lengths of the Curious USB, 28 cm into the Regen and 20 cm out of it, but it literally only took ten seconds to know that this was a keeper. My former references, Lightspeed and Revelation Audio, both in dual conduit versions, will now reside in my secondary home office system.

 

"Revelation" is a word better applied to the openness, expansiveness, clarity and purity of the Curious USB and these characteristics just keep getting better. It's tough to describe, but they simply deliver a more solid, stable, three-dimensional image that I instantly fell for.

 

I know I'm on to a good thing, when I find myself constantly revisiting old musical favorites curious to hear how they will sound with Curious cables. And that's exactly what I've been doing the past few days and what I will be doing for the foreseeable future.

I am very happy for you, but I can't see your system for your tweaks. Don't you think a better DAC might help, too?

[sdube]

One AQVOX short cable in position described is better, at least in terms of clarity, he confessed (curiously) regretfully while happy for his (blind) investment.

So did you think the AQVOX short cable was an improvement over the hard adapter and more importantly, was it worth the cost? Just curious,,, it's an audiophile quirk of mine.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]21630[/ATTACH]

[Al Jones]

I am very happy for you, but I can't see your system for your tweaks. Don't you think a better DAC might help, too?

 

A "better" anything would always help. At and beyond its price point, I find the upgradeable W4S highly competitive, with rare, useful features like an I2S input.

 

As for system vs. tweaks, decades of front line experience (radio dj, magazine equipment and music reviewer, marketing manager of a pan-Scandinavian chain of audio retail outlets) have taught me that that is an utterly meaningless distinction.

 

For instance, I view the Regen as an essential component (just to keep this marginally on topic), not an accessory or tweak and my investments in power management, vibration control, grounding, RFI/EMI control, etc. are not audiofool jewelry, but every bit as crucial as my component choices.

[satfrat]

A "better" anything would always help. At and beyond its price point, I find the upgradeable W4S highly competitive, with rare, useful features like an I2S input.

 

As for system vs. tweaks, decades of front line experience (radio dj, magazine equipment and music reviewer, marketing manager of a pan-Scandinavian chain of audio retail outlets) have taught me that that is an utterly meaningless distinction.

 

For instance, I view the Regen as an essential component (just to keep this marginally on topic), not an accessory or tweak and my investments in power management, vibration control, grounding, RFI/EMI control, etc. are not audiofool jewelry, but every bit as crucial as my component choices.

 

So are you using Curious Cables at both ends of the Regen Al?

 

FWIW, I totally agree with everything you're saying and I'm practicing everything you're preaching in my own system. I'm an audiophool by choice and I can laugh at myself for being one. I'm just jealous I can't afford my old habits any longer.

[lotriwer]

I use two Curious cables (server - Regen - DAC). TotalDac USB cable is gone...

[Al Jones]

Yes, 28cm Curious ahead of the Regen and 20cm after it.

 

Saffrat, I am less than a year and a half away from living on a fixed income, so I feel your pain.

[miguelito]

I certainly prefer Curious in my system, but this may be system dependent...

How would you characterize the diff between:

1- Lightspeed -> Regen -> Hard connector (included with Regen) -> DAC; vs

2- Curious (long) -> Regen -> Curious (short) -> DAC?

 

And this is with a macbook pro, Ayre QB9-DSD, and Audirvana (what version, iTunes or standalone)?

 

Thx!

[sdube]

Thanks: I have sent you a personal message. How would you characterise the difference between the short AQVOX usb and the short Curious USB going from Regen to DAC?

A "better" anything would always help. At and beyond its price point, I find the upgradeable W4S highly competitive, with rare, useful features like an I2S input.

 

As for system vs. tweaks, decades of front line experience (radio dj, magazine equipment and music reviewer, marketing manager of a pan-Scandinavian chain of audio retail outlets) have taught me that that is an utterly meaningless distinction.

 

For instance, I view the Regen as an essential component (just to keep this marginally on topic), not an accessory or tweak and my investments in power management, vibration control, grounding, RFI/EMI control, etc. are not audiofool jewelry, but every bit as crucial as my component choices.

[Forehaven]

Most people stick something solid under the REGEN to support it from drooping, but if you need an audio quality short USB cable, and don't want to spend $120, Wireworld makes 30cm USB cables for as little as $26 (Pearl), $43 (Ultraviolet 7), and $85 (Starlight 7). I have the UV 7, and the difference between it and the hard adapter used between the REGEN and the DAC is almost imperceptible.

 

USB Audio, Extension & Power Cable Types available from The Cable Company

 

Im using a Vibrapod underneath the Regen. It's perfect size.

[dapla]

If this has already been posted, I missed it in my scan and apologize for any repeat. And given the different Regen threads, I am assuming a review will fit fine here, given the thread title.

 

It's such a nicely laid-out review (focused on the subjective side) and as usually the case, gives a hearty endorsement of the little guy. I'm still stacking up shekels for a new DAC and then most likely a Regen. Sometimes "patience" isn't really patience for me, but more a graceless and grudging acceptance of inescapable budget restraints lol.

 

Mono and Stereo High-End Audio Magazine: UpTone Audio USB REGEN review

[Jim Smith]

How would you characterize the diff between:

1- Lightspeed -> Regen -> Hard connector (included with Regen) -> DAC; vs

2- Curious (long) -> Regen -> Curious (short) -> DAC?

 

And this is with a macbook pro, Ayre QB9-DSD, and Audirvana (what version, iTunes or standalone)?

 

Thx!

 

1- Lightspeed -> Regen -> Hard connector (included with Regen) -> DAC; vs

2- Curious (long) -> Regen -> Curious (short) -> DAC?

 

Ease, musical flow, (less mechanical).

 

And this is with a macbook pro, Ayre QB9-DSD, and Audirvana (what version, iTunes or standalone)?

 

The MBP is stripped down for music only, also use Cocktail to help with this in a major way, as well as Audirvana's program reductions. I am still on Audiorvana 1.5.10, with playlist playback.

[Daudio]

If this has already been posted...

 

Sometimes "patience" isn't really patience for me, but more a graceless and grudging acceptance of inescapable budget restraints

 

Yep...

 

I suggest focusing on pleasurable anticipation, and looking at your patience as a positive character trait. Turn a loss to a win

[JohanS]

If this has already been posted, I missed it in my scan and apologize for any repeat. And given the different Regen threads, I am assuming a review will fit fine here, given the thread title.

 

It's such a nicely laid-out review (focused on the subjective side) and as usually the case, gives a hearty endorsement of the little guy. I'm still stacking up shekels for a new DAC and then most likely a Regen. Sometimes "patience" isn't really patience for me, but more a graceless and grudging acceptance of inescapable budget restraints lol.

 

Mono and Stereo High-End Audio Magazine: UpTone Audio USB REGEN review

Thanks for the link!

Johan

[Kal Rubinson]

Im using a Vibrapod underneath the Regen. It's perfect size.

Cool. I have a box of them somewhere in my closet.

[Jim Smith]

Im using a Vibrapod underneath the Regen. It's perfect size.

 

Cool. Me, too!

[miguelito]

Cool. I have a box of them somewhere in my closet.

 

Hahaha! They are that good.

[miguelito]

1- Lightspeed -> Regen -> Hard connector (included with Regen) -> DAC; vs

2- Curious (long) -> Regen -> Curious (short) -> DAC?

 

Ease, musical flow, (less mechanical).

 

And this is with a macbook pro, Ayre QB9-DSD, and Audirvana (what version, iTunes or standalone)?

 

The MBP is stripped down for music only, also use Cocktail to help with this in a major way, as well as Audirvana's program reductions. I am still on Audiorvana 1.5.10, with playlist playback.

 

Thx Jim