AC Filtering, Grounding Boxes, Linear PSU and Balanced Power.

[One and a half]

Here are where leakage current originate from a typical SMPS.

 

 

The linear power supply also leaks, imagine the transformer in the above photo, plus coupling between say a regulator and the case, that sort of thing.

[Cornan]

I'll guess DC currents could potensially travel via router to ethernet cables? Anyway, my router is a using SAT input cable (with F-plugs) from my service provider and I just found out that there is these kind of F-plug DC-Blockers around https://www.conrad.se/DC-blockerare-Axing-SZU-14-00.htm?websale8=conrad-swe&pi=940483&ci=SHOP_AREA_17492_1317055

 

 

Might be worth a try since the ATL ac mains DC-blocker worked out that well!

BTW. Just ordered one so it will not be too long until I know if it will improve things or not!

[YashN]

I think iDefender would not help me in my case if it does not do any active filtering on ground wire. No evidence exists that $45 iDefender would do such a thing. It seems it is able to detect, if DAC uses power from USB and if not (not my case), it is able to disconnect ground and connect it again if it detects handshake attempt. If yes (my case), it let's ground connected through and allows injection of clean power like my split cable does. So I mean iDefender could not help me, if it works as I described.

There's a fair chance you're presuming too much: that things won't work if connected in a certain way and additionally, that the iDefender won't help, and that the iDefender is internally constructed a certain way or should absolutely do it a certain way for you to get results.

 

One or all of these things might be wrong.

 

Another thing where you could be wrong is how handshake occurs. What you're concerned about after handshake is actually USB signalling. This happened to me during one of my tests which I since resolved.

 

I thought I wouldn't be able to disconnect the VBus from the computer on my DAC. I now have it implemented.

 

For the iDefender, I would ask those question to iFi in their vendor sub-forum here. I doubt it works how you think it does.

 

Even if they tell you the iDefender doesn't work like that, you may still be presuming too much about it not helping though.

 

You may not get true galvanic isolation with your DAC, but if you implement it properly, you could still get vastly improved results - actually, it all depends how much the Gustard is built with regards to treating incoming to noise.

 

To what extend your Gustard is built to reduce the effects of noisy power, I don't know, perhaps Quadman or Ric Shultz might say.

[YashN]

After the initial Wow, I have been trying to re-capture some of the missing high-range content and resolution.

 

Tested smaller caps, and while they do bring in more content in these ranges, there's a hardness to it, and somehow I lose the presence and the fullness from the mid-range to the bass.

 

We had some friends over for brunch a couple of days ago, and my friend's opinion was much the same as mine concerning the overall fullness and presence and some lack in the upper ranges, so I knew where to focus on. It was interesting because I made him test all three configs: default USB cable (came with the DAC), my USB Connector + iPhone Charger, my USB Connector + Low-Noise Linear Reg PSU. Needless to say: he really liked the sound initially, but the last one was much, much better.

 

More cap tests tonight, with Vishay foil caps for smaller capacities, together with the bigger Elna -> presence is still there, and high-frequency content as well, and at last, we also get some detail and resolution in the highs.

 

Testing a Rubycon Cap, the rapidity of transients is rather astounding, something the Elna + Vishay appears to lack a little, but we lose the presence and roundness factor (probably also because the capacitance is smaller here).

 

Also tested a Solid Polymer of around 523uF, sounded detailed, but lacked the presence and roundness, overall quite clean.

 

For now the Elna + Vishay stay in, but I am looking to resolve that last part of the equation to give it the overall speed it needs.

[Cornan]

It was a long time since I last saw an interesting USB cable, but this LH Lightspeed 20G cable have definately caught my attension!

 

http://lightharmonic.com/lightspeed20g/

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Computer Audiophile

[YashN]

It was a long time since I last saw an interesting USB cable, but this LH Lightspeed 20G cable have definately caught my attension!

 

I saw it as well and it lost my attention quite fast: long stretch of USB cables on both sides, doesn't make much sense to me unless I'm missing something.

 

I would vastly prefer the Regen over this, placed near the DAC.

Otherwise, battery is good, the concept of regen near the DAC needs no proof anymore, physical separation of the wires is good too.

[Cornan]

I saw it as well and it lost my attention quite fast: long stretch of USB cables on both sides, doesn't make much sense to me unless I'm missing something.

 

I would vastly prefer the Regen over this, placed near the DAC.

Otherwise, battery is good, the concept of regen near the DAC needs no proof anymore, physical separation of the wires is good too.

 

I will not change my battery powered Regen and modded Elijah Audio cables for this either, but finally a company that understands to put this into a single unit. Soldered connections must be a good thing. Just missing a couple of things like GND lift (even if this will be possible with the coming Sbooster Vbus3), separate GND wire, loose fit silk/cotton sleevings etc. Interesting in any case!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

[YashN]

I will not change my battery powered Regen and modded Elijah Audio cables for this either, but finally a company that understands to put this into a single unit. Soldered connections must be a good thing. Just missing a couple of things like GND lift (even if this will be possible with the coming Sbooster Vbus3), separate GND wire, loose fit silk/cotton sleevings etc. Interesting in any case!

 

They don't mention any GND Lift but that doesn't mean they didn't include it.

 

Not regenerating near the DAC still doesn't make sense. Additionally, I doubt it has the optimised noise profile of the PHY in the Regen.

[Cornan]

They don't mention any GND Lift but that doesn't mean they didn't include it.

 

Not regenerating near the DAC still doesn't make sense. Additionally, I doubt it has the optimised noise profile of the PHY in the Regen.

I agree that a direct connection to the DAC is prefered...but IMHO only with a unshielded connection and with GND lift switch.

 

On a separate note I am now very interested to try a GND connection via the Entreq Minimus, ie. With the GND wire from my streamer connected to my Minimus (by-passing Regen) with a pass-through to my DAC. Considering my previously posted experiences this would be a sensible thing to try next.

 

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[YashN]

I agree that a direct connection to the DAC is prefered...but IMHO only with a unshielded connection and with GND lift switch.

 

The shielding and GND lift switch is a side consideration to the Regeneration, which should happen ideally the nearest possible to the DAC, which the LH cable + battery doesn't do.

[YashN]

For today, I had left the combination of the Rubycon, the Elna and the Vishay to test. Had to rewire it twice on the little breadboard I hooked to the regulator board terminals.

 

Sat down and listened. The transient rapidity was indeed back, as were the highs, but it looked like I had lost the presence and fullness again. I listened quite a lot, wondering why this wasn't working, and thinking of next steps, like perhaps changing the order of the caps, but this was a bit disconcerting.

 

Finally stood up to the breadboard to rewire things and noticed that the Elna was leaning out of the breadboard because I had mounted it on a small piece of proto-board, longer on one side, so put it back in, ensured it was well connected to the rails.

 

And "Wow" is here again, big time. Presence, detail and power in the bass-to-mid regions, rapidity of the attack transients, the high-frequency content is there, but not hard, nor harsh, delicate.

 

It's all very balanced now. Took some time to get there, but so worth it. Can I find fault in it? Not sure yet, perhaps a little bit of distortion on charged passages with the Kick drum on Michael Jackson's "You Rock My World" playing as I'm writing this. Potential further tweaks necessary in case the listening sessions confirm this.

 

Tonight, a couple of friends are dropping by, so they'll be listening to the three steps again, and the last one with the special USB connection and the tweaked Low-Noise LPS should be the best they heard in my system yet. It's fun because they've been hearing my enhancements every time they visit and I think they were wondering around three levels back how I could possibly get better sound that they had already heard here.

[Cornan]

For today, I had left the combination of the Rubycon, the Elna and the Vishay to test. Had to rewire it twice on the little breadboard I hooked to the regulator board terminals.

 

Sat down and listened. The transient rapidity was indeed back, as were the highs, but it looked like I had lost the presence and fullness again. I listened quite a lot, wondering why this wasn't working, and thinking of next steps, like perhaps changing the order of the caps, but this was a bit disconcerting.

 

Finally stood up to the breadboard to rewire things and noticed that the Elna was leaning out of the breadboard because I had mounted it on a small piece of proto-board, longer on one side, so put it back in, ensured it was well connected to the rails.

 

And "Wow" is here again, big time. Presence, detail and power in the bass-to-mid regions, rapidity of the attack transients, the high-frequency content is there, but not hard, nor harsh, delicate.

 

It's all very balanced now. Took some time to get there, but so worth it. Can I find fault in it? Not sure yet, perhaps a little bit of distortion on charged passages with the Kick drum on Michael Jackson's "You Rock My World" playing as I'm writing this. Potential further tweaks necessary in case the listening sessions confirm this.

 

Tonight, a couple of friends are dropping by, so they'll be listening to the three steps again, and the last one with the special USB connection and the tweaked Low-Noise LPS should be the best they heard in my system yet. It's fun because they've been hearing my enhancements every time they visit and I think they were wondering around three levels back how I could possibly get better sound that they had already heard here.

 

Although I fully enjoy your experiments I do not understand why you would want to add capasitors or resistors into a cable design? AFAIK you would want USB to be as responsive and fast as possible. Do not care about impedance match. It does'nt matter for short lenghts. Just care about signal integrity. Reduce capasitive coupling as much as possible.

 

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[YashN]

Although I fully enjoy your experiments I do not understand why you would want to add capasitors or resistors into a cable design? AFAIK you would want USB to be as responsive and fast as possible. Do not care about impedance match. It does'nt matter for short lenghts. Just care about signal integrity. Reduce capasitive coupling as much as possible.

 

You're not reading properly.

 

I have made major improvements to my Low-Noise Linear Regulated Power Supply.

[Cornan]

You're not reading properly.

 

I have made major improvements to my Low-Noise Linear Regulated Power Supply.

Sorry, missed that line...and the point. My bad!

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Computer Audiophile mobile app

[YashN]

Happy 2017.

 

Last year ended with our friends dropping by for a listen and dinner and then we went out.

 

They were flabbergasted at test 3, my custom USB connector with the Low-Noise LRP compared to first, the default USB cable, then second, my DIY USB connector with the LRP.

 

Then yesterday was an opportunity of commissioning back the AC Filter box into play, the reasoning being that if the USB connector already works to remove the noise at this link, then what remains is probably the AC noise + leakage noises interacting between supplies and devices in the chain somehow.

 

Since the USB Connector already did a big change and the LRP is a two-prong floating design, I didn't expect the AC Filter to make as much of a change as my first test a while back.

 

But first, instead of re-testing my own filter lines configuration which would have been the iMac on a filter and the LRP on another filter line, I wanted to test John's recommendation of removing the filters as plugging the devices into a bare power strip, thus reducing part of the Leakage current he mentions and which is not the same thing as the usual Leakage current catered for in Medical devices, and this, in the case that you don't have any isolation transformer (I currently don't).

 

It so happens my AC Filter is indeed built upon a power strip as main element, and prior to that, I use an IEC plug with two small blue caps (which is part of the whole filter circuit). As John mentioned, if there's any filtering allowed here, then it should be before the distribution.

 

So, in the following post I will show the different permutations we tried and listened to and our impressions and results.

[YashN]

Here are the results of the listening impressions in various configurations:

1. iMac + LRP on strip directly

 

Sounds good, it did seem to lack the 'presence' I had acquired in previous configurations though. Caveat: in our config, we have a iMac ->HDMI Connection to the TV(potential of loop and noise), 3 external USB HDDs each powered by its own SMPS unit (noisy!), so you cannot take this listening impression as invalidating that recommended setup in any way.

 

2. Changed LRP plug (2-prong) orientation

 

Since one type of Leakage current can actually be reduced by changing the orientation of a 2-prong plug and it was easy to try it, I did just that. Wow, I hadn't expected that big of a change. Big bass expansion - not extension as in the bass extends further down, but bass expansion in the sense that the perceived region is wider and more defined both sides. That was very good, but we still felt a lack of that interesting 'Presence', which we detect rather easily with closed-miked minimalist tracks like Hans Theesink's Mississipi. I don't usually like Blues, but Theesink and this track are awesome.

So, it was time to put back the filter lines in the box and compare and try to see if I could find that very enthralling 'Presence' again.

3. iMac on Filter, LRP direct to strip, physically after the iMac filter if you start viewing from the AC box mains

 

Wow, big increase in perceived Power, and not only that, but 'Presence' seems to be back, the bass expansion is still here, and the rapidity of transients appear OK, but on listening again this morning, it seems there is a little lack of it. This is very good and is reminiscent of the power increase when I finished isolation the USB connection, except the increase here is much, much larger, it feels like a whole new set of gear again.

 

So, one way you can detect noise on listening, is that the noisy devices, if not filtered will rob your gear of Power to a great extent.

4. iMac on Filter line, LRP on Filter

 

Big power remained, we had an OK level of 'Presence', but also lost some transient rapidity. This is not too good for me: you lose a lot of the information about rhythm, the soundstage and the desire to move.

 

5. iMac on strip, LRP on Filter

 

Big power was still there, we had an intermediate level of 'Presence', but the transient rapidity loss is also apparent in this configuration.

 

So, today I wanted to try a few more tests to see if I could obtain all the benefits and none of the issues like losing 'Presence', Big Power and transient rapidity, which is the subject of the next post.

[YashN]

Tests done today with the AC Filter lines and overall system view:

6. iMac on Filter, LRP on separate, dedicated outlet (this puts it on the same outlet as the SET Tube amp, and not on the strip)

 

Presence was OK, highs were good too, we got the transient rapidity back (good!). However, it looked to me that we had lost some of the fullness of the bass, bass slam and ambiance, although it could sound powerful. At this listening test, my girlfriend didn't notice the lack of it. I said that the night before, in one configuration when the bass came big, it wowed me, but this sounded OK but lacked the 'wow' factor.

 

Now, I had written on paper that step 7 would be to put an HDD on a filter line. However, seeing that the USB connector already deals with the interference there, I had the idea or actually testing the TV on a filter line because A/V gear can be incredibly noisy as well and remember, the iMac mirrors its screen onto the TV often when I am listening to Audio.

 

7. iMac + TV on Filter lines, LRP on separate, dedicated outlet

Wow! Bass, slam, ambiance back. Now my girlfriend noticed what was missing in the last configuration. So this particular configuration for us currently gives us the bass expansion, the big power, the highs and the rapidity of transients and the feeling of 'Presence' as well.

 

The TV and the iMac is a wicked combination, robbing us of a lot of SQ! The initial test with the iMac and the LRP on the power strip (without filters) could have given us a much different outcome if the TV hadn't been linked to the iMac.

 

Overall, one of the biggest effects you can hear with a noisy system is that of much decreased Power. We can hear this, even with series Filters which themselves, by virtue of topology, perform a measure of insertion loss!

 

If you haven't checked with a Multi-Meter the presence and quantity of Leakage current in your gear (there's a method to it, and you have to be careful), I strongly suggest you try changing the orientation of any 2-pronged device and listen for any changes.

 

Really happy so far with the new AC Filter tests I performed and the outcome today.

[Cornan]

Remember this?

 

My Axing F-plug (SAT) DC blocker arrived today. I plugged it in immediately ofcourse..just before my Supra ground isolator as I have used for some time now.

 

 

In the background you can see my upstream FMC aligned waiting for the DIGITUS fiber cable and my DIY Ethernet (Base100-TX) cable...so my impressions are with AC wireless connection only. My router is still powered by the supplied SMPS plugged into a filtered powerstrip.

 

Did I notice anything? Well YES!!!! I must admit that I did'nt have high expectations to begin with...but the improvements really blew me away. The best invested $4 ever! The sound stage opened up big time and a lot of background details became crystal clear. Amatorski "Soldier" from the EP "TBC" is a track that I have listened to and evaluated probably over a hundred times. I hear the ticking and the intended noise in the track in places I have never heard them before and the airyness of the track is astonishing. The bass is deep yet without distortion. What a great track..and what a great EP!

 

 

I can without a doubt recommend anyone that have F-plug input connectors on their router to give it a try. It is definately something with DC currents coming from the service provider.

I cannot wait to find out if my FMCs really can top this SQ up? More of that later.

 

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Computer Audiophile mobile app

[Cornan]

Tests done today with the AC Filter lines and overall system view:

6. iMac on Filter, LRP on separate, dedicated outlet (this puts it on the same outlet as the SET Tube amp, and not on the strip)

 

Presence was OK, highs were good too, we got the transient rapidity back (good!). However, it looked to me that we had lost some of the fullness of the bass, bass slam and ambiance, although it could sound powerful. At this listening test, my girlfriend didn't notice the lack of it. I said that the night before, in one configuration when the bass came big, it wowed me, but this sounded OK but lacked the 'wow' factor.

 

Now, I had written on paper that step 7 would be to put an HDD on a filter line. However, seeing that the USB connector already deals with the interference there, I had the idea or actually testing the TV on a filter line because A/V gear can be incredibly noisy as well and remember, the iMac mirrors its screen onto the TV often when I am listening to Audio.

 

7. iMac + TV on Filter lines, LRP on separate, dedicated outlet

Wow! Bass, slam, ambiance back. Now my girlfriend noticed what was missing in the last configuration. So this particular configuration for us currently gives us the bass expansion, the big power, the highs and the rapidity of transients and the feeling of 'Presence' as well.

 

The TV and the iMac is a wicked combination, robbing us of a lot of SQ! The initial test with the iMac and the LRP on the power strip (without filters) could have given us a much different outcome if the TV hadn't been linked to the iMac.

 

Overall, one of the biggest effects you can hear with a noisy system is that of much decreased Power. We can hear this, even with series Filters which themselves, by virtue of topology, perform a measure of insertion loss!

 

If you haven't checked with a Multi-Meter the presence and quantity of Leakage current in your gear (there's a method to it, and you have to be careful), I strongly suggest you try changing the orientation of any 2-pronged device and listen for any changes.

 

Really happy so far with the new AC Filter tests I performed and the outcome today.

Happy 2017 YashN! ?

 

Thanks for a very interesting read! ? All mirror my own experiences.

 

Here is pictures how I now connects everything in my setup:

 

1. All battery chargers and tablet charger are connected to this Hugo! powerstrip that I always turn OFF while listening to music.

 

 

2. My Pioneer U-05 DAC/HPA/PRE is my one and only AC mains connected device. It is connected to my Peaktech IT and to my ATL in-line DC blocker before the wall outlet.

 

 

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Computer Audiophile mobile app

[YashN]

If you haven't checked with a Multi-Meter the presence and quantity of Leakage current in your gear (there's a method to it, and you have to be careful), I strongly suggest you try changing the orientation of any 2-pronged device and listen for any changes.

 

It's worth mentioning here that once you find the proper orientation of the plug, you should mark the end of the plug and depending on how your socket in the wall or elsewhere is made, mark one end of it as well.

 

In Canada, we have one longer slit for Neutral and a shorter one for Live, so I only needed to mark the prong which corresponds to the Large one for instance.

 

For devices which have a reversible orientation at the chassis connection, it's better to mark it there as well.

[YashN]

Turns out I have been improving our video setup as well, so during these holidays, since I had re-commissioned the AC Filter box, I had a few side ideas.

 

First, one was trying the DIY 2-prong power cord that I usually have installed on the SS amp but this time on our 4K UHD Blu-Ray player. This power cord is solid-core, with live and neutral double shielded and separated, twisted pair, and the shield-to-ground is only connected AC mains side (3-prong into the mains, 2-prong into the device).

 

Turns out one of the usual blue ratings screens has a more vibrant blue to it. The 20th (or is it 21st) Century Fox announce screen has more vibrant yellows and orange. This wasn't subtle at all, it was very apparent.

 

It looks like interference on the power line could change the colours.

 

 

We also re-tested our Blu-Ray of The Drop, with the superlative Tom Hardy, which we had watched upscaled to 4K. In 4K upscale mode, not just with that movie, I usually perceive a really, really slight colour-displacement effect on the edges of objects. This time, this is gone or reduced.

 

 

We also tested the opening credits of Life of Pi (4K UHD Blu-Ray) and found the PQ better here, clearer, with the concomitant detriment side-effect of seeing when CGI is used more clearly (!).

 

In a past post in this thread, I had already noted in passing that adding the iMac to a filter line made the fonts on the TV clearer, and this is true again this time around.

 

Yesterday, I thought of checking quality again since I also added the TV on a filter line.

 

 

We have binged on a Belgian production of an intricate and slow-grind, small village murder mystery called The Break on Netflix and here again, with the TV also now on a filter line, the small lines in the opening credits are clearer, close-ups on faces are clearer, there appear to be less artifacts as the UH Blu-Ray player upscales this HD show to 4K. Colours appeared more distinct in the same type (e.g. different shades of green), and overall the PQ appears more realistic, tested also with the opening of Life of Pi.

 

I don't see people writing a lot about this after a brief search online late last night.

 

It is an easy test to do if you already have an AC Filter or AC Conditioner box though and if you have a keen eye, with some high-resolution gear and upscaling capability. It also helps if you have already calibrated your screen and know your video gear's usual PQ abilities in regular sessions.

[YashN]

Happy 2017 YashN!

Thanks for a very interesting read!

1. All battery chargers and tablet charger are connected to this Hugo! powerstrip that I always turn OFF while listening to music.

 

2. My Pioneer U-05 DAC/HPA/PRE is my one and only AC mains connected device. It is connected to my Peaktech IT and to my ATL in-line DC blocker before the wall outlet.

Thanks, same to you for 2017.

 

I have a set of batteries I can use to test the new setup, normal 9V and potentially more interesting things to do with the LiFePo4 ones salvaged from a malfunctioning PC laptop battery.

 

I have plans to go much further than that as well but this is probably not for this forum.

 

For batteries, it is going to be interesting to compare them to the next iterations of my Low-Noise Linear Regulated Power Supply (which is gong to be even better although for now I have a hard time imagining how better SQ could sound) as batteries have their own inherent noise profile. You can minimise this by careful selection of capacitors to go with them. I believe John Swenson mentioned low-ESR capacitors but I might be mistaken, I'm writing from memory here.

[Middy]

merry new years you lovely people.

 

I got the battery power supply with the regulator. It's designed to break the 5V with an in out usb. I have just used the 5V out to supply from the battery via the regulation circuit.. So far I haven't heard much of a benefit nothing I can say above the battery bank it replaced.

I have a simple set up so I didn't expect any big benefits..

I need to do a removal exercise of the chain again and measure benefits perceived.

I haven't yet had my MrSpeakers Ether back but coming this week. yeeeeeeeesssss.

 

http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=76

 

Linear regulators are included in the design so someone without a battery 5v mod this would make a nice improvement but I am limited to real opinion as the new Ether has to burn in again...

Pics for YashN and Cornan of the inside.

 

 

Cheers and thanks as always

Dave

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app

[YashN]

merry new years you lovely people.

 

I got the battery power supply with the regulator. It's designed to break the 5V with an in out usb. I have just used the 5V out to supply from the battery via the regulation circuit.. So far I haven't heard much of a benefit nothing I can say above the battery bank it replaced.

 

To you as well, Middy.

 

You're powering a USB-powered DAC with it?

 

There could be little difference comparing battery to battery, it depends on the type and configuration (use of and type of capacitor).

 

When you measure the output does it give 5.0V or something else?

 

I'd say that when you're done charging with it, completely disconnect the SMPS charger from the mains as well to prevent any possibility of Leakage loops and current (I don't know how your other gear is powered or connected).

[YashN]

Turns out I have been improving our video setup as well, so during these holidays, since I had re-commissioned the AC Filter box, I had a few side ideas.

 

In a past post in this thread, I had already noted in passing that adding the iMac to a filter line made the fonts on the TV clearer, and this is true again this time around.

 

Yesterday, I thought of checking quality again since I also added the TV on a filter line.

 

Yesterday, I added a third filter line to my DIY AC Filter box - the original intention is to check whether filtering an external HDD power still does a noticeable change in SQ.

 

But, since I was disconnecting everything to do that anyway, I thought of putting the UHD Blu-Ray player with the DIY power cord on a filter line this time, so the configuration is like this: iMac on a filter line, TV on a filter line, 4K Blu-Ray Player on a filter line and with the DIY power cord.

 

Straight away, the Samsung player's default screen is clearer, more contrasted: my girlfriend notices this with the Samsung Apps icons on the right, while I notice this clearly with the lower App bar, which contains Netflix, Youtube, UFC and a couple of other things, but each square icon for these apps with their logos is within slightly larger black square, and the whole background of this screen is gray.

 

Well, we already had good colour distinction between the logos of these apps (the reds are distinctly different), but now that black is darker, there's a sense of less bleed.

 

So, we re-tested with Life of Pi and The Drop - more realistic, the feeling of seeing through a window was greater. We tested with Netflix: the opening credits of Sense 8 (crappy show but great pictures in the opening credits in 4K), and we were wowed again: it was clearly more detailed, with better dark areas and overall contrast.

 

 

I also showed her once more The Crown (4K), Episode 2 where they are doing a safari in Kenya, and for a while we were taken up by the quality of the images.

 

The whole Netflix interface shows more contrast and less bleed - these two might actually be related though, in the sense that if you resolve the 'bleed' noise, then the contrast perceived will be different, better.

 

We also did brief tests on Longmire and Bloodline, and in the latter there's a scene at the beach where two characters have a conversation, and one of them drags a Kayak onto the beach: seeing the small droplets on the Kayak, the details of the algae on the sand, as well as the darker shade of his sunglasses, together with the details of the fabric of his hat was quite amazing.

 

 

We then hopped into the Youtube app and watched a few 4K videos like the Sony demo ones on animals and underwater as well as other gorgeous landscape ones with the same observations on detail and contrast.

 

This is fantastic, and it appears that noise on the AC mains can also spoil our enjoyment on movies greatly as well. The iMac image while writing this is clearer as well, better blacks, less bleed.

 

Two things are sure: I will have to design and build a videophile AC Filter box on top of finishing my Audiophile AC Filter box, and secondly, I most probably have to go through the video calibration procedure again!

 

It felt like we had new video gear yesterday, so well worth it!