My (very) mini review of the Singxer SU-1 DDC

[rafa]

On 27/01/2018 at 1:19 AM, Superdad said:

 

 

Hi guys:

... If I was looking for an available, under $500 clock to upgrade to from the 575s, I'd go for the Pulsar.

 

 

Once Pulsar looks like one of the top I ordered Danish Neutrino 2 from newClassD. It is 169 euro  for clock with 1ppm accuracy and own power supply.

They have also Neutron Star clock but in Pulsar price range. 

I ordered only one so far 22.579200 MHz just to see performance.

[rafa]

17 hours ago, Energy said:

• (1) LT3045-A replaces stock (1) 3R3 Inductor and ADJ voltage regulator - 1.0V 

 

 

Where you getting 1V regulator, as those from your picture are 1.2V minimum? Will he make 1V for a request or you just adjust them?

[rafa]

I got first order through ebay. Shouldn't be any difference.

 

I will compare new regulator soon. Currently I have installed first version on Dexa regulator. Will see is ldovr any better.

[rafa]

You could use something like this:

 

[rafa]

2 hours ago, jjh1585 said:

Hello @SolidCore

 

I see in your post that you know someone that has Pulsar clocks in their SU-1.

Were the clocks installed by your friend?

 

Pulsar clocks do not seem to be a direct replacement for the Crystek.

Pulsar clock pin 1 is N/C not connected.

 

I would like to find out how the clocks were installed.

 

Thank You.

 

Have you read Crystek datasheet? 

[rafa]

15 hours ago, jjh1585 said:

Hi @rafa

 

I was told by pulsar their clock is not a direct replacement in an SU-1. I would like to ask someone that has made the modification for their input.

 

Of course is not as in different package (dip 14) while SU-1 has smd clocks. 

But connections are identical and only difficulty is put this in place.

[rafa]

Power supply/regulator is the part of NewClassD oscillators. I have Neutrino 2 currently.

All you need to do is soldier interconnect cable to do SU-1 pcb standard clock output. And then supply clock board with DC 12V to 20V 

[rafa]

Oh, didn't see those. there not advertised anywhere on the web page.

And the price is 428 euro now

[rafa]

All modifications require some skills. No different for Pulsar clock.

Neutron or Neutrino also require some skills and modifications.

 

Straightforward implementation only applies for clocks in same package and supply voltage.

[rafa]

8 minutes ago, tgb said:

...I notice a remark not clear to me saying that you need 5V at USB bus from the PC or player (sotm). If you cut the 5V from PC and supply 5V from external PS, the SU-1 is not recognized by the PC.

Can someone confirm it, or not ?

Where you have seen this info?

[rafa]

It doesn't work like that.  It would be very easy. Look at design many of very expensive and brilliant sounding devices. Capacitance is always as required in specific to design place.

Main power supply? Yes, you can put big capacitance. As much your diodes/rectifier can handle...

[rafa]

To my taste, any capacity larger than 220uF in SU-1 makes sound unacceptable soft with lack of dynamics.

[rafa]

29 minutes ago, manishex said:

 

Upgrade the VR on the main board to a LT3045-LM31X (this model)

Upgrade the 5 main board caps to the Nichicon FPCAP (R7) 220μF 6.3V

...

Any other advice on offer? I will also need to make a cable to connect LPS-1 via DC.

 

VR on the main board I would suggest different then LT3045 based. In my opinion, this VR makes sound bit sharp. I would definatelly go with something like Pulsar power or NewClassD VR. They sounds more natural. LT3045 bit digital.

 

For caps as I spent teens of hours testing them I highly recommend combination as follow:

2 caps beside power input Nichicon Fine Gold 220uF

1 on far right Chemicon LXV 220uF

2 (middle one and beside xmos) Audio Note Kaisei (or AN standard as they cheaper) 220uF

all 16-25v

 

[rafa]

15 hours ago, manishex said:

 

Thanks for the reply, 

A few concerns, the Pulsar Power and NewclassD (positive?) VRs cost about the same except the Newclass come with the feet, any specific differences between the two?

 

And are these the ones you talk about:

(2x) Nichicon Fine Gold 220uF 16V 

(1x) Chemicon LXV 220uF 25V

(2x) Audio Note Kaisei 220uF 16V or 25V?

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, positive only.

Newclass slightly better dynamics and deeper soundstage. But really slightly.

 

Caps perfect.

[rafa]

Neutrino installed.

[rafa]

48 minutes ago, RickyV said:

I

I am curious how it sounds. What kind of xo/osc did you replace?

Give it a week for final judgment.

your clock cable is too long. Make cable as short as possible.

I never trim cables before testing finish. I will, when decide to leave it there. It is already half then delivered by a manufacturer of the clock/cable.

44kHz sounds more 3D then before. Closer to hires files.

 

Worth the change?

Why one only clock? And where did you take the 9V or 12V for power supply in your Singxer?

Last question: why so long wires to connect the 3,3 regulator?

 

Too early to judge for 100%. But promising.

One is cheaper than two. When result will satisfactory will order second for sure as 48/96/192 are very important for me. But before order will experiment with VR only for 2nd clock.

 

Wires for VR was to make it easy to swap with different regulator for test purpose. As I am very happy with rev2 of newclassD VR I will trim them or soldier directly to pcb even.

[rafa]

47 minutes ago, RickyV said:

So the neutrino is better then a crystek 575??? That is interesting.

How long is the neutrino powered on?

about 40h now

 

why it is interesting?

[rafa]

I think the strength of Neutrino or Neutron is not just clock but voltage regulator on board. So is hard to compare to crystek 575 directly.

 

[rafa]

JRiver as well. I was using upsampling for good while then I realized it decrease SQ. Make sound not so clear as when listen native file.

[rafa]

Just finished to separate USB 5V from XMOS.

Currently has own independent source of power with LDVO VR. It is significant SQ improvement!

[rafa]

20 hours ago, roberto2 said:

...And where did you take the 9V or 12V for power supply in your Singxer?

 

Sorry, misted this part of question.

External PSU 9V from Terradac. Modified a bit.

[rafa]

Exactly;

External 9V -> Sparco VR 5V - > main board

External 9V -> LDVO VR 5V -> XMOS

External 9V -> Neutrino

[rafa]

11 hours ago, roberto2 said:

I'm not an expert but I think that in this way you loose galvanic isolation and separation between the two sides of the Singxer. 

Once listen the SQ changes and no more doubts

There is no direct connection between power from mainboard and xmos and there is enough filtrating caps to keep it clear.

[rafa]

1 hour ago, tgb said:

Just to understand : you power externaly the XMOS part with 5V, to cut the 5V PS from the USB slot, right ?

correct

[rafa]

@Energy nice idea to put them under the board