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

[tboooe]

8 minutes ago, T-Bone said:

cheatin' b*stard!  

 

7 minutes ago, pkane2001 said:

 

It's nice to have smart friends!

I would be living in a gutter somewhere if it were not for having smart friends and family.  Wish I could give back in some way but I have no real skillzz other than being able to make pretty awesome spreadsheets.

[tboooe]

nice work @BigAlMc  I dont think you will be disappointed.  I need to try out the Starlight HDMI but my wallet is afraid to!  Maybe ignorance is bliss???  

[tboooe]

1 minute ago, Forehaven said:

Does anyone know if I can use the LPS1 set at 7v req. for mR, AND the SU-1...which takes only 5v?

This won't work.  You can set the lps-1 to 7vdc then use a low noise voltage regulator to convert that to 5 vdc for the SU-1.   There are some good low noise regulators available on eBay for around $20.  I use a few myself.

[tboooe]

15 minutes ago, thyname said:

1 - How do I find what the current firmware update on my SU-1 is? I don't have it hooked up to a computer, just to the uRendu.

 

2 - How do I update the firmware on SU-1? I remember this was posted somewhere, but can't find it.

There is a firmware update exe installed when you install the SU-1 USB driver.  You need to be connected to a PC.  Upgrading the firmware is literally a 1 min process.  Check out the documentation on the Kitsune website.  

[tboooe]

6 minutes ago, thyname said:

he issue is I bought the Singxer SU-1 directly from a Chinese seller on eBay

ahhh....not sure what you can do then since Tim has been very clear that this firmware is only for his customers.  Perhaps he would be willing to sell it to you if you offer to pay?

[tboooe]

1 minute ago, pkane2001 said:

I then uninstalled SU-1 driver, and re-installed Holo driver. Fired up HQPlayer, and a wonderful sound comes out at full native DSD512. 

Yeah this is great but now I have to consider upgrading my CPU!  Doing DSD512 causes my old i7-3770s cpu to reach 70-80% utilization.  For PCM this is ok I suppose but converting DSD to DSD512 causes some occasional hiccups.  Things are made worse because I do 2 channel convolution.  Man it never ends in this hobby!

[tboooe]

@thyname you need to install the USB driver for the SU-1.  Once you do that, go the XMOS folder and there is an executable that will allow you to upgrade the firmware.  Read the instructions on Tim's website for exact directions.

[tboooe]

Just now, thyname said:

So the driver for the SU-1 is a separate file from the firmware file that Tim just emailed me today? 

Correct.  First download and install the USB driver for the SU-1.

 

https://kitsunehifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Singxer-English-USB-Driver-Kitsune-v3.34.0.zip

 

Once you install it, go to your Program Files on your hard drive, and look for the XMOS folder.  In that folder go to the folder USBAudioStDriver_3086.  From that folder run the exe "xmosusbaudiost3086_dfuapp.exe".  Once you run that, the application will ask you for the location of the firmware upgrade file.  That is the file Tim sent you.  Save that somewhere on your PC and select that.

[tboooe]

2 minutes ago, thyname said:

 

Got it. Thanks @tboooe !!

 

Can I do this today, or should I wait until I receive the microSD for the 2.5 uRendu software update?

Do it today but of course you wont get native DSD until you upgrade to 2.5.  Until then you can continue to do DoP.

[tboooe]

31 minutes ago, elan120 said:

Hi @tboooe, I just finished upgrading my SU-1 to v2.20 but not sure what else I have to do to let it play DSD512 native, could use some help.

 

I am connecting directly from PC -> iUSB3.0 -> SU-1 -> Holo Spring.

 

TIA

What software are you using for playback on your pc?  What output are you using from the SU-1 to the Spring?

[tboooe]

16 minutes ago, T-Bone said:

I've got a solder rework station with a hot air gun too

Man, I need to get one too!  May I ask which one you got?  Cant keep avoiding the modding bug!

[tboooe]

19 minutes ago, elan120 said:

I'm using HQPlayer directly and HQPlayer+ROON, and using I2S connecting SU-1 to Spring.  Max DSD I got is DSD256, and the driver is signed Holo Spring driver.

EDIT...I see you got it sorted out.  Now let us know what you think?

[tboooe]

Waaaaaah...I cant wait to get my board back with this mod.  Its going to be a long weekend without tunes.

[tboooe]

Just now, Energy said:

plug USB into your DAC. 

I was thinking about that but I want to try and "remember" how the SU-1 sounded prior to your awesome mod so I can compare.  Guess I will just make some DC cables this weekend!

[tboooe]

44 minutes ago, Energy said:

oh trust me, I didn't have to try at all. When I first booted up the SU-1 with the new SS1117 and played 2-3 songs, It was pretty obvious,

you are not helping....now I really cant wait!

[tboooe]

29 minutes ago, pkane2001 said:

 

Man, if I keep going, I'll be over 100% soon... It'll sound better than the original live event

 

That is true audiophile math right there!  

[tboooe]

I am should be receiving my board back today after having the voltage regulator and caps replaced.  A BIG thanks to @Energy for doing this for me.  With my less than "neophyte" soldering skills I would have surely smoked my SU-1.  Its been a week since I last listened to my system so we will see if my music memory allows me to notice any difference.  I am thinking the changes may be minor since I already had the LPS-1 powering the SU-1.  

[tboooe]

For those you thinking about making the internal DC cable for the 5V directly to the SU-1 board, I can confirm that a Canare 4S8 starquad cable will fit the connector.  Its tight but you can solder the pair of wires to each pin and jam them into the housing.  The 4S8 needs to be bent a bit but the SU-1 cover will fit.  Is there any difference at all using the 4S8 starquad over the smaller 4S8 or even just a pair of wires??  Who knows but I sure feel pretty studly knowing I have that thick cable in there!

[tboooe]

14 minutes ago, Energy said:

Surprising you got the 4S8 to fit. I used a 4S6 for @bluesaint's SU-1 and it barely went in. It may be because I had the actual insulation of the wires go into the connector along with a layer of 1/16 heatshrink. I think you're peeling the insulation further back than normal to give it a smaller diameter right? Are you using heatshrink over the tinned soldered wires?

The housing will accept a pair of 4S8 wire with insulation if they are stacked vertically.  It's a tight fit but it will work.  I did not use additional heatshrinking though I did place a piece of insulation between the pair of wires right at the housing just in case.  

[tboooe]

First of all, a HUGE thank you to @Energy for helping to mod my SU-1 with a new regulator and caps.  I've been listening to my system for a few hours now and it sounds amazing!  Based on memory, it seems these mods have increased the soundstage quite a bit.  The music now envelopes more of my listening space both vertically and horizontally.  The other big change which is harder to quantify is that the music is more organic, more real sounding.  Perhaps this is down to hearing more detail or a lower noise floor or placebo???  Regardless, my enjoyment of music has never been higher.  I have an IsoRegen coming and i really wonder how things can sound better.  

[tboooe]

2 minutes ago, pkane2001 said:

Replacing the 3.3v regulator made the biggest difference from the two, in my system, although the 5v improvement was also noticeable.

I wonder if your results would be the same if you had the opportunity to try the LPS-1 supplying the 5V?

[tboooe]

1 hour ago, pkane2001 said:

 

I hear you. One thing that may also help in my system is that my power comes from a PS Audio powerplant that regenerates a pure sinewave eliminating most AC noise and stray currents. Only the DAC and SU-1 are on this PS Audio unit, the power amps and the computer are on separate circuits. So, I'm still not convinced an LPS-1 would make a big difference in my system, but I'm not unwilling to try

I also have a PS Audio (P3) and the LPS-1 still made a significant difference. Its definitely not cheap and it took me a while to get on the bandwagon but now that I have I am going to buy 1 or 2 more.  I am hopeful that more DAC manufacturers will embrace DC input and Uptone will in turn develop more LPS-1 versions.  My wallet is already puckering up!

[tboooe]

7 hours ago, Energy said:

Setup:

Computer ► ISO REGEN + iPower (9V) ► USPCB ► SU-1 + LPS-1 (5V) ► Metrum Pavane L3

@Energy are you going to test using the LPS-1 powering both the SU-1 and IsoRegen at 5v?  I would be curious to hear if your ifi powering only the IsoRegen at 9v sounds better.  Right now I am powering the IsoRegen with a 5v battery and I think it sounds better than the LPS-1 powering both.

[tboooe]

I am the king of noob questions so dont feel bad!  Its a Torx screw I believe.

[tboooe]

2 minutes ago, BigAlMc said:

Thanks @tboooe & @Forehaven

 

Ordered from the nice folks at Amazon. A few more days to wait I guess... 

 

 

Why dont you just go down to the local hardware store?  Its a common tool.