A novel way to massively improve the SQ of computer audio streaming

[guillaume31]

Since we are in the "network bridge" post , how about the sMS-200Ultra in bridge mode versus the sMS-200Ultra connected to the modded switch ?

 

What I like in the modded switch is that in my set-up I could also connect my HTPC to it and get some benefits but on the other hand I've been trying to reduce the number of boxes and just got rid of my optical network

[AmusedToD]

6 minutes ago, guillaume31 said:

Since we are in the "network bridge" post , how about the sMS-200Ultra in bridge mode versus the sMS-200Ultra connected to the modded switch ?

 

What I like in the modded switch is that in my set-up I could also connect my HTPC to it and get some benefits but on the other hand I've been trying to reduce the number of boxes and just got rid of my optical network

 

I am using the sms200Ultra in bridged mode, meaning directly connected to my PC server via ethernet. But apparently adding a modded switch in between (also a kind of bridged mode, but going through the switch) is the way to yield the best results.

[seeteeyou]

This particular switch is a tried and true one, piece of cake to get rid of the SMPS but most likely it does require 12V PSU from either Paul Hynes or Vinnie Rossi.

 

It's already tested by Kenneth Lau and other audiophiles here in Hong Kong since it's a switch designed for network audio in the first place

 

http://www.hiendy.com/hififorum/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=94358

 

 

http://kakaku.com/item/K0000595626/

http://www.yamada-denkiweb.com/4211142016

http://buffalo.jp/product/wired-lan/lan-hub/bsl-ws-g21m_a/

http://product.rakuten.co.jp/product/-/de1a0cdab98c89fca65e579bc8968c5a/

https://www.amazon.co.jp/BUFFALO-Giga対応-オーディオ向けスイッチングHub-BSL-WS-G2108M-A/dp/B00GNM2P70

 

It might (or might not) draw more than 12 watts (i.e. 12V 1A) so we couldn't tell if one LPS-1 @ 5V plus another LPS-1 @ 7V were any good.

 

Lowest price in Japan should be roughly $275 at the moment, the clock could be replaced easily as shown below

 

 

Not exactly the cheapest choice but it should be the most promising one out there for now.

[AmusedToD]

5 minutes ago, seeteeyou said:

This particular switch is a tried and true one, piece of cake to get rid of the SMPS but most likely it does require 12V PSU from either Paul Hynes or Vinnie Rossi.

 

It's already tested by Kenneth Lau and other audiophiles here in Hong Kong since it's a switch designed for network audio in the first place

 

http://www.hiendy.com/hififorum/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=94358

 

 

http://kakaku.com/item/K0000595626/

http://www.yamada-denkiweb.com/4211142016

http://buffalo.jp/product/wired-lan/lan-hub/bsl-ws-g21m_a/

http://product.rakuten.co.jp/product/-/de1a0cdab98c89fca65e579bc8968c5a/

https://www.amazon.co.jp/BUFFALO-Giga対応-オーディオ向けスイッチングHub-BSL-WS-G2108M-A/dp/B00GNM2P70

 

It might (or might not) draw more than 12 watts (i.e. 12V 1A) so we couldn't tell if one LPS-1 @ 5V plus another LPS-1 @ 7V were any good.

 

Lowest price in Japan should be roughly $275 at the moment, the clock could be replaced easily as shown below

 

 

Not exactly the cheapest choice but it should be the most promising one out there for now.

 

I am still more inclined to get a cheaper option, have SOTM mod it, and then power it with a good external linear PSU.

[seeteeyou]

BTW, here's yet another one for approximately $265 with the M12 industrial Ethernet connectors

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=541896358786

http://www.moxastore.com/TN_5308_LV_p/tn-5308-lv.htm

https://store.moxa.com/a/product/tn-5308-series?id=M20090312205

 

 

Much cheaper one for 90 bucks

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=43079417424

[BigAlMc]

3 hours ago, austinpop said:

2-day Ultra-vaganza Report

 

@austinpop / @limniscate - Epic work gents! Sounds like a brilliant weekend of fun and audio discovery.

 

A few selfish items jump off the page from me (although a lot to digest in there).

 

A. As a proud owner of an SU-1 modded for LPS-1 my wallet breathes a sigh of relief that this bit of kit comes out so well in these tests.

 

B. My wallet is slightly more apprehensive when it comes to the prospect of a modded Switch, sCLK-EX & SMS-200(ultra?) kicking my MicroRendu and bog standard switch's asses.

 

Question. In either your lawyer or scientist capacities  do you feel that the switch/SMS combo in B upstream of the SU-1 still add sufficient SQ improvement to justify adding these? My SU-1 outputs I2S to my Directstream DAC so I'm tempted by these improvements but worried they'd get diminished as it's not USB going into the DAC.

 

I guess the other aspect I need to fully figure out is whether it's feasible (and viable in terms of finding someone to do it) to also replace the clock on the SU-1 with the sCLK-EX clock.

 

My wallet starts sweating nervously at this stage because if I could get the BigAlMc 'trifecta' of switch, SMS-200 & SU-1 all sharing the sCLK-EX clock then the case for adding a Ref 10 seems a lot stronger! (Rajiv - I hope I haven't infringed upon your 'trifecta' copyright here. Perhaps you can ask Eric as the lawyer ).

 

Thanks again for such great posts and inspiration here.

 

Cheers,

Alan

[lmitche]

3 hours ago, hols said:

Yes , I am using it already.

Hi hols, by using a fresh ISO Regen your comparison seems premature to me.  Break-in time for components containing clocks is significant and SQ changes as the parts stabilize. I am also finding the USPCB changes dramatically as it breaks-in, taking much longer then a normal cable.

 

I'd like to hear the results of your comparison after more time has passed.

[AmusedToD]

12 minutes ago, BigAlMc said:

I guess the other aspect I need to fully figure out is whether it's feasible (and viable in terms of finding someone to do it) to also replace the clock on the SU-1 with the sCLK-EX clock.

 

I already asked SOTM about modding the SU-1 and they said no.

[AmusedToD]

As I also have the Singxer SU-1 (awaiting delivery of the Holo Spring lvl3 DAC), I am looking to get the Kitsune DC conversion kit for the Singxer, but Kitsune has some reservations regarding shipping the thing outside of USA for some reason (or perhaps I got the wrong picture when I contacted Tim, but in our email correspondence he said they don't do international shipping to every country).

 

Anyways, is anyone in the USA willing to buy the thing and then resell it to me (ship it to Europe) and earn a few bucks for the hassle?

[R1200CL]

On 27.6.2017 at 1:48 AM, greenleo said:

Too bad that LPS-1 cannot be used.

 

Be patient, and you can even use two of them;

 

[BigAlMc]

24 minutes ago, AmusedToD said:

I already asked SOTM about modding the SU-1 and they said no.

 

Thanks. Yeah I guessed that SOTM might be reluctant as Romaz mentioned they won't modify anyone elses products.

 

I wondered about contacting Tim at Kitsune given they already offer a modded version of the SU-1 to see if this was something they might consider. I assume that the clock mod would be a bit more challenging that replacing the caps and power supply though.

 

Other option is wait for the SU-2 (not sure if that's the name or not - but rumoured replacement of the SU-1) to see what that brings to the table.

[Bamber]

1 hour ago, AmusedToD said:

I already asked SOTM about modding the SU-1 and they said no.

I got the same response a few months ago.

 

I’m willing to purchase a SoTM sCLK-EX and a Singxer SU-1 if we can find someone in the UK with the skills to fit it.  I will also email Leter at Singxer to see if he will fit one.

[Confused]

5 hours ago, austinpop said:

2-day Ultra-vaganza Report

 

I did have a few questions for you austinpop.....   However, reading this you have answered more questions than I even knew I had.  Great stuff!

[BigAlMc]

Hi @Bamber

 

I'm with you on that one. There is a whole thread dedicated to modding the SU-1 but I think this clock mod would be taking it to another level. From memory the three mods that are all reported to improve the SQ are along the lines of:

 

1. Mod to accept DC power cable from LPS-1  (I've done this via the Kitsune kit and it really makes a big difference)

2. Replace the cheap capacitors on the board with better ones.

3. Replace the power capacitor (I think) on the board with a better one.

 

I haven't done 2 or 3 as suspect they are beyond my technical ability. Would love to try them though.

 

Add 4

 

4. Replace the clock/clocks on the board with the wires to support sCLK-EX clock input

 

If we could find someone in the UK (or Europe I guess) with the skills to attempt these then I'd be willing to pay for including mine in the order and seeing if we could get a bulk order. At a stretch I'd be willing to risk mine becoming a brick to see if this works or not.

 

On paper at least the SQ bump from doing all 4 would be very intriguing.

 

PM me if you find anyone. I'll do likewise.

 

Other option is whether Kitsune or someone will do it in the US. But then we'd really be looking at buying and importing the unit from the US so add another 60-80 quid for courier and some more on top for import duties. Starts to add up.

 

Thanks,

Alan

 

PS See - "My (very) mini review of the Singxer SU-1 DDC" by Tboooe - over in the DAC forum on CA for details and discussion on the other mods

[pam1975]

thanks a lot @austinpopand @limniscate for this amazing report

 

[Bamber]

11 minutes ago, BigAlMc said:

1. Mod to accept DC power cable from LPS-1  (I've done this via the Kitsune kit and it really makes a big difference)

This is the only upgrade I could perform and will leave the others to an expert

 

13 minutes ago, BigAlMc said:

PM me if you find anyone. I'll do likewise.

Will do, thanks BigAlMc

 

I might even have them swap the Crystek on an ISO Regen.  It would be interesting to have all the options capable of using the Mutec Ref 10.

[yellowblue]

Somebody who knows if it is possible to order the SOtM tX-USBultra with upgrade path (reclocked switch)? I just can see the upgrade path for the sMS-200ultra. My plan is to upgrade my mRendu (when the upgrade becomes available) and to go with reclocked switch>mRendu>Iso Regen>SOtM tX-USBultra.

[tapatrick]

6 hours ago, austinpop said:

2-day Ultra-vaganza Report

 

@austinpop @limniscate Fantastic off-the-scale posting, thanks for all the work and sharing your results. It's getting hard to keep up! :0

[R1200CL]

6 hours ago, austinpop said:

• Once again, a component is more that just the clock. Clearly, DDCs are not created equal, and the SU-1 shines.
• I was really impressed with the SU-1. 

 

Think how interesting this will be when John's new DCC will be available ???

 

(...that is if he is doing one...)

[R1200CL]

2 hours ago, BigAlMc said:

I wondered about contacting Tim at Kitsune given they already offer a modded version of the SU-1 to see if this was something they might consider.

 

I've asked him some time ago, and the answer was very negativ. 

 

I think you will have to ask Singxer.

Actually I've asked Ghent if he could do a deal with them ?

[greenleo]

3 hours ago, R1200CL said:

 

Be patient, and you can even use two of them;

 

Still cannot because 1.5A output is needed.

[R1200CL]

Just now, greenleo said:

Still cannot because 1.5A output is needed.

 

Well we don't know the power requirement of UpTone audiophile switch yet. Nor if they actually will make one. 

[Bamber]

7 minutes ago, R1200CL said:

I think you will have to ask Singxer.

Actually I've asked Ghent if he could do a deal with them

I've emailed Leter, if he can't help I may ask Ghent.

 

 

[R1200CL]

3 hours ago, AmusedToD said:

Anyways, is anyone in the USA willing to buy the thing and then resell it to me (ship it to Europe) and earn a few bucks for the hassle?

 

If you Scandinavia : http://www.jetcarrier.com/

[R1200CL]

2 hours ago, BigAlMc said:

PM me if you find anyone. I'll do likewise.

 

@scan80269 is doing the SU-1 mods. Just have Tim ship to him.