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

[ElviaCaprice]

6 minutes ago, rickca said:

So instead of getting 2 x tX-USBultra, @mozes could have gotten 1 x tX-USBultra and 1 x tX-USBhubEX and used an sCLK-EX clock point from the tX-USBultra to turn the tX-USBhubEX into a 2nd tX-USBultra?

Yes, of course that would be the economical way of doing it, but when your rolling like @mozes is with a new DAVE and two sets of new speakers, I don't think it matters. 

Now he has even more sCLK EX clocks to utilize.

[Johnseye]

23 minutes ago, mozes said:

I have 2 tX-USBultras and one of them controls my switch. This leaves me with 5 spare sCLK EX output taps that I can use.  I need to think of how to leverage them without some crazy spaghetti  

 

Why did you get 2 USBultras?  Was it just for the clock taps or were you looking to chain 2 for some benefit?

[mozes]

2 minutes ago, ElviaCaprice said:

Yes, of course that would be the economical way of doing it, but when your rolling like @mozes is with a new DAVE and two sets of new speakers, I don't think it matters. 

Now he has even more sCLK EX clocks to use.

BTW, I only got the second tX as I got it for a good deal second hand

Still I must find some use for the clocks, anyway who knows what will come to the market in the future? Maybe there will be some need for these clocks later on.

[mozes]

22 minutes ago, Johnseye said:

 

Why did you get 2 USBultras?  Was it just for the clock taps or were you looking to chain 2 for some benefit?

Let's say a USB Trifecta approach!

[austinpop]

2 hours ago, rickca said:

It's still spaghetti, but it's spaghetti in a box.

 

Like this? 

 

[ElviaCaprice]

3 hours ago, Johnseye said:

 

I don't own a tx-USBultra but since that costs $900 while an sCLK EX is $850 then using it for the two mobo clocks and the tx-USBexp would be a good solution. 

Actually the sCLK-EX as a stand alone one clock is $700, no 10% discount.  The tXUSBUltra is $990.  So there is a $290 difference.  Same price to add clocks.  If you we're alert not too long ago, you could find the tXUSBexp PCIe card used on the market for $150, as I did.  Back when the renderer craze was all the fad, folks we're dumping these cards.  Might even still find one today.

[austinpop]

1 hour ago, mozes said:

BTW, I only got the second tX as I got it for a good deal second hand

Still I must find some use for the clocks, anyway who knows what will come to the market in the future? Maybe there will be some need for these clocks later on.

 

Yeah, use it or lose it. Or this could happen to your idle clocks.

 

[Bruce Orr]

Re: sms-200 ultra 

My questions below will quickly reveal  my newbie status:

- if I purchase this, am I correct that most believe it should be used with the master clock option? 

- I know clocks have been discussed in depth. What are 1-2 master clocks I should consider? I see that the clock will dictate whether I order a 50 or 75 ohm inter-connect. 

- Seems there is no option to buy without power supply. Does clock drive what power is needed? The LPS-1 wouldn’t work? Maybe on the clock if not the ultra?

- Lastly, I use a Mac for music server and ethernet to an uR/IR with a Lush USB handling the last link to the DAC. Any issue with Linux/Mac compatibility? Would it make sense to try the IR with the 200 ultra?  

 

Thanks in advance for all your counsel!

[Johnseye]

6 hours ago, ElviaCaprice said:

Actually the sCLK-EX as a stand alone one clock is $700, no 10% discount.  The tXUSBUltra is $990.  So there is a $290 difference.  Same price to add clocks.  If you we're alert not too long ago, you could find the tXUSBexp PCIe card used on the market for $150, as I did.  Back when the renderer craze was all the fad, folks we're dumping these cards.  Might even still find one today.

 

But you wouldn't just want 1 output, you'd want to utilize all 4.  The txUSBultra will get you 4, but one is used for that device itself.  I'll be keeping my eye out.

[ElviaCaprice]

29 minutes ago, Johnseye said:

 

But you wouldn't just want 1 output, you'd want to utilize all 4.  The txUSBultra will get you 4, but one is used for that device itself.  I'll be keeping my eye out.

That is the price for both with 1 output.  Either, you pay more for extra clocks installed.  You don't get 4 clocks installed on the tXUSBUltra  for $990, just like the sCLK-EX solo, you pay $50 more per added clock.  I see you pay more for the master clock option on the Ultra ($200) as opposed to the sCLK-EX solo ($150).   By the time you add 3 extra clocks, installation, shipping to and from plus master clock option comes to $1590 Loaded tXusbultra.   sCLK-EX solo loaded $1250.  10 percent discount on either first time.  I added in your shipping to SOtM, you don't get a discount on that, or their added shipping.  Also you don't get discount on installation.  Only on those features able to choose online at time of purchase.

 

Whoops, I see now that the tXUSBUltra uses a different clock than the tXUSBexp PCIe card.  Can't combine them two.

[rickca]

45 minutes ago, ElviaCaprice said:

Whoops, I see now that the tXUSBUltra uses a different clock than the tXUSBexp PCIe card

I see the tX-USBexp has an option of sCLK-48.0 which is a clock that predates the sCLK-EX.  I think SOtM has not updated the information about tX-USBexp since the sCLK-EX became available.  SOtM needs to fix this.

 

In the sCLK-EX operating instructions Rev 1.8, there is a section on using sCLK-EX48 with the tX-USBexp, so you can definitely use an sCLK-EX clock point with the tX-USBexp.

[rickca]

10 hours ago, rickca said:

Does SOtM have a good solution for putting the sCLK-EX somewhere in a mid-tower case?

Looks like the sCLK-EX gets installed in a 3.5" drive bay.

[ElviaCaprice]

22 minutes ago, rickca said:

I see the tX-USBexp has an option of sCLK-48.0 which is a clock that predates the sCLK-EX.  I think SOtM has not updated the information about tX-USBexp since the sCLK-EX became available.  SOtM needs to fix this.

 

In the sCLK-EX operating instructions Rev 1.8, there is a section on using sCLK-EX48 with the tX-USBexp, so you can definitely use an sCLK-EX clock point with the tX-USBexp.

SOtM can program the clock to any frequency needed.  The tXUSBexp PCIe card clock uses a 48 MHz frequency, whereas the tXUSBUltra uses a 12 MHz frequency.  Thus I was wrong earlier about the suggestion of using a single clock output for both.  Not possible.

Of course, I am using one of the sCLK EX clock outputs for my txUSBexp PCIe card.

 

Correct, the sCLK EX is installed on a 3.5" metal plate.  Fits perfectly into one of my other older 3.5" hard drive enclosures.

[rickca]

3 minutes ago, ElviaCaprice said:

The tXUSBexp PCIe card clock uses a 48 MHz frequency, whereas the tXUSBUltra uses a 12 MHz frequency.

OK now I understand what you meant when you said tX-USBultra uses a different clock than the tX-USBexp PCIe card.

 

It's curious that Lee considers tX-USBexp as better than tX-USBultra because tX-USBexp is an older component.  I'd like to understand what makes the tX-USBexp superior. 

[ElviaCaprice]

14 minutes ago, rickca said:

OK now I understand what you meant when you said tX-USBultra uses a different clock than the tX-USBexp PCIe card.

 

It's curious that Lee considers tX-USBexp as better than tX-USBultra because tX-USBexp is an older component.  I'd like to understand what makes the tX-USBexp superior. 

 

Go back and read what Roy has to say after meeting with SOtM engineers for more input.  Something about the design is better for filtering power. 

  I would much rather be avoiding a USB mobo output via PCIe instead.  Also the tXUSBexp is much more friendly interface for using a USB adapter to connect to the next streaming component.  In my case, the DAC.

[AmusedToD]

@austinpop, I think I read in one of your posts that you are using a power regenerator (PS Audio perhaps, by memory).

 

I got myself a Transparent PowerIsolator Reference (noise filtration and surge protection), and wonder whether it’s ok to plug a linear power supply with filtration (like the Sbooster I am using) into a power regenerator that also filtrates the power signal?

[BigGuy]

8 hours ago, AmusedToD said:

@austinpop, I think I read in one of your posts that you are using a power regenerator (PS Audio perhaps, by memory).

 

I got myself a Transparent PowerIsolator Reference (noise filtration and surge protection), and wonder whether it’s ok to plug a linear power supply with filtration (like the Sbooster I am using) into a power regenerator that also filtrates the power signal?

From what I read on the website,  while the Transparent PIR does offer filtration and surge protection, it does not regenerate and may not even regulate AC.

 

In answer to your question, I am using a PS Audio P300 to regenerate power for front end components as well as LPS's.  Like they say... GIGO or Good In, Good Out.

[AmusedToD]

1 hour ago, BigGuy said:

From what I read on the website,  while the Transparent PIR does offer filtration and surge protection, it does not regenerate and may not even regulate AC.

 

In answer to your question, I am using a PS Audio P300 to regenerate power for front end components as well as LPS's.  Like they say... GIGO or Good In, Good Out.

 

Thanks, good to know that. 

 

Well, too much AC filtration/regeneration can take the life out of music. Hope the PIR will prove to be a worthy investment, as has been everything I ever tried and bought from them.

[austinpop]

10 hours ago, AmusedToD said:

@austinpop, I think I read in one of your posts that you are using a power regenerator (PS Audio perhaps, by memory).

 

I got myself a Transparent PowerIsolator Reference (noise filtration and surge protection), and wonder whether it’s ok to plug a linear power supply with filtration (like the Sbooster I am using) into a power regenerator that also filtrates the power signal?

 

Yes, I have a PS Audio P5 regenerator. I've never regretted that purchase!

 

I'm not familiar with the Transparent. Sorry.

 

As for the advisability of all the filtration - it surely won't damage anything. As for SQ, I really can't predict.

[lmitche]

21 hours ago, austinpop said:

 

Like this? 

 

Rajiv, I think I can see a bug in your program. One of the wires needs to be moved one hole to the right!

[kennyb123]

On 9/25/2017 at 7:56 AM, afrancois said:

Interesting post, however, what many people tend to forget is that most new albums that are pressed on vinyl, have been through the digital machine. Very few pure analog recording studio's still exist today. Even quite old recordings have been digitally remastered before they are pressed onto vinyl. Something to think about. Honestly, I never heard a top class analog system in my life. Something I should do in the near future, with the risk of being somewhat disappointed for the rest of my life. 

 

There is an abundance of vinyl that’s not been through the digital machine of course.  I generally avoid vinyl that’s from a digital source and I’m still left with way too much to want to buy.  

 

I recently sat down to listen to my MoFi “one step” pressing of Bill Evans Trio “..Village Vanguard...”.  Mind blowing how great this sounds - made my digital versions sound flawed.  

[ElviaCaprice]

15 hours ago, ElviaCaprice said:

That is the price for both with 1 output.  Either, you pay more for extra clocks installed.  You don't get 4 clocks installed on the tXUSBUltra  for $990, just like the sCLK-EX solo, you pay $50 more per added clock.  I see you pay more for the master clock option on the Ultra ($200) as opposed to the sCLK-EX solo ($150).   By the time you add 3 extra clocks, installation, shipping to and from plus master clock option comes to $1590 Loaded tXusbultra.   sCLK-EX solo loaded $1250.  10 percent discount on either first time.  I added in your shipping to SOtM, you don't get a discount on that, or their added shipping.  Also you don't get discount on installation.  Only on those features able to choose online at time of purchase.

 

Whoops, I see now that the tXUSBUltra uses a different clock than the tXUSBexp PCIe card.  Can't combine them two.

 

I should have also mentioned that I ordered my sCLK-EX thru Kamal at Crux Audio, the USA distributor of SOtM products.  They offer the first time 10% discount.  Followed thru on the entire order, worked great as a go between with May at SOtM and myself.  Will definitely be ordering my future SOtM master clock thru Crux Audio.

[BigGuy]

3 hours ago, austinpop said:

 

Yes, I have a PS Audio P5 regenerator. I've never regretted that purchase!

 

I'm not familiar with the Transparent. Sorry.

 

As for the advisability of all the filtration - it surely won't damage anything. As for SQ, I really can't predict.

I have the older and original P300 which can handle 300W max so am just using for preamp, DAC and a (seldom used) Teac UX-3 universal player/transport.

 

I have a friend who is doing something similar with a P10 for pretty much everything except amps since, in his opinion, the system does not sound as good as the amps directly into a home-run 20 amp circuit.  I too am using 2 in-phase 20A duplexes to power my system with the amps on one of the dedicated circuits.

 

IMO, the P300 regenerator is one of the best components in my system and think my friend with the P10 would agree.

 

 

[romaz]

Several have asked about the specifics of my current build.  It has been in continual flux until recently but finally, I have reached my final build.  I don't claim it to be the best there is but it is the best that I know how to put together and the best that I have thus far heard.  To be honest, this is not what I envisioned it would look like when I first started this thread back in January but for those who have followed along, as you know, there were exciting and unexpected revelations that came to light and so this digital front end has become a much more ambitious build than I initially expected it to be.  At so many points, it was sounding so good that I felt like finalizing my build but it was hard to stop when each successive gain seemed so significant.  Along the way, many of you made constructive suggestions, some that I had never considered, and for that, I am grateful.  They didn't always work out but the lessons learned and the perspective gained have proven to be invaluable.  To that extent, I consider this build to have been a community effort and so I am happy to share what I have learned.

 

Server chassis - Streacom FC9 Alpha ($285)

 

I have used Streacom cases on numerous occasions in the past as I have found them to be attractive, well-constructed and minimally resonant.  I chose the version that can hold a CD-ROM drive but eventually decided that I wanted nothing that would vibrate within the chassis as I felt this might adversely impact the sCLK-EX board and so I opted for an external CD-ROM drive to rip my CDs instead.  This also provided me much needed space inside.  If I could do it over, I would have gone with the cleaner look of the FC9 Alpha without the CD slot as pictured below (although I went with black instead of silver):

 

 

Streacom makes smaller cases but I went with this larger case for flexibility.  As you can see in the photo, when used with a mini-ITX motherboard, I was able to install my sCLK-EX board adjacent to the motherboard which allowed me to use very short 15cm clock cables.  Also installed adjacent to the motherboard is my Intel X25-E SATA II OS drive.

 

 

For those who want to go for the ultimate, Stillpoints makes standoffs that supposedly incorporate the same level of isolation as their Ultra Minis that could have been used to isolate my motherboard, SSD, and sCLK-EX board from the chassis.  At $45 per standoff and since 12 standoffs were necessary, that would have cost me $540 for standoffs alone and so I passed.  Instead, I bought a trio of Stillpoints Ultra Minis ($375 although I found a used set of 3 for $250) to use under the chassis and I have confirmed that these absolutely make a difference with respect to detail clarity (a larger difference than the inexpensive Black Raviolis I was previously using) although the overall improvement is small.  

 

 

SOtM eABS-200 paper ($120 for 1 sheet)

 

I have used this type of EMI-absorbing paper in the past with several builds, specifically the Stillpoints ERS sheets but I have found the SOtM eABS-200 to be considerably more impactful with regards to a calmer and blacker presentation.  If you are finding your server to sound fatiguing and bright, you might find this paper to be very helpful.  Unlike other products, this paper supposedly absorbs a broad range of EMI and converts it to heat, thereby actually removing EMI instead of just scattering it.  This product is so powerful that Lee advised caution as he indicated it was was possible to use too much resulting in an overdamped sound.  I applied it to most of my chassis, to my RAM, and to my SSD and I have heard only good things.  I even applied it to the inside of my tX-USBultra chassis and its collective impact is very easy to hear.  I have found it well worth the $120.

 

 

DFI BW171 motherboard ($331 which includes an embedded Celeron CPU)

 

Finding a suitable motherboard was extremely difficult and it became s a matter of finding the motherboard with the least compromises.  DFI was willing to design a motherboard for me to my specifications, however, it would have cost $1,500 minimum to get the project off the ground.  I discussed the prospect of doing this with Lee of SOtM while in Munich and while he expressed interest, he told me he believed he had already figured out how to filter out most of the noise from a noisy motherboard with his tX-USBexp card.   While I suspect there would have been something to be gained by designing my own motherboard devoid of unnecessary noisy components and noisy switching regulators, the time, effort and expense didn't appeal to me and so I ended up going with Lee's tX-USBexp card instead.

 

Having built many servers over the years, none of the servers I had built could match the wonderful SQ I got from the $9k CAD CAT that I purchased in 2015.  I opened this machine up and studied it carefully and realized that this was essentially a minimalist PC with detuned components (ie both the quad-core i7 and RAM were both detuned to run at 800MHz).  At that time, for an i7-based PC with 4GB of RAM and 3TB of SSD storage to draw less than 20 watts was not a common thing to see.  When I first got this machine, I went online to download some drivers and noticed that this thing ran as slow as molasses but boy, did this machine sound good.  Heavily shielded SATA cables were used (made by Paul Pang) along with point-to-point DC cabling, EMI paper throughout, and finally a custom-specified PCIe-based USB card with a special clock.  The whole thing was powered by a quad-rail custom HDPlex LPSU.  I found this setup to be superior to a TotalDac d1-Server and to an Aurender N10 that I had on hand and so I bought the CAD CAT but I also knew this server could be improved upon (especially with regards to its power supply).

 

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/review-comparison-of-5-high-end-digital-music-servers-aurender-n10-cad-cat-server-totaldac-d1-server-auralic-aries-audiophile-vortex-box.787020/

 

As far as choosing an actual motherboard for this build,  based on my experience with my CAD CAT and as I had no intention of oversampling, I knew I wanted a low power setup.  I was further convinced when I directly compared the SQ from a very powerful HP workstation (with dual Xeon CPUs, 64GB of RAM, and PCIe-based SSDs) against a powerful Mac Pro (with a 12-core Xeon, 64GB of RAM and 1TB of PCIe-SSD storage) and found that the SQ I got from a much less powerful stock Mac Mini with the OS running off of a low power SD card to be easily superior.  With the Mac Mini modified to accept 12V power from a Paul Hynes SR7, it was no contest.  The SR7 was such a difference maker that I chose to only look at options that allowed me to use my SR7.

 

Having tried various motherboards from Gigabyte, AsRock, SuperMicro and Dell, I ended up with the DFI BW171 for the following reasons:

 

1.  SoC (System on a Chip) architecture that did away with the slower (higher latency) processor controller hub (PCH).

2.  Mini-ITX form factor resulting in shorter data paths

3.  Simple Celeron CPU with only 6w TDP

4.  Could be powered from a 12V rail from my SR7

 

If there is a downside to these types of motherboards, they generally only contain 1 PCIe slot (usually a PCIe x4 or slower).  If they contain an M.2 slot, they run off the slower SATA bus and not the faster (lower latency) NVMe bus.

 

There are other motherboards that could have fit the bill but I went with this company because they had presented me the option of designing a new motherboard from scratch for me if I found this motherboard to be unacceptable.  Thus far, I have been very pleased.  As an industrial motherboard, it has not only proven to be very reliable running 24/7 but even prior to modification, I found it to sound at least as good as my Mac Mini with SD card even though my OS was running off a noisier SSD.  With this motherboard running Windows Server 2016 + Audiophile Optimizer (something that a Mac Mini with SD card cannot run), this machine was sounding even better.

 

Intel X25-E Sata II SSD ($80) + SOtM SATA II filter ($65) + Pachanko Reference SATA cable (about $250) for OS storage

 

Those of you who have followed this thread from early on know that in my testing, I had found the impact of the OS drive to be greater than a separate data storage drive with respect to SQ and this is probably due to the fact that OS drives are in perpetual use, especially with Windows, while a separate data storage drive is only in use up until the digital file has been buffered into memory, at which time it becomes idle.

 

Those of you who have followed this thread from the beginning also know that while I was initially quite happy with my Mac Mini with its MacOS running off of an SD card, I was also looking for a way to run WIndows Server 2012R2 + Audiophile Optimizer.  Unfortunately, no recent flavor of Windows Server can boot from either an SD or compact flash card and so I purchased a 2nd Mac Mini but this time, it had a PCIe SSD card installed.  I was successful in installing Windows Server 2012R2 + Audiophile Optimizer and while I was pleased with the improvement over MacOS, I also noticed a fatiguing HF harshness that was not present with my Mac Mini with the SD card and no matter what I did, I couldn't get rid of it.  It was one of those annoyances that you may not initially notice is there but every time I went back to my other Mac Mini with the SD card, I found myself not wanting to switch back as the SSD setup was more irritating and fatiguing.  While SSDs are acoustically silent, it turns out they are electrically very noisy, especially the faster and more powerful SATA III SSDs that are being sold today as they apparently emit noise in the 6GHz range that is very difficult to mitigate even when powered by something like an LPS-1.  There are many who have come up to me and have suggested that they aren't hearing the harshness that I'm hearing with their SSDs but those that have had a chance to compare my 2 Mac Minis have easily picked up how much calmer and less fatiguing my Mac Mini with SD card sounds.

 

Based on this experience, I felt challenged to find a way to install Windows Server onto a compact flash card and I eventually succeeded but ultimately had to give it up since compact flash boot drives are only possible with motherboards that incorporate a BIOS that allows for the older PATA drives and unfortunately, none of the SoC motherboards I wanted to use allow for this legacy option.  I considered the option of using a spinning hard drive for my OS which I had confirmed is electrically quieter than an SSD but I didn't like the idea that I would have a spinning and vibrating drive in the same chassis as SOtM's sensitive clock board.  Over on the JPlay forum but also on Paul Pang's website were reports of how SATA II SSDs sounded better than SATA III SSDs with SLC sounding better than MLC or TLC and so I went ahead and purchased a NOS (new old stock) Intel X25-E 64GB SLC SSD for about $80 from EBay.  This turned out to be a very good purchase as indeed, this lower power, slower SSD drive was sounding less harsh and fatiguing then my Samsung 850 EVO SSD.  The downside of older SATA II SLC SSDs is that they're not available as high capacity drives and so they can function just fine as an OS drive but they don't have enough capacity to store much of a music collection.  Based on the limited capacities of SLC SATA II SSDs, I elected to go with the Intel X25-E for my OS drive and with compact flash cards for the storage of music files.

 

Here is where things get really interesting.  When combined with the Pachanko Reference SATA cable, with my DFI motherboard, I felt I had equaled the SQ I was getting from my Mac Mini with SD card as a boot drive and so I found myself quite content with this solution.  While at Munich, May realized I was using a SATA II drive for my OS (and not a SATA III drive) and so she strongly suggested that I try SOtM's SATA II filter.  I knew they made both a SATA II and a SATA III filter and I asked if the SATA III filter was the improved version.  I was surprised to hear May tell me that their SATA II filter is better but unfortunately, this filter does not work with SATA III drives and so they were forced to design a new SATA III filter.  What the SATA II filter apparently does that the SATA III filter does not is that it filters both the SSD's power and data lines (their SATA III filter only filters the power line).

 

Here is a picture of their SATA II filter:

 

Here is a picture of their SATA III filter:

 

Those that know Lee knows that he is a filter specialist.  In the same way that his filtering methods have transformed products like the tX-USBultra but also SOtM's dCBL-CAT7 and their new USB cable, this SATA filter does the same for SATA II drives and the impact is astonishing with respect to a lower noise floor devoid of any HF harshness but also this more open soundstage.  The impact of this filter is eye opening in terms of just how much noise OS SSD drives create.  This $65 filter is definitely one of the stars of the show and something that I consider a "must have."  I would say its impact is considerably greater than the Pachanko SATA cable or the Intel X25-E SSD.

 

Operating System - Windows Server 2016 Essentials ($124) + Audiophile Optimizer ($129)

 

I believe the full version costs more but I was able to purchase a license for the Essentials version for only $124 from an online vendor. Even the GUI version of WIndows Server 2016 sounds better than the Core version of Windows Server 2012R2 and so for now, I am sticking with this version.  Combined with the latest AO beta and its digital filters and sound signatures, it is the best sounding OS solution I have yet heard for music playback for Roon but also for ripping CDs via dBPowerAmp.  The benefit of Windows above and beyond the Linux OS's I have heard is software compatibility.  With Windows, I know I can (or will be able to) run just about anything now and in the future.  More than that, I am finding Chord's ASIO driver for Windows to be superior to the stock Linux and Mac drivers for my DAVE.  With my sMS-200ultra or microRendu, any time I chose to play DSD128 or DSD256 files, I frequently got skips and pauses.  Not a problem at all with Chord's ASIO driver for Windows as now I am capable of smooth native DSD playback of all my DSD tracks.  Also, Windows Server 2016 has been super stable.  I haven't had to reboot yet due to a lock up or some system instability since I installed it.

 

sCLK-EX board ($850 with 4 clock outputs activated)

 

Along with Chord's new Blu Mk 2, this device probably gets my vote for most revolutionary product of the year.  This clock board has opened up new vistas I never knew were possible just a year ago and upon replacing clock after clock, I am just amazed at how my system has become transformed.  Even without connecting to an external master clock, the impact of replacing 8 clocks in my setup using this board has just been astonishing.  It is this clock board that makes my build different from any other server on the market today (except for SOtM's own sMS-1000SQ server).  When people tell me their server has this or that, knowing that their system probably still contains a bunch of noisy clocks and having now experienced just how big the impact of replacing clocks can be, I know their server can still sound so much better.

 

With the sCLK-EX board in my server chassis, I am using 1 clock for the motherboard's 25Mhz system clock, 1 clock to concurrently replace both of the integrated LAN clocks, 1 clock to replace the stock clock in SOtM's tX-USBexp and tX-USBhubIN.  

 

WIth the sCLK-EX board housed in my tX-USBultra, 1 clock is being used for the tX-USBultra itself, 1 clock is being used for my modified ISO-Regen, and 2 clocks are being used for my Netgear integrated internet modem/router/switch.

 

SOtM tX-USBexp ($350)

 

Considering the importance of this card in my system, I consider it's $350 price a bargain.  As previously stated, according to Lee, this is his best product.  The photo below compares the tX-USBexp to the tX-USBhubIN and you will see that the tX-USBexp is nearly twice as large with many more parts.  

 

 

While this card has been around for awhile, I believe it has gone through improvements with time.  While the newer tX-USBhubIN is still using a USB 2.0 chipset, the tX-USBexp is using what Lee considers to be a better sounding USB 3.0 chipset.  This card also incorporates his best regulator circuit and better filtration.  What is interesting is that SOtM is an OEM supplier for other music server builders and I noticed that both Antipodes and Baetis have chosen to use SOtM's tX-USBhubIN for their servers.  When I asked Lee why they would do this, all he could say is that "they didn't know any better.  I designed both of these cards and I know which one is better."  With SOtM's own sMS-1000SQ, this is the card they use.  What is interesting is both the tX-USBexp and the tX-USBhubIN cost the same.

 

SOtM tX-USBhubIN ($350)

 

Based on what Lee has told me, if I had 2 free PCIe slots, I would have gone with 2 tX-USBexp cards, especially since they cost the same.  At the same time, I am extremely happy this option exists.  Even though my motherboard has only 1 free PCIe slot, my Streacom chassis has 3 available slots in the back.  This card occupies one of those free slots and then connects to my motherboard via its USB 2.0 header.  In the same way that SOtM's SATA II filter significantly improves the SQ of my OS drive, this card does the same for my data storage drives.  Compared against the motherboard's stock USB ports, there is greater immediacy but also a more open soundstage.  Even with the clocks replaced on my router, using the identical track played from my compact flash drive connected to the USB port on the back of my router (you could consider this a NAS) vs the same compact flash card connected to the tX-USBhubIN, playback through the tX-USBhubIN sounds noticeably better. 

 

Here's another benefit of having both the tX-USBexp and the tX-USBhubIN.  When ripping a CD, I can now connect my external USB CD-ROM drive to my tX-USBultra USB port (which is directly connected to my tX-USBexp) and the files rip directly onto my compact flash drive connected to my tX-USBhubIN.  Using dBpowerAmp on Windows Server 2016 + AO, these are the now very best CD rips I have ever made. 

 

Lexar HR-1 Compact Flash Hub (approx $90 + $23 for each additional CF reader)

 

This device can be powered with a 5V iFi PSU (no difference heard compared against an LPS-1).  It has the capacity for 4 readers (CF, SD, microSD, USB, etc) and works very well for its intended use.  Other devices would probably sound just as good when connected to the tX-USBhubIN but I already had this one on hand.  Lexar has discontinued their 512GB Compact Flash cards although I was able to buy several of them from B&H Photo for $199 each during their closeout sale.

 

 

ISO-Regen ($325)

 

I purchased mine used from another CA member.  I didn't find it as resolving as the tX-USBultra (my main complaint with it is that it tends to flatten the sound) but it added a certain smoothness and a weight to my piano tracks that I found very much to my liking.  In this sense, I am using the ISO-Regen as more of a tuning aid but I definitely like what it adds when placed between my tX-USBexp and my tX-USBultra.  Replacing its clock has definitely improved it.

 

 

tX-USBultra with 12V option and 75ohm Master Clock connectors ($1,200)

 

If I didn't need the extra clock taps in the tX-USBultra for my router, I could have easily skipped the tX-USBultra (and ISO Regen) because my single box server paired with the REF10 is already so good, however, adding a reclocked ISO-Regen and tX-USBultra definitely adds further improvement and for those looking to go to infinity and beyond, I believe this gets you there.  Having opened up my tX-USBultra, I can see why Lee couldn't fit the tX-USBexp into the chassis, it's just too big.  Most of this chassis is occupied by the sCLK-EX.

 

 

Netgear C3000 cable modem / router / switch ($90)

 

This particular Netgear device that integrates a cable modem, router and switch into one small chassis was chosen for its low power characteristics.  As I don't use this device for its wi-fi capabilities, not only did I save a fair amount of money not having to buy an expensive NightHawk (for up to $400) but I found this low power device (12V/1.5A) to sound a bit better than a $400 Nighthawk and so I sent it along to SOtM for modification.  One thing that is interesting but not surprising, when I connect my Mac Mini to this device, even with the assistance of an SOtM dCBL-CAT cable and iSO-CAT6 LAN isolator, the improvement heard is there but it's small.  The improvement is much larger when connected to my server that has it's LAN clock replaced.  Undoubtedly, it has improved Tidal streaming and considering how little I paid for it, this was a very worthwhile thing to do.  I am currently powering this router with my sPS-500 and it does a very good job.

 

 

Mutec REF10 + 2 Habst Cables (approx $4k)

 

The REF10 is the icing on the cake and it is what elevates my setup to simply otherworldly status.  Even with the REF10 turned off, this new setup is already the very best I have heard in my system at home sound but with the REF10 turned on, the first thing that becomes immediately apparent is this sense of buttery smoothness that I have never before experienced (especially when combined with Blu Mk 2), even when compared against the best turntables I have heard.  The benefits provided by each component with just the sCLK-EX in place are enhanced to a higher level with the REF10 activated but it is this smoothness (ie complete lack of glare) that is so mesmerizing.  

 

It's quite possible that SOtM's new external master clock will be better, especially since it can be powered by something like an SR7 but if you compare one against the other, I suspect it will be a matter of splitting hairs meaning they both will sound very good.  Where the real benefits become apparent are when you replace multiple clocks and especially when you replace every clock in your chain.  

 

USB cables  (SOtM USB cable with filter block - $1,000, Phasure Lush USB cable - approx $275, Uptone Audio USPCB adapter - $35)

 

Like many of you, I purchased a Lush USB cable from Phasure.  Mine is 0.75m long and I paid 237 Euros.  Unlike many of you, I don't care for this cable as much.  It does some nice things with respect to tone and warmth but it flattens sound.  The perceived loss of spatial resolution when compared against SOtM's new USB cable with filter block is quite stark and even greater than ISO Regen vs tX-USBultra.  With my setup already so very smooth and tonally rich, I'm not sure the small benefits it imparts are worth the very significant downside although I haven't completely made up my mind to sell it.  At the present time, I am using it to connect the ISO Regen to the tX-USBexp but I am thinking my Clarity Cables Natural is sounding better at this position.  I am then using the USPCB cable came with the ISO Regen to connect it to my tX-USBultra.  At this time, I am finding USPCB cable preferable to the Lush.  I am using my very best USB cable, SOtM's latest USB cable with filter block to connect the tX-USBultra to the USB input on my Chord Blu Mk 2.

 

Regarding SOtM's new USB cable with filter block, I believe this cable will be officially showcased for the first time at RMAF in a few days.  It is now the best USB cable I have heard although I suspect there are some who will still prefer the tonality of the Lush.  It uses the same filter block as the dCBL-CAT7, however, I find its impact to be greater and I believe I know why.  With the dCBL-CAT7, I was using it before the sMS-200ultra or before the reclocking switch.  With SOtM's new USB cable, I can use this cable much closer to my DAC where it is imparting a greater effect.  If I swap this cable with the USPCB adapter or worse yet, the Lush (meaning I place it back further in the chain), it's impact is significantly diminished.  Placed right before the Blu Mk2, the soundstage opens up beautifully.  I went with UPOCC silver as a conductor and the improved detail resolution over the Lush is quite evident.  

 

Paul Hynes SR7

 

I would be remiss not to mention the SR7 as I consider it the foundation of my digital system behind only my DAVE and my Blu Mk 2.  If I could get Paul to build all my power supplies, I would be a very happy man as this guy has a magic touch.  Yes, there's a long wait for one and even now, I'm waiting patiently for him to build me another SR7 but I'll happily wait as long as I need to.  

 

Other tweaks - Synergistic Research Tranquility Base XL UEF ($3,250)

 

I found one used for $1,300 and so I took a chance on it.  It was used at an audio show and it had some obvious cosmetic wear but was in perfect operational condition.  At the very least, it would serve as a means of mechanical isolation in my equipment cabinet and perched on top of a trio of Synergistic Research's MIG 2.0 footers, it did a very nice job.  When you turned this device on, however, I found it to be transformational in its impact.  I didn't think it was possible but detail clarity improved further and the improvement was not subtle.  This impact was remarkable enough that I felt compelled to squeeze every electronic component I had onto this 20" x 23" base including the REF10, server, tX-USBultra, Chord DAVE and Blu Mk2.  They just barely fit and while the whole arrangement isn't as aesthetically tasteful as what I had before, I cannot deny what this thing does and the resultant improvement in detail clarity.  This thing supposedly addresses airborne EMI but also EMI in your electric components.  Just when you thought you had sufficiently addressed EMI, this device tells you there's still so much more of it.  I was sure this was voodoo when I first heard about it but having heard a brief demo at an audio show, I felt compelled to give it a shot at home.  At $3,250, I would question its value but at the price I paid, I consider it a must have.

 

 

 

This will likely be my last post of this depth and detail.  I hope to see some of you at RMAF in a few days.

[seeteeyou]

58 minutes ago, romaz said:

SOtM tX-USBhubIN ($350)

 

Based on what Lee has told me, if I had 2 free PCIe slots, I would have gone with 2 tX-USBexp cards, especially since they cost the same.

 

 

Many thanks for posting everything in great detail.

 

Lee should have mentioned that fiber optic would add jitter and that's why SOtM would prefer filtering instead of isolation.

 

Is that why you'd rather forgo the option of Adnaco-S1B even if that were giving you extra PCIe slots plus the advantage of distancing tX-USBexp cards from other components?

 

http://www.adnaco.com/products/s1b/

 

Anyways, it's already a challenge to cram everything on top of Tranquility Base XL UEF so that's really no biggie.

 

BTW, you've gotta take a picture when Rob Watts drops his jaw after listening to your latest and greatest rig.