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

[sandyk]

12 minutes ago, hieukm said:

I am a bit thick here but might i ask how you power an external SSD with an LPS?

 

You would normally put it in an external enclosure, perhaps having inputs for USB and eSata etc. with a supplied SMPS wallwart which could be replaced by a suitable Linear PSU.

The post you are referring to is a bit short on detail for a proper understanding of how this was done.

[seeteeyou]

5 hours ago, LTG2010 said:

Its a celeron j900 10W motherboard, theres a  DC input to the motherboard, one to the hard drive and one to the 'Pico' type dc - dc connector which seems to power the optical drive. Those are Mundorf Capacitors on the regulator board- very expensive, it apparently ran @ romaz set up pretty close, so it would be very interesting to hear @ austinpop's evaluation.

 

That's quite an impressive achievement without any sCLK-EX / Paul Hynes SR7 goodness whatsoever, maybe we could actually learn a thing or two from their magic sauce PSU?

 

http://www.monoandstereo.com/2017/05/new-innuos-zenith-se-music-server.html

Quote

 

With a new Triple-Linear PSU designed by Sean Jacobs, custom-wound toroidal transformer and a raft of improvements on EMI shielding and vibration isolation

• New oversize, custom-wound audiophile toroidal transformer with 3 independent outputs for each Linear Power Supply
• New Triple-Linear power supply designed by Sean Jacobs using high-end Mundorf caps
• Three anti-vibration feet with asymmetrical positioning to better isolate vibration without a ecting dynamics
• Audiophile-grade silver-coated and shielded cabling for internal connections, hand-soldered directly to circuits to lower impedance from connectors.

 

 

Here's Supermicro X10SBA-L with Celeron J1900

 

http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/celeron/x10/x10sba-l.cfm

 

Here's a different PSU from CHC

 

http://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/home/power-supplies/dc3-power-supply

Quote

 

£520.00
3 to 25VDC (fixed)
1.5A max. current
& 1m output cable

 

Upgrade to Mundorf
capacitor arrays:
add £180

 

High Current Boost
Module (up to 5A):
add £150

 

Extra separately-
regulated outputs:
add £120

 

BTW, here's yet another OCC silver PSU

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=534199855459

 

Finished products with Mundorf caps

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=530916796794

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=562470157045

 

So yeah, we've got something better than the ones from HDPlex and Paul Pang etc.

 

http://www.chiphell.com/thread-1378630-1-1.html

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=531993464123

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=538554836020

 

[hieukm]

46 minutes ago, sandyk said:

 

You would normally put it in an external enclosure, perhaps having inputs for USB and eSata etc. with a supplied SMPS wallwart which could be replaced by a suitable Linear PSU.

The post you are referring to is a bit short on detail for a proper understanding of how this was done.

I got the external enclosure part but i thought the only connection is USB or SATA. The external enclosure dont require power input? 

[Cornan]

1 hour ago, seeteeyou said:

Finished products with Mundorf caps

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=530916796794

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=562470157045

 

Very interesting linear power supply indeed! I will most definately add this to  my opt's except sPS-500 & SR4. Thanks for sharing! ? I found it here as well  https://www.yoycart.com/Product/41032527596/

BTW is it possible to somehow translate the whole tabao site?

[hurka]

17 minutes ago, Cornan said:

 

Very interesting linear power supply indeed! I will most definately add this to  my opt's except sPS-500 & SR4. Thanks for sharing! ? I found it here as well  https://www.yoycart.com/Product/41032527596/

BTW is it possible to somehow translate the whole tabao site?

hey ! don't buy this woodoo Chinese stuff!!!!sold 0 pcs!! sps500 really good,later easy to sell

[seeteeyou]

7 minutes ago, Cornan said:

 

Very interesting linear power supply indeed! I will most definately add this to  my opt's except sPS-500 & SR4. Thanks for sharing! ? I found it here as well  https://www.yoycart.com/Product/41032527596/

BTW is it possible to somehow translate the whole tabao site?

 

So much would be lost in translation when machine translation could be a disaster of some sort.

 

That yoyocart stuff really ripped everyone off because it's a significant cheaper silver-plated copper version, actually stuff like that would only cost 2,780 RMB or just under 430 bucks

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=41032527596

 

Actually Kenneth Lau also sourced his OCC transformers from Simon Tuned, maybe it's a better bet to go that route instead?

 

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/18477-handcrafted-audiophile-linear-power-supply-by-kenneth-lau/

 

Anyways, maybe at least part of the "magic" might be coming from those insane capacitors even though the output impedance might not be all that impressive when compared to the numbers we're getting from Paul Hynes.

 

Both Simon Tuned and Kenneth Lau didn't seem to provide any kinda numbers whatsoever, and then most likely we wouldn't expect anything from CHC as well.

 

Since Vinnie Rossi stopped making MINI PURE-DC-4EVR already, our PSUs of choice would be left with LPS-1 / Paul Hynes / SOtM etc. in addition to these FINEMET core transformers from Japan

 

https://samizuacoustics.com/about/

https://www.ebay.com/sch/fulken/m.html

http://noguchi-trans.co.jp/digitalcatalog/main/fs801.pdf

[Cornan]

16 minutes ago, hurka said:

hey ! don't buy this woodoo Chinese stuff!!!!sold 0 pcs!! sps500 really good,later easy to sell

You are probably right. Too much of a gamble, especially when you are lost in translation! ?

Look like a promising desin though...

[seeteeyou]

Just an FYI - we could multiply some numbers by 6 as shown in the picture of Triple-Linear PSU designed by Sean Jacobs

 

http://www.mundorf.com/en/?category=hifi&menu=caps_audio&content=mcap_supreme_evo_silvergold_oil

Quote

Since 2015, the MCap® SUPREME EVO SilverGold has been our undisputedtop capacitor model. It combines all our technical highlights, such as SilverGold metallisation, SUPREME and EVOLUTION winding technology and over 30 years of experience in the manufacturing of audiophile masterpieces into a unique capacitor type of equally unique musicality: finely nuanced and lively shining acoustic colours, which combine into a breathtaking, beautiful, live-like music experience with the utmost precision, presence and three-dimensional plasticity.

 

Mundorf MCap Supreme Silver Gold Capacitors ($38.28 to $233.88)

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/catalog/-c-61_68_190.html

http://www.partsconnexion.com/capacitor_film_mundorf_sg.html

 

Mundorf MCap Supreme Silver Gold Oil Capacitors ($45.48 to $245.88)

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/catalog/-c-61_68_313.html

http://www.partsconnexion.com/capacitor_film_mundorf_sgo.html

 

Mundorf MCap Supreme EVO Silver Gold Oil Capacitors ($21.48 to $359.88)

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/catalog/mundorf-mcap-supreme-evo-silver-gold-oil-capacitors.html

http://www.partsconnexion.com/capacitor_film_mundorf_evo_sgo.html

 

We just dunno what caps Innous opted for powering their ZENith SE.

[sandyk]

4 hours ago, hieukm said:

I got the external enclosure part but i thought the only connection is USB or SATA. The external enclosure dont require power input? 

 

 Looks like I am a bit out of date.

The last one I used was similar in function to the one at the link, but instead of a mini DC jack they used either a 4 or 6 pin  DIN socket for  plugging in a supplied +12V 2A  and +5V 2A SMPS plugpack. It accepted either an HDD or SSD. eSata was of course much faster than USB2.0

The one below could of course use a suitable external Linear PSU.

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Shintaro-Hard-Drive-Docker-eSATA-USB2-0-SH23SDOCKE-/401153262245?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10  

 

P.S.

 USB 3.0 may be the method of choice for easy connection of an external SSD, however given the well documented USB SQ problems, with other USB widgets, better USB cables etc. needed for improved SQ, it seems highly likely that a SATA or eSata connection may give higher SQ for externally saved music on an SSD. An external linear PSU would be preferred over USB power for the same reasons. 

 See the post by YashN at :

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/24275-ac-filtering-grounding-boxes-linear-psu-and-balanced-power/?page=68

[Lebouwsky]

4 hours ago, Cornan said:

 

Very interesting linear power supply indeed! I will most definately add this to  my opt's except sPS-500 & SR4. Thanks for sharing! ? I found it here as well  https://www.yoycart.com/Product/41032527596/

BTW is it possible to somehow translate the whole tabao site?

If you want to try the Chinese stuff I can advice you Teradak. I own 2 pieces of the 30W version. So far they’re reliable and ok from a price/quality/power perspective. I also own the Sotm sps500, they’re from a whole different league, highly recommanded and have a much higher re-sale value

[RickyV]

Wrong caps you need

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/catalog/-c-61_68_182.html

or better:

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/catalog/-c-61_68_236.html.

great for poweramps

[seeteeyou]

20 minutes ago, RickyV said:

Wrong caps

 

Really? I was going by this one mentioned below

 

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/blog/2013/december/power-supply-capacitor-q-and-a

Quote

Other capacitors used in computer power supplies are “metalized polypropylene” capacitors, or “film capacitors”. These are generally used for EMI filtration on the AC input of a power supply.

 

Could music servers actually go anywhere close to several hundred amperes?

 

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/mcap_mlytic_hc.html

Quote

These MLytic® HC electrolytic capacitors are designed for continuous current of up to several hundred amperes.

 

[RickyV]

Use the mlytic hc for power amp's if they fit in the cabinet, those cap' s very big. Use the ag's for power supplies thay are already very good, about 20euro a peace. Look in the spec for mOhm's.

[tapatrick]

3 hours ago, Lebouwsky said:

If you want to try the Chinese stuff I can advice you Teradak. I own 2 pieces of the 30W version. So far they’re reliable and ok from a price/quality/power perspective. I also own the Sotm sps500, they’re from a whole different league, highly recommanded and have a much higher re-sale value

+1

I agree. I've modded the caps in my R Core Teradak DC-30, followed by LT3045s, its a high quality and bargain price power source.

[mozes]

Sonore vs SOTM by Audiostream

 

https://www.audiostream.com/content/audiophile-conundrum-sonore-vs-sotm

[mozes]

1 hour ago, mozes said:

Sonore vs SOTM by Audiostream

 

https://www.audiostream.com/content/audiophile-conundrum-sonore-vs-sotm

Will be interesting to see if @austinpop Zenith SE will beat the Trifecta!

[Johnseye]

1 hour ago, mozes said:

Sonore vs SOTM by Audiostream

 

https://www.audiostream.com/content/audiophile-conundrum-sonore-vs-sotm

 

I agree with the conclusion although my comparison was with the mR and iR

 

1 minute ago, mozes said:

Will be interesting to see if @austinpop Zenith SE will beat the Trifecta!

 

It will, but I'm personally more interested in whether it would beat the modified motherboard with tX-USBexp and tX-USBultra trifecta version.

[limniscate]

24 minutes ago, Johnseye said:

 

I agree with the conclusion although my comparison was with the mR and iR

 

 

It will, but I'm personally more interested in whether it would beat the modified motherboard with tX-USBexp and tX-USBultra trifecta version.

Only romaz can speak to that, since neither @austinpop nor I have the tX-USBexp.

[mozes]

32 minutes ago, Johnseye said:

It will, but I'm personally more interested in whether it would beat the modified motherboard with tX-USBexp and tX-USBultra trifecta version.

If it beats this combo, then weay have to assign a higher priority to power supplies vs clocks.

[austinpop]

55 minutes ago, mozes said:

Will be interesting to see if @austinpop Zenith SE will beat the Trifecta!

 

25 minutes ago, limniscate said:

Only romaz can speak to that, since neither @austinpop nor I have the tX-USBexp.

 

Yeah, our comparisons are not going to add to Roy's comparison of trifecta vs. sCLK-EX modded server. At best, it will be an indirect comparison. Roy compared Zenith SE vs. his sCLK-EX modded server over on head-fi. We will be comparing Zenith SE to our respective trifectas.

 

In my case. I'll add another caveat. The Zenith SE, directly attached to my DAC (Ayre Codex) does not work. Nuno @ Innuos has suggested this is a known incompatibility between their USB controller and certain DACs, but as yet has not indicated whether fixing this is a high priority with them. As it stands, I will not be able to do a comparison of Zenith SE (by itself) vs. the trifecta.

 

The comparisons would then be:

• Trifecta (Baseline): modded switch > modded sMS-200 > ISO-R > tX-USBultra > Codex
• SE with tX: Zenith SE > tX-USBultra > Codex
• SE with switch and tX: modded switch > Zenith SE > tX-USBultra > Codex

I am at about 70 hours of burn in. I'll wait until I get to 200 hours. Yes, I am a patient guy!

[LTG2010]

15 minutes ago, austinpop said:

SE with switch and tX: modded switch > Zenith SE > tX-USBultra > Codex

I'll bet on this combo

[limniscate]

30 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

 

Yeah, our comparisons are not going to add to Roy's comparison of trifecta vs. sCLK-EX modded server. At best, it will be an indirect comparison. Roy compared Zenith SE vs. his sCLK-EX modded server over on head-fi. We will be comparing Zenith SE to our respective trifectas.

 

In my case. I'll add another caveat. The Zenith SE, directly attached to my DAC (Ayre Codex) does not work. Nuno @ Innuos has suggested this is a known incompatibility between their USB controller and certain DACs, but as yet has not indicated whether fixing this is a high priority with them. As it stands, I will not be able to do a comparison of Zenith SE (by itself) vs. the trifecta.

 

The comparisons would then be:

• Trifecta (Baseline): modded switch > modded sMS-200 > ISO-R > tX-USBultra > Codex
• SE with tX: Zenith SE > tX-USBultra > Codex
• SE with switch and tX: modded switch > Zenith SE > tX-USBultra > Codex

I am at about 70 hours of burn in. I'll wait until I get to 200 hours. Yes, I am a patient guy!

What about SE with switch, tX, and clock?

[hurka]

Some Lt 3045 boards arrived, Sotm sps 500 9v regulated to 2x5v feed singxer f1,and iso regen usb input,

same 9v connected to iso regen ,and tx usb ultra.Sparky sbc feed 5v 3A ultracaps,play from CF card,upsampled to 385khz.

Sound:

much better mids(stronger,accurate,clean) M a g i c a l !!!

better highs(some recordings too much,its not psu fault)

more airy than ultracaps(little)

bass more controlled(little)

 

Ultracaps warmer or just less clarity.

I need listening longer,this is just one  first impression.

[mozes]

58 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

 

Yeah, our comparisons are not going to add to Roy's comparison of trifecta vs. sCLK-EX modded server. At best, it will be an indirect comparison. Roy compared Zenith SE vs. his sCLK-EX modded server over on head-fi. We will be comparing Zenith SE to our respective trifectas.

 

In my case. I'll add another caveat. The Zenith SE, directly attached to my DAC (Ayre Codex) does not work. Nuno @ Innuos has suggested this is a known incompatibility between their USB controller and certain DACs, but as yet has not indicated whether fixing this is a high priority with them. As it stands, I will not be able to do a comparison of Zenith SE (by itself) vs. the trifecta.

 

The comparisons would then be:

• Trifecta (Baseline): modded switch > modded sMS-200 > ISO-R > tX-USBultra > Codex
• SE with tX: Zenith SE > tX-USBultra > Codex
• SE with switch and tX: modded switch > Zenith SE > tX-USBultra > Codex

I am at about 70 hours of burn in. I'll wait until I get to 200 hours. Yes, I am a patient guy!

So it mainly it could be  about the SE vs the modded sms-200

[mozes]

59 minutes ago, austinpop said:

Roy compared Zenith SE vs. his sCLK-EX modded server over on head-fi. We will be comparing Zenith SE to our respective trifectas.

If I remember correctly, Roy tested the Sqe with the tX-USBultra as well. Also I don’t think it was clear that the SE+tX was superior to the Trifecta.