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

[Johnseye]

First off I want to comment on how amazing May and Lee have been to work with.  Their time zone is GMT +9 which means they're 15 hours ahead of my time zone.  This makes the time window for communication short.  Phone communication with May is also challenging.  I tried calling many times but could not coordinate once.  Then May suggested Whatsapp and that's when it clicked.  She made herself available very very late in her day.  Because of how custom this work is, not to mention the further customizations I requested, there's nothing spelled out in writing about how it should work.  This thread is your best resource, and specifically Roy's post about his sCLK-ex build with pictures.  Pictures are worth a thousand words.

 

My modified equipment should be in my hands early this week.  Shipping my board, memory and switch (no need to ship SSD) via FedEx was about $95 and I work for a logistics company with an excellent FedEx discount.  I shipped it on a Friday and they had it in hand on Monday.  Once SOtM was able to look at the board and tell me what could be done I spent 3 days attempting to communicate via email which was a huge waste of time.  Once I was able to finalize the build it took SOtM a day or less to get the work done.  SOtM's cost to return ship from SK was even less at about $65.

 

 tX-USBultra breakout

 

I did not own a tX-USBultra before so couldn't get a look inside.  I also couldn't find a good picture of how the sCLK-EX and USB module inside the chassis were connected.  I'd still like to get a good look at how they are connected so if anyone has a picture or could take one, specifically showing the DC power and clock tap connections between the power module, USB module and sCLK-EX not only would I appreciate it, but it would clear things up for anyone else looking to do this mod.

 

According to Steven at Audio Stream, the tX-USBultra is an sCLK-EX and tX-USBhubIN.  Considering the cost of these two cards separately is $700 (with one tap) + $350 you get a slight price break at $990 plus you get the tX-USBultra chassis.  I don't know for sure if it is the tX-USBhubIN as I never asked this directly of May.  So I will refer to it as the "USB module" because that's what May called it.  Crux was also offering a 10% discount which May honored for the tX-USBultra and tX-USBexp only.  All other hardware and work were at standard costs.  If May no longer honors that discount, maybe buy it from Crux first then ship it with your other hardware.

 

I went with the 12v version because I've loosely heard this offers better SQ, but my SR7 can also power it.  The sMS-500 can also do the job, and I have a hunch the next version of the LPS-1 will also.  According to May, the DC power into the tX-USBultra goes to the sCLK-EX first, is "purified" and then goes to the USB module.  I still don't know how the sCLK-EX feeds power to the USB module so I had to wing my solution and in doing so accounted for every possible option.  I couldn't get a clear understanding from May despite asking the question from several different angles how the USB card gets powered by the sCLK-EX.  I chalk it up to communicating over text.  A good picture of an intact tX-USBultra should clear this up.  What I have is the option to power the tX-USBultra chassis and USB module inside it direct from a 2.5mm DC in and that can either come from an external source or from the sCLK-EX as you see in the picture below.  What I wanted was a simple cable directly connecting the two cards.  I didn't want to have to use multiple LPSUs to power both cards since I had planned for the SR7 to do this.  I still may be able to power it through that blue and white cable directly, but this also may not be possible due to the need for the USB module to be connected to the external DC power in.  This is the unknown at this point.  I can power the sCLK-EX from an external power source (extra $55)  or I can power it via SATA which you see in this picture.  What I'm hoping is possible, is that my SR7 plugs into the tX-USBexp card's external IN, feeding the sCLK-EX, then the tX-USBultra (USB module).  Something very helpful to note is that the external DC IN power bracket can be adjusted on the sCLK-EX to take 6.5-8.5, 9 or 12v.

 

I opted for the 50 ohm master clock for wider compatibility options in the future.  Everything you see in the picture can be timed with as a single master clock connection.  I ordered a 6" SMB cable from DigiKey, part number J1206-ND.  SOtM provides a 1M cable only.  All direct clock tap connections from the sCLK-EX use a removable cable which looks to me like 6".  Direct taps from the sCLK-EX are $50 and include the cable.  The SMB connection is a tap @ $50 plus $70 for the SMB adapter and cable.

 

Motherboard and SATA II

 

The Jetway NF591-3160 has a quad core Celeron with frequency of 1.6GHz and burst to 2.24GHz.  It runs at 6W TDP.  It will upsample PCM to 192kHZ with ease.  This proc can not be dumbed down in the BIOS.  Unless I can't find how to lower the frequency, that's it.  I don't know if Roy's DFI board can be dumbed down, but may be worth checking if you want that.  I chose this board for a few reasons.  It has an M.2 slot.  This opens up SSD options.  I had been hoping to use an Optane drive with it, but am not sure if that's possible.  Regardless, I can make a direct SSD connection to the board without a cable via M.2 eliminating any noise that could enter a cable.  At the last minute, after reading some current conversations about noisy SSD's, I decided to take Roy's advice and buy an Intel X-25 E SLC SSD and SOtM's SATA II filter.  Refer to Roy's post as to why he believes this to be the best known solution to eliminate noise with an SSD.  I trust his research.  The board has a PCI slot and a mini-PCIe slot for multiple PCI card options.

 

One thing I noticed while looking at the picture of Roy's board is that his SSD was externally powered.  He did not mention how he did this.  I have an option to power a SATA device from the mobo via a cable.  I will compare this vs. the external connection.  This external DC to SSD power option wasn't cheap.  I have no idea why, but it's $55 for the external power IN, plus $150 for the cable to the SSD.  I sure hope that cable is silver because it's only 30CM long.  It's not listed on SOtM's site.

 

The mobo has 6 clock points: Main clock, 2*LAN, USB, Display, and I.O. Controller.  I believe the IO controller is for the COM ports.  I only tapped the 2 LAN points which use one tap and the main clock.  I see no need for the onboard USB personally.

 

 

Bill of Materials

 

- tX-USBultra (12V), 50ohm MC: 1200USD retail

- tX-USBexp: 350USD retail

- 3 points sCLK-EX enabling cost : USD150 (USD50/a point), 1 point for tX-USBexp, 2 points for the motherboard. The clock points on sCLK-EX are enabled and programmed.

- 3 points hard wired connection (sCLK-EX <-> tX-USBexp & motherboard) : USD150 (USD50/a point).

- 1 point SMB connection (sCLK-EX <-> tX-USBultra internal board) : USD70

- SATA Filter II : USD65 x2 = USD130

 

You'll note I bought 2 SATA II filters.  This was a mistake in communication.  I now have an extra if anyone would like to buy it.

 

The cost of this work is nearly identical to my Hynes SR7.  This makes me curious as to which will have the biggest impact to SQ.

 

Here's my spaghetti.  Pretty much everything will be contained inside the PC case with only SMB and power cables connecting the tX-USBultra.

 

 

A simple schematic, not of my specific mobo.

 

 

The external DC power bracket

 

 

The sCLK-EX power selection

 

[Johnseye]

2 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

Awesome! 

 

Thanks for your detailed post, especially the BoM and the schematic. I can't wait to hear how it sounds for you. 

 

Hopefully you will also hear for yourself if you come up for Axpona.  It would be nice to hear if there's any difference between trifecta's and it's quite possible they sound similar if not the same given the sCLK-EX is the basis.

 

If you're able to take a picture of the inside of your tX-USBultra I'd be grateful.  Not knowing how difficult this could be, I understand if you can't.

[Johnseye]

I finally got around to changing my SR7 voltage to 7v for a comparison with the LPS-1.  Thread updated here:

 

 

[Johnseye]

On 11/10/2017 at 1:12 PM, charlesphoto said:

 

No reason really other than price and the reviews. None of the cheap combo kits offer any stats. I figured I’d try them and at least I can get an idea of various sizes needed before plopping down $5 ea on the digikey ones mentioned. If they make a difference for the good well alright - if not I’m not out a lot of money. Plus they’ll be here on Sunday. 

 

On 11/10/2017 at 8:17 PM, austinpop said:

 

I like your style! ? 

 

Please keep us posted.

 

Because those ferrite cores from Amazon were so cheap I bought a bundle myself.  I got them yesterday and installed them at both ends of the Lush, Curious Cable, ethernet cables, smaller power cables (SR7, LPS-1, and switch SMPS), XLR from DAC to pre (at pre end), XLR from pre to amp (at amp end), and the John S. grounding cables for the switch and LPS-1.

 

I didn't want to just put on one at a time and see if it made a difference, I honestly didn't have the patience for that yesterday.  I installed what I bought.  What I heard was noticeable.  We really should come up with a commonly used scale for how different equipment impacts our sound quality.  I would call this a minor but distinguishable impact.  It had a very similar effect as adding the 3M paper to the sound which tells me they are doing the same thing, that it works, that I have EMI/RF entering my system at various points and that the 3M sheets did not remove it all.  This makes sense because the cables are often described as antennas and a good point of entry for EMI/RF.

 

The impact to sound characteristic that I heard was a smoothing or softening of the music.  I felt that I needed to turn up the volume, or maybe I should say that I was able to turn up the volume without thinking it too loud.  I also noticed a deeper bass extension.  These were all positives in my opinion, but it does change the sound character.  I think the softening aspect leads it closer to what we hear with analog.

 

I still have my Digikey cores in route with a wider, or at least defined effective frequency.  I'm glad I tried this before getting my equipment back from SOtM.  This allowed for me to evaluate the impact without confusing it with the other upcoming changes.  In short this is the cheapest improvement you can make to your system.  I'm very glad we've been discussing the impact of EMI/RF on our sound quality as this has made me aware of how high frequency noise coming from our surroundings can have a negative effect on digital audio.

[Johnseye]

1 minute ago, charlesphoto said:

Good to know. Mine didn’t arrive yesterday but should be here today. 

 

I’m curious what is best practice with the very long smps cables such as the iFi ones. Just leave loose, concertina, or coil? And should one do several wraps of cable with the ferrite? And what’s the best position on the cable for the ferrites? 

 

Planning on doing all of the TV stuff as well that resides next to the hifi but is powered on a different circuit. I think those Roku’s, which are always on, throw lots of crap everywhere. 

 

Based on what @marce said I think if you can wind the cable around the ferrite you'll get a more impactful effect.  That's much harder, if not impossible, to do with larger power cables.  I read somewhere that there should be a max of 4 windings, but I'd take that with a grain of salt.  The cable running straight through the core is equal to 1 winding.

 

I also plan on doing this with all my other equipment now that I hear the impact.  

[Johnseye]

2 minutes ago, ElviaCaprice said:

I think you would be far better off to add a JS shield with ground wire to your needed audio cables like Larry did.  Best eliminate as many cables as possible.  Use adapters like the USPCB.

 

Perhaps, or both.  Hard to say.  Did Larry actually buy that shield from Amazon, get it all connected and hear an impact?

 

1 minute ago, charlesphoto said:

Johnseye - you may want to try removing the ferrites one at a time, starting with the interconnects first, USB and Ethernet after that. I’ve read, at least with Naim gear in my case, that ferrites can kill the sound when used on the DIN to DIN ic’s. One might need to find that balance between softening of the sound, and maintaining the music and PRAT. Nonetheless, fun, cheap, harmless stuff. Much better than spending three figures for that incremental bump that you think you hear. 

 

Agreed, this will be an experiment for another day.

[Johnseye]

My package from SOtM is arriving today.  What great turn around and shipping time from them.  Looking forward to this new build.

 

I received a reply from May regarding how these devices can be powered.  There are still some open questions, including the main one regarding how the tX-USBultra's USB module gets its power from the sCLK-EX when that's inside the tX-USBultra case.

 

Different sized RF cables connecting the sCLK-EX to the board taps can be used.  Here's an example of these cables.

https://www.digikey.be/product-detail/en/te-connectivity-amp-connectors/2015357-3/A36228-ND/1249192

 

This hardware is all rated at 2A, meaning power below 2A will cause an issue, but above 2A is ok.

 

tX-USBexp <-> sCLK-EX-> tX-USBultra USB module

• tX-USBexp can accept internal 12v from 4pin IDE molex or 9v max external.
• If powering the tX-USBexp internally with 12v a cable can be run from the tX-USBexp's J403 output to the sCLK-EX's input with the sCLK-EX set to 12v.  If powering the tX-USBexp externally the J403 out can connect to the sCLK-EX power in and the sCLK-EX needs to be set at 9v.
• The SATA power PCB is a small card used to connect SATA power to the sCLK-EX.  This card is reversible, meaning power can run in either direction.
• The sCLK-EX also has a 5v power out if necessary.  I do not know at this time if it can be used to power a SATA 2.5" drive which typically takes 5v.  mSATA takes 3.3v
• the tX-USBultra USB module is the same as a tX-USBhubIN but designed to be used differently and actually more similar to the tX-USBhubEX
• the tX-USBultra USB module can only accept 6.5 - 9v DC power from an external source.  It can not be hard set.  The sCLK-EX even when powered at 12v will send power to the tX-USBultra USB module at less than 9v.  I believe it is output at 8.6v while the sCLK-EX being powered at 9v will output 7.1v to the USB module.
• The tX-USBultra USB module can be powered either by an external 9v source or the sCLK-EX's external output.
• The SATA II filter has a standard 15 pin connector.

[Johnseye]

2 minutes ago, rickca said:

I think this is wrong.  The SATA II filter is supposed to filter both data (7 pins) and power (15 pins).  So maybe the SOtM SATA III filter has 15 pins, but the SATA II filter must have 15+7 pins.

 

Just look at this picture

https://quietpc.co.uk/sotm-sata-noise-filter

 

To clarify, it has a standard 15 pin power connector and data.  It does filter both.  I was referring to the power connector being standard as opposed to slimline or micro.

 

Also, if you note from my picture, the external DC in cable to SATA power adapter only has the two 5v cables.

[Johnseye]

7 minutes ago, rickca said:

OK thanks now I understand what you meant.  

This part I still don't understand.  What role does that external DC input play, how do you plan to use it?

 

I can power the SATA drive from two (maybe 3) different methods.  A. from the motherboard's SATA power out pins.  B. from an external DC in to SATA power adapter and the still open question as to whether the 5v out from the sCLK-EX can power it.

 

Take a look at the picture in my other post of the power cable running to the SATA II filter from the external DC in which is connected to a case bracket.

[Johnseye]

6 minutes ago, limniscate said:

Testing in progress:

 

 

 

Watch out for cable drag!

 

[Johnseye]

6 hours ago, charlesphoto said:

Johnseye - you may want to try removing the ferrites one at a time, starting with the interconnects first, USB and Ethernet after that. I’ve read, at least with Naim gear in my case, that ferrites can kill the sound when used on the DIN to DIN ic’s. One might need to find that balance between softening of the sound, and maintaining the music and PRAT. Nonetheless, fun, cheap, harmless stuff. Much better than spending three figures for that incremental bump that you think you hear. 

 

I've been thinking about this.  How does ferrite "kill the sound"?  Is it then only removing EMI/RF which we previously thought of as part of the sound and something we've become accustomed with digital music?  It can not suppress, or cause a negative result before the analog conversion because it can't affect the data, only the noise on the line.  Putting it on the interconnects after conversion could have an impact if the ferrite somehow absorbs certain frequencies of the music source, but I haven't read of that occurring. It is possible though and more than possible I haven't read about it.

 

I have read of concern with ferrite becoming magnetized.  If this happens the sound can "harden", but that would assume the softening as a result of the ferrite was a positive, which I think it is.  Then you can either demagnetize the ferrite or replace it.

 

Since I'm rebuilding my server tonight I've decided to remove all the ferrite so I can hear what the new build is like without it.  Then I will add it component by component.  I will leave it off the interconnects for a period of time so I'll be able to hear the difference with and without ferrite on analog cables.

[Johnseye]

39 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

This is what Xtreme spaghetti looks like! 6 - count 'em - 6 LPS-1s alone. I love meets!

 

 

Nice lookin Ref 6

[Johnseye]

58 minutes ago, lmitche said:

After success with the Lush cable, the remaining signal carrying cables were covered with tinned copper sleeving.  Additionally the ends were tied together with an insulated 14 stranded copper cable wrapped around the sleeving at the endpoints and soldered in place. Treatment for the HDD USB 3 cable and ethernet cabling to the newly grounded Netgear switch was completed.

 

All digital signal carrying cables in my system have now been treated.

 

From the first note there was an immediate and terrific improvement. Even more clarity and openness. It is hard to describe the impact. Everything's improved.

 

John Swenson is a genius. I am grateful.

 

47 minutes ago, auricgoldfinger said:

 

Please share some photos of your finished product.

 

+1

 

Agreed, I'm sure many here would appreciate a couple pictures to see how you tied off the sleeve and terminated the copper cable.

 

[Johnseye]

2 hours ago, dgarretson said:

I haven't personally worked with mu-metal, but my understanding is that it loses much of its permeability when bent and needs to be heat-annealed thereafter to restore permeability.

 

From Wiki:

 

""Mu-metal objects require heat treatment after they are in final form—annealing in a magnetic field in hydrogen atmosphere, which increases the magnetic permeability about 40 times.^[4] The annealing alters the material's crystal structure, aligning the grains and removing some impurities, especially carbon, which obstruct the free motion of the magnetic domain boundaries. Bending or mechanical shock after annealing may disrupt the material's grain alignment, leading to a drop in the permeability of the affected areas, which can be restored by repeating the hydrogen annealing step."

 

I think putting your cable in a large oven might cause problems.

 

[Johnseye]

Thought I'd give an update to my SOtM modified equipment.  My experimentation has just begun, but I have everything installed and have been able to spend a few hours listening with everything in line.  I pulled out all the ferrite I had installed on cables over the weekend as I wanted to get back to where my system had been.  This allows me the best perspective for a comparison.  I'll end up putting the ferrite back, slowly cable by cable once I've settled in on how I want my SOtM gear setup.

 

sCLK-EX & tX-USBexp installation

 

While it's fairly straight forward there are a few quirks to watch out for.  Make sure you know what your device frequencies are.  The frequencies and associated sCLK taps are on a sticker on the sCLK-EX, but not the devices they attach to.  I used the picture sent by SOtM to identify which tap to cable to which device.  The RF cable connectors are small and can be tough to connect in tight spaces.  The Streacom case uses half height, or slim PCI case slot covers.  They don't lock down well to the case and the tX-USBexp slot cover in particular sits fairly loose because the screw hole doesn't line up.  Think about how you want to mount the sCLK to the PC chassis.  I don't know how Roy did it.  What I ended up doing was drilling holes into the case then using a screw tap to drill in mounting points for the card itself.  I removed the card from its tray mount because it's a little tight with that tray.  I can now install the sCLK-EX as I would the motherboard, to the case with risers.  I will also be doing the same for the Intel X25 E drive, but since the drive has mount holes I need to do it a little differently.  Otherwise these devices can sit loosely on risers inside the case.

 

Intel X25 E and SATA II filter

 

Installation is easy and straightforward.  I installed Windows 2016 Server on this drive and it's slow compared to what I've been used to.  What I mean by slow is that the installation, patching and program installs take awhile.  Much patience is required.  I'm sure the Celeron has an impact.  For a quick but not good apples to apples comparison, I installed ROCK on an M.2 drive.  I wanted to know what the difference would be in these scenarios.  The X25 with SOtM filter makes a huge difference.  With it my system has never sounded more organic.  This experiment initially tells me there is a lot of noise on that M.2 drive.  Because there are other factors involved this needs to be taken with a couple grains of salt, but those are my findings so far.  If it holds up, I'll never go back unless SOtM comes up with a new filter.

 

Power

 

Based on my experience to date, powering the tX-USBexp from the internal 12v molex adapter does not allow you to power the sCLK-EX via the J403 output on the tX-USBexp.  May is telling me it should and I owe her a picture so she can validate I have it connected correctly.  Since the instructions say the J403 is from external power I think it's just a misunderstanding.  The only way I got the tX-USBexp to power the sCLK-EX was by powering the tX from its external 9v adapter.  This is how I have it now, then with the sCLK-EX feeding the tX-USBultra USB card via an external DC cable.  My thought is to power the tX-USBexp alone from the motherboard with the 12v molex adapter.  Since the motherboard is powered by the SR7 it's pretty clean power.  I'm more curious to know how the 9v vs 12v influences the sound with both devices.  If there's no impact I'll likely revert to the 9v external power.  I will do the same with the sCLK-EX and power it directly from the SR7 using 12v from the external adapter.  The sCLK-EX will continue to feed the tX-USBultra USB module as I want to take advantage of the power filtering it does.

 

I had the Intel X25E drive being powered by the motherboard but I changed it to being powered by an LPS-1.  At this time I don't know if there's a difference.  There are too many larger impacts occurring so this will be a test on a later date.

 

Quirks

 

I have a lot going on.  I need to dial it in and the equipment needs burn in time.  I am bridging my server's NICs and have the NAS directly connected to the server.  This allows me to eliminate the switch between the two.  Only Tidal goes through the router.  Bridging the NICs was quirky at first as they wouldn't connect to the Internet and I'm not sure if the issue was Windows or clock related.  It works fine now.

 

I am having a concerning issue and do not know the cause yet.  My DAC, like many others, uses the USB Audio Class Driver Control Panel when connecting direct with USB.  This isn't necessary with an endpoint.  It allows me to set the USB Streaming Mode and ASIO Buffer Size.  In the past I could set this at Minimum Latency and the sample size could be very low.  Now when set there I get dropouts or clicks.  I need to increase the Streaming Mode to either Standard or Relaxed and increase the buffer.  I still have a lot of variables floating around so I don't know the cause yet.  Using the tX-USBexp alone allows me to use WASAPI so I will compare with that.  I've played around with Roon's settings as well as HQPlayer and with both I can't get aggressive with the latency/buffer.  Whether upsampling is used or not doesn't seem to have an impact.  With ROCK installed on the M.2 drive I did not have the issue.  I can also install JRiver and see if it's the same.  If anyone has any thoughts as to the cause please let me know.  Ultimately I'd like to get to Minimum Latency with as small of a buffer as possible.

 

I briefly tried connecting the ISO Regen to the end of this chain and with it in line, Windows can't see the DAC.  Same quirky stuff I initially experienced with the IR before.  It was much more stable with the sMS-200 but direct USB doesn't play well.  Everything is grounded.  I'm tabling this for much later.

 

Subjective impressions

 

The sound.  What I hear is pretty stunning.  The timbre is full and meaty.  Much fuller than with the sMS-200 and ISO Regen.  The soundstage is taller, wider and deeper from front to back.  Instruments and vocals have a bigger presence.  It's the most dimensional, organic, "analog like", real to life that I've ever heard from a digital source.  It effects everything I listen to.  Every single song is improved.  Vocals sound like a real person in front of me and the background is so quiet I can hear more subtleties in the music that I never heard before.

 

These opinions are with the tX-USBexp, sCLK-EX, tX-USBultra USB module and SATA II filter in line.  As I mentioned, I swapped out the X25 with SATA II filter (standard SATA cable) for the M.2 drive (no cables).  What I heard with the M.2 drive was a harder edge.  The sound was digital again. It makes that much of a difference.  I ordered a 6" SATA cable to tie me over until AudioPhil puts on his Black Friday sale, then I think I'll pick up the Pachanko SATA cable.

 

I have a lot more tweaking and tuning to do.  This is just from the first day of listening.  At first I thought the SR7 had a bigger, or at least equal impact.  After listening to more music I don't know.  I do know it's contributing to what I hear now.  I have no plans on putting the HDPlex switching power supply back in place to test, so I won't know how much.  The combination of it all is everything I hoped.  Just stunning.  Now, to iron out those quirks so I can relax and enjoy the music.

[Johnseye]

15 hours ago, rickca said:

Why do you want to use as small a buffer as possible?  I have an iDSD micro on my desk.  iFi's driver used to be limited to 8K samples.  Their latest driver introduced 16K and 32K samples.  In my setup, I use low latency with 16K samples.

 

It's wonderful that your new system has already met or even exceeded your expectations!

 

This was always a best practice I've followed.  I know it has practical applications in recording, but am not sure of its impact in playback.  Both settings in the USB control panel are effectively buffers.  The Audiophile Optimizer instructions recommend's streaming mode set to minimum latency but do not mention the ASIO buffer size.  Logically it shouldn't matter.  Not sure if anyone else has insight into this.

 

14 hours ago, ElviaCaprice said:

With my sCLK-EX server, I have set as small of a buffer as possible with minimum latency in JRiver.  Never a drop out PCM or DSD (DOP) bit perfect.  I use the Chord ASIO driver for Windows 10.

 

Also, when I used the ISO Regen, I never had any problems either.  I just choose not to change the sound signature of the sCLK-EX server with any add on devices,  sounds best direct to the DAC via USPCB.

 

I tried it with HQPlayer direct and experienced the same issue at minimum latency and a 2048 buffer.  I'll try it with JRiver but expect it's the same.  I removed the tX-USBexp from the chain, coming out the mobo's USB and it's the same.  I still need to test direct from mobo USB to DAC.  I unbridged my NICs and disabled one of them in the BIOS and it's the same.  My next test will be to install Windows 2016 on the M.2 drive to see if it's related to the X25.  I've been using a single 4GB stick of DDR RAM.  I ordered a pair of 2GB for dual channel.  It probably won't have an impact, but I thought I'd find out.  If I experience the same thing, it comes back to the board.  I'll be getting shorter RF leads for some connections to the sCLK-EX.  When I used this mobo prior to the mod I didn't have the issue, but I never tested it direct USB.  I will also put the sMS-200 back in the mix and see if that changes things.  I won't go back to using the sMS in this chain regardless.  It was a miss by me in testing the board direct USB prior to modifying.  In the end having a large buffer shouldn't be a big deal, I just prefer it isn't.

 

The ISO Regen issues are specific to that device.  My ISO feature has never worked.  This is commonly reported.  Rebooting devices, connecting them or starting them up in a certain order can result in at least the Regen working.  I think it has to do with grounding and may be dependent on the DAC's requirements.

[Johnseye]

8 hours ago, jean-michel6 said:

Hi 

Thank's for ''tis very interesting feedback. 

I have also x25 E ssd that I should get in a few weeks. 

I am interested if you can test in your system how the sotm Sata II filter improves the sound. As I have sotm  sata III filter only.  

 

I will be testing the X25 with and without the filter tonight.

[Johnseye]

Tonight I compared the X25 E drive with and without the SOtM SATA II filter. First I listened to a handful of songs, then listened intently to two in particular for sounds to key in on. I pulled the filter out and repeated. 

 

The difference is very noticeable. It is the same as I previously experienced when comparing it to the M.2 drive. By recollection alone, I don't think there was much of a difference between the X25 and M.2.  What this filter does is eliminates the noise coming from the drive which contributes to a harsher digital edge sound. By eliminating this noise the sound becomes much more organic, natural and analog like. The soundstage expansion of width, height and depth or dimensionality remained without the SATA filter. I believe that is from the tX-USBexp and tX-USBultra.  The SATA filter tames the digital beast. It's the best $65 you can spend.

 

I have to say what you all probably have guessed. Roy was right. That guy is not only sharp as a tack but he has a great ear. His recommendations were spot on. That doesn't mean I would blindly follow, but I've tried many of his suggestions and haven't been misled. Right now my digital system is sounding incredible.  My recommendation is to try the SATA II filter for yourself. I don't think you need the X25 drive. Other SATA II drives will work. It's the filter that makes the difference. 

 

 

[Johnseye]

4 hours ago, sandyk said:

 

It could be interesting to compare the 40uV ebay voltage regulator powered from 12V and set to +5V Out, against the Filter.

 I would expect that an even better +5V regulator would outperform the Filter.

It would depend on how much room you have inside though.

 

 

The SOtM device filters both the power and data lines.

Can you link the ebay reg?.

 

[Johnseye]

Just now, LTG2010 said:

@Johnseye the sata ii filter is not for sale in most places it appears to have been superseded by the Sata iii version. Although you can still get it to order. I think the version iii only filters the power line. Did you go for the version ii by recomendation either from sotm or Roy? Did you get any feedback on the sound quality differences between the 2?

 

I never tried the sata III filter. I don't know the SQ differences.  Roy recommended the II version.  My understanding is the sata III version only filters power.  I suspect some filtering is better than none.  

[Johnseye]

9 hours ago, sandyk said:

electronics-salon no longer appears to have this item available. They were purchased by several C.A. members. http://www.audiowind.com/pdf/A-270V2.pdf
 The key advantage of most of this vendor's PSU modules is the larger than usual heat sinks that they use.

This vendor has a large number of general purpose PSU modules currently available.

 

Finally found it !

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ultra-low-Noise-40-V-Adjustable-Voltage-Regulator-Module-1-25-20V-1-5-Amp-/161492352376?hash=item2599b1bd78

 

Incidentally, some members have found that filtering the SATA Data lines is not always a good idea.

 

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Electronics-Salon/Power-Supply-Regulator-/_i.html?_fsub=969807219&_sid=804830199&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

 

 

Thanks. I like what I'm hearing quite a bit. The SATA filter is just part of it but I'm amazed at what the music sounds like with this hardware. 

[Johnseye]

I spent most of the weekend trying every possible hardware and software configuration to determine what was causing the dropouts when using a small buffer. I won't run through all the scenarios,  but I did get 2016 Server running in core mode and learned some new Powershell commands. Let me tell you, Audiophile Optimizer is indispensable with 2016 Core. I don't think I could have gotten things running without it. I even tried WASAPI, hoping it would make a difference from ASIO. There might have been some small improvements toward shrinking the buffer, but nothing got things where I had them before. Keep in mind, a larger buffer shouldn't matter. This is just a personal preference. 

 

I had been using the sMS-200 before,  so no Windows drivers for the DAC.  After exhausting every possible scenario I decided to install ROCK on the X25 drive. It worked flawlessly. I can even set the buffer down to 5ms without a hiccup. This tells me there's an issue with my DACs Windows driver and the server hardware. I emailed Peter Madnick about it. Hopefully there's another driver. Otherwise I'll use Rock until I get a new DAC. Not a big deal, I just can't use HQPlayer or JRiver. 

[Johnseye]

3 minutes ago, BigGuy said:

I too am using the Adnaco S3B 

http://www.adnaco.com/products/s3a/
with a 30 ft glass cable between my PC server and DAC.  USB connection is via the Pangea Ag cable treated with the Swenson shield ground.

 

Sounds like the SOTM tX-USBUltra is a great add-on but put off by the $1k buy-in.

 

Any other things you have tried or are planning?  Thoughts on a IsoRegen, etc., vs the SOTM?

 

 

Roy has checked out of the forum.  He has commented on the ISO Regen and use of it in his system.  Take a look at the index for his posts.

 

One comment about FMCs is that they have their own PSUs and clocks.  Their clocks are often noisy.  You're potentially adding noise on one end to reduce it by using fiber.

 

A more recent effort has been to eliminate as much noise as possible from the PC/server.  If you read what I and a couple others have done, we've used the sCLK-EX, which is a component of the tX-USBultra, to improve the clocks in either our PC, switch or both.

[Johnseye]

8 minutes ago, acaro said:

You mean that the txUSB only will run at 12V?

 

Yes

[Johnseye]

13 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

Which version do you have? I think SOtM sells 3 configurations these days. See screenshot:

 

 

 

8 minutes ago, auricgoldfinger said:

 

From the SOtM website: 

 

The tX-USBultra requires 6.5 ~ 9 voltages. But if your power supply provides over 9V, you can change the standard power requirement to the optional 12.0V, and then you can use above 9V ~ 12V power to tX-USBultra.

 

Refer back to my post about breaking out the tX-USBultra.  The sCLK-EX controls the voltage and you can manually change that yourself with dip switches.  SOtM can do that for you, but if you're comfortable opening it up you can do it yourself.  It's pretty easy really.  The jumper chart I provided in that post comes from the sCLK-EX instruction manual downloadable from their site.  If you haven't read that manual yet, it's very helpful.  There are two different board releases.