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

[jean-michel6]

2 hours ago, auricgoldfinger said:

 

How difficult is it to wrap the cables?  Is the mumetal fairly pliable?

 

Would it be possible for you to share some photos of your cables?

Hi ,

 

Below is a picture to show as an example , i did put only one layer of mumetal . I am using a 0.1mm mumetal which has adhesive on one side therefore it sticks to the cable .

The way i do it is i put one layer of mumetal as shown on the picture , then a second layer to insure 100% coverage twisted the opposite way of the first layer .

The mumetal layer are connected to nothing .Since mumetal is conductive , i finish with one additional layer of teflon plumber tape .

This makes the cable somewhat stiffer but it remains flexible , it would be better in my opinion to use a thinner mumetal but i have not found a source at reasonable cost .

[jean-michel6]

42 minutes ago, austinpop said:

@Bruce Orr, @limniscate, and I just concluded a very entertaining and enjoyable digital audio meet on Eric's wonderful setup. Bruce is a CA'er from Dallas - so he practically lives in our back yard; this is Texas! He was gracious enough to fly down for the day, and brought with him some goodies which we were very interested to compare - the UltraRendu, and the sPS-500 PSU with SOtM silver Y-cable. Between his gear, Eric's, and mine, we had more digital front end gear than you could shake a stick at. Funny expression, that. Why shake a stick at digital gear? What am I saying! We're audiophiles - if it improves SQ, you can bet we'll shake sticks and more.  But I digress...

 

Since this was a single session of 7-8 hours total, not all of which was listening, all my impressions below are necessarily preliminary. Please bear that in mind. I fully expect Bruce and Eric to jump in with their impressions as well.

 

Since our interest was in the UltraRendu and the sPS-500, and Bruce's in our trifectas, we designed a manageable set of listening comparisons to satisfy most interests. Even so, we inevitably ran out of time. The baseline configuration, which was held constant, and so is implied in the comparison sections below, was:

• Roon Core bridged server > dcBL7 > iSO6 > dCBL7 > endpoint or switch
• In configs with switch, the switch > endpoint cable was dCBL7
• USB cables:
  • Lush into DAC
  • USPCBs for intermediate
• Unless otherwise specified, each device was powered by an LPS-1
• The rest of the chain was held constant to Eric's setup:
  • Yggy DAC (fed via USB) > Audio Research Ref6SE > Sanders Magtech (?) > Magnepan 3.7i with dual Rythmik subs

Comparison 1: UltraRendu vs. sMS-200ultra (standalone)

We compared

• UR > DAC with
• sMS-200ultra > DAC. No reference clock was used. The sMS-200ultra was powered by 2 LPS-1s in series.

This one was very close. My preference varied with the track selection. One of our go-to tracks that emerged that day was the 5th movement (Rondo - Finale) of the recent BIS release of Mahler's 5th performed by the Minnesota Orchestra:

 

On the Mahler, I found the sMS-200ultra to have just that extra air, timbre, and refinement. However the UltraRendu was no slouch, and on some other jazz and blues tracks, had  a bit more pleasing weight and slam. Let's put it this way - if I owned one, I wouldn't be tempted to sell it to buy the other.

 

Comparison 2: UR+IR vs. full trifecta medley

Here we compared the following:

• UR > ISO-R > DAC, with

• modded switch > modded sMS-200 > ISO-R > tX-USBultra > DAC. Cybershaft OP-14 connected to tX-USBultra clock input

This wasn't a fair comparison, given the price differential between the two configurations, and the results were consistent. The full trifecta medley was head and shoulders better. I'll let Bruce give us his impressions here, as this was his first listen to the full trifecta.

 

The one observation I will make here is this. Depending on how you count, the price difference between the 2 configurations is $2600-3000. What I have found is that the SQ bump I hear from the $3k additional investment in this part of the digital audio chain is far greater than the difference I heard by stepping up to a DAC that was $3k more expensive than mine. Indeed in the cases of the DAVE and the QX-5, the difference was more like $10k and $7k respectively, and I don't feel the difference in SQ was as stark as what I am hearing in this region of the chain.

 

I know I keep harping on this point, but I'm a fan of value for money, and this area - for now - has proved to be a rich vein for me. FWIW.

 

Comparison 3: LPS-1 vs sPS-500

We used the full trifecta configuration: modded switch > modded sMS-200 > ISO-R > tX-USBultra > DAC. Cybershaft OP-14 connected to tX-USBultra clock input. We varied the PSU used on the tX-USBultra, because from past experience, the tX-USBultra in this chain seems to be the most sensitive to PSU quality. We compared:

• LPS-1 with Ghent starquad DC cable, set at 7V
• sPS-500 with SOtM silver Y-cable (only one output used), set at 7V
• sPS-500 with SOtM silver Y-cable (only one output used), set at 9V.

This one was just too close too call. Perhaps with more time and extended listening, subtle differences would emerge, but in the limited time we had, we just could not discern enough to tell these apart. We did wonder how much of a boost the silver DC cable was providing, but since the sPS-500 uses the funky Hirose connectors, we had no standard alternatives to swap in.

 

On the one hand, one could say the sPS-500 sounded wonderful, for an SMPS. On the other hand, one could say that the LPS-1, once again, demonstrated the sonic gem it is at its unbeatable price point.

 

Summary

I cannot overemphasize how much fun these meets are. I'm just amazed at how easy it is to click with fellow audiophiles. I hope to do this again with more local CA'ers.

Thank you for this very interesting feedback which clearly demonstrate the interest of the trifecta and clock upgrade .

 

I noticed that you did used a ghent dc cable with oyaide connectors . Did you compare those cable to anything else ? If yes did they sound better ?

Also do you think that the connectors , cable ... used by Ghent are genuine ? 

I have been living seven years in Shanghai were is located Ghent audio and i am also very suspicious about "genuine" product coming from china , they are so good at making copies of almost anything .

On the other hand i do agree they have also some very good products .

[mozes]

56 minutes ago, austinpop said:

On the one hand, one could say the sPS-500 sounded wonderful, for an SMPS.

Thanks for the great effort and write up!

which power cord did you use to power the sPS-500?

[BigAlMc]

55 minutes ago, austinpop said:

What am I saying! We're audiophiles - if it improves SQ, you can bet we'll shake sticks and more.

 

@austinpop I don't mean to be argumentative but I need to correct you here.

 

We'd shake a ferrite covered, JSSG shielded, decrapified, SMPS grounded stick!  

[austinpop]

11 minutes ago, mozes said:

Thanks for the great effort and write up!

which power cord did you use to power the sPS-500?

 

Stock cords on both the sPS-500 and the Meanwells for the LPS-1. Eric hasn’t gone down the grounding path yet.

[austinpop]

11 minutes ago, BigAlMc said:

 

@austinpop I don't mean to be argumentative but I need to correct you here.

 

We'd shake a ferrite covered, JSSG shielded, decrapified, SMPS grounded stick!  

 

You know it!  

[austinpop]

23 minutes ago, jean-michel6 said:

Thank you for this very interesting feedback which clearly demonstrate the interest of the trifecta and clock upgrade .

 

I noticed that you did used a ghent dc cable with oyaide connectors . Did you compare those cable to anything else ? If yes did they sound better ?

Also do you think that the connectors , cable ... used by Ghent are genuine ? 

I have been living seven years in Shanghai were is located Ghent audio and i am also very suspicious about "genuine" product coming from china , they are so good at making copies of almost anything .

On the other hand i do agree they have also some very good products .

 

Not this time. But yes, I’ve compared in the past: the stock LPS-1 cable, a home brew starquad Canare 4S6 cable, and the Ghent cable. Both the home brew and Ghent sounded better than stock. But I couldn’t say the Ghent was superior to the home brew.

 

I cannot comment on whether the Oyaide plugs are genuine, as I am not an expert.

[JJ Braham]

25 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

Stock cords on both the sPS-500 and the Meanwells for the LPS-1. Eric hasn’t gone down the grounding path yet.

From what I've read, the main difference between them is that the sPS-500 scales accordingly with a better power cable, while that does not seem to be the case for the LPS-1...

[mozes]

Switching PSUs respond very well with power cords. Dave is a good example.

[mozes]

12 minutes ago, JJ Braham said:

From what I've read, the main difference between them is that the sPS-500 scales accordingly with a better power cable, while that does not seem to be the case for the LPS-1...

Not the power cable. But if you use a LPS to energize the LPS-1, it makes a difference. Also the grounding of the negative DC output makes a noticeable impact with switching PSUs

[auricgoldfinger]

6 minutes ago, JJ Braham said:

From what I've read, the main difference between them is that the sPS-500 scales accordingly with a better power cable, while that does not seem to be the case for the LPS-1...

 

I own both the sPS-500 and LPS-1, and I have found that the LPS-1 improves with a better power supply.  I have heard improvement when powering it with both a Gophert DC power supply and a JS-2.  Of course, one might question why it is necessary to buy a linear power supply that needs another linear power supply to perform optimally, but I will leave that debate to others.

 

I prefer the sPS-500 with an upgraded AC power cable, but when the LPS-1 is powered by the JS-2, they are reasonably close in performance.

[austinpop]

Like I said - we didn't have the time to get into all the permutations and combinations. Suffice it to say they are close. The sPS-500 does have the added benefit of multiple voltage settings, which is valuable.

 

It might be fun to do a PSU shootout in a couple months. By then, Eric's long-awaited SR7MR2DRXL will be here, hopefully along with my just-ordered SR4, the LPS-1, and sPS-500.

[R1200CL]

6 hours ago, austinpop said:

Comparison 2: UR+IR vs. full trifecta medley

Here we compared the following:

• UR > ISO-R > DAC, with

• modded switch > modded sMS-200 > ISO-R > tX-USBultra > DAC. Cybershaft OP-14 connected to tX-USBultra clock input

 

Is the ISO REGEN in the chain better in your opinion ?

 

When we added the IR after the MicroRendu 1.4, in my system we found it added a curtain. (Well in fact it was when we removed the IR, we notice the small SQ lift)

 

With the 1.3 it may had some benefits. 

 

Maybe I have to test this more before I list the IR ?

[beerandmusic]

6 hours ago, auricgoldfinger said:

 

I own both the sPS-500 and LPS-1, and I have found that the LPS-1 improves with a better power supply.  I have heard improvement when powering it with both a Gophert DC power supply and a JS-2.  Of course, one might question why it is necessary to buy a linear power supply that needs another linear power supply to perform optimally, but I will leave that debate to others.

 

I prefer the sPS-500 with an upgraded AC power cable, but when the LPS-1 is powered by the JS-2, they are reasonably close in performance.

I am newbie in all of this, and likely when i buy in, i won't be daisy chaining or buying upgraded cables at my first nibble....

In your opinion, which is better, the SPS-500 with default  or LPS-1 with default ?

Also, I am sure stupid question, but when you say  LPS-1, are you referring to uptone?

 

Also, have you heard of the sbooster, or is that product in the same league as these 2 options?

 

thanks

 

[beerandmusic]

7 hours ago, austinpop said:

@Bruce Orr, @limniscate, and I just concluded a very entertaining and enjoyable digital audio meet on Eric's wonderful setup. Bruce is a CA'er from Dallas - so he practically lives in our back yard; this is Texas! He was gracious enough to fly down for the day, and brought with him some goodies which we were very interested to compare - the UltraRendu, and the sPS-500 PSU with SOtM silver Y-cable. Between his gear, Eric's, and mine, we had more digital front end gear than you could shake a stick at. Funny expression, that. Why shake a stick at digital gear? What am I saying! We're audiophiles - if it improves SQ, you can bet we'll shake sticks and more.  But I digress...

 

Since this was a single session of 7-8 hours total, not all of which was listening, all my impressions below are necessarily preliminary. Please bear that in mind. I fully expect Bruce and Eric to jump in with their impressions as well.

 

Since our interest was in the UltraRendu and the sPS-500, and Bruce's in our trifectas, we designed a manageable set of listening comparisons to satisfy most interests. Even so, we inevitably ran out of time. The baseline configuration, which was held constant, and so is implied in the comparison sections below, was:

• Roon Core bridged server > dcBL7 > iSO6 > dCBL7 > endpoint or switch
• In configs with switch, the switch > endpoint cable was dCBL7
• USB cables:
  • Lush into DAC
  • USPCBs for intermediate
• Unless otherwise specified, each device was powered by an LPS-1
• The rest of the chain was held constant to Eric's setup:
  • Yggy DAC (fed via USB) > Audio Research Ref6SE > Sanders Magtech (?) > Magnepan 3.7i with dual Rythmik subs

Comparison 1: UltraRendu vs. sMS-200ultra (standalone)

We compared

• UR > DAC with
• sMS-200ultra > DAC. No reference clock was used. The sMS-200ultra was powered by 2 LPS-1s in series.

This one was very close. My preference varied with the track selection. One of our go-to tracks that emerged that day was the 5th movement (Rondo - Finale) of the recent BIS release of Mahler's 5th performed by the Minnesota Orchestra:

 

On the Mahler, I found the sMS-200ultra to have just that extra air, timbre, and refinement. However the UltraRendu was no slouch, and on some other jazz and blues tracks, had  a bit more pleasing weight and slam. Let's put it this way - if I owned one, I wouldn't be tempted to sell it to buy the other.

 

Comparison 2: UR+IR vs. full trifecta medley

Here we compared the following:

• UR > ISO-R > DAC, with

• modded switch > modded sMS-200 > ISO-R > tX-USBultra > DAC. Cybershaft OP-14 connected to tX-USBultra clock input

This wasn't a fair comparison, given the price differential between the two configurations, and the results were consistent. The full trifecta medley was head and shoulders better. I'll let Bruce give us his impressions here, as this was his first listen to the full trifecta.

 

The one observation I will make here is this. Depending on how you count, the price difference between the 2 configurations is $2600-3000. What I have found is that the SQ bump I hear from the $3k additional investment in this part of the digital audio chain is far greater than the difference I heard by stepping up to a DAC that was $3k more expensive than mine. Indeed in the cases of the DAVE and the QX-5, the difference was more like $10k and $7k respectively, and I don't feel the difference in SQ was as stark as what I am hearing in this region of the chain.

 

I know I keep harping on this point, but I'm a fan of value for money, and this area - for now - has proved to be a rich vein for me. FWIW.

 

Comparison 3: LPS-1 vs sPS-500

We used the full trifecta configuration: modded switch > modded sMS-200 > ISO-R > tX-USBultra > DAC. Cybershaft OP-14 connected to tX-USBultra clock input. We varied the PSU used on the tX-USBultra, because from past experience, the tX-USBultra in this chain seems to be the most sensitive to PSU quality. We compared:

• LPS-1 with Ghent starquad DC cable, set at 7V
• sPS-500 with SOtM silver Y-cable (only one output used), set at 7V
• sPS-500 with SOtM silver Y-cable (only one output used), set at 9V.

This one was just too close too call. Perhaps with more time and extended listening, subtle differences would emerge, but in the limited time we had, we just could not discern enough to tell these apart. We did wonder how much of a boost the silver DC cable was providing, but since the sPS-500 uses the funky Hirose connectors, we had no standard alternatives to swap in.

 

On the one hand, one could say the sPS-500 sounded wonderful, for an SMPS. On the other hand, one could say that the LPS-1, once again, demonstrated the sonic gem it is at its unbeatable price point.

 

Summary

I cannot overemphasize how much fun these meets are. I'm just amazed at how easy it is to click with fellow audiophiles. I hope to do this again with more local CA'ers.

 

Thanks austinpop for taking so much time and sharing....again, i don't want to read through 200 pages, can you summarize for a "newbie"...

 

Without all the "extra upgrades, cables, lps, etc", do you believe the SOTM ultra or Sonore Ultra would reign winner?  and if only one upgrade could be afforded, do you believe the PS would be the most important?   Also, do you know what the clocks are used in each the sotm and sonore?  I know the sotm has the sclk-ex, but don't know anything about the sonore's clock?

 

In other words, if someone wants to start down this path of network adapters, what would you recommend to "start out"?

 

Thanks

[auricgoldfinger]

1 minute ago, beerandmusic said:

I am newbie in all of this, and likely when i buy in, i won't be daisy chaining or buying upgraded cables at my first nibble....

In your opinion, which is better, the SPS-500 with default  or LPS-1 with default ?

Also, I am sure stupid question, but when you say  LPS-1, are you referring to uptone?

 

 

Yes, I'm referring to the Uptone LPS-1.  In all honesty, it has been so long since I used them in their default condition that I can't say for sure which is best.  One thing you should do if you go with the LPS-1 is the John Swenson grounding technique for it SMPS power supply.  Everyone is finding it to provide a very inexpensive, yet beneficial upgrade to sound quality.

 

What device are you planning to power?  If you only need 7VDC (and 1.1 amps max) or less, the LPS-1 is probably the way to go.

[austinpop]

2 hours ago, R1200CL said:

 

Is the ISO REGEN in the chain better in your opinion ?

 

When we added the IR after the MicroRendu 1.4, in my system we found it added a curtain. (Well in fact it was when we removed the IR, we notice the small SQ lift)

 

With the 1.3 it may had some benefits. 

 

Maybe I have to test this more before I list the IR ?

 

It's a good question, since we did listen to both UR and UR+ISO-R configs. However, due to our limited time, we did not do A-B tests of this particular comparison. All I can recall is that if there was an improvement with the ISO-R, it must have been relatively minor, because I didn't really notice it.

 

I'm sure there are many who have the UR+IR who can answer that particular question.

 

[austinpop]

52 minutes ago, beerandmusic said:

 

Thanks austinpop for taking so much time and sharing....again, i don't want to read through 200 pages, can you summarize for a "newbie"...

 

Without all the "extra upgrades, cables, lps, etc", do you believe the SOTM ultra or Sonore Ultra would reign winner?  and if only one upgrade could be afforded, do you believe the PS would be the most important?

 

Beer,

 

I am not going to recommend one over the other. Read my comments above for the nuances. You would be happy with either the UltraRendu OR the sMS-200ultra.

And yes, a good PSU is a MUST. If you want simple, just get the LPS-1, ground the Meanwell energizing supply and get on with life.

 

52 minutes ago, beerandmusic said:

Also, do you know what the clocks are used in each the sotm and sonore?  I know the sotm has the sclk-ex, but don't know anything about the sonore's clock?

 

The UltraRendu uses a Crystek, I believe. Read this for more:

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/31811-sonore-ultrarendu/?do=findComment&comment=666513

 

52 minutes ago, beerandmusic said:

In other words, if someone wants to start down this path of network adapters, what would you recommend to "start out"?

 

If you want a simple starter recommendation, here's mine:

1. Netgear GS-105 switch. Ground the SMPS using the John Swenson Grounding Gizmo (JSGG). This will be the switch that isolates the rest of your network from the audio chain below. Only connect to it:
   • your upstream router or switch
   • your endpoint - see below
2. UltraRendu or sMS-200ultra - pick one
3. LPS-1 to power. Ground the Meanwell with a JSGG.
4. Add a DAC of your choice.

You are done. Enjoy.

 

Beyond this - there are infinite tweaks, nuances, improvements, and each one is a deep rathole that some of us dive into. You're welcome to do the same, but do it knowingly. If you want simple, then stay out of them!

 

Done and done.

[flkin]

12 hours ago, austinpop said:

 

Stock cords on both the sPS-500 and the Meanwells for the LPS-1. Eric hasn’t gone down the grounding path yet.

 

The sPS -500 negative DC is already grounded internally by design. Therefore no high impedance leakage currents. 

 

Since the LPS-1 DC input was an ungrounded Maxwell, there would possibly be a high impedance leakage current in the LPS-1 output.

 

Just saying..

[R1200CL]

4 hours ago, flkin said:

Since the LPS-1 DC input was an ungrounded Maxwell, there would possibly be a high impedance leakage current in the LPS-1 output.

 

It has been reported that grounding the Meanwell internally vs using a external wire makes a difference. I think John did measure as well.

Not sure if it makes difference in SQ tough.

 

Has anyone a good explanation why there is a difference making the shunt on the print of the Meanwell vs. using an external wire ?

Maybe a different power cable to the meanwell will make different measurements ?

[dgarretson]

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."

[lmitche]

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.

[auricgoldfinger]

11 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.

 

Please share some photos of your finished product.

[lmitche]

Too late! Everything is installed and buried away.

[R1200CL]

10 minutes ago, lmitche said:

Too late! Everything is installed and buried away.

 

Is it the JSSG you have done ?

Basically added shield and a thin cable (like 24AWG) to loop the ends of the shield ?

 

You used this one ?

https://www.amazon.com/Tinned-Copper-Metal-Braided-Sleeving/dp/B01BIBQESG