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

[auricgoldfinger]

Would this be a good option (due to the all-flash design) for those of us who are tethered to a NAS?

 

https://www.synology.com/en-global/products/FS1018

[auricgoldfinger]

1 minute ago, Johnseye said:

 

If you can afford an all SSD NAS.  One 4TB drive is about $1700.  Keep in mind you don't need speed and SSDs have their own noise.  I'm not sure what would be gained over spindles for a storage medium.

 

Thanks for your thoughts!

[auricgoldfinger]

1 minute ago, lmitche said:

This looks like an expensive noise maker to me. A hard disk in a USB 3 enclosure powered by one or two low noise LPSes, 5 and 12 volts, connected to an LPS powered USB card is tough to beat.

 

Thank you!

[auricgoldfinger]

14 hours ago, bobfa said:

What an amazing collection of information. It took me over three days of “spare” time to read the whole thing.  Thanks to EVERONE.

 

I am evolving my systems and have upgraded my DAC/AMP  to the new Brooklyn DAC+ and AMP.  My current front end is Sonic Transporter i5 and an microrendu.  I have SOTM SMS-200 ultra and a modded switch on the way. I have held off on the USB re-clock part for just a bit.  I am looking at the grounding and shielding ideas that I can do on my own.  The idea of sleeving the USB with a shield and grounding the Switchs, etc.  will be fun.

 

i have a couple of server questions.

 

Has anyone used the new Sonic Transporter i7 bridged server?

 

I am looking to try my i7 Intel NUC with Windows 10 to see how that works for sound quality and bridging networks.  There was a whole section in the thread on out manually optimizing windows.  Does anyone have any thoughts about that or one of the methods?

 

—-RJF

 

I don't run Windows 10, but a lot of people seem to like this optimization software:

 

https://www.highend-audiopc.com/audiophile-optimizer

[auricgoldfinger]

7 hours ago, austinpop said:

I received the SR-4, along with the silver DC3FSXLR with 2. 1mm Switchcraft cable

 

The LPS-1 might separate itself with an upgraded DC cable that is more comparable to your SR-4 silver DC3FSXLR cable.

[auricgoldfinger]

I have to upgrade the HDD's in my Synology to get more storage space.  I would greatly appreciate suggestions for suitable quiet 3.5 inch drives.  Given all of the emphasis on noise reduction, I am hesitant to buy a 7200 RPM drive, but some of those drives often offer larger cache which may be beneficial.

[auricgoldfinger]

8 hours ago, flkin said:

In addition to the cable from 10Mz Clock to the tX-USBultra (in the case of the Trifecta), the other three 24/25 Hz clock distribution cables from tX-USBultra to the switch and sMS200 would probably need attention too.

 

I found these double shielded ones that seem to be better than the stock recommended ones by SOTM-US. The link is for double right angled connections but normal straight ones are available too. $57 for 12 inch lengths.

 

https://www.pasternack.com/smb-plug-smb-plug-rg316-ds-cable-assembly-pe33476lf-12-p.aspx

 

At short lengths such as these, I'm not convinced that signal drop per 100m matters. We're talking about 1-2db drop differences over 100m making drops over 30cm lengths insignificant. Shielding and termination quality I suspect matter more.

 

 

Have you actually tried these cables to compare them to those recommended by SOtM?  If so, would you please describe the nature and magnitude of the difference in SQ?

[auricgoldfinger]

4 hours ago, vortecjr said:

No. However, this power supply is based on one that we use to make and it rocks. My VP Adrian gave them the information and they are building it now. 

http://atechfabrication.com/products/Ultra-Low-Noise-Power-Supply.htm  

 

How are they selling your power supply design for 60% of what you formerly asked for it?  What have they changed to enable the lower price point?

[auricgoldfinger]

3 hours ago, vortecjr said:

The Sonore upgrade power supply for the music servers were $839/$859. We also included a $150 (our cost) custom Cardas DC cable with each.

 

 

Is that the same as what I believe you used to call your Sonore Signature Power Supply?  Sorry if my memory is faulty.

[auricgoldfinger]

2 hours ago, mozes said:

With the Bybee you can also place it next to a power distribution box and get great results.

 

I've been considering placing 3 of those around the main breaker.

[auricgoldfinger]

2 hours ago, mozes said:

Place a Bybee IQSE under your router and you will be rewarded with a nice boost in dynamics and lower noise floor.

 

 

Interesting idea.  I may have to try it. 

[auricgoldfinger]

22 minutes ago, austinpop said:

@mozes Moussa,

 

Can you describe where you’ve tried the Bybee IQSE in your system, and what you heard?

 

In the same vein, any experience with Synergistic Blue or Beeswax fuses? 

 

I have an SR Blue fuse on the way for my Vega.  Hopefully, I won't destroy the DAC installing it.  My DIY skills are very sketchy.

 

The nice thing about the SR Blue fuse is that you have a 30-day return period.  Unfortunately, there is no such option for Beeswax fuses, so a true comparison could end up being costly if you prefer the SR Blue.

[auricgoldfinger]

14 minutes ago, Johnseye said:

 

For $4k I question whether the gain in SQ is equal investing that amount into better speakers, a DAC, preamp or amp.  My guess is I'm better off putting it towards any one of those components.  Whether that's a Chord Dave, Blu2, or a myriad of other components, $4k is a tough nut to swallow.  That's just me though.  YMMV. 

 

The introductory price is $3500 which is comparable to the Mutec REF10, which @romaz has gushed over.  Maybe he will chime in with an answer to your question.

[auricgoldfinger]

12 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

I'll chime in and say that - for me, my system, and my ears - my Cybershaft OP-14 made a bigger sonic difference than what I heard replacing my Codex with a loaner DAVE.

 

I know Roy thinks I'm nuts for not hearing more from the DAVE, but as I've repeated many times, the reason I am so active in this pre-DAC part of the digital chain is that the improvements I'm hearing are a bigger bang for the buck than I hear with DAC upgrades - and I've tried the Hugo 2, DAVE and the Ayre QX-5.

 

Does that mean I won't ever upgrade my DAC? Of course not! What I'm finding is that the old adage of "improve your source" applies here in full force. With my latest round of improvements upstream of the DAC in place, I felt like I hear bigger differences between DACs now.

 

Everything matters.

 

YMMV.

 

Your Cybershaft at less than half the cost of the SOtM reference master clock is a big bang for the buck.  Do you think the improvement is worth $4,000 or should that kind of money be dedicated elsewhere?

[auricgoldfinger]

4 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

Having done that one, I know my verdict. With my previous baseline of the SOtM trifecta, if I were given a choice of only one of the Zenith SE OR the Cybershaft, it would be the Cybershaft without a doubt.

 

Very interesting finding!

[auricgoldfinger]

Paul Hynes power supplies should be ideal for the sCLK-OCX10.

[auricgoldfinger]

24 minutes ago, Johnseye said:

 

What version of DeoxIt do you use?  I was just talking with a tech over at Audio Research (ARC) as I have their LS-28.  He actually recommended DeoxIt as well.  In fact, when I mentioned I was going to try a Synergistic Blue Quantum fuse he said you can absolutely hear a difference in fuses.  Not only that but the direction of the fuse as well.  So this is from a well respected company who has to install fuses in all of its products.

 

I use G5.  Does a nice job on my tube pins.

[auricgoldfinger]

1 minute ago, Johnseye said:

 

So formulated for gold or not, it doesn't really matter?

 

It's meant for plated surfaces.  I think it will work on pretty much everything.

[auricgoldfinger]

I would like to share my experience of replacing the stock fuse in my DAC with a Synergistic Research Blue Quantum Fuse.  Please note that I am listening through headphones. 

 

When first I turned on the music after installing the Blue Fuse, I was immediately struck by the increased clarity.  Within a few minutes, the sound began rounding out.  Individual instruments are much easier to discern.  The soundstage is wider and deeper.  I feel more surrounded by music than before.  Micro-dynamics are noticeably better.  For example, the vibrato in voices is more defined.  Bass notes are deeper and tighter. 

 

Overall, I have to agree with @kennyb123:  More of everything is coming forth with greater ease and naturalness.  I am very happy with the result.

[auricgoldfinger]

2 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

Thanks for this report. Which component(s) did you use the Blue fuse(s) in?

 

Only the Auralic Vega.

[auricgoldfinger]

6 hours ago, beautiful music said:

I'm trying to figure out the location of Fuse but i didn't found it.

 

May i know where is the location of Fuse that you replaced it?

 

 

It took me a while to find the fuse also how to access it.  @lmitche gave you the perfect instructions immediately below your post.  The process is actually quite simple.  Even I could do it.

[auricgoldfinger]

8 hours ago, austinpop said:

 

 

This afternoon, I went in search of fuses in my chain. I also learned how to decipher the fuse ratings. So far, I have located the following:

• Cavalli Liquid Gold headphone amp: 2 fuses, each 1A, 250V, slow-blow, 5x20mm. I also popped the top (24 torx screws!) to peek in for additional fuses. I couldn't find any.
  • The fuses were located in the little fuse box under the IEC input port.
  • Question: Am I correct to assume both the fuses are in use? Or is one a spare? How would I know which was the spare?
• Zenith SE: 1 fuse, 2A, 250V, slow-blow, 5x20mm.
  • The companion to the fuse on the other side of the fuse box was a steel spring.
• Ayre Codex DAC: there's no fuse holder in the IEC input. I couldn't find a fuse inside the chassis, but I didn't get very far in opening the chassis. I was able to unscrew and pull out the rear panel, but I couldn't find an easy way to slide out the side panel. I'm sure with some care it could be done, but I lost my nerve at this point. So if there is a fuse in this DAC, it's not in a place I can easily access.
• Cybershaft: TBD. I sent a note to Kenji to ask him first, before I open up the unit.
• PS Audio P5: did not check whether this has fuse(s).

At this point, my inclination is to try the Cavalli and the Zenith SE fuses, and see what improvements arise, if any.

 

 

If you really need 2 fuses for the Cavalli, I'd start with the Zenith SE.  I'm not sure the cost of upgrading 2 fuses in the Cavalli could be justified.

[auricgoldfinger]

1 hour ago, RickyV said:

Google jssg shield.

I Made a variation on the jssg and that is: take a cable shield it with copper foil tape. Copper tape is very thin if you bent it to much it will tear so i put linen tape over it, strengthening it and isolate it from a second layer of copper tape or braided shield. When isolate the fist layer leave the ends untaped to connect to the second layer.

linen tape is used in the automotive industrie for cable harnass.

I don’t know if it works i have noting to compare it to.

I did it with sata cable and supra cat 8.

The second layer of the cat8 i did with http://www.techflex.nl/metalshielding-flexo-conductive-c-146_62.html?language=EN.

This is the more expensive option,

http://www.techflex.nl/metaalshielding-flexo-shield-c-146_123.html

 

Do you have any photos of your interim or finished product?

[auricgoldfinger]

1 hour ago, Cornan said:

Now when all the starquad cables have JSSG (and sounding great) I wonder how something like this wrapped around the external power supplies would turn out? ?

 

 

What about heat dissipation?

[auricgoldfinger]

3 minutes ago, Cornan said:

 

I have no problems with that with my floating SMPS and LT3045s in series. LPSU might be a problem though. Maybe to make it like a JSSG and have it open on two sides and run a drain wire attached to each end of the Faraday cage?

 

I'll wait for you to report on your results.