The true experimental tweak thread

[mozes]

5 hours ago, Cornan said:

 

Thanks Middy!

 

I might end up with a ISORegen (or ISORegen) in the end, but I am in no hurry. I can wait until I can get my hands on one right away!

 

 

I will say it loud and clear. An Iso-Regen is a MUST! there is no other component I can think of that gave me this SQ improvement for the price. 

[rickca]

10 minutes ago, mozes said:

I will say it loud and clear. An Iso-Regen is a MUST! there is no other component I can think of that gave me this SQ improvement for the price. 

Moussa, you have both an ISO REGEN and a tX-USBultra, right?  I know you like them in combination.

 

Have you ever tried the ISO REGEN on its own compared to the tX-USBultra on its own?  I have an ISO REGEN, but I'm curious how it compares to the tX-USBultra.

 

What does using both devices together give you that the individual components don't?

 

 

[mozes]

3 minutes ago, rickca said:

Moussa, you have both an ISO REGEN and a tX-USBultra, right?  I know you like them in combination.

 

Have you ever tried the ISO REGEN on its own compared to the tX-USBultra on its own?  I have an ISO REGEN, but I'm curious how it compares to the tX-USBultra.

 

What does using both devices together give you that the individual components don't?

 

 

I still haven't done that A/B testing. I am traveling this week. But all I can say is that the combo makes everything better. The music becomes so lifelike. 

I have shorted my VR mini because of too many testings so It is on its way to Vinnie now. The system is off till I get it back.

[austinpop]

13 minutes ago, mozes said:

 

I have shorted my VR mini because of too many testings so It is on its way to Vinnie now.

 

Wow that is dedication, my friend!

 

[Cornan]

1 hour ago, austinpop said:

 

Hi Micael,

 

Peace, brother! No pressure at all. Just wanted to give you some more ideas.

 

I'll just say a couple of things. First, the ISO-Regen is at heart a "USB Regen with improved clock." It also has a GI switch, so you can selectively turn GI on/off. In your setup, one would think off would be best, but I am never surprised if what works is the opposite of what one expects.

 

Secondly, regarding SI - I agree it is really important to clean up the ground plane - as you have. This allows the existing clocks to function at their best. But what we are seeing is that better clocks help - big time. This is hard to do with tweaking alone. 

 

Thanks Rajiv! Sorry if my answer came out somewhat defensive. I am almost certain that the ISORegen would be a perfect match for the Brooklyn DAC considering that it needs USB power. I might end up with it in the end, but before I do I want to explore other things in my A setup. The Ariston RD 40 turntable was sent out today, the Fostex will arrive on Friday and the grounding boxes (1+3pcs) plus turntable accessories & tweaks will come in beginning of next week. When all that is in place and the order frequency of the ISORegen have calmed down I will seriously consider to buy one. ?

[Cornan]

1 hour ago, mozes said:

I still haven't done that A/B testing. I am traveling this week. But all I can say is that the combo makes everything better. The music becomes so lifelike. 

I have shorted my VR mini because of too many testings so It is on its way to Vinnie now. The system is off till I get it back.

 

Bummer! ? How did that happen? A DC cable issue? I hope you get it back soon.

[austinpop]

20 minutes ago, Cornan said:

 

Thanks Rajiv! Sorry if my answer came out somewhat defensive. 

 

Not at all. I was just pointing your experimenter eyes in new directions!

 

I wish clock improvements were not so expensive. 

[mozes]

12 minutes ago, Cornan said:

 

Bummer! ? How did that happen? A DC cable issue? I hope you get it back soon.

Clumsiness from my side removing the DC cable before powering it down, so the  banana connectors touched each and then I saw a spark and that's it  

[Cornan]

9 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

Not at all. I was just pointing your experimenter eyes in new directions!

 

I wish clock improvements were not so expensive. 

 

Thanks for the pointer! I wish clock improvements was cheaper or easier to implement as well. A DIY clock mod could be a fun project for my Regen Amber if I only understood how-to! ?

[Cornan]

15 minutes ago, mozes said:

Clumsiness from my side removing the DC cable before powering it down, so the  banana connectors touched each and then I saw a spark and that's it  

 

Something similar happened to me yesterday. I got a spark when connecting my Aries Mini to the powered Gophert, but luckily no short. ?

[mozes]

5 minutes ago, Cornan said:

 

Something similar happened to me yesterday. I got a spark when connecting my Aries Mini to the powered Gophert, but luckily no short. ?

Luckily I have Vinnie with the best customer service I can think of. He responded to my email same day on a Sunday and asked me to send it so he can check it. I like to buy from small manufacturers directly, they really offer value!

[Cornan]

I just looked up the Crystek 575 clock on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/272422803773

It is only roughly $30.-, so it is not that expensive.

 

 

I wonder if it is just a drop-in replacement in the USB Regen Amber? Looks that way, but anyone knows for sure?

 

[mozes]

1 minute ago, Cornan said:

I just looked up the Crystek 575 clock on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/272422803773

It is only roughly $30.-, so it is not that expensive.

 

 

I wonder if it is just a drop-in replacement in the USB Regen Amber? Anyone knows?

 

I think the implementation is the main thing, but Alex will be able to give you a definite answer on this

[austinpop]

@Superdad just posted this on the ISO-R thread, and it is one of John's gems that is germane to this discussion.

 

 

[Cornan]

6 hours ago, austinpop said:

@Superdad just posted this on the ISO-R thread, and it is one of John's gems that is germane to this discussion.

 

 

Interesting, but I cannot actually find that post. Your link is to yet another great post by JS. Is it about their ethernet device?

[Cornan]

Here is an evaluation track tip

"Disintegrate" by Roseau

 

Great deep bass notes

[austinpop]

10 hours ago, Cornan said:

Interesting, but I cannot actually find that post. Your link is to yet another great post by JS. Is it about their ethernet device?

 

No, No - this is the post.

 

He talks about the factors determining USB SQ, from leakage loops, to clock phase noise. So everything matters, but leakage loops are one aspect of the full picture.

 

Sorry - preaching to the choir, I know!

[Cornan]

2 hours ago, austinpop said:

 

No, No - this is the post.

 

He talks about the factors determining USB SQ, from leakage loops, to clock phase noise. So everything matters, but leakage loops are one aspect of the full picture.

 

Sorry - preaching to the choir, I know!

 

It was a great post to read! ? Even if he have posted all of it elsewhere in different posts it is great to have so many good points in a single post. It would be great if it was possible to save posts like that in a "Read it later" folder or add it as a sticky post here on CA.

 

BTW. I have started the work to sum up my findings in this thread. Still a work in progress... ?

[Cornan]

I feel like a little kid on Christmas eve! This morning I found out that my favorite group have releasted a new album on Tidal. For sure this will be a part of my new limited Vinyl collection as well!

 

 

https://tidal.com/album/74541627

 

They always produce truly great albums. This is no exception. Enjoy!

 

I am expecting the Fostex and my Ariston RD 40 to arrive today. Yay!

 

[Cornan]

Look what arrived today! ?

 

I love this hobby! ?

 

Evaluations will come during the weekend. Me and my 7 year old are home alone tonight (guys only) baking our favorite pizza with chorizo sausage, pesto & mozarella while listening to alt-j on high volume on my B setup. Great album by alt-j as always! ?

[Cornan]

Ofcourse I had a quick listen. I refuse to draw any firm conclusions just yet, but so far my Pioneer U-05 actually sounds better than Brooklyn DAC to my ears. I will burn-in the Brooklyn and the rewired Fostex TH900 a bit more and change back to all battery supplies to confirm it. The battle is not over just yet! ? 

 

I am very impressed with the Ariston RD 40 though. I have only a simple but brand new Ortofon OM10 pickup and old aweful RCA turntable cables. The AC mains cable connected to the Peaktech 2240. Still it sounds really good! I wonder how good it will sound when I have changed to Linn LP-12 springs, a better turntable mat, a better record clamp, a better MC cartridge, DIY Canare 4S6 cables with Valab star RCA plugs and separate silver ground cable? Very promising indeed! ?

[Middy]

Fantastic news..Have a nice night with the lad...

[Cornan]

3 minutes ago, Middy said:

Fantastic news..Have a nice night with the lad...

Thanks Middy! Make sure to tell me when your wifes big tummy gets emty. I am not only an audiophile. I love kids as well! I know you enough to be confident that you'll be a fun & great dad! ?

[Cornan]

The Douk Audio mini grounding boxes did'nt do any good in my A setup. I tried it everywhere. Couldn't hear any changes in SQ, good or bad. Next up is to try it on my B setup, which BTW sounds glorious without a Regen or any other SI device of any kind. Next step on this setup will be to invest in a iFi Spdif iPurifier to see where that ends up! ?

Now it is pizza time! My kid have promized me to fart if I do not stop to write right now! A difficult descition, but I'll surrender! ?

[Cornan]

While my kid fell asleep on the sofa I experimented with the mini grounders on my B setup. Connected to the speakers they actually descreased SQ, making it to sound noticable thin. Trying them on Gophert& DC terminal did'nt make any noticeable difference. Then I tried one connected to the ground receptacle on my Naim powerstrip. It sounded better. Tried a second one as well. Sounded even better. Added the third one on the same strip and yet another small jump in SQ. All three together on the same powerstrip ground receptacle reveils a small amount of background details and maybe add a little more air to the soundstage and perhaps a tiny bit more dynamics. Small changes overall, but atleast I found a place where it do matter. Everywhere else I tried it it did'nt make a noticeable difference or even maked it worse. I am satisfied after all, but I can say for sure that the extent of the SQ cannot compare to tourmaline grounding boxes. I hoped it would, but it did'nt! ?