ISO REGEN Listening Impressions (kicked off with some measurements)

[MisterRogers]

I've reached out to Alex about this, but my unit doesn't work. When feeding an SU-1, I get crackling noise. When I switch it to my other system (feeding an MC-3+) I can't get a signal lock. 

 

Can you all please confirm successful use feeding either SU-1 or MC-3+?

[MisterRogers]

Thought I'd take a moment to share some impressions. I first received a faulty unit, then a good / verified replacement on Friday. Functionally, it's working flawlessly. My digital chain includes:

 

Mac Mini (server) -> short USB cable (Pangea) -> ISO Regen -> USPCB Connector -> SU-1

 

Two LPS-1's power the ISO Regen / SU-1 each. The SU-1 is modified for external PS, and the on-board reg has been swapped out with a Belleson SPM. 

 

Dac is a Metrum Pavane, fed via AES from SU-1. The entire digital side is isolated with a SacThailand BLITZ (balanced line isolation transformer). 

 

Sonically, imaging is a bit tighter, staging a bit more precise, bass / mid-bass more solid / impactful, and highs less edgy - with a more natural decay. Background is a touch blacker. Compared to an Amber Regen, everything is improved. I read somewhere on CA that ISO allows us to hear deeper down the 'throat' of vocalists. Sounds a bit odd to say it, but I think that sums it up nicely. Subtle inflections, breaths, etc. are more pronounced. 

 

These are the audio 'cues' that can get lost with digital, that are slowly / wonderfully being recovered with products like ISO Regen & LPS-1. Bottom line: I can honestly say I've never heard a better digital chain (to my old ears).

 

Alex & John - very well done!

 

It's important to note that while subtle, the USPCB adaptor is definitely contributing to the high SI reaching the SU-1. 

 

Also - thanks for putting up with all of us through this 'half-launch' Alex. You've done / are doing your part to make it right; as we've come to expect. 

[MisterRogers]

@tboooe's post gave me the nudge to add more impressions (well, really a summary) myself. 

 

Bottom line: ISO Regen combined with my modded SU-1 (Belleson reg, caps, etc) each fed by LPS-1's. Is the best digital chain I've ever owned. Full stop. My second rig is using an Mutec 3+, Amber Regen, each powered by custom built PS (dual Reflektor-D's), and it's always delivered solid sonics - but what I'm getting now is... better. 

 

Don't want to wax on, but this chain - these UpTone products aren't just changing the sound; they're elevating it by what I believe to be some of the best signal integrity out there. Less is more here; I can't imagine it sounding any better, any more analog. But I suspect it will - such is the nature of this hobby.

 

I'm hearing more, enjoying more, feeling more. Thanks John / Alex - your considerable efforts are bearing fruit.

 

[MisterRogers]

46 minutes ago, Indydan said:

Has anybody tried the ISO Regen plugged after the Intona Industrial?

 

I mean computer to Intona, then into ISO Regen, then into DAC. I already own the Intona and I am thinking of buying the ISO Regen. I am wondering if Alex or anyone else knows, or thinks that the Intona - ISO Regen combo, would be better than ISO Regen alone.

An ISO Regen replaced an Intona / Amber Regen combination. Though I didn't expect a combination of Intona + ISO to be an improvement over ISO alone, I DID give it a try. It wasn't bad, but it lost a bit of the magic that just the ISO (powered by an LPS-1) has. 

 

Dynamics were a bit muted, timber wasn't as authentic. Really, it makes sense I think. In our battle for the best possible signal integrity, you still want to keep your digital chain as simple as possible. Having two isolators complicates without bringing anything new to the table.