SOtM Trifecta

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For you guys with the Trifecta, did you buy the optional Clock connectors for both sms-200 Ultra and Tx-USBultra?

 

If so, In anticipation of the upcoming SOtM Master Clock?

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54 minutes ago, George Hincapie said:

What is this trifecta I keep reading about? Is it a collection of 3 products, or the name for a single product?

 

Yes, collection of three SOtM products:

 

https://sotm-usa.com/products/ultra-trifecta-bundle

 

I have seen several people have it, but nobody appears willing to share the wealth of knowledge 

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2 minutes ago, ElviaCaprice said:

Nobody wants to have to write a dissertation again.  A little search and reading can tell you all, right here in the forum in the following thread.

 

 

 

I appreciate you directing me to a 189 page thread, but my question was very simple. Please read the OP. Is it so hard to answer with a phrase or two?

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2 minutes ago, ElviaCaprice said:

It's not so simple of an answer, which can lead to a long discussion.  Thus the reference to the thread.

In short,  yes, some did, some didn't, opt for the master clock input. 

This option was available long before SOtM's announcement of an upcoming Master Clock.  There are a quite a few on the market currently. 

Also I wasn't just answering you above.

 

Got it. Thanks!

 

So for those who did, is the upcoming SOtM Master Clock going to be significantly better than those come with the sms-200 ultra and tx Ultra? If you add the connectors at $200 each, plus the new clock at $***, the cost adds up quickly....

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9 minutes ago, ElviaCaprice said:

We don't know?  The numbers suggest it is in the middle of the pack of the current offerings on the market, but I'm sure that some comparative listening will be needed to make that call. 

You only need the one input added to the sCLK-EX clocking board for all 4 points.  Those that have added a master clock have found it does make for better SQ, common attribute is increased sound stage and other common references to resolution and detail.

Yes, add in a power supply and it can get expensive quickly.

 

Thanks for explaining. I only have the sms-200 Ultra w/ clock connector option from the trifecta. Powered by lps-1. Trying to figure out whether to purchase the Tx-USBultra w/ clock connector then the Master Clock, or simply get the ISO Regen and call it a day.

 

here is my current setup: 

 

Roon Optimized Core Kit on NUC7i5BNH ---> SOtM sMS-200 Ultra (powered by LPS-1) --> Modded  Singxer SU-1 (powered by LPS-1) --> i2s --> Holo Spring L3 KTE --> iFi iCan Pro --> Focal Utopia

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36 minutes ago, ElviaCaprice said:

Your sms-200Ultra only uses 2 of the points on the sCLK-EX clocking board within the component.  The remaining 2 clocks can be activated for use on other components like a non ultra tXUSB hub, which only needs one point for one clock.  Or/and you could change out the mobo system clock on your NUC, which I would recommend. 

 

My suggestion,

Forget the txUSB hub or Ultra and use the remaining two clock points on your server/NUC, one for the system clock, the other for the LAN. 

Then you don't need to purchase anything, just pay for shipping and modifications and you only have the one master clock input for all 4 points.  Biggest bang for the buck.

Total about $320, shipping included.

 

All these can be achieved with my sms-Ultra ? If I ship the Ultra to Korea, what would I be using for weeks?

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6 minutes ago, ElviaCaprice said:

2 week turn around once received in Korea, ship both the NUC and sms-200.  Quick question about your setup.  Does all your data initiate or stream thru your NUC direct Ethernet to your sms-200? 

 

It does not. I use the Fs105 switch with the ground plug John Swenson invented, to connect both NUC (Roon Server - ROCK), and the sms-200Ultra (Wireworld Strarlight Cat8 for both)

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1 minute ago, ElviaCaprice said:

That switch just isolates the stream from your router, but the data still continues on to your server?  If not, please explain how the data stream navigates to the sms-200.  Router/NAS direct to sms-200?

 

Yes. Ethernet cable from router to Switch. Then NUC and sms-200 Ultra both connected to Switch via Ethernet. SMS-200 Ultra is a Roon Ready end point . The NUC is simply the Roon Server. Nothing “plays” through it. There is a HDD hooked up to NUC via uSB with my music, Plus Tidal Hifi Integrated w/ Roon

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8 minutes ago, ElviaCaprice said:

Well, that HDD is being streamed from the NUC to the sms-200 via the Switch.  So the NUC does have an impact on SQ.  As you can tell I'm not a network guy.  I like it simple, server to DAC to Speakers. 

You have choices on what to do with those open 2 points on your sCLK-EX inside your sms-200Ultra.  Where you want to apply them is probably best advised by the trifecta folks.  Not I with the sCLK-EX server route.

 

As a Roon user, I frequent the Roon Community Forums a lot. According to the Roon folks who are much more knowledgeable than me, the NUC has zero impact to SQ in my configuration.

 

I have had other people though suggesting having the router modded by SOtM to use the clock on Ultra, but I am not willing to send my Ultra to Korea, as I don’t have another player available for the time in transit.

 

I will continue to explore the possibilities of completing my trifecta, then possibly the new Master Clock when it becomes available. A lot of reading to do meanwhile.

 

I appreciate your help!

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4 hours ago, One and a half said:

After having read many a trifecta name at CA, it's a Triple set on the sOTM home page. OK...

 

Everyone can read the specs for themselves, but here's a summary of what's included in the triple set as I couldn't remember which one does what.

 

sMS-200ultra
Ethernet input
USB 2 Output
No clock input
'use the correct power supply' (kidding, right?)

 

tX-USBUltra
USB input
2 x USB out
sCLK-EX12 board Internal Clock or external 10MHz 50 Ohm
6.5-12 V dc 2A

 

sPs-500
7Vdc, 9Vdc, 12Vdc, 19Vdc selectable output voltage
DC power output
Voltage : 7Vdc, 9Vdc, 12Vdc, 19Vdc selectable
Voltage tolerance: ±10%
Current limit: 
5A@ 7Vdc, 9Vdc, 12Vdc
3.3A@ 19Vdc
Current tolerance: ±10%
Maximum output power : 
50W@100Vac <, +50℃ > inside temperature

 

The sMS-200ultra is the renderer from Ethernet to USB. Any (?) USB DAC can be connected to this output. The renderer needs external DC power, so here's the first point for added leakage current (like added sugar, think of it the same as for food). 

Then the USB is reclocked by the tX-USBUltra or by an external 50 Ohm clock. What is it with far east, everyone who's anyone uses 75 Ohm and try and find a true 50 Ohm BNC connector, another story. Here's another source for leakage current entry.

 

To provide power for the two, use the sPs-500 and that rounds the exercise, there's enough current. The specs on the output voltage is not that great at 10%, and there needs to be a dual headed cable to power up the renderer and the USB reclocker. Unless supplied by sOTM the dual cable is a bit of headache for the average hobbyist.

 

Unless the Renderer and the USB reclocker are supplied with Uptone LPS-1, there's leakage currents in abundance. What a chain of spaghetti, and this is the pinnacle of Ethernet audio? On paper,  well, this system is a f&$%kn mess. If you think I'm criticising, then yes, just for the total lack of any stopping of leakage currents from the PSU and the two components. Without the LPS-1, this system by itself does not cut it.

 

I would put my money into a single box that has an AC input, Ethernet or USB input, USB or other signal re-clocked and galvanically isolated out. Isn't that a new Auralic offering, the VEGA 2, hey, it has a DAC as a bonus, and in the one box.  Most likely a 50 Ohm clock input, groan, here we go again.

 

Use the Renderer by all means, and feed it into a Mutec MC-3+USB with an iDefender cause the MC-3 is kinda power hungry on the USB input. Until the Vega 2 arrives.....

 

 

Wow! Quite a bit of information. Totally appreciate the honesty. Truth hurts!

 

On the last paragraph, while at iFi, why not the iGalvanic 3.0?

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1 hour ago, tedwoods said:

 

Since you have ROCK, you can use the Roon subnet/direct connection without a switch...

 

 

You mean playing direct from the noisy NUC that holds ROCK, rather than utilizing a dedicated streamer?

 

1 hour ago, tedwoods said:

 

Adding the tx-USB Ultra will enhance the "musicality" of the chain.

Unlike other reclockers I have tried, the tx does not add  a "fixed" weight to everything but instead it respects the proportional balance of the music being played through it and so it appears to be more uncolored and natural.

 

 

From everything I have read ISO is more musical than the tx, and also cheaper

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36 minutes ago, tedwoods said:

No, I mean from the NUC to the SOtM end point directly, bypassing the switch.

Plenty of info on the Roon forum on how to do this.

One less power supply this way...

The NUC may still  benefit from having a good power supply.

Several people have already done that -one way or the other- and have reported positively about it, but that's just something you should consider and experiment with.

I'm not preaching it's the absolute truth or anything...

 

On your second point, I was thinking more along the lines of that: since you already have the sMS-200 Ultra, you could get a SOtM tx USBhub and clock it from your Ultra.

Same thing as a standalone tx and essentially you're in trifecta territory.

If you had the sPS-500, you could power both from it.

Again, that's only something worth considering.

Only you can make the right choice.

 

I have : https://sotm-usa.com/products/sms-200-mod-tx-usbultra (with external clock connector)

             https://sotm-usa.com/products/sps-500-power-supply

             https://sotm-usa.com/products/iso-cat6-lan-single-noise-filter

 

I am: 

 

Any link on how to bridge my NUC directly to my sms-200 Ultra?

 

And the NUC w/ ROCK needs to be connected to Internet somehow, right? Especially since I have other setups in the house that use Roon.

 

what is the tx-USBHub? Did you mean USBUltra? And I am guessing I have to send the sms-200 Ultra to Korea for a mod to activate its clock output?

 

Thanks!

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Anyone compared SOtM SPS-500 with UltraCap LPS-1 in powering the SMS-200Ultra?

 

I have mine powered by LPs-1, but I noticed that it runs pretty hot. Also from May @ SOtM:

 

.....the Upton LPS-1 is slightly short to power to sMS-200ultra, cause the sMS-200ultra requires at least 2A.