DAC to the Future

[George Hincapie]

As a side-note I have also read something about the problem RD had with recent NOS DAC's and NVA amps. The lack of any filtering allows all sonic information to pass through to the amps - even frequencies way above the limits of human hearing. Could be that these ultrasonics were causing a harmonic resonance in the amp circuits that gave them trouble. Older Metrum DAC's certainly do not have this problem and I know that RD and Tomasz discussed modifying the amps to correct this specific problem.

That's the first time I've read that. It might explain why I have two A80s die with popping etc from broken amp boards. Or the amp boards weren't designed or made to last - who knows?

[George Hincapie]

You guys are behind the curve with digital tweaks! I have been meaning to update you all on my adventures, but life I guess. I'll try and do so later because it isn't a 5 minute job. Hopefully you might be able to implement some of the approaches in your own systems and let me know how they work for you.

[Fretless]

You guys are behind the curve with digital tweaks! I have been meaning to update you all on my adventures, but life I guess. I'll try and do so later because it isn't a 5 minute job. Hopefully you might be able to implement some of the approaches in your own systems and let me know how they work for you.

Looking forward to that, George.

[slinger]

Did you run the USB output through a Jitterbug, Slinger?

Yes. I forgot to mention that.

[antonio66]

Go for it George, spill the beans on your adventures.

[CN211276]

As a side-note I have also read something about the problem RD had with recent NOS DAC's and NVA amps. The lack of any filtering allows all sonic information to pass through to the amps - even frequencies way above the limits of human hearing. Could be that these ultrasonics were causing a harmonic resonance in the amp circuits that gave them trouble. Older Metrum DAC's certainly do not have this problem and I know that RD and Tomasz discussed modifying the amps to correct this specific problem.

That's the first time I've read that. It might explain why I have two A80s die with popping etc from broken amp boards. Or the amp boards weren't designed or made to last - who knows?

My Mscaler upsamples to 765 kHz and has not caused my A80s any problems.

[George Hincapie]

My Mscaler upsamples to 765 kHz and has not caused my A80s any problems.

I'm pleased for you, because having two amps die is not fun.

Will you get the TT2 as well? Or happy with Qutest?

[CN211276]

My Mscaler upsamples to 765 kHz and has not caused my A80s any problems.

I'm pleased for you, because having two amps die is not fun.
T
Will you get the TT2 as well? Or happy with Qutest?

I am happy with the Qutest. The pre amp and headphone facilities of the TT2 are of no use to me. I am happy with my soon to be upgraded P90SA and rarely listen to headphones near the hifi. The Chord Mojo suits me fine as I can listen anywhere in the house and out the garden.

[Fretless]

On the subject of USB output streamers I have spotted that Allo are now making a USBridge Signature. If I read this correctly they have taken a Pi board and restructured it with all sorts of individual power lines and separated out the Ethernet and USB connections from the same bus. AND you can attach a DigiOne Sig board to it to give ultra-high purity output on USB and Coax.

USBridge Sig was build using RPI compute module so from a software point of view, this will give you access to the latest kernels (way ahead of any competitor). The focus of the device is to lower the noise on USB bus. We chose an excellent USB hub IC (TI) and a separated Ethernet to USB Ic (Axis).

To lower the noise of the USB, we had to lower noise on EACH rail. In total, USBridge Sig uses more than 30 LDOs. Even the SD card power rail has a dedicated LDO. There are zero switching elements on board.

Of course, since this is based on RPI compute, we decided to include the standard RPI connector. Anything that works on an RPI will work on the USBridge Sig. For example, you can use a DigiOne / DigiOne Sig to make a full fledge streamer that outputs USB, BNC and coaxial.



https://www.allo.com/sparky-eu/usbridge ... e-pcb.html

[George Hincapie]

Nice update Fretless, thanks.

I have to say that Allo just keep knocking it out of the park. Their EPs embarrass devices costing so much more it isn't even funny. A nice LPSU with the Allo EP of your choice and you really aren't going to want for much.

Or are you?

*Edit*
I would like to see them offer AES as an output. Fingers crossed they do at some point.