Hi guys,
First post here. Downloaded XXHighEnd a couple of days ago, thought I might also try to contribute.
Linear supplies...I'm playing around with one at the moment that feeds the usb output from the PC. Now my PC is a quite a bit different to the ones recommended for the Phasure PC...passively cooled i7-3770T, 8GB ram, ssd for os, pico psu et cetera. My dac is also a lot different to the NOS1.
Two things that have improved my setup are: a customised PCIe - USB card (similar to the SOtM card that AlainGr has installed, but it has been modified with better TCXO, a little silver output transformer and some other goodies and must be fed its own power source); and the EA Shortblock Common-Mode filter.
On trial at the moment I have the Adnaco S3B with a high quality linear psu to head-to-head against the modded USB card mentioned previously. I can tell you that the linear psu makes a significant difference to the Adnaco, but I am not yet sure if the Adnaco is for me. I will power the modded USB card with the same linear psu to compare results.
Another project that I have on the go is to try to build an atx linear psu for the pc, but that is not going to happen overnight. One thing that I have gleaned from others that have gone the linear psu to the pc route is that the quality of regulator module and components is paramount: not only low ripple but ultra-fast response also.
I will do some more digging on this site and try to figure out the recommended PC build for XXHighEnd and the NOS1. Maybe then I can help some more with the linear psu and other recommendations.
One question for PeterSt. Do you think that a common mode filter between the PC and NOS1 will help at all? I am not familiar with the USB input on the NOS1, but the maker of this filter has posted jitter measurements
here. (see post #9)
Cheers,
Anthony