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Author Topic: USB-SPDIF converter  (Read 17418 times)
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grom64
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« on: February 13, 2016, 08:29:38 pm »

Good afternoon.
Interested in hearing your recommendations for USB-SPDIF converter.
In my system were: Alpha USB, Stahl Tek ABC, Gidra Z + power, but very good sound in my system was with Morello MAX! Unfortunately Morello MAX longer produce  unhappy
Thanks in advance for your help.
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Audio PC/ W10-14393.0 RAM/ XXHighEnd 2.10
Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 20/-/1/1/1/ Q1Factor = 30 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 15ms / SFS = 10,19 (max 60,19)/ Scheme = Core 3-5/ Minimize OS/
"LivingAthmos" Referens, Ultimate, "Weiss" 202 int, "Concert Fidelity": DAC-040BD, 080-LSX2V2, ZL-200SE, "VP Acoustic" (by ACCUTON)
PeterSt
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« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2016, 10:28:53 am »

Hi Grom,


First note :
Do not hesitate to ask me in email things which are not clear.
I know ho difficult English is for you.


I hope someone is going to give you an answer, but I think it is not so simple !

A USB Interface is to be "working" and that is all.
Uhm, they say !
And we wished that were true ...

Now, *because* they only need to work (technically, hence without errors) we can easily find that under the hood they operate within margins, and it is that which makes them "sound" differently. It is about current draw, about noise they produce or pass on (from the PC) and ... all can not be explained because there is too much going on and actually nobody really knows. I think I know a lot, but still not all and certainly not in this field.

It is pure conincidence when something works out for you in your system.

This does not count for you alone, but for everybody.

What you have as additional dimension is that you have a legacy DAC with SPDIF input only. This, sadly, implies that your DAC Manufacturer never applied something for that DAC explicitly, while I know how difficult that is when you do. Thus, our Phasure NOS1a DAC is all about that USB Interface and how to make it sound the best possible, mostly because of that "stupid" interface. Call that years of work and evaluation and listening. And most certainly not to forget : with so many customers listening too (to the same solution).

BUT

It seems that there's consensus about the Intona isolator. Many of use use that and I myself use it too. It makes all the difference in the world. It makes so much difference that for you too it can "solve" bad sounding interface issues.
Intona High Speed USB 2.0 galvanic isolation.
Or if you trust me and without all the reading and nesessary translation for you, order directly from here :
http://intona.eu/en/products

Explanation for you :
Use this device in between computer and that USB Interface of your choice. Thus :

PC -> USB Cable -> Intona -> USB Cable -> USB Interface -> SPDIF Cable -> DAC.

I promise you a completely different sound and you can again try all the USB Interfaces you have.
The galvanic isolation is crucial and it makes all different, technically.

Last notice :
A USB Interface with a tube is interesting, but otherwise has no benefits for SQ. It is just that other interface, like I tried to explain in the beginning - and all sound different. There is no single electrical benefit when a tube is used in the digital domain (like a USB interface is in the digital domain).
This is different for a D/A converter. So I am not saying that for a D/A converter this does not matter. This is because in the analogue domain a tube amplifies totally different than Solid State (silicon).

I hope you could understand this ...
Peter
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For the Stealth III LPS PC :
W10-14393.0 - July 17, 2021 (2.11)
XXHighEnd Mach III Stealth LPS PC -> Xeon Scalable 14/28 core with Hyperthreading On (set to 14/28 cores in BIOS and set to 10/20 cores via Boot Menu) @~660MHz, 48GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/0/0/*1*/ Q1Factor = *4* / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = *10ms* / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = *10.13*  (max 10.13) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / Stop Desktop, Remaining, WASAPI and W10 services / Use Remote Desktop / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD Off (!) / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *62* / Nervous Rate = *1* / Cool when Idle = n.a / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability = Stable / Custom Filtering *Low* (16x) / Always Clear Proxy before Playback = On -> USB3 from MoBo -> Lush^3
A: W-Y-R-G, B: *W-G* USB 1m00 -> Phisolator 24/768 Phasure NOS1a/G3 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (16ms) -> B'ASS Current Amplifier -> Blaxius*^2.5* A:B-G, B:B-G Interlink -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers. ET^2 Ethernet from Mach III to Music Server PC (RDC Control).
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere (also from the PC).

For a general PC :
W10-10586.0 - May 2016 (2.05+)
*XXHighEnd PC -> I7 3930k with Hyperthreading On (12 cores)* @~500MHz, 16GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 10586.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/1/1/1 / Q1Factor = 1 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 1ms / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = 0.10  (max 60) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / All Services Off / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD On / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *43* / Nervous Rate = 1 / Cool when Idle = 1 / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = *Optimal* / Time Stability = *Stable* / Custom Filter *Low* 705600 / -> USB3 *from MoBo* -> Clairixa USB 15cm -> Intona Isolator -> Clairixa USB 1m80 -> 24/768 Phasure NOS1a 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (4ms) -> Blaxius BNC interlink *-> B'ASS Current Amplifier /w Level4 -> Blaxius Interlink* -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers.
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere.

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AlainGr
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« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2016, 11:29:17 am »

Peter,

The "industrial" version of the Intona ?

Happy

Alain
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Desktop with ASUS Sabertooth X79 motherboard,Intel 3930k 6 cores (+ 6) at 1.2 GHZ,32GB ram 1333Mhz,Win 10 pro build 14386 64 bit with no updates,OS + XXHE on external Sata III SSD (Esata), music (WAV) on external 5200 rpm drive through network, OS MInimized, XX with engine 4 adaptive,4096 (buffer size), CPU with scheme 3,Player = Low,Thread = RealTime, Q1 = 14,Q345 = 1,1,1,Q1x=1,Clock res = (variable),Stop Desktop Services,Stop Remaining Services,Stop Wasapi,,LAN on,persist = on,all OSD off,SFS = 2,PE off,PA off, Arc Prediction,x16 Upsample, Straight Contiguous,Lush USB  cable,Phasure NOS1a DAC,Meitner PA-6 preamp, Spectral Audio DMA-180  Power Amp, Tannoy System 15 DMT II, Tannoy St-100 supertweeters, Tannoy TS2.12 subwoofers (2). * On hiatus for a while...
grom64
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« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2016, 11:45:10 am »

Dear Peter.
Thanks for the answer.
I have 5 years with you and trust your recommendations.
My plan is required to purchase Intona and RAM OS. My friend from Slovenia already uses Intona and definitely recommended. Now my system is dismantled, but in the near future, I will continue experimenting.
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Audio PC/ W10-14393.0 RAM/ XXHighEnd 2.10
Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 20/-/1/1/1/ Q1Factor = 30 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 15ms / SFS = 10,19 (max 60,19)/ Scheme = Core 3-5/ Minimize OS/
"LivingAthmos" Referens, Ultimate, "Weiss" 202 int, "Concert Fidelity": DAC-040BD, 080-LSX2V2, ZL-200SE, "VP Acoustic" (by ACCUTON)
PeterSt
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« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2016, 11:58:36 am »

Quote
The "industrial" version of the Intona ?

Alain, you are correct !

So Grom, like Alain rightfully said : The Industrial version.
Also, when you order it, ask for "non flashing led". You can enter that in the Paypal info somewhere, or otherwise you can send an email to Intona with that request.

Kindest regards,
Peter
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For the Stealth III LPS PC :
W10-14393.0 - July 17, 2021 (2.11)
XXHighEnd Mach III Stealth LPS PC -> Xeon Scalable 14/28 core with Hyperthreading On (set to 14/28 cores in BIOS and set to 10/20 cores via Boot Menu) @~660MHz, 48GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/0/0/*1*/ Q1Factor = *4* / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = *10ms* / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = *10.13*  (max 10.13) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / Stop Desktop, Remaining, WASAPI and W10 services / Use Remote Desktop / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD Off (!) / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *62* / Nervous Rate = *1* / Cool when Idle = n.a / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability = Stable / Custom Filtering *Low* (16x) / Always Clear Proxy before Playback = On -> USB3 from MoBo -> Lush^3
A: W-Y-R-G, B: *W-G* USB 1m00 -> Phisolator 24/768 Phasure NOS1a/G3 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (16ms) -> B'ASS Current Amplifier -> Blaxius*^2.5* A:B-G, B:B-G Interlink -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers. ET^2 Ethernet from Mach III to Music Server PC (RDC Control).
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere (also from the PC).

For a general PC :
W10-10586.0 - May 2016 (2.05+)
*XXHighEnd PC -> I7 3930k with Hyperthreading On (12 cores)* @~500MHz, 16GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 10586.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/1/1/1 / Q1Factor = 1 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 1ms / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = 0.10  (max 60) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / All Services Off / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD On / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *43* / Nervous Rate = 1 / Cool when Idle = 1 / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = *Optimal* / Time Stability = *Stable* / Custom Filter *Low* 705600 / -> USB3 *from MoBo* -> Clairixa USB 15cm -> Intona Isolator -> Clairixa USB 1m80 -> 24/768 Phasure NOS1a 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (4ms) -> Blaxius BNC interlink *-> B'ASS Current Amplifier /w Level4 -> Blaxius Interlink* -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers.
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere.

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grom64
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« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2016, 09:36:15 pm »

Why "non flashing led", does this affect the sound?
Kindest regards
Basil.
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Audio PC/ W10-14393.0 RAM/ XXHighEnd 2.10
Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 20/-/1/1/1/ Q1Factor = 30 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 15ms / SFS = 10,19 (max 60,19)/ Scheme = Core 3-5/ Minimize OS/
"LivingAthmos" Referens, Ultimate, "Weiss" 202 int, "Concert Fidelity": DAC-040BD, 080-LSX2V2, ZL-200SE, "VP Acoustic" (by ACCUTON)
AlainGr
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« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2016, 02:08:45 am »

Why "non flashing led", does this affect the sound?
Kindest regards
Basil.
Hi Basil,

Peter may answer this too, but if you read the first pages about the Intona journey since it began, you will notice that the led was flashing all the time. Peter communicated with Daniel from Intona and between reports, he mentioned that. Daniel answered that if a customer asks for it, he will make the required modification so that the led will stop flashing when the USB connection is established at high speed.

While it is hard to know if it would have affected SQ, it seemed better not to have it flashing all the time Happy

And we have peace of mind too Happy

Regards,

Alain
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Desktop with ASUS Sabertooth X79 motherboard,Intel 3930k 6 cores (+ 6) at 1.2 GHZ,32GB ram 1333Mhz,Win 10 pro build 14386 64 bit with no updates,OS + XXHE on external Sata III SSD (Esata), music (WAV) on external 5200 rpm drive through network, OS MInimized, XX with engine 4 adaptive,4096 (buffer size), CPU with scheme 3,Player = Low,Thread = RealTime, Q1 = 14,Q345 = 1,1,1,Q1x=1,Clock res = (variable),Stop Desktop Services,Stop Remaining Services,Stop Wasapi,,LAN on,persist = on,all OSD off,SFS = 2,PE off,PA off, Arc Prediction,x16 Upsample, Straight Contiguous,Lush USB  cable,Phasure NOS1a DAC,Meitner PA-6 preamp, Spectral Audio DMA-180  Power Amp, Tannoy System 15 DMT II, Tannoy St-100 supertweeters, Tannoy TS2.12 subwoofers (2). * On hiatus for a while...
grom64
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« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2016, 09:01:21 pm »

Thank you, Alain!
We ordered Happy
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Audio PC/ W10-14393.0 RAM/ XXHighEnd 2.10
Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 20/-/1/1/1/ Q1Factor = 30 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 15ms / SFS = 10,19 (max 60,19)/ Scheme = Core 3-5/ Minimize OS/
"LivingAthmos" Referens, Ultimate, "Weiss" 202 int, "Concert Fidelity": DAC-040BD, 080-LSX2V2, ZL-200SE, "VP Acoustic" (by ACCUTON)
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