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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2010 10:01:15 GMT
Yep, I'm convinced that we are mostly listening to the detrimental effects of PS on our equipment - the more this can be minimised the better for the sound. I believe that the sonic difference between bit identical files ripped to disk using 2 different drives is somehow down to PS issues BUT that'a a whole other can of worms ;D John Possibly. A fan that has it's speed controlled by the Motherboard at around 10 pulses per second when it's not too hot, could reflect through the rest of the power feeds. Rip quality certainly improved noticeably when I switched the front HDD fan off during rips. Running 2 fans in series, directly off 12V also gave improved results compared to when the MB controlled fan was running. Alex |
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Will
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Post by Will on Mar 30, 2010 19:01:36 GMT
Sorry guys, I didn't get notification of these posts hence the delay in responding - Glad you like it Dave  Will, replacing the USB 5V supply with an external 5V you will notice an improvement in sound but not to the extent that supplying clean 3.3V to the clocks & Xilinx chip will give you. Also, your diagram is wrong & could cause damage to the HiFace (but is unlikely to) - you need the ground still connected through to the PC so don't cut it just splice into it. John, Thanks for the clarification, it's appreciated. I don't have a HiFace myself, but it was an idea for a simple modification that is easy to try, without going 'under the bonnet' and easily reversible  I can imagine that the 3.3v supplies do improve things considerably, it's very interesting what you've achieved with the Hiface. |
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Mar 31, 2010 1:45:51 GMT
Sorry guys, I didn't get notification of these posts hence the delay in responding - Glad you like it Dave Will, replacing the USB 5V supply with an external 5V you will notice an improvement in sound but not to the extent that supplying clean 3.3V to the clocks & Xilinx chip will give you. Also, your diagram is wrong & could cause damage to the HiFace (but is unlikely to) - you need the ground still connected through to the PC so don't cut it just splice into it. John, Thanks for the clarification, it's appreciated. I don't have a HiFace myself, but it was an idea for a simple modification that is easy to try, without going 'under the bonnet' and easily reversible I can imagine that the 3.3v supplies do improve things considerably, it's very interesting what you've achieved with the Hiface. Yep, I agree - I just put together my own DIY USB cable based on some Belden shielded microphone cable. It is twisted two core which carries the USB differential signals & the ground is carried in the outer shield. I wired the USB plug at the HiFace end so I could plug in an external 5V supply. It allows me to do some tests but doesn't cost me $300 from some audiofool USB cable vendor |
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Mar 31, 2010 11:49:15 GMT
Oops, I should have said that I've cryoe'd some Belden cable at -275farenheit for 15mins & temperature soaked it overnight before another -275degree session which re-aligns the crystal structure in the OFC copper into a figure of eight (a well known quantum configuration). I've replaced the dialectric with teflon & changed the twist ratio to the chinese magic number of 9 which signifies clarity. And finally, I have sourced Higgs boson particles from a secret source & injected them into strategic points along the cable.
So my price of 1000 euro per foot is more than justified ;D
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Spirit
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Post by Spirit on Mar 31, 2010 11:58:31 GMT
Oops, I should have said that I've cryoe'd some Belden cable at -275farenheit <snip> So my price of 1000 euro per foot is more than justified ;D I like your style   You obviously have a contact at the LHC. |
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Mar 31, 2010 13:01:28 GMT
I like your style You obviously have a contact at the LHC. You've rumbled my source but the bosons are very expensive to buy & even more expensive to transport |
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Spirit
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Post by Spirit on Mar 31, 2010 13:06:54 GMT
the bosons are very expensive to buy & even more expensive to transport Allowing for the 1000-2000% markup seemingly applied to (some) boutique cables (and almost certainly to yours  )... I would suggest about 10 Euros / foot |
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Apr 4, 2010 22:48:32 GMT
Hope all you guys are having a great Easter Holiday. Here's my Easter egg "gift" - I wanted to send out a modded Hiface & modded USB cable to somebody who is willing to do an good, honest review of both the Hiface & modded USB cable.
Preferably, someone who already owns a hiface so they can do a comparison & lives in Europe (for postage & time reasons). Anybody interested?
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Apr 7, 2010 13:05:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2010 15:20:12 GMT
John
I saw your original posting but thought I wouldn't take up your offer as I wanted to hear someone else's opinion, someone more used to analysing and reviewing.
Also as mine is going to you for conversion in any case I felt it better that others have a go.
If there are no other takers over the next few days I'd be happy to borrow it then.
I didn't realise you had a cased up version!
Syd
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FauDrei
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Post by FauDrei on Apr 7, 2010 16:56:58 GMT
John, just today I saw your offer. Tempting, must admit...
Unfortunately, for the same reason I realised late your review offer I am not able to take it - hectic set of (mis)events on my job leave very little time and energy even for casual listening. Since I reckon your mod deserves proper critical listen and review I'll pass the offer this time.
Have you tried contacting slim.a from "the other forum"? I think he would be excellent choice - he already originated USB to SPDIF converters comparison and has time, energy and will to do in depth reviews (although he overdo it from time to time).
A couple of questions: I suppose socket is for clean power supply. Which voltage is expected there (3,3V or 5V)? Also, what is "the pole" in between BNC and power socket?
I "drive" my hiFace through a dedicated quality USB hub which is "overclocked" with slightly higher voltage (9V instead of required 7,5V) from his own PSU and I'm quite pleased with outcome.
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Apr 7, 2010 19:00:59 GMT
...... A couple of questions: I suppose socket is for clean power supply. Which voltage is expected there (3,3V or 5V)? Also, what is "the pole" in between BNC and power socket? ............. No socket is to connect re-charger for the two batteries that are in the box (haven't tested a regulator based one yet). Pole in the middle is a on/off switch - this will be changed to a rocker switch & a led added |
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Apr 7, 2010 20:28:28 GMT
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FauDrei
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Post by FauDrei on Apr 7, 2010 20:58:32 GMT
Nice.
What would be price and wait time if I want to order everything from you (hiFace, mods, Europe delivery)?
Is it doable to change male USB A connector for female B one?
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Apr 7, 2010 22:54:29 GMT
Faudrei, I've PMed you!
I would have to look at the layout to tell if the Type A male to Type B female was doable without compromising the USB signal.
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Apr 22, 2010 22:41:12 GMT
I've just had a report back from someone who bought a battery from me to test it against highly regarded commercially available & freely available regs & the battery is noticeably better.
He's running these regs on the AVCC of a Sabre DAC (we all know these are sensitive to PS quality). They are operated form a heavily filtered supply which is fed from a 1KVA isolation transformer - so a serious PS.
He said the change to battery was clearly better & noticeable within seconds but also became more obvious with extended listening.
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Apr 22, 2010 22:41:44 GMT
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Apr 22, 2010 22:42:14 GMT
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Spirit
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Post by Spirit on Apr 23, 2010 0:38:45 GMT
I've just had a report back from someone who bought a battery from me to test it against highly regarded commercially available & freely available regs & the battery is noticeably better. Would it be fair to ask what those regs were John? |
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Apr 23, 2010 0:55:21 GMT
This guy has tried lots of different regs both commercial & free. He rates the PCM Flea as good as the best commercial products he's tried. The battery was better than any of these.
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Apr 24, 2010 7:04:55 GMT
He has just posted on another forum:
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)... I would suggest about 10 Euros / foot 
