Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 6, 2013 21:47:17 GMT
Hi Allan
Interesting
But now I have the Legato to play with a little.
First I’d like to tweak up the OP voltage to 2V and then have a play with the IV resistors.
May make no difference but I’m leaning towards the IVY in my set up. the Legato's offset is only a problem with balanced I believe which may require cap coupling which IMHO may compromise the SQ a little but I’ve not tried it so just a guess.
take care
|
|
pagan
Been here a while!
Posts: 512
|
Post by pagan on May 7, 2013 9:23:32 GMT
Shaun
The offset is common mode for balanced, so I just disconnect the earth on the XLR, then no problem.
On the SE output, the offset is taken care of by the Balanced to SE opamp.
I won't use cap coupling, it defeats the idea, IMO. So in Balanced, mine is always direct out.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 7, 2013 10:11:59 GMT
Hi Allan Yes that coupling cap solution always seemed less than elegant to me and your way looks much better. Did you get round to trying the Teleporters yet? My sets are still doing good work. Take care
|
|
pagan
Been here a while!
Posts: 512
|
Post by pagan on May 7, 2013 11:54:59 GMT
Shaun No, havn't tried the teleporters or the usb dac boards yet!!! embarrassing isn't it
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 7, 2013 15:26:28 GMT
Nope just life take care
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 15, 2013 11:14:48 GMT
Hi All Yup the twisting and turning goes on So after some further listening I’ve reverted back to the Legato OP stage for my Buffalo. Yes Allan a more musical presentation with more body to the sound. But I wanted to try getting around the OP amp based Bal/SE on the Legato board. Mmmm I wonder In stepped the Ventus which is a discrete buffered Bal/SE converter which can be used as a Headphone amp or gain stage. So I built the Ventus into a separate case with JLH PSU and hooked it up to the balanced OP of the Legato. Woooo holy hot potato batman. In my system to my ears it sounds quite a bit better than the Legato's on board Bal/SE which was just a little surprising as that unit is no slouch. No improvement in a more bass or treble kind of way just a more organised sound stage which is noticeably wider and much deeper. Also the fine detail retrieval seemed to be improved along with dynamic contrast with cymbals and drums having much more snap. Now that’s what I call an easy to hear change. So spurred on by that experiment I decided to try raising the Ventus gain from 2 to 3 to try it directly into Alex’s fantastic Class A PA. In standard form the Legato stage always seemed IMHO to lack a little weight directly driving the Class A. But with the extra gain it has kept all of the above with a nice amount of extra drive. Unfortunately the Ventus is out of stock right now but it looks like a SMD matched transistor version is on the cards. And how does it compare to Alex’s Pre/HA. Well they both sound superb but with slightly different presentations sound wise. Buffalo users with on board Bal/SE converters may want to take a look at the new Version of the Ventus when it arrives. Take care
|
|
Spirit
Been here a while!
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
Posts: 1,107
|
Post by Spirit on May 19, 2013 5:16:27 GMT
Shaun, stop being a bad influence!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 19, 2013 9:59:00 GMT
Shaun, stop being a bad influence! Well i am trying to be a little discrete
|
|
pagan
Been here a while!
Posts: 512
|
Post by pagan on May 19, 2013 12:43:33 GMT
Shaun Have you been using the Legato SE, with the buffer? As I normally use the Legato balanced out into a balanced preamp..... The preamp is the UGS from diyaudio a while ago, (just the preamp modules and psu unfortunately) but that used for balanced to SE to the amp, or balanced to the KGSS headamp. Allan www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/86300-ugs-adventures.html
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2013 10:07:36 GMT
Shaun Have you been using the Legato SE, with the buffer? As I normally use the Legato balanced out into a balanced preamp..... The preamp is the UGS from diyaudio a while ago, (just the preamp modules and psu unfortunately) but that used for balanced to SE to the amp, or balanced to the KGSS headamp. Allan www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/86300-ugs-adventures.htmlHi Allan Yes SE OP with buffer but now balanced out from the Legato into Discrete Ventus for the Bal/se conversion and 3x gain stage. PSU wise I have2x JLH one for each channel so it could be that the better power option (I have one Placid HD BP for the whole Legato) could be making some difference. The Ventus still uses the buffered OP but I’ve not been unhappy with the sound with the buffered Legato. The Ventus sounds even better IMHO. I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who has the Legato buffer less (Spirit?) just to get some idea of the sound differences. TBH I’m pretty happy with the sound and amp thinking of taking the plunge with a bigger case and PH regs as my next experiment. Take care
|
|
pagan
Been here a while!
Posts: 512
|
Post by pagan on May 26, 2013 12:18:48 GMT
Shaun Have you been using the Legato SE, with the buffer? As I normally use the Legato balanced out into a balanced preamp..... The preamp is the UGS from diyaudio a while ago, (just the preamp modules and psu unfortunately) but that used for balanced to SE to the amp, or balanced to the KGSS headamp. Allan www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/86300-ugs-adventures.htmlHi Allan Yes SE OP with buffer but now balanced out from the Legato into Discrete Ventus for the Bal/se conversion and 3x gain stage. PSU wise I have2x JLH one for each channel so it could be that the better power option (I have one Placid HD BP for the whole Legato) could be making some difference. The Ventus still uses the buffered OP but I’ve not been unhappy with the sound with the buffered Legato. The Ventus sounds even better IMHO. I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who has the Legato buffer less (Spirit?) just to get some idea of the sound differences. TBH I’m pretty happy with the sound and amp thinking of taking the plunge with a bigger case and PH regs as my next experiment. Take care Shaun It does make you wonder, whether it's just the influence of the opamp in the circuit? But then by numbers, it shouldn't. Allan Ps put my B3 into a larger case a few months ago, am about to put it back into the smaller case and put the trannies in a separate case.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 26, 2013 16:07:29 GMT
Hi Allan Nice point and of course by the numbers OpAmps should win out every time. But if only life was so simple Chose an Op Amp, plug the specs into a computer and presto as if by magic we have a good sounding circuit with little effort and no fine tuning. So by the numbers most people should choose the IVY3 which is a fine piece of kit but sounds a little different to the discrete Legato as we have both found. Interesting pre you have that end. And something like the way I have the Ventus but without the Volco. I have my Ventus set up as a Bal/SE gain stage with 2 X JLH in a separate box as I wanted to keep the Buffalo unchanged for now. I did compare the Legato Bal/SE to the Ventus with stock gain and liked the Ventus better but others will have a different take on that which is fine. I was thinking of doing the same trafo box but it starts to get a little complex with the Supply feeds into the Buffalo. BTW I now have another Placid BP HD for experimenting on the Legato with so that may be interesting. Take care
|
|
pagan
Been here a while!
Posts: 512
|
Post by pagan on Jun 13, 2013 7:35:41 GMT
Hi Shaun Well I finally pulled my finger out and installed the Teleporters (and sidecar and new firmare) in the B3 and "built" the amanero usb to supply it.. Only usb powered at present(on the usb), testing, need stable lock fist. It does work As for the earth/ground... Amanero grounded to the teleporter, teleporter psu grounded to earth. work ok no dropout.... yet Did try ground on the teleporter in the B3, dropouts, disconnected the ground between them all ok. More playing tomorrow Allan
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2013 10:12:28 GMT
Hi Allan Great News. I think that the grounding scheme is pretty much down to local conditions and I’ve read some who find it better with all sorts of grounding combinations. On the drop out thing It may be a good idea to have a play with the DPLL settings. I think it was Burrows that mentioned that I2S worked best with the DPLL set to Highest and also DPLL multiplier set to 128. I’ve been running my Buffalo this way with the Amanero board for quite some time now and had no dropouts whatsoever So it could be worth having a play with those settings. I’m also more than pleased with the sound quality so it would be nice to have your thoughts on that once you have the thing wrapped up. You may find that the Amanero gets better with separate PSU for the Clock and board chips. Both Chris and I have had good results with that trick so another thing to put on the list of to do’s. I did find the sound a little flat and grainy before putting the Salas shunts in but Chris seems to have had equally good results with the JLH so plenty to choose from. Let us know how it goes. Take care
|
|
pagan
Been here a while!
Posts: 512
|
Post by pagan on Jun 13, 2013 11:29:31 GMT
Hi Shaun The problem with changing DPLL settings is I switch between 3 spdif input's and I2S. The other thing I notice about putting the DPLL setting to the highest was it sounded like a bad turntable with wow and flutter problems, interesting to say the least. With that you'll also loose detail. At present DPLL is set at "Low".
Better psu's for the Amanero to follow
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2013 13:08:17 GMT
Hi Shaun The problem with changing DPLL settings is I switch between 3 spdif input's and I2S. The other thing I notice about putting the DPLL setting to the highest was it sounded like a bad turntable with wow and flutter problems, interesting to say the least. With that you'll also loose detail. At present DPLL is set at "Low". Better psu's for the Amanero to follow Hi Allan Interesting thoughts on the DPLL settings. OK just as an experiment I set my grounding scheme and DPLL settings up as per your above outline. So DPLL low and multiplier X1 and well drop out city down this end. Sooo I set the Multiplier to x128 and no drop outs. With Teleporter ground lifted at the Buffalo end. Then I set the DPLL to lowest and hey no drop outs so that could be worth a go at your end. I also found that my old (X) chest freezer with his bad switch caused some drop outs so he had to go. I’ll have a listen to the SQ now and report back. Thanks for the chat It’s been useful to share with another Buffalo user. Take care
|
|
pagan
Been here a while!
Posts: 512
|
Post by pagan on Jun 13, 2013 14:04:39 GMT
Hi Shaun The problem with changing DPLL settings is I switch between 3 spdif input's and I2S. The other thing I notice about putting the DPLL setting to the highest was it sounded like a bad turntable with wow and flutter problems, interesting to say the least. With that you'll also loose detail. At present DPLL is set at "Low". Better psu's for the Amanero to follow Hi Allan Interesting thoughts on the DPLL settings. OK just as an experiment I set my grounding scheme and DPLL settings up as per your above outline. So DPLL low and multiplier X1 and well drop out city down this end. Sooo I set the Multiplier to x128 and no drop outs. With Teleporter ground lifted at the Buffalo end. Then I set the DPLL to lowest and hey no drop outs so that could be worth a go at your end. I also found that my old (X) chest freezer with his bad switch caused some drop outs so he had to go. I’ll have a listen to the SQ now and report back. Thanks for the chat It’s been useful to share with another Buffalo user. Take care Hi Shaun Will be interesting about your impressions on the DPLL settings.... bad freezer,,, yeh I have a fridge that does that too.... But only for the B3.. sleep time...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2013 15:11:10 GMT
Hi Allan OK scrub the above. When checking my switch set up I noticed that I had my Quantizer set to 8bits and not 6 which must have happened when I changed to the new firmware. So now after the 6bit reset I have my DPLL set to low and band width multiplier to X1. Guess what No dropouts SQ is a Little better but not by much and I don’t notice any change in timing, just a small amount of extra top end detail.nope hold the front page i've just had a listen to this and well it sounds even better than i remember. more vivid, dynamic and detailed. thanks Allan I had a look at the Otto and I’m not sure how it goes with the SPDIFF Auto select function on the DAC. I just have a single I2S input and have that disabled as per the instructions. It does mention in the manual that leaving it on can cause the DAC to become dazed and confused when fed I2S. I know that the sidecar has I2C to switch those sorts of functions off when not needed but I’m not sure about the Otto. Anyhow thanks for helping me to have a re think and re check. It’s always helpful. I’ll be interested in your PH reg experiments so do keep me posted on that front as it’s the way that I’ll be going eventually. Sleep well Take care
|
|
pagan
Been here a while!
Posts: 512
|
Post by pagan on Jun 13, 2013 22:12:09 GMT
Hi Shaun The problem with changing DPLL settings is I switch between 3 spdif input's and I2S. The other thing I notice about putting the DPLL setting to the highest was it sounded like a bad turntable with wow and flutter problems, interesting to say the least. With that you'll also loose detail. At present DPLL is set at "Low". Better psu's for the Amanero to follow Hi Allan Interesting thoughts on the DPLL settings. OK just as an experiment I set my grounding scheme and DPLL settings up as per your above outline. So DPLL low and multiplier X1 and well drop out city down this end. Sooo I set the Multiplier to x128 and no drop outs. With Teleporter ground lifted at the Buffalo end. Then I set the DPLL to lowest and hey no drop outs so that could be worth a go at your end. I also found that my old (X) chest freezer with his bad switch caused some drop outs so he had to go. I’ll have a listen to the SQ now and report back. Thanks for the chat It’s been useful to share with another Buffalo user. Take care Hi Shaun ASAICS the otto and sidecar are similar devices, being able to switch between 2, 4 input signals. Early otto was relays based, now solid state, later otto (now) is solid state based. The sidecar is relay based, smaller and pin/plug compatible with the B3. I have an early otto, relay based, was useful in my preamp switching between either balanced inputs or outputs. pic of my usb/i2s with teleporter...... early stages yet, i2s wires just plugged. Uploaded with ImageShack.usAs for those dip switches......... I've scratched my head and gone oops with them myself. Allan
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2013 8:27:37 GMT
Hi Allun Yup when I switched Firmware I should have double checked the dips but the up side is that our chat helped find my error. That has improved the sound so thanks for that. Nice work with the Teleporter implementation and pretty similar to how I have my build. But without the headers. I just soldered straight in to avoid the extra capacitance (not sure how much it matters) of those plugs and sockets. Once you have things up and running then the extra PSU for the Amanero does make some difference IMHO. But get it working first. The fridge thing Yes the buffalo does seem a little sensitive to such things but my Opus has never had any such problems. So my freezer made a strange bumping noise as it went down the stairs after inducing drop outs in my Buffalo. Luckily enough my Wife could not stand the drop outs either and was happy to sign its death warrant. New freezer and no problems. I’m more than interested in how you are finding the sound. Good work and thanks again Take care Oh and while i remember do try the ASIO drivers with the Amanero. they sound great.
|
|