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Thread: Tweakin' again...nice improvement.

  1. #1
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default Tweakin' again...nice improvement.

    Run a file based audio setup as well as a vinyl rig, have spent a bit of time 'n effort getting the cables and the like sorted to make the most of what I have.
    Something else which is important is power supply, and I've removed all switch mode PSUs from my system and run the whole thing from a balanced mains unit.

    Skip to yesterday...

    Having a rummage in my spares box and found one of the Maplins Linear PSU's Stan Beresford had recommended for powering his dacs.
    Thought to myself, shame its not getting used.
    Thinking of offering it up here on AOS for postage but then I thought of a use for it.

    Virgin Superhub: It lies at the centre of the whole network, basically powering the whole file based audio setup.
    And it was still using the crappy Chinese switchmode supply that came with it...boom, will replace it with the Maplins linear.

    So adjusted it down to 12V, rewired it internally with decent mains cable and a DC lead and plugged it in.

    Yup, obvious immediate and noticeable improvement.
    Who'da thunk it.

    After an hour or so put the switcher back in and the sound quality took a dip.

    So file based audio folks...its worth replacing the crappy switchers in your Routers and NAS's.
    Any noise removed off the power feed is a good thing, so give it a go.
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  2. #2
    Join Date: May 2011

    Location: Glasgow

    Posts: 7,718
    I'm Brian.

    Default

    Oooh ! I've got one of them Virginmedia superhub thingies and I listen to file based audio
    Regards
    Brian

    Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment . (Rumi )


    Korus Computer Audio music server
    JustBoom DAC . HRT Musicstreamer 2
    Amplifier : Sony TA FB740R
    Speakers : Tannoy 637
    Interconnects : MS Audio / Klotz MC5000 .
    Speaker cables : Western Electric 16AG

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jan 2014

    Location: Devon, UK

    Posts: 154
    I'm Bill.

    Default

    Hi Gaz - Is the Superhub on the same ring main circuit as the rest of your HiFi kit?

    Cheers. Bill

  4. #4
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Its actually on a different Ring bill, which surprised me.

    Brian, check it out be interested in what you think.
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  5. #5
    Join Date: Jan 2014

    Location: Devon, UK

    Posts: 154
    I'm Bill.

    Default

    So, do you think this is somehow related to lack of isolation on the Ethernet connection? I've long thought that it might be worth testing some form of Ethernet isolator (especially decoupling of grounds), but not got around to it yet.

    Cheers. Bill

  6. #6
    Join Date: Feb 2011

    Location: Troon

    Posts: 2,476
    I'm tony.

    Default

    mmm....got one of those maplins Psu sitting in the cellar doing nothing. Might give it a try and see if it does anything with spotify over the wi fi. Nothing ventured nothing gained!!!

  7. #7
    Join Date: Jun 2015

    Location: London/Durham

    Posts: 6,869
    I'm Lawrence.

    Default

    Do you know the code of that PSU? I've almost given up trying to find a decent one for my vdac and maplins had too many for me to find the best one .


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Lawrence,

    the one I have is code: XM22Y
    http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-69w...r-supply-xm22y

    If you get one remember to dial the voltage back to 12V or your Superhub might go pop.

    Easy to adjust the voltage from the 13.8 stock.

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