My 2019 Update Thread - My final system I think.

[Gazjam]

Refer All and Sundry to my "Modding my Oppo 203" post...

More games Afoot there.

[Gazjam]

Cracked open the case of my Dac again today.
Some more RFI treatment after doing some more reading up on it.

I'd already tried maxing out the digital section by adding Stillpoints ERS fabric to select chips,
a lot of trial and error, definitely a case of less is more.

After a lot of reading about RFI/EMI and its harm to digital circuitry I looked at the Dac's analogue board this morning?
There's two (digital related) areas on the board that were potentially electrically noisy, and wanted to to see if the Stillpoints stuff would make an improvement there.

1.
A 28 pin digital "switch" chip, that controls the interaction between the digital and analogue boards (tied in with controlling signals through the connecting ribbon cable)

2.
The corresponding Crystek Oscillator (clock signal generator)

I've taken the Dac as far as it will go with this ERS stuff I think?
sounding pretty great and a nice jump up from stock.
I wouldn't touch anywhere else on the analogue board, the Stillpoints stuff works primarily on digital circuits.
If you add too much it masks the upper freq's and dulls the sound. (as was when I initially used it on the Dac's output Transformer).

So two more mods to do then I'm done on the Dac front:

* Fit better specced, beefier Edcor XS440 transformers to the Analogue board, swapping out the stock TX's.
* Install a quality external regulated linear PSU to power the Analogue stage independently from the digital stage.
(Looking at a Farad Super3, Paul Hynes or the like.)

Meanwhile, enjoying the improvements today's shenanigans brought.

As usual,
took a couple of pics:

[struth]

another job tidily done gary.. your getting good at those things now.

[Jimbo]

That Stillpoints fabric looks interesting Gary. Where would you recommend trying it other than in a DAC?

[Gazjam]

Thanks Grant,
Its good fun and always a result when you can eek out more performance from your kit.

Jimbo,
Initially I was tempted to just try it everywhere,
TOTALLY the wrong approach.

Some things I found:

- Less is more, its easy to overdo it and kill the high end.
- Keep it away from anything analogue - digital circuits only.
- The amount of harm on digital components from RFI-/EMI (clocks and the like) seems to vary with frequency, the high end being more effected?
That's why sound gets muffled and loses air at the top end if you overdo the Stillpoints stuff.
- Keep it well away from toroidal transformers - kills the sound.

Where I've used it

As well as on my Dac (as shown) I've used it on my Oppo 203?
Again, anywhere near the transformer or analogue output stage and it deadens the sound.
Each HDMI socket has a dab of the Stillpoints stuff on top of the socket casing, and each HDMI cable I use has a loop taped around the connector.
Improved picture is very noticable.

I've done this will all my HDMI cables, inc. into PS5 and AppleTV - Upgrade your cables!


I'm looking into where else its been used by other folks.
I'm sure on CD players it will work somewhere, not just (I think) on the digital output.
The oscillator and any other bits n bobs related to the clock might benefit.

Its very much a case of trying and seeing what works though, unfortunately.
The Stillpoints ios great stuff if your of the Tweaky mindset, and works great if not over used.

Highly recommended.

[Barry]

I would tidy up and re-file your LPs!

[Gazjam]

Wash your mouth out Sir!
in alphabetical order by Artist

(yes, I'm that sad)

[Barry]

Wash your mouth out Sir!
in alphabetical order by Artist

(yes, I'm that sad)

Refile them so they are upright, and not at an angle where they will eventually become deformed.

[Gazjam]

Ah,
ok Boss, will do.

[Jimbo]

Might have a go with some of this magic fabric Gary. Which are the most critical areas to try first?