Thank you Supersurfer!
It is very interesting impressions as I have similar concept and similar "headaches". BBB->fifopi->pcm_board->1541A->trafos/jfet buffer->845'SE->bipolar open panels+HeilAMT1) - everything except of tube Amp is powered from ultracaps as well.
First "headaсhe" - I need to reconnect all the mechanically connected components every time I need to listen the music - tubes in sockets, cables...
Second "headache" - all the modern hi-res files simply have no chances (if to talk about true stereophonic realistic live recordings - top of the audiophil hill) compared to the CDDA format, DSD - is just totally faulty format - everything is like at a funeral.
So, as you can see I am simply can not leave your impressions without my reaction.
BTW, my practice (and everyone who tried too) tells that HQP+upsamling+ext2 is much better than NOS for TDA1541A, and the higher the rate, the precise/analog the sound you can get. Thanks to special FW for my BBB (beaglebone) streamer I can upsample up to 176.4kHz using 11.2896Mhz mclk, as it can send data in I2S_16+16 bit format instead of the regular unclaimed for 1541 32+32 bit format. Actually it is possible to be at 352.8kHz with 11.2896Mhz, but fifopi needs the double rate over the existing clock frequency to make it job proper.
That is why I can not wait to compare Andrea's clock with the tube clock from Abbas (11.2896MHz). And later, no doubts I need to try Andrea's FIFO (once it will be developed), whch will allow to play 352.8kHz stream as Andrea has promising 🙂
Thanks!
Ivan.
It is very interesting impressions as I have similar concept and similar "headaches". BBB->fifopi->pcm_board->1541A->trafos/jfet buffer->845'SE->bipolar open panels+HeilAMT1) - everything except of tube Amp is powered from ultracaps as well.
First "headaсhe" - I need to reconnect all the mechanically connected components every time I need to listen the music - tubes in sockets, cables...
Second "headache" - all the modern hi-res files simply have no chances (if to talk about true stereophonic realistic live recordings - top of the audiophil hill) compared to the CDDA format, DSD - is just totally faulty format - everything is like at a funeral.
So, as you can see I am simply can not leave your impressions without my reaction.
BTW, my practice (and everyone who tried too) tells that HQP+upsamling+ext2 is much better than NOS for TDA1541A, and the higher the rate, the precise/analog the sound you can get. Thanks to special FW for my BBB (beaglebone) streamer I can upsample up to 176.4kHz using 11.2896Mhz mclk, as it can send data in I2S_16+16 bit format instead of the regular unclaimed for 1541 32+32 bit format. Actually it is possible to be at 352.8kHz with 11.2896Mhz, but fifopi needs the double rate over the existing clock frequency to make it job proper.
That is why I can not wait to compare Andrea's clock with the tube clock from Abbas (11.2896MHz). And later, no doubts I need to try Andrea's FIFO (once it will be developed), whch will allow to play 352.8kHz stream as Andrea has promising 🙂
Thanks!
Ivan.
Hi bisesik,
Most of the available dsd material is simply converted pcm. There is loss in this conversion.
I tried upsampling but it does not sound better than the native sampling format.
Most of the available dsd material is simply converted pcm. There is loss in this conversion.
I tried upsampling but it does not sound better than the native sampling format.
Thanks Supersurfer and Andrea
Thank you for such a considered and informative description of the results you hear. I am pleasantly surprised that it provides this much refinement over the WTMC from 2020. But the qualities you relate are much what I imagined. I like your reaction that you can happily listen at a lower volume and hear all the details and nuances of the music. The dynamics really make the material come to life and engage. I found this to be the case with the first WTMC.
You describe a very transparent 1541a based system. Triodes, interstage transformers and no crossover is a pretty potent combination! I expect a similar result. I could not agree more about redbook vs hires. It really is about the quality of the recording. I have also found that badly recorded / over compressed recordings are getting harder to tolerate as the system improves.
Also I suspect there is more to be found with Andrea's FIFO driving these systems.
It would actually be interesting to do a comparison of your digital to a first rate phono input.
Thank you for such a considered and informative description of the results you hear. I am pleasantly surprised that it provides this much refinement over the WTMC from 2020. But the qualities you relate are much what I imagined. I like your reaction that you can happily listen at a lower volume and hear all the details and nuances of the music. The dynamics really make the material come to life and engage. I found this to be the case with the first WTMC.
You describe a very transparent 1541a based system. Triodes, interstage transformers and no crossover is a pretty potent combination! I expect a similar result. I could not agree more about redbook vs hires. It really is about the quality of the recording. I have also found that badly recorded / over compressed recordings are getting harder to tolerate as the system improves.
Also I suspect there is more to be found with Andrea's FIFO driving these systems.
It would actually be interesting to do a comparison of your digital to a first rate phono input.
Ditto. Perhaps it is taxing the Rpi, but it does not work for me either. I have tried SOX at its best setting upsampling to 176.4 but it's better at 44.1. Now if you have an MA Recordings track recorded at 176.4 it can be very good.
Guys, SOX - is just a wrong way for upsampling, I have tried it too. Too simplified, too many mistakes. I do not really see any competitors in terms of oversampling quality to what spectacular job can do the HQP with Jussi's algorithms, especially ext2 filtering for CDDA. Jriver, foobar, volumio, roon and plenty of others - are just even not close to HQP possibilities. Some of hardware digital filters like SM5843 or HDCD? might be, might be... But not SoX/SSRC/PPHS based functions.
And of course, when I mentioned CDDA vs hi-res, I meant the best recordings available in digital area. The best recordings in terms of 3D-positioning, dynamical range and naturaless - these are exist still on CDDAs only, in my DB at least. Sure, there are a lot of poor recordings in hi-res and CDDA areas - a lot of recordings where 192kbit/s mp3 files would be a top format for that instead. Qobuz/Tidal is open for me, so if somebody can point me to any extraordinary hi-res recordings, which can beat the best CDDAs within decribed above terms, then please let me know, I am really want to found such hi-reses, but can't...
Of course all aboved - in my humble opinion.
Dear Andrea, sorry for offtopic, all other posts will be continued (if anybody wants) in PMs mode.
And of course, when I mentioned CDDA vs hi-res, I meant the best recordings available in digital area. The best recordings in terms of 3D-positioning, dynamical range and naturaless - these are exist still on CDDAs only, in my DB at least. Sure, there are a lot of poor recordings in hi-res and CDDA areas - a lot of recordings where 192kbit/s mp3 files would be a top format for that instead. Qobuz/Tidal is open for me, so if somebody can point me to any extraordinary hi-res recordings, which can beat the best CDDAs within decribed above terms, then please let me know, I am really want to found such hi-reses, but can't...
Of course all aboved - in my humble opinion.
Dear Andrea, sorry for offtopic, all other posts will be continued (if anybody wants) in PMs mode.
I never liked upsampling either, even with HQPlayer, and funnily this actually starts to make sense when we see the phase noise will increase with higher clock rates.
Upsampling did have some audible benefits, but it came with arguably greater downsides
Upsampling did have some audible benefits, but it came with arguably greater downsides
bisesik
Thanks for the information on HQP.
WRT well recorded HiRes, have you sampled MA Recordings? There is a free sampler download at Welcome to MA Recordings Online. Pick the one with the picture of a mic on it. Many at 176 and some at 96. The blue one is 44.1.
You may not like all the music, but it is undeniably well recorded. Typically a two mic recording in an interesting venue.
Thanks for the information on HQP.
WRT well recorded HiRes, have you sampled MA Recordings? There is a free sampler download at Welcome to MA Recordings Online. Pick the one with the picture of a mic on it. Many at 176 and some at 96. The blue one is 44.1.
You may not like all the music, but it is undeniably well recorded. Typically a two mic recording in an interesting venue.
Got my boards today
DHL just dropped the package off today! Andrea, thanks for all your hard work, advice and industrial amounts of patience... 😀
DHL just dropped the package off today! Andrea, thanks for all your hard work, advice and industrial amounts of patience... 😀
Amazing review Supersurfer, thanks.
Maybe time for me to also swap my tda1541 Dac to Thorsten I/V with appaired D3A or at least more afordable E180EF. I am with the 5 Mhz as well.
Maybe time for me to also swap my tda1541 Dac to Thorsten I/V with appaired D3A or at least more afordable E180EF. I am with the 5 Mhz as well.
Hi Andrea,
Is it possible to power several clocks and doublers with one battery supply?
Or will there be interference between the modules?
Regards,
Is it possible to power several clocks and doublers with one battery supply?
Or will there be interference between the modules?
Regards,
Yes, you can power several clocks and doublers with one battery supply since the battery provides the needed current without any problem.
Those who plan to use regulators have to consider if the regulator is able to provide the required current.
Those who plan to use regulators have to consider if the regulator is able to provide the required current.
GB update
I have just received part of the crystals so I continue shipping according to the crystals I got.
Unfortunately there is a delay for the 5.6448 and 6.144 MHz SC-Cut crystals, I have received a few pcs only.
This is the message I receive from the manufacturer:
"This morning my blank supplier advises that their EFG machine broke down and they need to remake the blanks we ordered, the new date for use to receive the blanks will be around 17th May 2021, so all in all delivery now will be the end of May 2021".
So the most part of those who have ordered 5/6 MHz crystals will receive their items at early June.
I apologize for the delay but I cannot do anything to solve the issue.
So I kindly ask to be patient.
I have just received part of the crystals so I continue shipping according to the crystals I got.
Unfortunately there is a delay for the 5.6448 and 6.144 MHz SC-Cut crystals, I have received a few pcs only.
This is the message I receive from the manufacturer:
"This morning my blank supplier advises that their EFG machine broke down and they need to remake the blanks we ordered, the new date for use to receive the blanks will be around 17th May 2021, so all in all delivery now will be the end of May 2021".
So the most part of those who have ordered 5/6 MHz crystals will receive their items at early June.
I apologize for the delay but I cannot do anything to solve the issue.
So I kindly ask to be patient.
No worries, thanks for the update.
Mouser still has backorders, so june will be OK.
And the sooner you deliver, the sooner you'll be asked for the FIFO 😉
Mouser still has backorders, so june will be OK.
And the sooner you deliver, the sooner you'll be asked for the FIFO 😉
Thanks for understanding the situation, I hope to start the new GB for the FIFO and the DAC Lite around July.
Thanks for the update Andrea.
I live in Toronto which is not far from Laptech. The community has been dealing with 3rd wave of Covid. There is talk of another stay at home order, so I don't know if that will impact Laptech as well. Challenging times.
I live in Toronto which is not far from Laptech. The community has been dealing with 3rd wave of Covid. There is talk of another stay at home order, so I don't know if that will impact Laptech as well. Challenging times.
Hi wlowess! Where did you buy Plitron trafo ? Directly through the factory site? I'm asking in general because I know they had a minimum order over 1000 usd.
I did buy one for an amp direct from factory back when they still would sell one to a hobbyist. It was $100.
But these I got lucky and spotted a box of them in a Toronto surplus shop. They were $7 each for NOS and I bought a bunch of them. They have some 9v windings and 18v so they are very good for digital PS. 😉