I had mine with a small green computer LPS by no means high end. I did not notice an improvement with it and not any improvement with the matrix at all between it and my Sonore.
I will try again for sh*** and giggles
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This is what I was looking for specifically with my spectrum analyzer, something that did not belong. For example, if I am blocking all the DC from the LPS before sweeping it, and the LPS wasn’t doing a good job rectifying or filtering the output, it would show up in my scan because a/c and any noise affiliated with a/c would pass though the DC blocking capacitor. I am reasonably certain if anything was passing through the DC output that would cause noise, it would show up here.
A spectrum analyzer offers greater dynamic range over an oscilloscope when measuring for noise. If anyone has any suggestions for other tests, I’m all ears.
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Can we send you power supplies to test with the Matrix? I would be interested in your findings. I am Matrix free in my main system. But my computer desk setup has it driving the DSD Jr. which lately has been fussy about sending music out the unbalanced outputs. My Rega amp does not have balanced inputs. I was afraid it was failing. I love my Rega!
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You absolutely could Al. It would be interesting to develop a criteria,
Noise from the power supply, linear regulators, and voltage references is a major contributor to the limitations of system performance, especially in instrumentation and communications products. In analog-to-digital converter (ADC) applications, the noise from regulators and references results in clock jitter, which can significantly degrade ADC characteristics such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-noise and distortion (SINAD) ratio, and bit error rate (BER). Low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) also suffer from phase noise and modulation effects related to power supply noise.
I have the equipment and good general knowledge based on my experience through amateur radio. The two hobbies, audio and HAM radio, have a lot of similarities dealing with RF noise and SNR degradation. Anything to help the cause.
Cheers!
Rob
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I will send you a couple of power supplies. Maybe three. I would hope others would as well. I don’t own a Farad but I am very interested in seeing that in the mix. Somebody here has one they can send off for a spell.
I am thinking Small Green Computer, Keces P8, and an Sbooster. That is my limited collection. Oh yeah, Uptone but I am so not interested in those anymore. Bah.
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Just PM me for my shipping details. I’m in Ontario (Canada) a few hours north of Toronto on Georgian Bay.
Cheers!
Rob
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I have a spare 5V small green computer that I use with the matrix that is not hooked up at the moment.
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These comparison results will be informative writing, go for it boys. I will be watching. And thank you in advance.
Chas
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Jay at audio bacon did a LPS comparison already. I have compared LPS in my system. Big R Core transformers with high current and lots of capacitance win. A device will not draw more current than it needs. Placing RF absorber over the noisy USB chip and LPGA is quiet effective and returns as much in sound quality as better LPS. The DC power cord also matters using a well shielded microphone type cable from Ghent audio. Lots of ways to squeeze out more performance from matrix but HDMI cord is probably near top of list.
https://audiobacon.net/2021/08/06/the-worlds-best-audiophile-linear-power-supplies/amp/
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I seem to have missed the scientific component to his tests and analysis. If his research and finding are based solely on what he hears, the results are subjective in my opinion. Maybe I missed something.
I definitely agree with the shielding and cabling but a picture of a spectral scan and a comparison of RF reference noise from one unit to the next would certainly add more weight to his findings.
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This whole hobby is subjective in the end. He is a EE. Graphs serves purpose to a point. Typically most of the hobby people on this site use our ears.
Having listened and bought cables Jay also tested. His subjective observations do align to what I have heard.
Not everything measured can be heard or vice versa. But there is room for all of us. I like both to investigate and it is best to correlate but not always possible.
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I agree 100% and I’m the first to admit I’m not in that top 5%. Having some hardcopy to make additioanal comparisons helps me in becoming better informed when making an observation or trying to find a solution. My area of expertise is amateur radio, not audio, but a linear amplifier for a ham radio transmitter works the same as a Class D linear power amplifier for an audio rig.
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I just finished this DC cable for my DS. It’s star quad. I have another equal length that I am going to build with a shield. I thought it would be interesting to listen for a difference.
I am guessing I won’t hear a difference since the star quad design rejects RFI and EMI, the shield may not matter.
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Guys, I have observed almost daily dropouts in the audio where the UltraRendu loses the signal with the DAC. My audio chain is a PC with Roon and HQplayer - UltraRendu - Matrix - Direcstream.
I don’t know if the communication error is between the UltraRendu and the Matrix or between the Matrix and the DS. The devices only get back in touch with a all restart. This same error occurs in MPD mode, that is, the problem is not in the communication between the PC and the UltraRendu.
Has anyone noticed this error?
I am curious. Are you using an Uptone Power Supply for the Matrix?
Perhaps you should remove the Matrix from the chain and go USB from uRendu to DS. That may eliminate the uRendu as the issue.
Could you describe to me a little more about this cable you made, the connectors and cabling? The reason I ask, I have a very large collection of coax from amateur radio and all the hardware for connections and crimp fittings. I never thought about actually making my own cables. Thanks. Rob.
I run same configuration with no issues. Do you have latest software. There’s application software bundled with UltraRendu to do diagnostics. Contact Andrew at SGC if you need troubleshooting assistance.
I heard a difference with the Gotham cable over stock twisted pair LPS cord. It has 5 shields and good copper.
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Looking forward to seeing your experience with/without shielding of the starquad. I started with a Canare 360 shielded starquad from Ghent audio but found the highs a bit rolled off. Then, wanting to try OCC copper, I made a cable with the V-Quad Cu21 from VH-Audio and another with a twisted pair of unshielded Neotech UPOCC 7N Copper. The Neotech may be a tad more open and I have been considering trying a shield and will curious to hear your experience with shielding.
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