The final unfold is not related to the sample frequency.
The final unfold is the correction of timing errors in the studio ADC and the playback DAC. I’m not sure if Bridge II can do this though.
I think this confusion is caused by the fact that the explanations given by MQA themselves are not particularly clear. I think Hans did a much better job in his videos because he consulted back and forth with MQA/Bob Stuart to get explanations for the things which weren’t clear.
The original spec for MQA was only up to 192 KHz.
Some newer files allow for higher sample rates but they will only playback at the maximum sample rate that the DAC (or Bridge in this case) will allow.
I think I also have one of these 352Khz files and it registers as half the sample rate. I suspect a future version of the hardware will allow higher sample rates (maybe even 768Khz as the MQA spec expands further).
A question to Uptone LPS 1.2 owners. I have the Matrix, as well as a W4S RUR. Both are 6 - 9 volts. Is it possible to hook both of them up to one LPS 1.2? If yes, how?
And another quasi relate question, would my DSJ benefit from being connected to a SBooser or Keces LPS? If yes, which amp/ voltage is proper for the DSJ?
I have no fancy power related gear. Just a low level Furman…
Yes, Mojo would also be a consideration as would Wolf Audio Systems to run Windows. I talked with WAS briefly at the Capital Audio show last fall. Nice folks. Their gear was used to drive setups in several rooms.
Back to the X-SPDIF. After I heard what it can do it really changed the way I thought about using USB. Enjoyable as it is, the Mini doesn’t afford me any new upgrade options, much less a way to improve its USB output. So, sell the Mini (upgrade or die) and pair the X with a PC sporting a JCAT, SOTM, Element H, or PF USB card to see what that brings. Leaning towards the Element H.
The rest:
ASRock Q1900DC
Samsung SSD
Mellanox MNPA19-XTR fiber card
Undecided linear power supplies. Still reading up.
Likely a Silverstone HTPC case with various mods
While this thread is somewhat encyclopedic regarding the X-SPDIF, I don’t recall as much discussion about the results of trying to improve the USB signal into the device. If there have been any recent attempts, I’d love to hear.
No you will need two for that but the Uptone is small enough and cheap enough that you can get two for the price of a good high voltage LPS and have space to spare by comparison.
If you want a single power supply to hook up to multiple components some real linear power supplies will allow that.
Like the SOTM SPS-1000 (you can hook up one low voltage component, one medium voltage component and one high voltage component). [Edit - forgot to add you could get 3 Uptones for the price of the SPS-1000 or a couple of regular single output linear power supplies]
The question is would it be worth it - I only ever hook up one power supply to one component because I don’t want noise from one going to the other as well as potentially restricting the power either can get.
I use a tx-USB Ultra from SOTM to clean up the USB from my SMS-Neo-Ultra - makes a noticeable improvement. Not on the level of going from no Matrix to Matrix but it is better than pure USB from the SMS. The upper mid range/lower treble sounds less harsh and more airy.
The improvement is more noticeable if you remove the matrix and go direct into the DAC but that is because the starting point is lower and it still sounds worse that putting the Matrix at the end of the chain.
It really shouldn’t sound better with all these things in the chain but after much testing I found that it does sound better to have the SMS go to the TxUSB then the Matrix and then the DAC via I2S. It’s crazy but the difference isn’t subtle, it is akin to a major component upgrade.
I think the Matrix is one of the best components/tweaks I’ve used in bang for buck terms.
Thanks for the great ideas! A month ago I spoke by phone with Alex Crespi, the owner of Uptone. He mentioned that was ok, well and good to hook up two devices to one LPS 1.2. But he didn’t go into detail how. I sent him a message a few days ago, but haven’t heard back. Hence my question here.
I have a decent rig, but its not as resolving or high end as many here. And value is important. Hence trying to sort through how to maximize, and still see good results, from the investment in a LPS 1.2, SBooser, or Keces external power supply.
Thanks for the suggestion, I hadn’t seen that one. I wonder how it compares to the others, SBooster, Keces, LPS 1.2? Being able to plug 4 devices into one is very useful.
Only thing is that it seems to be $399 for the base, and then $499 for each power module, so 2 devices would run like $1400, if I understand correctly.
Don’t know how it compares but it is worth calling EJ on the phone and talking to him about it. The price of the modules depends on how much amperage you need for each module so could be as little as $699. Just have the specs of what you are going to power when you call.
In my system I am using an HDPlex 200 watt linear power supply to power a Nucleus+ , a Matrix, and a Gigafoil v4 filter (at 19v, 9v, and 5v respectively.) The HDPlex 200 has 4 independent power rails, (2 fixed and 2 with adjustable voltage), so its very flexible - which for me is a simple and somewhat more compact power solution.This LPS has had a few mentions on this forum, and I have had VERY good sound streaming into the DS Sr; definitely worthy of your consideration. (See hdplex.com, $485 shipping included)
Very nice system choices sir. I have the Matrix and GigaFOILv4. And while I don’t own either of these, I am quite familiar with both the Nucleus+ and HDPlex 200 and they have reputations that precede them. All very solid equipment and I’m sure your ears are in full agreement.
Thank you Jeff; I have been a long time reader of this forum, and have benefitted tremendously from the advice and experience of the community here, so it’s about time to jump in the pool.
The Nucleus+ replaced an audio optimized Mac Mini setup (late 2012 version with I7 quad core processor, external power supply etc.), which was really good. I just wanted a turn key server solution that just worked (for now) without the unneeded complexity of J River, (and the occasional missteps of other server software that I tried), and a good library system, etc. For me, the single purpose server has just let me effortlessly enjoy the music that I use to “recharge my batteries” at the end of a work day. The synergy of Nucleus+, Matrix, GigaFOIL v4, and select Wireworld USB and HDMI cables is tremendous; no native genius here, I’m just methodically system building based on great advice!
I did a serious closet-cleaning and sale of unused audio gear that had accumulated - more to follow. The proceeds allowed for the purchase of a pre-owned P-5 and P-10, and the server gear. (I have been an active audio hobbyist for over 45 years, and the closet was full)
First impression entering the Matrix (2 days warm-up, cheap HDMI cable, 5V via USB from AQ Diamond 1,5m connecting a sMS200ultra/sPS500 that is fed via AQ Cinnamon 1,5m from Innuos Zenith MKII with 1 TB SSD running Roon Core):
Short Version:
THE FOOL
add something
AND
change speaker position
hey, with or without medicine
half the cats survive
for the moment
it sounds
like never before
everything
falls into place
with the back to the wall
only one way left
unknown lands
onewards
to new
Upgrades
…
Long Version to follow with crazy I2S cable. I’m actually very excited…
God. I listen to you and buy the Matrix. I tell you 9v sounds better but do you take the 10 seconds it takes to try it? Yes, but you wait 6 weeks to do it. God.
You absolutely will not be getting a Christmas card from me. Ever.
Thanks for crediting me with influencing your decision to buy the Matrix, but there is no need to call me by that moniker.
That’s fine. (FYI, Hanukkah begins on December 22 this year.)
Sorry . . . next time I will try to follow your advice sooner. Please try the 12V setting and let me know how it sounds. I will seriously consider your findings.#
#--In case anyone is wondering, the reference to 12V is a joke. No one should try powering a Matrix with 12V, as 9V is the absolute maximum.