Hi @Vmax,
I have some doubts about what extra cables I will need to use bacch4mac correctly.
My Aurender N200 has USB and Coaxial output. Since you already have the software, what would be the logical path to go to the Babyface, then the mac mini and finally the MKII?
Thanks for the help
The babyface only takes an optical input or analog input. Does your device use Roon and can you set up other Roon endpoints if so ethernet to the Mac mini is best or run roon on the Mac
thanks,
I don’t use Roon, maybe that’s the problem… I only listen to tidal from the aurender, and my goal is to use bacch with the streamer and the SACD transport.
Thinking about including so many extra cables and connections makes me consider if it’s a good idea.
Now with MK2 fully broken in, plus a bunch change in power cords, sorbothane/metal column supports, and tuning ring adjustments, I like the SQ without the absorbent sheet on top front of the MK2 better. I keep the small rectangular piece on the back-left of lid still. The SQ is more open and less warm in my system without the bigger front piece.
My new power cord supports and acoustic panels delivered. I will have to see if it makes the 3m absorption still necessary. I am still running a HDMI shorting plug since power off of HDMi was made inop in 2.5.1 per jkrichards. I plugged it in playing uSB and heard it start working.
I have not been using the HDMI shorting plug since 2.5.1. Maybe I will give it a try again. Let me know how do the PC supports and acoustic panels work for you.
Now that my DSD2 is more or less fully broken in and speaker position tweaked, my next step is addition of up to 24 Synergistic ECTs. I had added these to MK1 with good effect. Has anyone determined their optimal placement in MK2? Trying to avoid having to re-invent the wheel.
@vmax My HD Plex just arrived. I have a notice that the TeraDak shipped from China. But it will be a wait still. As you also seem to be the resident expert in 3MAB7050HF RF absorbers, do you think I can get away with the placement of the HD Plex as in this picture, below the PSA DS MK2? I figure, with its glass top, above the MK2 is worse. Since I have not made my DC power cables yet, I can also put the HD Plex elsewhere, like on the floor behind everything. I thought about simply pasting the whole shelves above and below the DAC with 3MAB7050HF, but it seems that might add up financially.
AB7050HF is not good for audio as just sheets used as barriers. It must be placed strategically directly over noisy electronic components like digital Electronic integrated circuits, Digital ribbon cables, over over 1/2 of toroidal power supplies or power cord tuning rings. The R Core transformer in HDPLEX300 self cancels noise and EMF by physical design. I tried various R core cancellation techniques with 3M they do no good or more harm. The it does well with placement over ICs small rectangles of absorber directly on chips under the cover. You meed to get the HDPLEX300 on sorbothane isolators. Especially if you have lots of bass in the room. I would give the DS MK2 isolation as well as HDplex 300 and the mini
The mk2 has metal under the wood cover. It is not glass. I would only place absorber over FPGAs and half the toroidal transformer, over display digital cable. as in my latest massive post.
Jeff, what is the latest overall recommendation for the DS MK2 combining auto power and ground lift options vs. grounding plugs? As I recall, last we heard from you around March, don’t use the grounding plugs from you on the DS MK2. And do not lift a ground and insert a grounding plug. In my case, I use I2S-2 and USB because I have one of each input and it is more convenient on the remote to flip between I2S-2 and USB. So I2S-1 is unused. Should they all be in Auto. And for I2S-1, which I do not use, is ground lifted better, so long as no grounding plug is inserted?
Related tangential question. For Father’s Day, I received an Ansuz Sortz Supreme. I played around with it on a system that has analog RCA inputs and convinced myself that I could hear a difference. But I do not have any analog RCA inputs on my system with the DS Mk2. So I stuck the Sortz on the SPDIF input of the DS MK2, so the gift-givers know it was used. But I never bothered trying to hear a difference. I suppose I could have stuck it on an RCA output too. Any view from you on the Sortz? And whether or not with ground lifted? How about I sell it on eBay once the gift-givers forget about it?
Ansuz Sortz Supreme / Noise Reduction (RCA) | Audio Group DenmarkAudio Group Denmark
Yes. If using v2.50 or the newest 2.62 set them all to auto so the power will turn off on unused / UN-selected inputs. I don’t recommend using shorting plugs with the firmware’s mentioned above.
As far as input ground lifts. This is a personal / system dependent setting. I personally like it grounded. Lifted in my system sounds too bright.
Shorting plugs RCA or otherwise, should not be used on outputs.
Anyone having issues or want a good solution for removing the old transformers.
This is also good for removing SMD…
The best tool is the one below however is expensive if one only rarely does this type of work.
This is what I use:
https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FR-301-Desoldering-Tool/dp/B07BKSLLG9
set it to 2.5 425c. Use the large tip. (about the size of a standard round toothpick) melt, let stand for 3 seconds and then pull the trigger.
gently move each pin away from the edges of the hole with your finger nail or plastic sponger tool. If one does not move, re-solder that pin and repeat the de-solder process.
Sometimes gently twisting the transformer will break the pin loose if it’s slightly stuck.
Big Happy Cake day, and thanks for all the great posts in jazz thread!
I’m finally joining the JK mod group, and I will have it done for me. The DIY video looks like an open heart surgery to me 
I think that is smart. It worked for me and Jeff can confirm a good install. I was initially going to send just the board but couldn’t get the top off. 
It seems Jeff Richards is no longer active on the forum. Personally I’m unhappy about this, but it also leaves me with a problem. I can no longer do searches by his user name. Some days ago Jeff posted a message that was fairly comprehensive in identifying all the discrepancies he’d noticed while doing mods on the MkII. I can’t find it. Can someone post a link to it so I can bookmark it? Thanks.
Mixed feelings about this, as his contributions offered considerable insight. However, there seemed to be a certain drama surrounding them. I had intended on the nickel transformer and VCOM mods for my aging DSD Mk 1. His latest multi-posting(s) resulted in a pause on my decision. I have a feeling we shall see more from APS/Richards at some point.
Thanks @amsco15.
I am having J Richards do the MK2 Mod for me. As far as I know he still has two sets of APS transformers for MK2 available.
If anyone is interested, I can provide his email for you to contact.
Searches for @jkrichards still work.
