What is the latest greatest USB add on device?

Do USB Schumann frequency generating devices count? I just stalled two BLACK USB SF devices. 

@grannyring

Halo,

I just read about HPULN - LT3045.  is this some sort of filter u add to the output of the power supply?

can you recommend a DIY power supply/ other one that I can modify with HPULN - LT3045? I need 12V @2A to power my hard drive enclosure.
Thanks

I also have the SOTM TX USB Ultra as well as the 500 power supply.  I ended up using my DIY Duelund starquad double shielded DC cable.  It sounds fantastic, but not quite as good as the Dual Poe.  It is amazing what a good DC cable can do for your rig. Everything matters in digital audio.  

I am using a 12A AC to DC converter to power the (2) Uptone LPS1.2 power supplies and the Gotham Star Quad balanced DC cables to power the Reference SOtM tX USBUltra and the ISO Regen.

ozzy

The DC cable used on LPSs is critical.  More important than even the PC used on the LPS. The POE based DC cable I mentioned above is even better than the various starquad cables out there. They are just a pain to fit into your rack! Sound-wise they are the best I have heard.   

That's why in this hobby, keep an open mind and you've got to hear it to believe it.

ozzy

After about 8 hours of break in time, the DC cables are really starting to provide a much more transparent sound. 
Hard to believe that a DC cable can improve the sound quality. But I'm hearing it.

ozzy

Just received my Gotham Star Quad balanced DC cables. Now to see what the fuss is about...

ozzy

cincyjim,

They are expensive! 
I bought a few of them direct (from I think Australia) a few years back. They were much cheaper then. Now that there is a US distributor he has to add his profit to the cost.

I must add that grannyring BBQ usb version is a pretty good substitute, perhaps even better than the Curious.

ozzy

Talking about USB cables,Hmm I curious about The new Curious USB Cable seems to be expensive. I will read more about it.

grannyring,

 I am still waiting for my DC cables that are coming on a slow boat from China.
https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/dc-gac4.html

ozzy

I can you this Ozzy. The Duelund 20 gauge stranded copper in cotton make a fine DC cable. I used 4 runs with two on + and two on - in a starquad configuration. I double shielded one with two layers of copper braid tubing and compared it to an unshielded one. Both sound fantastic and much better than the DC cables that came with my SOTM units. Hard to tell that much of a difference between the shielded and unshielded. However, I have learned that sonic gains are to be found with upgraded DC cables. The Duelund wire costs $6 per meter. So very affordable and avoids the whole birds nest mess found with the top end Poe Configurations such as the Dual Cat and Dual Cat Squared.

I frankly do not find the Dual Cat Poe to sound any better than the Duelund DC cable on its own as I listened today. However both are a nice jump over stock DC cables and DC cables made with the popular Canare starquad bulk cable.

grannyring,

Interested in your effort.

ozzy

Yes this takes a lot of effort.  No doubt. Tons to read through and understand. I am into DIY and am intentionally curious so I will plow on. 

I am building a cable without all the Poe connections and junctions. We will see.  

Thanks jaybe for staying with it.

All I know is to use the 2 sets of POE's (4 units total) with my 2 units it would have required 4 ethernet cables (2 meter each is said to sound the best). Along with the 2 DC cables, 2 USB cables, 2 Uptone LPS 1.2 units and the ISO Regen and the SOtM unit that I am using.

I"ll wait until a more simplified version is available.

ozzy

Jaybe, are you using the better Dual Cat or the lesser single Ethernet cable with those pigtail style Poe injectors? I am using the Dual Cat with two 8 port Poe injectors, Monoprice Ethernet cables and a final starquad Mundorf silver/gold 6 inch DC cable into the powered unit. The impact of this was immediately heard. Lower noise floor, improved resolution etc.., I thought it was a bit thin sounding however so I made a Duelund starquad six inch DC cable for both ends of my Dual Cat. One coming out of my SOTM 500 power supply into the Poe and a second coming out of the Poe into my SOTM TXusbUltra. Wow! Wonderful now.

My rig is as tweaked out and dialed in as any I have heard and the benifit is real and immediately discerned. Now the thread creator states the more simple single Cat with those cheap Poe pigtails is not nearly as good as the Dual Cat. The Dual Cat squared is even better I understand.

This whole topic has so many options and levels of improvement that it can be hard too keep up. The language is also confusing as I am finally getting my head around it.

Before I received the Uptone LPS 1.2 units, I was using a linear supply unit that I got from China. With this unit I was able to power both the ISO Regen and the SOtM usb.

After receiving the Uptone LPS 1.2 units I thought that they would be even better being first powered by the same Chinese linear power supply. But no dice, it couldn’t handle the power demands of the Uptone LPS 1.2 units.

Now I feel that the Uptone power supply is about equal in sound quality to my Chinese linear power supply sans the LPS 1.2 units.
So, we shall see what the Ghents add.

Another concern is the Uptone LPS 1.2 that is powering the SOtM unit gets very hot and it is not easy to turn off when not using. There is a power button on the back, but it very hard to reach and you must use your finger nail to make the selection.

ozzy

I get it.  I will compare my more aesthetic version of the Poe and comment.  

grannyring,

I ordered and then cancelled 2 pairs of the POE from tubelover2.
There just seemed to be way too many cables to accomplish the task. 

ozzy

Yes it is. 

@grannyring , is the OP that you reference, 'tubelover2 'from the usaudiomart thread? Thank you.

@grannyring  Bill, thank you.

These are not that easy to build, however the OP of that thread will make you properly wired 8 port Poe units. It involves cutting unwanted traces and soldering short wire jumpers to the board.

I ordered mine from the OP as I am too busy to mess with it right now. I am going to build the same cable without all the Poe connectors and see if it sounds as good. I won’t be able to get to that for another month however.

I made starquad DC cables for folks just like Ghent’s and with better wire. However, my customers tell me the Poe based cables are just another big step up!

I read through most of that thread to understand what the OP did.
My first experience with Poe to be frank and it took me awhile to get it.

Ozzy, thanks. I know what POE is. I was curious about the specific construction...thanks for pointing me to the link, Jaybee.

POE stands for power over ethernet. (I looked it up)

ozzy

@jaybe   @grannyring   Is the POE a diy build? Can you share more information on the construction? Thanks. 

Well the starquad DC does not come close to the more difficult to build Poe DC cable.  However they are much better than stock. 

jaybe,

Uptone actually recommended the Ghents. So, I went an ordered 2 of them. $85 a piece including shipping is not all that bad.

ozzy

Well I received the (2) Uptone LPS 1.2 power units for my ISO Regen and SOtM usb.

So, now I hear that upgrading the DC power cables to star quad will also improve sound quality. 
Grannyring or any others, what do you think?
https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/dc-gac4.html

ozzy

Well I mod these regularly for customers.  I happen to have one available.  Here is what you can do or tech you trust.  Buy a Teradak DC30 and replace all the electrolytic caps with long hour Nichicon HW caps. Add chassis dampening, Perfect Path Contact enhancer in key areas. Replace cheap resistors with Mills MRA.  Peplace filter bypass caps with Sonicaps. 

Build one of the Poe cables as outlined in the link I gave and at the end of that cable place the Mpaudio or similar unit like this just before feeding the device you are powering.

If the device needing power is spec’d for 1.5amps or under, then this more affordable LT3045 power supply is great. The $95 one in a nice case. 

http://www.ldovr.com/category-s/123.htm

Impossible to say Ethernet on any other method is better than usb as there are just too many factors and options. We’re are just in the infancy of this medium.  Here are just two areas that transform your digital front end.  

Those expensive power suppliers just talked about in the previous post will be beat handily by a $130 Teradak with a few smart mods. The biggest mod is to add one of these LT3045 power supplies ...

https://www.mpaudio.net/product-page/s-hpuln

The LT3045s circuits are amazing in what they will do for your sound. 

Also, the DC cable used on the all important linear power supplies is absolutely critical. Read this and build one. Your sound quality will be improved ways you never imagined. 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1465

Just so many variables we are just beginning to learn about  that turn “computer or digital based front ends” into beautiful music makers rivaling any big dollar analog rig.  

If you don't mind spending the money there is NOTHING that can touch the equipment below.

There is nothing actually even close but like everything that is outstanding it is expensive but IMO worth it.

If you want best bang for buck get the Uptone Audio ISO Regen and power it via Ultra Cap LPS 1.2 but if you want the best then on read below. 

Actually the best is to dump USB and jump on the Ethernet train as it is leaving USB in the dust but that is another topic and you asked for USB and this combo bellow has no peers.
_____

SOtM: tX-USBultra special edition: $1,470.00
- with external master clock input add (50 ohm): $300.00  
- 9V
https://sotm-usa.com/products/copy-of-tx-usbultra-regenerator-1?variant=12385178550351

______

sCLK-OCX10 Reference Master Clock: $3.500.00
https://sotm-usa.com/products/sclk-ocx10

______

SOtM: sPS-500 Power Supply: $500
- Y cable stranded 7N UPOCC Copper 30cm: +$300
https://sotm-usa.com/products/sps-500-power-supply?variant=40218821772

______

If you don't have a high quality USB Server option then get this one below also and pick another PS.

_______

sMS-200ultra Neo Special Edition: $1.400 
- with ethernet switch mode: + $300
- with external master clock connector add (50 ohm): + $200
- 9V
https://sotm-usa.com/products/sms-200ultra-special-edition-1

jeenam,

I am with you on the USB Disrupter it was that unit that caused me to reach further into the usb decrapifiers universe. It is well worth the price.

cincyjim, 

I hear ya we are all like kids when it comes to a new audio toy!  I have been waiting patiently for my 2 Uptone LPS 1.2 usb power supplies for my recently acquired ISO Regen and SOtM usb units.

Lets hope the NEW YEAR brings joy and happiness to all!
ozzy

Merry Christmas and great New Year, OZZY.
 Can’t wait my new Christmas gift arrive 
Wyred 4 Sound 2v2 DAC with Femto Clock.

I don’t understand all the hate on the USB Disruptor. I’ve read the computeraudiophile.com forum thread and personally I think the people on that thread that trash the Disruptor come off as complete ass***es. For $100 the USB Disruptor cleaned up the USB output from my computer to a NAD M51 DAC.

NOTE: I’m not an audio or computer noob. I am an enterprise IT architect and consider myself a fairly well informed geek when it comes to audio. The computeraudiophile.com thread where they gloat about banning the guy who sells the USB Disruptor reeks of lameness. If you’re gonna beat on someone for selling fools gold, how about the Totem Beaks?

Thanks cincyjim5,

iFi and Pangea makes some very good performing cables and at affordable prices.

Merry Christmas!
ozzy

I find for USB cable add on i prefer iFi Audio iSilencer iDefender and iPurifier
 I also use a Pangea 1.5 meter Premier SE USB cable in my Mac Book Pro.

So, I now have the ISO Regen connected to the output of the SOtM txUSB ultra SE with the supplied standard wall wart power supplies. (The Regen LPS 1.2's won't arrive till after the holidays). 

This combo sounds a little better than when I just used the USB Disrupter but frankly I was expected a lot more. 
Does the power supply with these devices really make that much difference?

ozzy

jaybe,

Did it take some break in time?

ozzy

jaybe,

So did you get the external clock option?
I didn't but I did get the "Special Edition" which is supposed to have upgraded caps, wiring and EMI shielding.

ozzy