1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 196859-202719

Would an external clock “help” in this signal chain?

My system sounds quite good to my ear. But I did spend a lot of time battling a harsh top end which I seem to be especially sensitive to. It’s now pretty great but I can’t help but wonder ‘what if??’ when I think back to all these components I’ve added and how each added to the overall character. 
 

Specifically I’m considering an external clock (or two?) in this chain. Also curious about using a grounding block. Maybe something else?

Here’s the signal chain:

 

iFi LAN iPurifier (converts signal to fiber optic and back)

RJ45 Cat8

Uptone EtherREGEN

RJ45 Cat8

WiiM Ultra (is this a bottleneck? Thought about Holo Red)

USB 

Singxer SU6

I2S

Gustard R26

XLR 

Tube Pre

XLR

Buckeye Hypex NCx500

Wharfedale Linton 85th

Everything is run through a Synergistic Research Power Cell (scored it used and it still broke the bank).

Either iFi Elite or chinesium linear power supplies. 
Power cords are Viborg. 
Interconnects AudioQuest Cinnamon. 
 

Thank you!

machine7
machine7 OP
13 posts
 

Thank you for the heads up on the Pontus 15th. It wasn’t on my radar owing to the feedback on previous generations. I ordered one from Denafrips:)

soix
11,233 posts
 

Congrats!  If you’re still hearing hardness after the Pontus is broken in it’s probably the amp you’re hearing.  Incidentally you’ll wanna run an i2S connection from the SU6 to the Pontus, and I’d recommend this DH Labs HDMI cable in the 0.5m length as shortest is best for i2S.  Look forward to your thoughts once things settle in after 100 hours or so. 

https://upscaleaudio.com/products/dh-labs-hdmi-2-1-cable

machine7 OP
13 posts
 

I actually have that cable running to my R26. Are they normally quite stiff? I bought it used and am always concerned of knock offs. 
 

The Hypex NCx500 has incredible detail but  I know D class can be kinda hard/cold or perhaps just “dry”. Add to that a Sonic Frontiers Line 2 preamp and I’m probably neutral/clinical and do wish I had a bit more bloom/smoothness (warmth?) despite the Linton 85th loudspeakers. I’m probably just too used to tube amps and dirty power supplies and forgetting how far I’ve come.
 

One more clue: the system loses some detail but gains a nice nuance with an SL1200 table, Archomat platter mat and retipped (sapphire?) Denon D103r. It’s run through > Parks Waxwing > RCA into Sonic Frontiers Preamp. 
 

I tried the optical out, coax and rca on the Waxwing into the Gustard and it doesn’t sound as good - stripped down overly clean or something. Just loses its soul.  

To be clear the table sounds best via rca to the SF preamp skipping over the Gustard. I even tried running Waxwing via RCA, Optical and Coax into the WiiM Ultra and again just felt like it lost character/naturalness  

Another observation is that if I run the SU6 RCA to the SF preamp it just sounds congested vs XLR. The SF pre is known for greater clarity via XLR I’ve read and my experience attests to that too.

 

So as it stands I’d like to get a little more syrup on my digital plate. The Hypex brings so much to the party but if there’s anything to put on my radar I’m interested! Just in case the Pontus 15 isn’t the entirety of the equation!

Thanks again:)

Post removed 
boulder_bob's avatar
boulder_bob
52 posts
 

@machine7 

I’m a little late on this thread

Dumb question:  are you getting the same harshness with CDs or vinyl?

More to discover