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The amazing sounding, very easy, almost free RME mod! - Page 5

post #61 of 182
4/12/04 at 4:53am
But I have an emu 1820m already. It has no harshness and already has balanced outputs

I rather keep my RME stock as I only use it for digital output.
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post #62 of 182
4/12/04 at 4:54am
I'm keeping one stock for comparison at the big June 19th SoCal meet.

You have to hear it to believe it.

-Ed
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post #63 of 182
4/12/04 at 5:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally posted by Edwood

Unless Larry can make some XRS Balanced XLR connectors, I may make my own silver cable. Canare Starquad will have to do for now.

-Ed
I actually though the cable we made today compared extremely well to my XRS cables. I would just make longer versions once you get your new parts, strap on some of that nice nylon techflex and call it a day for cables.
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post #64 of 182
4/12/04 at 5:03am
Yeah I probably do need to hear it to believe it but my computer is far away from my preamp and I don't want a long interconnect.

I can't believe you guys lug a computer setup to a meet.

it's 4AM now. bedtime!
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post #65 of 182
4/12/04 at 5:09am
Heheh, no I only brought my cards this time. I did bring my computer once. Ugh, never again.

Of course for the Big SoCal Meet, I'm bringing a "Mini Me" PC.

-Ed
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post #66 of 182
4/12/04 at 5:09am
Quote:
Originally posted by Iron_Dreamer
I actually though the cable we made today compared extremely well to my XRS cables. I would just make longer versions once you get your new parts, strap on some of that nice nylon techflex and call it a day for cables.
That's the plan.....

-Ed
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post #67 of 182
4/12/04 at 5:18am
One other thing I would be interested in Edwood. I find with the Grace and the Meridian 588 the detail is amazing using the balanced connections. I'm really not sure if it's the player or the amplifier and I've been too lazy to drag one of my other balanced sources over to try it out. Can you contrast any differences in the balanced and unbalanced sound now that you've got a balanced connection?
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post #68 of 182
4/12/04 at 6:21am
I had a short comparison between Iron_Dreamer's RME PAD (unbalanced) and my Balanced RME PAD. There was no imediately noticeable difference between the two as far as detail is concerned.

I did get a nice bonus with going balanced output with my RME PAD. No more gound loop buzz.

-Ed
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post #69 of 182
4/12/04 at 6:26am
Quote:
Originally posted by Edwood
I had a short comparison between Iron_Dreamer's RME PAD (unbalanced) and my Balanced RME PAD. There was no imediately noticeable difference between the two as far as detail is concerned.
Sounds like it must be the player then, the difference isn't subtle although when I tried the balanced outs into the HP-4 I really didn't get the increase in detail but that was many tube rolls ago...
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post #70 of 182
4/12/04 at 8:54am
Hey Iron, can you redo your initial post of this thread to include as muich detail as possible with pictures? Ed's pic's aren't perfectly descriptive (or at least, I still don't feel comfortable going in and ripping apart my RME).
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post #71 of 182
4/12/04 at 2:28pm
Did you guys cut the PCB traces that lead to the input and output jacks? If you haven't, you really should try it. It may increase the sound quality, and you would no longer have to remove the op-amps from the stock card (i.e. less work for modders).
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post #72 of 182
4/12/04 at 2:46pm
Quote:
Originally posted by Wodgy
Did you guys cut the PCB traces that lead to the input and output jacks? If you haven't, you really should try it. It may increase the sound quality, and you would no longer have to remove the op-amps from the stock card (i.e. less work for modders).
Nope, just yanked the OP amps. The traces are really hard to get to. (they are right above and in between the jacks. It is a lot easier to just yank the OP amps. It would be easier to reverse the "yanking" method, as you can just solder OP amps back on, and even use a Brown Dog adapter to upgrade it. Using DIP sockets, you can even be able to go back and forth. Although, there would have to be some kind of toggle switch wired for the jumpers in the back.

-Ed
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post #73 of 182
4/12/04 at 3:07pm
Yeah, but there are likely resistor-divider networks between the op-amps and the jacks, perhaps even filtering caps between the signal and ground. You want to get rid of this stuff, especially if you're running balanced. Pulling the op-amps doesn't get rid of it. There's a difference between just getting it working and having the best possible sound. If it's too difficult to cut the traces, you should consider the alternative (using external jacks). I know it sounds great now, but you won't know if it could sound better unless you do the job 100%.
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post #74 of 182
4/12/04 at 3:14pm
Man o man, can't wait to hear that card of yours at the meet, Ed! Too many things to buy
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post #75 of 182
4/12/04 at 3:41pm
Quote:
Originally posted by Wodgy
Yeah, but there are likely resistor-divider networks between the op-amps and the jacks, perhaps even filtering caps between the signal and ground. You want to get rid of this stuff, especially if you're running balanced. Pulling the op-amps doesn't get rid of it. There's a difference between just getting it working and having the best possible sound. If it's too difficult to cut the traces, you should consider the alternative (using external jacks). I know it sounds great now, but you won't know if it could sound better unless you do the job 100%.
Well, we've gone this far already.....

So, I guess we'll have to look for the traces better. They are really hard to see. The jacks are very close together. So it may be better to bypass the jacks completely?

-Ed
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