[BenF]

Quote:

Got too itchy and ended up doing the optical unplug modification as well. Call me easily swayed by confirmation bias, but there does seem to be a boost to transparency. Also sine waves sound cleaner now, that I know for sure.

 
The question is, does USB now sound better than Optical did? Because IMO Optical does sound better than USB.

 

[jerg]

Quote:

Hmm.. just tried the unplug mod on my 15.1 and it does seem to sound cleaner. Pretty hard to get the plug out from the corner though but no damage done.
 

Ditto, the female socket has 3 little plastic tabs that keep the plug in place, AND there seems to be a small amount of yellow glue holding the plug in. Took me some prying with a mini-flathead screwdriver, and tons of careful wiggling, to pull the plug out.

 

[jerg]

I already sent an email to Kingwa describing this modification and this thoughts on it.
 
As for the sonic changes, yep I confirm that indeed a minor issue I've had before this mod is now eliminated with the unplugging of the optical port. Prior, I would occasionally check the sine wave generator and there would be an oscillating buzz "interference" in sine wave tones regardless of frequency showing some malfunction of the DAC. Now that is completely gone (I've already checked the sine wave generator a dozen times by now).

 

[genclaymore]

I started to but it woud'nt come off and i didn't want to break any thing trying to unplug it. Because of the glue that was on it.

 

[jerg]

Quote:

I started to but it woud'nt come off and i didn't want to break any thing trying to unplug it. Because of the glue that was on it.

Yeah, you really have to wiggle it consistently and keep the little socket tabs pried out to dislodge the glue in the plug. Took me like 10 mins.

 

[xnuthecaveman]

Try to plug it back and see if the buzz comes back

 

[jerg]

Quote:

Try to plug it back and see if the buzz comes back

Not if I don't have to...the socket is really fragile and I don't think it can take a lot of re-plugging before one of those tiny plastic tabs break.
 
Right now I'm content that it's a fix on the sinewave buzz, and that there may (or may not) be an actual sonic improvement.

 

[stephennic]

Hi,
 
Has anyone tried this mod with the 15.32, was it easy to get the plug out and did you noticed any sonic differences? Thanks
 
Cheers
 
Steve.
 

 

[xnuthecaveman]

Its OK

Mine is on its way, by the way, care to share your sine wave test method? I like to test mine when it arrives then perhaps I might unplug the optical too

 

[jerg]

Quote:

Its OK

Mine is on its way, by the way, care to share your sine wave test method? I like to test mine when it arrives then perhaps I might unplug the optical too

http://www.tucows.com/preview/502787

 

[xnuthecaveman]

Thanks a lot

 

[BenF]

Quote:

Not if I don't have to...the socket is really fragile and I don't think it can take a lot of re-plugging before one of those tiny plastic tabs break.
 
Right now I'm content that it's a fix on the sinewave buzz, and that there may (or may not) be an actual sonic improvement.

Is the sinewave now better through USB than it was through Optical?

 

[jerg]

Official response from Kingwa with regards to the optical unplugging modification:
 
 
 
 
"The both NFB11.32 and NFB15.32, the DA chips have different +5V than the optical input.
Pull off or push into the optical receiver, have not any contact with the +5V PSU of the DA chips.
We have take care the power supply even in the lowest price gears, different PSUs to power supply for different circuits parts.
Kingwa"
 
 
Looks like the assumptions were falsified. Still the mod cleared up the sinewave issue I had before so I don't think I'll revert it.

 

[stephennic]

Quote:

Official response from Kingwa with regards to the optical unplugging modification:
 
 
 
 
"The both NFB11.32 and NFB15.32, the DA chips have different +5V than the optical input.
Pull off or push into the optical receiver, have not any contact with the +5V PSU of the DA chips.
We have take care the power supply even in the lowest price gears, different PSUs to power supply for different circuits parts.
Kingwa"
 
 
Looks like the assumptions were falsified. Still the mod cleared up the sinewave issue I had before so I don't think I'll revert it.

Hi,
Can you interpret what he wrote, so is it safe to pull the 5v optical input or not, is he saying its in a different circuit so won't influence the sound.
Cheers
Steve

 

[jerg]

Quote:

Hi,
Can you interpret what he wrote, so is it safe to pull the 5v optical input or not, is he saying its in a different circuit so won't influence the sound.
Cheers
Steve

Yep and yep.