Interesting observation on the ZS powered by the Elite. I too found the same impressions, alike the Ipower X, the Elite was a step up but somewhat lacking in the depth and space of the soundstage. I was comparing these two with the Topping P50 and the Topping did not have the same weight and...

i really like the Duelund Cast PIO, even as bypass caps, they seem to add a level of naturalness and realism to the sound and tone.

Musical paradise MP-D2 deluxe mk3 - a whole lotta dac for under $1k, but this is now superseeded. Well worth looking at one second hand.

@JamieMcC have you tried any of the Cast bypass caps?

Im using the 0.01uf Duelund Cast Ag silver foil bypass on the Vcap Odams with my Musical Paradise dac and was floored at how much tone and harmonics that was masked previously without the bypass caps. I cheaped out and got the Duelund 0.01uf JDM copper foils for the MP preamp, but im using...

Yes, if you have the latest version of the MP D2 mk3 deluxe dac then you can also remove the capacitors for tubes 2 and 4 as well. This will reduce the noise. Which caps are you using for tubes 1 & 3? If you want more body and warmth, then look at the copper foil types (not cheap) or VCAP...

Tube rectification is a must for me and i dont need a streamer so i will give this one a miss. I chatted to Garry about it and he did say that the ESS ES9068AS has digital volume control but the ESS ES9039MSPRO doesnt. If you do have the older ES9038pro you can use those plug in modules on the...

The answer is - depends. Yes if you're using a dedicated streamer, chances are no and improvements would be subtle/different at best. If you're using a noisy source, like a PC or laptop, then yes. Since you're using a CD transport, i'd caution against adding a DDC, because adding another...

@JamieMcC - Thanks for sharing the above.

I concur with this as well re: Jantzen Superior. Even with the Jantzen silver, it was a tad brighter but deeper, but still did not rock my boat. Duelund JDMs are pretty good, i prefered the pure copper foils over the tin plated. Vcap ODAMs are well balanced, equalled in soundstage, has more...

i figured somethings up... :)

Ditto... ifi Ipower X and Lan Silencers at key ports in the chain.

Yes thats right as i only use the sine wave outputs and not squared.

To be honest, i cant see why it needs to be compliant to the 50ohm spec. I have a Canare 50ohm cable, and the LMR400 and the silver audiolund cable sounded better to my ears.

https://audiolund.com/product/true-silver-series-digital-cable-spdif/ with BNC to BNC terminations

Dac...but if the ratings are suitable for the amp, then then amp, or preamp.

Previously before i got the R26, i had the U18 DDC and a gustard fuse and i was using it with a tubed dac - Musical Paradise MP-D2 mk3. The difference running it into the MP dac with the U18 via AES out brought more soundstage width and depth. Easily noticeable. Added the LHY OCk1 clock to...

Sigh...i just paid for v4 desktop last year in September... I'll wait for a bit.

Amen! :) Most definitely, the individual FMC's are best powered by LPS. Ppl just need to try it out and give it a go.

Something to note as well, as I have observed this. Power the Fiber to ETH module with a low noise dc psu, linear if cost is not a problem. Alternatively, power both FMCs with low noise psu's for better effect. I have done the latter and its quite noticable, smoother, less edgy sound.

Thanks @Jake2 . It was my point of reference that I never thought digital would ever come close to...and they say..never say never! There is a certain warmth, calmness, fluidity, refinement, and equally the dynamics and extension that vinyl playback offers that I couldnt replicate with dacs...

I have an ifi ZenStream that i use occasionally, but generally use the ETH input of my R26. Both benefited from my network optimizations.

With the stock SMPS the TPLink FMC sounds too clean, analytical and sterile. These units need a low noise psu, i tried an original ifi ipower 9v and the ipowerX 9v and the latter was noticeably better. A LPS does give better mileage, and i tried the LHY unit and it does sound better than the...

One at the WAN port of my Asus router. The second one at the output of the TP Link M9Deco slave mesh unit, which feeds the input of the TPLink FMC.

I have taken a cheaper route by powering most of my network gear with iPowerX (12 & 9v) and 2 lan iSilencer units and I only stream Quboz and the sound now is very analogue. Its making my analogue setup - Dr Fieckert Woodpecker 2, Kuzma Stogi 12 vta, Lyra Delos setup nearly redundant now...