matts19
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Ok, so to be sure - can I connect WCK out to my DAC's BNC input for feeding digital music signal, or is this BNC thing totally different from digital signal ? Sorry I am not sure what BNC does exactly. Thanks.
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Gustard U18
- Thread starter JaMo
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Oh ok, I have used Balanced coax in AES with my DAC. If it is 75 ohm BNC and gives around 500mv then should work fine.Sorry for my ignorance, but I do not see BNC out in this picture...
duffer5
100+ Head-Fier
For future reference see below from Gustard directly, just incase the above is asked again.
1. When U18 is transmitting MQA signals, U18 will expand the mqa core layer. The core sample rate is always 88.2khz or 96khz. The core signal also contains information about the actual sampling rate of the MQA. The core signal is a package, and the rate of this package is always 88.2khz or 96khz.
2. When r26 receives the MQA core signal, it will perform a fully expanded operation, and the final expanded sampling rate is the sampling rate information after OFS. This sampling rate prevails.
When the MQA MQA. OFS is displayed on the R26 oled, it is the full expansion of the MQA.
You can rest assured that your settings are completely correct.
There is no BNC digital out, you have to use s/pdif out and a 75 ohm rca to bnc adapter.
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mikeypas
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I currently have the U18 connected to the R26 via an Audioquest Forest 48 HDMI.
In my opinion, this connection set up I like more than ethernet +/- FMCs
However, I'm wondering if a different/better HDMI cable would help with sound quality?
(I find the U18 is clearer, more detailed, more analytical, but ethernet is a little more rich, louder, "fun")
In my opinion, this connection set up I like more than ethernet +/- FMCs
However, I'm wondering if a different/better HDMI cable would help with sound quality?
(I find the U18 is clearer, more detailed, more analytical, but ethernet is a little more rich, louder, "fun")
I'm using a Blue Jeans Cables FE I2S HDMI cable (I've a 30cm & 60cm) on the advice of many here as being one of the best sounding cables <USD150. Reputedly it beats that Aliexpress 'AV' silver cable (cant recall the exact name sorry)
But I understand per @MartinWT of this thread the BJC FE is well and truly eclipsed by the Tubulus Argentus. I suspect that with the Argentus there's a very good chance my Zen/U18 chain would achieve more than parity with the R26 internal streamer (HQP NAA) which I still preferred the last time I compared them.
Despite keeping my ear out, I am not aware of any cables price-wise in between the two that have strong recommendations as being better than the BJC FE. If I've overlooked any I'd be keen to hear about em.
@duffer5 - what I2S HDMI cable do you use?
But I understand per @MartinWT of this thread the BJC FE is well and truly eclipsed by the Tubulus Argentus. I suspect that with the Argentus there's a very good chance my Zen/U18 chain would achieve more than parity with the R26 internal streamer (HQP NAA) which I still preferred the last time I compared them.
Despite keeping my ear out, I am not aware of any cables price-wise in between the two that have strong recommendations as being better than the BJC FE. If I've overlooked any I'd be keen to hear about em.
@duffer5 - what I2S HDMI cable do you use?
duffer5
100+ Head-Fier
I am using this cable https://aoshida-audio.com/products/gustard-iis-cable but I believe it has been discontinued / no longer available which is a pity because it is one robust and well made cable. But any decent quality HDMI cable should work without issue according to Gustard.
Ah yes, the famous Gustard IIS cable - lucky chap!
It would seem - based on the feedback of others - 'should work without issue' vs optimise sound quality/eek out maximal performance are rather two different things. As I understand it your cable that may sit somewhere in the performance spectrum between the BJC FE and the Argentus...
duffer5
100+ Head-Fier
I do feel fortunate to have the Gustard i2s cable. Not sure why the cable is in short or no supply. That being said I have no sound comparison but have been told the cable I have does produce ”as good as it gets, ‘ sound quality. I have also heard great things about the BJC.
jgwtriode
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I have both the Blue Jeans and The After Dark Black Magic MK2 I2S. It's $ 220. Having bought and heard the Blue Jeans would I still pay that much more for the differnce the After Dark makes? Yes. The Blue Jeans doe nothing and everything very well. Its ridiculous how good it is for the dollar or even not for the dollar. Here is there little spiel.
The AfterDark. Black Magic I2S HDMI cable uses heavy Silver Plated Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) conductors for all 19 of the paths. Currently it outperforms any I2S HDMI interconnect ever made, while it is exceed the all HDMI 2.0b standard. The bandwidth of HDMI 2.1 @ 48Gbps vs HDMI 2.0b @18Gbps which is significantly higher than the clock rates used in even high resolution digital audio and is engineered specifically to handle up to 8K for critical application with highest HDMI specification.
Electrical interference and EMI is a big issue to deal with in digital signal transmission and the better the shielding to keep these noises out, the better and cleaner the performance of the cables.
AfterDark. Black Magic I2S HDMI cable, we use exotic EMI shielding material both on metal HDMI Connectors and make use of our signature Carbon Fiber Shielding (CFS) technology to provide substantial noise reduction in high frequency interference.
The sound quality on I2S HDMI DAC is simply stunning, high frequency extension very smoothly with full bodies of details presentation. The I2S signal was greatly benefit by CFS technology, the interference on EMI on 4G was further minimized, in returns of much darker background and more deeper on details rendering
Compared to the Blue Jeans it is just as even, but more liquid and burnished with a subtle sweetness. It is more lit up across the frequency range. More layered, spacious and focused. It's like very good digital compared to really well setup analog. More involving, a bit more PRAT and intelligibility. A bit lower noise floor and better micro and macro dynamics. A bit like looking at a very good Giclee copy of a very well painted masterpiece, and then looking closely at the masterpiece. The more you look and inspect and contemplate the more those difference become apparent.
I suspect the After Dark might give the Tubulus a very good pitched battle. But 700 or so is just to much in this application. Although I run a 1700 dollar Wywires Diamond USB after upgrading my $1000 Platinum USB and it was easily worth every penny! And of course Alex still offers 40% off on new cables and is very generous when upgrading.
One of those crazy spluges after a conversation with Alex the manufacturer. So maybe it might be worth getting the Tubulus in the future. But very very happy with the After Dark. It was really the Carbon Fiber Sheilding that finally made me pull the trigger. I know what Carbon Fiber does for my Wywires and a proto CF conductor Mad Scientist headphone cable did for my the sound of my headphones. Wywires Platinum now!
Happy listening,
jgwtriode
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Fabulous use of the English language there jgwtriode, love the Giclee copy analogy. You make a compelling case for the AfterDark Black Magic 12S. How could I not get one now.
As a matter of interest, as it seems you've pretty good experience on the USB cable front, can you recommend a good step up from the likes of the Semperfi Outsider, if you're familiar with it, in, say the sub-USD300 bracket? (I'm not quite ready to scale the heights you have with USB cables)
Background is I've been pursuing the Gustard R26 internal render/direct streaming route of late with my U18 patiently waiting on the sidelines to have its potential unlocked with better cables and probably an even better USB source than the Ifi Zen Stream.
I reported a few weeks ago that the sound with the LAN input of the R26 was superior to the sound with my streaming setup + the DI-20HE.
It's not the case anymore. Now they are at a full parity with the speakers, but with the headphones I can hear that the sound with the DI-20HE is slightly more refined.
The reason for this is that I upgraded my streaming GentooPlayer/Diretta setup. And with the DI-20 there's still room for improvement, because my customized OCK-1 has a single 50 ohms output that I use with the R26, and I can not connect the DI-20HE to the clock.
It's not the case anymore. Now they are at a full parity with the speakers, but with the headphones I can hear that the sound with the DI-20HE is slightly more refined.
The reason for this is that I upgraded my streaming GentooPlayer/Diretta setup. And with the DI-20 there's still room for improvement, because my customized OCK-1 has a single 50 ohms output that I use with the R26, and I can not connect the DI-20HE to the clock.
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jgwtriode
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For what it is worth, found a very interesting New, at least new to me, component isolation company. Eden Sound. They do Terrastone and ball bearings, as well as
Brass at more reasonable prices then the bigger names. Very Interesting mix of Brass, Bearings and Terrastone. Can choose the bearing type. It is a captured bearing design. So the exposed bearing reacts against stacked internal bearings. Proprietary milled polymer exclusively designed for audio applications. Will probably get platforms at some point next year to replace my Mapleshades. Excellent conversation with the owner. They do not heavily advertise and Dan is very down to earth. Looking at comparing them with Mad Sci's I have now! https://edensoundaudio.com/shop/terrastone-roller-bearing/
Brass at more reasonable prices then the bigger names. Very Interesting mix of Brass, Bearings and Terrastone. Can choose the bearing type. It is a captured bearing design. So the exposed bearing reacts against stacked internal bearings. Proprietary milled polymer exclusively designed for audio applications. Will probably get platforms at some point next year to replace my Mapleshades. Excellent conversation with the owner. They do not heavily advertise and Dan is very down to earth. Looking at comparing them with Mad Sci's I have now! https://edensoundaudio.com/shop/terrastone-roller-bearing/
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Look what just arrived. The 18AWG version. Just dipping my toes in these waters, but as they're affordable enough I thought in for a penny, in for a pound - get enough to connect them simultaneously to everything.
Realise there's a dedicated thread for grounding etc, but thought a few of you guys might appreciate this.
Realise there's a dedicated thread for grounding etc, but thought a few of you guys might appreciate this.
What is this? On which devices do you use it?Look what just arrived. The 18AWG version. Just dipping my toes in these waters, but as they're affordable enough I thought in for a penny, in for a pound - get enough to connect them simultaneously to everything.
Realise there's a dedicated thread for grounding etc, but thought a few of you guys might appreciate this.
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