[Progisus]

I’d say, don’t worry about it, just go usb to mscaler. Run that for a few months.

I’ve tried all the inputs to mscaler including dual coax and have settled on the usb. I’m not a fan of ddc.

 

[alishafai]

I’d say, don’t worry about it, just go usb to mscaler. Run that for a few months.

Thank you very much.

 

[ecwl]

Thank you very much.

To be more specific, if you have a relatively new MacBook and you're only running the MacBook off batteries so your Macbook is not grounded (meaning the Mac is not plugged to the charger, you don't have an external hard drive connected that's running off a grounded power supply, you're not plugged into the MacBook via an Ethernet cable and your Mac is not connected to a large desktop monitor), there should be no difference via USB vs optical. Because when M-Scaler/TT2 gets "noise" from the Mac USB, it's actually ground loop leakage current noise so it has to come from a gadget that's grounded, usually with switching power supply.

Bottomline is: Enjoy M-Scaler via USB to start.

 

[FunkyBassMan]

My MS arrives in a couple of days, and I like to try connecting to it via Optical. The MS will be paired with TT2.
My MacBook Pro can't output via Optical. So, my question is, am I better off [SQ wise] getting a network streamer with Optical out to go into the MS or simply get a USB to Optical adapter for the MacBook?

Thanks, in advance.

I bought the Douk Audio USB to optical convertor with a KableDirekt optical cable Rob Watts recommended. It works fine, except it won't do 192k like it says it can. Not sure why.

 

[alishafai]

I’ve tried all the inputs to mscaler including dual coax and have settled on the usb. I’m not a fan of ddc.

Thanks much!

 

[Harveysouth]

Thanks much!

If you do decide to try the optical input, I have had a good experience with the Matrix Audio xspdif 3 working between a Windows 11 laptop and the MScaler. Matrix supply a dedicated Windows driver (they say no driver needed for Mac) and it works reliably up to 192kHz. I mostly just run Roon Bridge on the laptop and it operates in exclusive mode through the Matrix to the M-Scaler, but the Matric / M-Scaler also gives fine results for general streaming using a web browser.

 

[Progisus]

I bought the Douk Audio USB to optical convertor with a KableDirekt optical cable Rob Watts recommended. It works fine, except it won't do 192k like it says it can. Not sure why.

I have used the Douk and it does do 192k. I used the optical cable supplied with any of my Chord devices. Just make sure it is firmly seated.

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

My MS arrives in a couple of days, and I like to try connecting to it via Optical. The MS will be paired with TT2.
My MacBook Pro can't output via Optical. So, my question is, am I better off [SQ wise] getting a network streamer with Optical out to go into the MS or simply get a USB to Optical adapter for the MacBook?

Thanks, in advance.

This is what I use for my MacBook Pro

USB C > Optical

https://www.amazon.co.uk/InLine®-Adapter-Digital-Coaxial-Converter/dp/B00DP7PWIK/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2W7HPHMPZKDRJ&keywords=inline+optical+usb&qid=1677211411&sprefix=inline+optical+usb,aps,76&sr=8-2

 

[musicinmymind]

Lot of guys on head-if love and recommend Douk. I have never used it, you search on this site you will find good reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Interface-Coaxial-Optical-Audio/dp/B08HN3VSF8

 

[Meridian7]

I've the smaller version DOUK AUDIO U2 with usb-mini input, the one without a power jack.
https://doukaudio.com/products/douk...al-converter-xmos-xu208-digital-interface-dsd

It works at 192 optical BUT not with any optical cable!! I've a bag with different cheap optical cables and only 1 in 4 does the job at 192. I hate the inconsistency of optical hardware in this regard, at lower kbps it's less an issue though. Only 1 of my 2 Kabeldirekt cables does the job at 192. It has no relationship with lengths of optical cable ime, and wiggling sockets ain't a golden solution, it can however disrupt the optical co-axing more than solving it.
The RCA connection never lets me down on the douk u2, compared.

 

[Akari Light]

I would like to give my personal opinion on improving the connection between M Scaler and DAVE.

First, regarding the PSU of the M Scaler, respecting Rob's statement that the included SMPS is a good choice, I replaced only the cable from the SMPS Unit to the AC power supply with a Venom V14 NR (IEC C7) power cable from Shunyata Research. The reason is that we followed the principles stated by CGabriel, founder of Shunyata, in the following Forum

For purely digital components that have neither an analog input nor an analog output the order and balance of the two principles is reversed whereby NR predominates and DTCD is secondary. The Venom V14 Digital was designed, initially, by our CIS medical division for use with heart surgery systems. The cable reduces radio frequency noise and very importantly reduces impulse noise that is commonly present with equipment that uses power bricks or internal SMPS power supplies.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=48438
By doing this, I have found from the M Scaler that the sound has improved in terms of the thinness of the sound, while maintaining the same sonic characteristics.

Next, regarding the BNC connection between M Scaler and DAVE, please refer to the article at the following link
https://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2022/09/16/the-dcs-lina-master-clock-review-w-lina-dac/

The OMEGA Clock 75 Cables from Shunyata mentioned in this article were too expensive for me, so I installed the Alpha Clock 75 Cables. The improvement is fantastic. The sound quality is more realistic and more expressive of details compared to the included BNC Cables.

I know there are many different opinions about these improvements. I have not tried any other method, so I am not going to claim that the above is the best. However, I have gradually converted all cables in my system to Shunyata Research products and the sound quality has only improved. In other words, I have never been betrayed. I hope this will be of some help to you.


・Shunyata Research：Venom V14 NR,OMEGA Clock 75,and Alpha Clock 75
https://shunyata.com/products/power-cables/venom-line-power-cables/venom-v14-nr/
https://shunyata.com/products/digital-cables/omega-series-digital-cables/omega-clock75/
https://shunyata.com/products/digital-cables/alpha-series-digital-cables/alpha-v2-clock-75/

 

[Mediahound]

Your results are consistent with mine. Being more laid back means lack of RFI, and it is a good thing iFi elite gaves me more "wow" factor (more impact and dynamic) at first, but after I listened more carefully I found iFi Elite was brighter. That's the sign of being more RFI. I ended up returning iFi elite.

Back to different batteries, I have Bixpower, Maxoak, Krisdonia, and Anker. The unregulated direct battery output from Bixpower is the best.

You can see my previous posts for more detail comparison. Below are some examples:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hug...nics-the-official-thread.885042/post-17211596

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hug...nics-the-official-thread.885042/post-17343065

Rob Watts has said for digital audio, if something makes the sound darker, it's actually more accurate to the analog signal, and something sounding brighter less so.

 

[Mediahound]

Lot of guys on head-if love and recommend Douk. I have never used it, you search on this site you will find good reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Interface-Coaxial-Optical-Audio/dp/B08HN3VSF8

I've the smaller version DOUK AUDIO U2 with usb-mini input, the one without a power jack.
https://doukaudio.com/products/douk...al-converter-xmos-xu208-digital-interface-dsd

It works at 192 optical BUT not with any optical cable!! I've a bag with different cheap optical cables and only 1 in 4 does the job at 192. I hate the inconsistency of optical hardware in this regard, at lower kbps it's less an issue though. Only 1 of my 2 Kabeldirekt cables does the job at 192. It has no relationship with lengths of optical cable ime, and wiggling sockets ain't a golden solution, it can however disrupt the optical co-axing more than solving it.
The RCA connection never lets me down on the douk u2, compared.

FWIW, I don't like these usb to optical converters, they can actually add some noise and are very cheap quality. And, the one that you have to plug in to mains defeats the purpose and can just inject more AC noise. You're better off using USB in to the M Scaler unless your source (streamer or computer) has a direct optical out, then use optical in to the M Scaler

 

[muski]

FWIW, I don't like these usb to optical converters, they can actually add some noise and are very cheap quality. And, the one that you have to plug in to mains defeats the purpose and can just inject more AC noise. You're better off using USB in to the M Scaler unless your source (streamer or computer) has a direct optical out, then use optical in to the M Scaler

My opticalRendu only has USB. I tried an Audiowise SRC-DX to convert it to coax and preferred it to straight USB.

At some point I'd like to compare the SRC-DX to Sonore's ultraDigital USB to SPDIF/LVDS i2s HDMI converter (though it apparently only works with Sonore streamers).

muski

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

FWIW, I don't like these usb to optical converters, they can actually add some noise and are very cheap quality. And, the one that you have to plug in to mains defeats the purpose and can just inject more AC noise. You're better off using USB in to the M Scaler unless your source (streamer or computer) has a direct optical out, then use optical in to the M Scaler

How can noise be injected in to optical if it's immune? the only issue im aware of with optical is jitter but that's not a problem with Chords PLL.