Ph1lerAudi0
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2010
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Quote:
There seems to be some very mixed reviews about this device. Although I've not heard it myself I have read some people like it, some claim it adds jitter in some applications....others call it snake oil. I guess it's something you have to hear and decide for yourself.
I can completely understand why the Theta TLC gets mixed reviews.
1st off, the TLC has 2 inputs, an optical and co-axial. The optical input, by its very nature, is galvanically isolated. That's the input I'm using with the airport express, of course. It's performcnae has always been measured great.
The co-axial input however, suffered from some cost cutting measures in its design. the coaxial input and output share the same ground. Therefore any jitter at the input can be passed to the output. When I was looking up the TLC I came across several users who fixed their co-axial connections, making the TLC's co-axial performance just as good if not better than its toslink measurements.
Take a look at this article about jitter busters, including the TLC;
http://www.monarchyaudio.com/DIP4.htm
Also, as I mentioned earlier, the wall wart is sensitive to where its is plugged in. For a week I could not figure out why one day it sounded great and the next, not so much. I re-traced my steps and realized that I had moved the power connection. Once I took it from the power strip and plugged it into the wall, the great sound returned. I'm sure many users just plugged it in, weren't impressed, then left it at that. The TLC is a long discontinued item and at one point Theta sold a beefy power supply (for an additional $175.00!) for the TLC. I have a feeling that the power supply addressed its power sensitivity issues.
I met a friend on a DIY audio site and he's going to help me build a beefy custom power supply for my TLC. He has one and says that the improvement in performance is very very good. Given my experience of slightly different power sources, I would tend to believe it.
We shall see. I can't wait.
PA