[rb2013]

Gino, RB2013;

I am absolutely loving my Monarchy M22B and had a couple questions for you.

First, comparing my Arcam FMJ CD23 to my MacBook's optical out. The same tracks sound much better on the Mac, with the optical in to the M22B. Is this to be expected?

Second, I will pick up a Melodious in the next couple of days. I am not technically adept enough to mod at your level, is there anybody out there doing the mods commercially?

Third, which connection do you prefer, AES/EBU, coaxil, or optical?

I really appreciate your advice!

Nice unit! - I am a Tube DAC guy though.

 

  Hi All,
 
FYI:
 
Tomorrow Hydra-Z will be shipped to me 

 
It's a new device so it needs burn-in time.
 
 
 
I'll keep you guys posted 

 
 
 
Regards,
Alex

 

[rb2013]

  To me the updated version with radiators on the chip came.
220uF/25V the regulator of the power a covering is replaced with ELNA.
Only 2sht. gold TXCO (

I guess there must have been overheating issue with the linear regulator and XMOS chip.  I take the covers off of mine - should help air circulation.
 
I think the TXCO gold for the USB was replace with a XCO (like the Gustard has) - TXCO only for the timing clocks.  Maybe cheaper?  Or more stable.

 

[Sergey83149]

The seller asked the producer who told it this improved version. We will listen in 150 hours of warming up.

 

[Sergey83149]

Even now from a box sounds perfectly.

 

[Sergey83149]

http://s015.radikal.ru/i331/1508/45/a0e291cd97d4.jpg

 

[Miracle1980]

I am using the Melodious MX-U8 from more than one month and I am very satisfied with the sound. Mine it's not modded and it sounds fantastically. Highly recommended.

 

[Sergey83149]

I am using the Melodious MX-U8 from more than one month and I am very satisfied with the sound. Mine it's not modded and it sounds fantastically. Highly recommended.

+1 . I had Gustard. MX-U8 is better, even without modernization.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

+1 . I had Gustard. MX-U8 is better, even without modernization.

Sergey, are you saying the Gustard is better than the Melodious?

 

[Sergey83149]

No. On the contrary MX-U8 is better (imho).

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Thanks Sergey, I appreciate your advice!

 

[Sergey83149]

http://s013.radikal.ru/i324/1508/d8/2ef0d4644914.jpg
http://s017.radikal.ru/i428/1508/af/2393a058ff74.jpg
http://s018.radikal.ru/i527/1508/63/7e2d701d5243.jpg
http://s55.radikal.ru/i149/1508/90/b3e79ca648d8.jpg

 

[rb2013]

  No. On the contrary MX-U8 is better (imho).

Sergey - did you replace the 16V 220uf cap after the LT1963?  It looks like a much better Elna then the one in Gino's unit or mine.

 

[Sergey83149]

Цитата:

Сообщение от rb2013 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Сергей - ты заменить 220uF колпачок 16V после LT1963? Это выглядит как гораздо лучше Elna затем один в блоке или шахты Джино.

No, I changed nothing. Such option came from the seller with EBAY. ELNA is better?

 

[abartels]

Hi guys,
 
 
The AudioByte Hydra-Z has arrived today 

 
I received it without the ZPM external power supply, but I made a connectioncable and connected it to my 15600 mAh Lion usb powersupply.
 
 
It's playing now for a few hours. I had some problems with installing drivers. I couldn't get it working with modified XMOS drivers, system did recognize Hydra-Z
bnut I couldn't play any music at any setting so I had to use the drivers from their website, which are dated back to 2013 

 
I also had to find the best settings within JPlay with KS (Kernel Streaming), there aren't many settings I can use with the standard drivers.
This made comparison a little bit more complicated, I had to set my MX-U8 to the same (lower SQ) settings before comparing.
 
At first I listened to Hydra-Z without external power supply. It didn't sound bad at all, but low frequencies were VERY lame sounding, not tight at all.
So I decided to solder a cable to connect an external powersupply. This made u huge difference, lows were much tighter and overall SQ was better.
 
 
First listening impressions (with my own external, heavy battery supply, NOT with ZPM) after a few hours:
 
The AudioByte Hydra-Z is a very good usb interface.
 
Out of the box with almost no burn-in time (which it probably needs less because of the absence of power supply / big electrolytic capacitors),
it sounds quite good. I didn't expect this in comparison with my heavily modded MX-U8.
 
The first thing I noticed was the exact same tonal balance / timbre of voices etc.
 
For the moment the MX-U8 is still superior to Hydra-Z, MX-U8 has more rest, black around voices and instruments, low level details, no listening fatigue, bigger and deeper soundstage, much tighter bass.
 
But, don't forget all the work I had to carry out on my MX-U8 to get it at it's present SQ level. Also don't forget my MX-U8 including modifications exceeds the $500 range,,,,
 
 
I expect the Hydra-Z to become VERY close to MX-U8, but, there's still the driver problem. It's too old, and it's not possible to set low latency, thus in combination with JPlay
I wouldn't recommend this device. Hope manufacturer will provide a newer driver soon. Also do not forget the performance it now delivers is WITH EXTERNAL SUPPLY.
 
Maybe it sounds much better with ZPM (which I give a 5% chance in comparison with my usb lion supply), but in that case it will cost you about $1500
 
Hydra-Z will playing constantly on my system to burn-in, final verdict will follow next Wednesday 

 
 
 
Cheers     

 
 
Alex

 

[rb2013]

  No, I changed nothing. Such option came from the seller with EBAY. ELNA is better?

Thanks! So it looks like a factory upgrade -
 
Did you use this seller on Ebay?
om/itm/Melodious-MX-U8-32Bit-384KHz-DSD-XMOS-USB-Digital-Audio-Interface-110v-230v-/111646348657?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19fea41571