Melodious MX-U8 USB Interface 8 Core XMOS chip

[infinity88]

No - in fact just recieved my Forza Audio Works - FAW Copper Series Twin USB

Sounds very nice - has a completely separate power line from the data line.  The MX-U8 works fine with just the data line and power left unplugged.
Needs a little more run time - but so far sweet, detailed , dynamic, awesome bass depth.  Looks like my Stilnote is going on the block.




I'm liking as much or even more then my 4 time more expensive Silnote Poseidon USB.  With the Gustard you have to get a linear ps or LiPo power feed to activate the internal switch.  But then it would be totally isolated from the PC's power and ground.

Nice looking usb cable. If there was one for under $50 I'd bite but a $5 cord without a 5v pin should be enough for me.

 

[MINORISUKE]

Well, if I decide that I prefer dsd over pcm, I guess there'll be another Melodious up for resale.

Unlike Gustard DAC-X12 and its successor & newcomer DAC-X20, Yulong DA8 as well as DA8II seems not to accept DoP input through S/PDIF.  This means DSD can be played only via built-in USB input on DA8/DA8II.  Any external USB-DDC will not help.

 

[rb2013]

  It wasn't tried? 
http://vmcdjs.com/shop/cables/neooyaide-d-usb-class-s-purplewhite-1m/

Not that one - I did roll through 5 or 6 USB cables.  The best so far has been the Synergistic Research Tesla Tricon USB.  Bought used.  Still very expensive.  I'm hoping the Forza beats it.  Will A/B once I have a few hundred hours on it.

 

[rb2013]

Few questions...

1- If the Melodious is working fine without the usb power (only data is necessary) are we sure that it doesn't have already the 5v disconnected? (something like it's specified in the Audio-gd products...)

2- Is there a way to try an usb cable with no the power (5v) without opening/cutting it?

3- Do you know/think that using a cable without the power with the Melodious will provide better results? Even if the Melodious is supposed to be galvanic isolated?

4- Why these kind of cables are not so "present" on the market then?

Thanks

See my post recently on the Forza Audio Works

 

[rb2013]

Well, if I decide that I prefer dsd over pcm, I guess there'll be another Melodious up for resale.

What you need is a new DAC like the X12 with I2S input.  Any way you cn always do DSD toPCM conversion in Foobar.
 
Most DSD's you buy where mastered in PCM - DSD is almost impossible to work with in mastering.  Some where recorded in DSD converted to PCM for mastering then reconverted to DSD for disc.
 
DSD>PCM>DSD>PCM Why not just go straight PCM?
 
EDIT - FYI

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/dsd-mastering.218022/

 

DSD mastering for a CD means that it was sourced from a DSD master. The actual CD audio has been downconverted from DSD to Lineair PCM (16 bit/44.1 kHz) to meet the Redbook standard for CDs. Recent MoFi gold discs are also DSD sourced.

​

​

​

This is not true at all. DSD mastering for a CD means that it was sourced from either an analouge master taper or quite possibly a PCM master file. Before the material was transferred to the CD master, there was a DSD mastering conversion involved. Typically the chain would go:​

​

​

analouge or PCM master/DSD/16bit 44.1 khz PCM.​

 

[Miracle1980]

See my post recently on the Forza Audio Works

I read your post, that's why I asked those questions about the usb cable without 5v. I really don't want to buy another cable because mine is pretty decent.

 

[Miracle1980]

So I just finished to make a test with a cheap usb cable (printer cable). I tested with 2 songs. After the listening I cut the 5v and the ground wires and I re-listened again. Well no difference. Even my gf was not able to notice any difference at all.
And my system is quite revealing, it's not an entry level one.
So I think I will keep staying with my usb cable, without tweaks.

 

[m0reilly]

i've used electrical tape on the source end of the usb cable to prevent 5v + ground from continuing down the cable. works great, but some instances don't look to benefit from signal only cabling, even with a split cable and a linear psu.

 

[infinity88]

What you need is a new DAC like the X12 with I2S input conversion in Foobar.

Most DSD's you buy where mastered in PCM

DSD>PCM>DSD>PCM Why not just go straight PCM?

Honesty, I haven't heard DSD, only people's opinions of it vs pcm. I hear the da8 can play DSD well through usb. I will probably be ok with the dac for now. I can use the melodious for anything pcm, and do a bit of an AB test to see what all the DSD hype is all about. What's your opinion of dsd rb?

 

[abartels]

  Yes, I noticed this before, wasn't thinking clear when trying to install Hydra-Z with XMOS drivers LOL
 
Hydra-Z is still burnin-in, listened today, it sounds almost as good as my MX-U8,,,,,,, waiting till Wednesday,,,,,
 
 
Cheers   

 
 
Alex

 
Hi guys,
 
Final verdict Audiobyte Hydra-Z:
 
 
Today Audiobyte Hydra-Z has had 7 days of burn-in time, about 165 hours of continuous playing.
Last week I did several comparissons with my modified MX-U8, MX-U8 was ahead in SQ all the time.
Today, at final verdict, I switched between Hydra-Z and MX-8 a lot of times, maybe 20 or so.
 
There absolutely isn't any difference between those two marvellous usb interfaces!
Last Monday MX-U8 was still ahead, it had more silence inbetween imaging, yesterday, after six
days of burn-in time there wasn't any difference noticable, and today it's still 100% identical.
So, one can say Hydra-Z won't improve anymore, and if it would improve it would be a marginal difference.
 
Hydra-Z is a VERY good sounding usb interface! Right out of the box it sounded good, but I noticed
listening fatigue, less bass control, less openness and details. After a day or 2 it got more open, after
4 to 5 days listening fatigue went away, and between 5 and seven days it gained a little bit in resolution,
detail and black around voices and instruments, it's more silent, just like my modded MX-U8.
 
If I had to buy a very good usb interface, and wouldn't want to modify it, I definitely would buy Hydra-Z.
It's the best sounded, out of the box, usb interface I've ever heard!
 
Still there is one minor shortcoming, and that's the old drivers available at website Audiobyte for this device.
It is working 100% with this driver, but compatibility with JPlay isn't that great at all.
 
Today I will email sales representative Audiobyte in The Netherlands, (www.knooppuntaudio.nl) to return the Hydra-Z
 
 
It was very nice from audiobyte in The Netherlands they let me compare Hydra-Z with my modded MX-U8.
If one would be interested in a Hydra-Z I would recommend them with confidence!!
 
 
Cheers      

 
 
 
Alex

 

[rb2013]

   
Hi guys,
 
Final verdict Audiobyte Hydra-Z:
 
 
Today Audiobyte Hydra-Z has had 7 days of burn-in time, about 165 hours of continuous playing.
Last week I did several comparissons with my modified MX-U8, MX-U8 was ahead in SQ all the time.
Today, at final verdict, I switched between Hydra-Z and MX-8 a lot of times, maybe 20 or so.
 
There absolutely isn't any difference between those two marvellous usb interfaces!
Last Monday MX-U8 was still ahead, it had more silence inbetween imaging, yesterday, after six
days of burn-in time there wasn't any difference noticable, and today it's still 100% identical.
So, one can say Hydra-Z won't improve anymore, and if it would improve it would be a marginal difference.
 
Hydra-Z is a VERY good sounding usb interface! Right out of the box it sounded good, but I noticed
listening fatigue, less bass control, less openness and details. After a day or 2 it got more open, after
4 to 5 days listening fatigue went away, and between 5 and seven days it gained a little bit in resolution,
detail and black around voices and instruments, it's more silent, just like my modded MX-U8.
 
If I had to buy a very good usb interface, and wouldn't want to modify it, I definitely would buy Hydra-Z.
It's the best sounded, out of the box, usb interface I've ever heard!
 
Still there is one minor shortcoming, and that's the old drivers available at website Audiobyte for this device.
It is working 100% with this driver, but compatibility with JPlay isn't that great at all.
 
Today I will email sales representative Audiobyte in The Netherlands, (www.knooppuntaudio.nl) to return the Hydra-Z
 
 
It was very nice from audiobyte in The Netherlands they let me compare Hydra-Z with my modded MX-U8.
If one would be interested in a Hydra-Z I would recommend them with confidence!!
 
 
Cheers      

 
 
 
Alex

Nice Alex!   I can only imagine it with the ZPM power supply.  Thanks for taking the time to do the comparison.

 

[abartels]

I don't know if ZPM would be better, it has at least 44mOhm internal resistance, my "LiPO" has less then 25mOhm, but one could try,,,
To be honest, I don't think it will gain in SQ.
 
Regards,
 
Alex

 

[rb2013]

  I don't know if ZPM would be better, it has at least 44mOhm internal resistance, my "LiPO" has less then 25mOhm, but one could try,,,
To be honest, I don't think it will gain in SQ.
 
Regards,
 
Alex

How much did your LiPO cost to build?  5V right?  How many mAmps?

 

[abartels]

 
How much did your LiPO cost to build?  5V right?  How many mAmps?

i just bought it for around €60, it’s with Panasonic cells, 6 of them, in total 16500 mAh ( 16Ah ) Panasonic cells have an impedance  around 25 mOhm, 50 mOhm (2 cells in series) devided by 3 (3 sets in parallel) is 16,6 mOhm,
but to be safe, let’s say it’s 25 mOhm.

 

[rb2013]

  i just bought it for around €60, it’s with Panasonic cells, 6 of them, in total 16500 mAh ( 16Ah ) Panasonic cells have an impedance  around 25 mOhm, 50 mOhm (2 cells in series) devided by 3 (3 sets in parallel) is 16,6 mOhm,
but to be safe, let’s say it’s 25 mOhm.

Any link - possibly ebay?  All I'm finding for 5V are 500mAh
 
Thanks