Melodious MX-U8 USB Interface 8 Core XMOS chip

[vincponc2610]

   
I am glad you like the Breeze Audio. The differences between it and the Hydra Z is boiling down to the Crystek XOs, quite impressive given it is 1/4 the cost of the Hydra.

 
Can you give a link for "Breeze Audio" ?

 

[rb2013]

   
I am glad you like the Breeze Audio. The differences between it and the Hydra Z is boiling down to the Crystek XOs, quite impressive given it is 1/4 the cost of the Hydra.

Yes - as each day passes and the caps and clocks burnin the BA is sounding better - and not one unlock, tick,click yet. It does have an issue on the I2S output - which I don't need - but may be a factor for some.
 
I have a second one coming with the Talema transformers - and will send them a set of Crystek clocks for them to install (they said they would) for a third.  Still deciding on replacing these unusual Panasonic Xpro caps.
 

  Hi and thanks a lot for the very helpful advice.
Please let me rephrased a little.
 
I did not measure the V out of the LT1963 ... let's say that is 7 V just as an example.
I understand that:
1)  the LT1963 is not the end of the world for performance
2)  the apd150 after it are decent but not spectacular
On this basis
 
could providing the needed 7V with an external very low noise power supply be beneficial ? 
 
I am sure there is some noise at the LT1963 out pins ...
A higher quality external DC power supply could generate less noise and less EMI and vibrations than with the transformer inside the unit and close to the board.
 
However ...
I have looked at your mods ... very very excellent.  Congratulations. They look extremely neat.
Questions:
1)  do you select the new parts (i.e. caps, diodes)  looking at their specifications ?
2)  after mods do you check the result with a scope ?
Thanks a lot again
gino

I believe what Alex did was just fed the clocks separately with ultra low noise board from DIYinHK.  Seems like the simpler way to go. 
 

   

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271948361421?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[ginetto61]

I believe what Alex did was just fed the clocks separately with ultra low noise board from DIYinHK.  Seems like the simpler way to go.

 
Hi and yes i saw.  A very radical mod ... again i still wonder if suppressing the noise before the stock regulators feeding the clocks would get similar results.
I will try as soon as i will have the chance ... i am in the middle of moving.
Thanks again, gino

 

[vincponc2610]

   
Hi and yes i saw.  A very radical mod ... again i still wonder if suppressing the noise before the stock regulators feeding the clocks would get similar results.
I will try as soon as i will have the chance ... i am in the middle of moving.
Thanks again, gino

It cannot be the same.
ADP150 has intrinsic noise of 9uV. So it cannot output a noise of less than 9uV whatever clean power supply it has as input.
The mod of alex feed the clocks with a 0.8uV noise power supply. Ten times less.

 

[ginetto61]

It cannot be the same.
ADP150 has intrinsic noise of 9uV.
So it cannot output a noise of less than 9uV whatever clean power supply it has as input.
The mod of alex feed the clocks with a 0.8uV noise power supply. Ten times less.

 
Hi and thanks a lot indeed for the very kind and helpful explanation.  Okkei ...
0.8 uV is soo low noise than i cannot even image it ... (i am used to noise in the order of mV ... thousand times more)
but do you deem that noise this low (i.e. about 1 uV) is really mandatory  for clocks ?
or maybe it is more a problem of the quality of the quartz actually used ?
in this case the replacement could be the right move
9uV is already almost no noise at all in my mind ...
i think that even measuring it would be a big challenge
Can you measure it ?
Instead i am sure that the stock lt1963 can be more noisy ... in the order of the mV ... and i understand can be bettered
Thanks a lot indeed again for the very interesting information
Regards, gino

 

[b0bb]

   

Breeze Audio is a brand of Weiliang Audio.
 
The best place for the new stuff is on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/141026791919
 
They have several Web storefronts but the inventory is not updated often enough, I do not see this new unit in either
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/327509
http://diyhifishop.com/

 

[rb2013]

 
Breeze Audio is a brand of Weiliang Audio.
 
The best place for the new stuff is on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/141026791919
 
They have several Web storefronts but the inventory is not updated often enough, I do not see this new unit in either
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/327509
http://diyhifishop.com/

Yes - Reimann @hgpsemaj
 
Has been in contact with Mr Weiliang and he said he would install the Crystek clocks if a buyer sent them to him.
 
The version I just bought off Ebay from doukmall - has the Talema upgrade and was $208 shipped.  A steal.  So with $50 in clocks - this could be one killer good DDC.
 
Now Reimann did mention the I2S is lacking a PCM/DSD switch - here is the chart I recieved from Doukmall

 
 
Not a concern for me as I use spdif coax.
 
Funny the version aliexpress is not nearly as nicely constructed.
The one I have sure is sweet sounding.  Will give it another 3-4 days and put it my main system where the Z is now.  To see how they compare.

 

[vvolant]

Hi
I replaced the stock Panasonic caps of the melodious by nichicon fg yesterday evening. I only could test at low volume (night listening session). The difference was not very obvious. More tests to come.
I also would like to improve the rectifier bridge. Does someone know better parts than the stock vishay ? I would prefer an integrated bridge. I read about one with Schottky diodes but it is too expensive (around 50 euros)

 

[rb2013]

Hi
I replaced the stock Panasonic caps of the melodious by nichicon fg yesterday evening. I only could test at low volume (night listening session). The difference was not very obvious. More tests to come.
I also would like to improve the rectifier bridge. Does someone know better parts than the stock vishay ? I would prefer an integrated bridge. I read about one with Schottky diodes but it is too expensive (around 50 euros)

I had these recommended to me:
http://www.belleson.com/
http://sparkoslabs.com/discrete-voltage-regulators/

 

[mz2014]

Comparison of different regulators http://www.tech-diy.com/RegPowerSupplies/GreatRegulatotBakeoff/FFTs/RegulatorFFTs.htm
Sjostrom is very good but expensive.
There are just as good but cheaper than Sjostrom https://muzgdiy.wordpress.com/vx-x-voltage-regulators-versions-explanation/

 

[rb2013]

  Comparison of different regulators http://www.tech-diy.com/RegPowerSupplies/GreatRegulatotBakeoff/FFTs/RegulatorFFTs.htm
Sjostrom is very good but expensive.
There are just as good but cheaper than Sjostrom https://muzgdiy.wordpress.com/vx-x-voltage-regulators-versions-explanation/

Nice links- what was your conclusion the the BR's?

 

[mz2014]

Same as above.

 

[hawkhead]

My MX-U8 arrived today
 
Plugged it in (replaces an Audio-gd DI)
 
Loud buzzing
Big click
Faint burning smell
 
Dead

 

[m0reilly]

nooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[DACLadder]

My MX-U8 arrived today

Plugged it in (replaces an Audio-gd DI)

Loud buzzing
Big click
Faint burning smell

Dead

Bummer! Hopefully it didn't set the house on fire or damage something connected to it. My first Gustard U12 USB port doesn't work consistently. The 2nd works flawlessly. So we take a risk. Hope you can send it back for another.

With low price electronics not much factory testing before packing it up and shipping. So from now on I will check return policies before ordering budget items. Unless it is cheap enough to not worry about.