The DIY'rs Cookbook

[johnjen]

   
Nice read - Thanks

  Great work, well down.
I am up for this. I look forward to your photos and report after you install the internal LPS.

Thanks for the kudos and I too look forward to the installation and the SQ results of my RN3.
And with the next round of PS swaps (Mutec 3+) hopefully yielding yet another step up the SQ, I'm looking forward to what changes will be noticed.
 
Just like I like.
 
JJ

 

[ericr]

That looks like an absolute hack job*.

*stated as complement!

It's highly likely I will end up heading down the AOIP path and considering the cost of the gear involved, $140 to upgrade the power to both the Redneck (sorry Gefski) and the Mutec represents a great value.

Thanks for blazing the trail!

 

[johnjen]

I figure (and others do as well) that the AOIP costs will continue to diminish.
And along with other approaches, which will also be less cumbersome and less expensive, these improvements to getting the digital audio stream to our dacs should allow for 'better' SQ all the way around.
 
Us early adopters of AOIP etc., are establishing how significant these sorts of improvements really can be.
 
When and how and what is used to take it from here is the challenge and opportunity for those who will pick up this gauntlet and run with it.
 
And really before all of this experimentation with trying to improve USB and SPDIF and AES etc., most were unaware that these levels of SQ were even possible.
 
And that there are those who are looking into what can be gleaned by all of this experimentation and coming up with the next generation of getting all of our bits properly delivered to the dac, portends wonderful improvements, much like properly done EQ and other improvements to the gear we now have available to us.
 
I see this as a Win/Win/Win for all the participants involved.
 
JJ

 

[johnjen]

That looks like an absolute hack job*.

*stated as complement!

It's highly likely I will end up heading down the AOIP path and considering the cost of the gear involved, $140 to upgrade the power to both the Redneck (sorry Gefski) and the Mutec represents a great value.

Thanks for blazing the trail!

Yeah it’s a hack job for sure, but sometimes a 'clean' (sano) implementation can be nearly invisible and the end results quite satisfying. 

 
And really I'm not the one blazing this trail, just one who has listened to others and experimented and observed what the results are.
I mean the guys over at Computer Audiophile were the first reporting on using AOIP and then modding the power supplies etc.
 
But what gets me is that they weren't all that impressed, yes they heard improvements, but it is our little group that is singing the praises and running with these tweaks.
 
And I do wonder why they weren't as impressed as we are, but then perhaps we are way too easily impressed to begin with. 

 
And if these next few tweaks (swapping SMPS's for LPS's for the Mutec 3+'s etc) are equally as impressive, I really have to wonder how high IS up and where all of this will lead.
 
Exciting times in Audio for sure.
 
JJ

 

[astrostar59]

Totally agree. I think we probably need a decent audio specialist manufacturer like PS Audio for example, to make a more compact AOIP box using the same protocol as Rednet and Dante, but this time in a sexier box (aluminium) smaller size and with a better PS inside. It only would need say 6 or 8 network connectors. And an ability to sample rate switch from the front panel would be great for those up sampling or having various bit depth libraries.
 
The price could also come down a bit, to distance itself from the dedicated server solutions that already have an Ethernet input.
 
IMO a nice market gap for someone to 'get on' and market it?

 

[Torq]

  Totally agree. I think we probably need a decent audio specialist manufacturer like PS Audio for example, to make a more compact AOIP box using the same protocol as Rednet and Dante, but this time in a sexier box (aluminium) smaller size and with a better PS inside. It only would need say 6 or 8 network connectors. And an ability to sample rate switch from the front panel would be great for those up sampling or having various bit depth libraries.
 
The price could also come down a bit, to distance itself from the dedicated server solutions that already have an Ethernet input.
 
IMO a nice market gap for someone to 'get on' and market it?

Given that PS Audio's existing, proprietary (i.e. PS-Audio only) AOIP board currently runs $899, I'm not sure that's where you're going to find much traction for lower prices (not knocking what they have, but cheap it is not ... an entire RedNet 3 is $999 ... and often available at $799).
 
How about a standards-compliant box, about 9" x 6.75" x 2.25", with Ethernet, WiFi and Bluetooth inputs, Roon end-point (RAAT) certification, UPnP support, optional Dante capability, proper clocks, integral low-noise LPS, with fully isolated S/PDIF (COAX/BNC), AES, I2S (and TOSLINK of course) outputs?  For $399?  Maybe $299?
 
If that sounds interesting, drop me a PM.

 

[johnjen]

 
Given that PS Audio's existing, proprietary (i.e. PS-Audio only) AOIP board currently runs $899, I'm not sure that's where you're going to find much traction for lower prices (not knocking what they have, but cheap it is not ... an entire RedNet 3 is $999 ... and often available at $799).
 
How about a standards-compliant box, about 9" x 6.75" x 2.25", with Ethernet, WiFi and Bluetooth inputs, Roon end-point (RAAT) certification, UPnP support, optional Dante capability, proper clocks, integral low-noise LPS, with fully isolated S/PDIF (COAX/BNC), AES, I2S (and TOSLINK of course) outputs?  For $399?  Maybe $299?
 
If that sounds interesting, drop me a PM.

NOW we're talk'n! 

 
That should/could blow open the doors for 'Better', for sure.
 
Whata I gotta do?
 
And the uD0 box (atterotech unDaes0) at ≈$700 is an option as well at twice the $$ but is available now especially for dacs that deliver better SQ at under 96KHz sample rates (Schiit multibit).
 
JJ 

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

How about a standards-compliant box, about 9" x 6.75" x 2.25", with Ethernet, WiFi and Bluetooth inputs, Roon end-point (RAAT) certification, UPnP support, optional Dante capability, proper clocks, integral low-noise LPS, with fully isolated S/PDIF (COAX/BNC), AES, I2S (and TOSLINK of course) outputs?  For $399?  Maybe $299?

Go on.... Spill it! This is what I've been waiting on since selling the RN3

 

[mourip]

 
And really I'm not the one blazing this trail, just one who has listened to others and experimented and observed what the results are.
I mean the guys over at Computer Audiophile were the first reporting on using AOIP and then modding the power supplies etc.

 
I first found out about AOIP here from Rob of "The Extreme USB  Chain" fame. Thanks Rob!
 
Folks over on The Computer Audiophile have been very slow to pick up on AOIP. In fact I get better information on new computer audio developments here than on CA. They are too busy arguing with each other and defending older technologies and debating new music compression schemes. I tried to introduce folks over on CA to AOIP and it fell nearly completely dead. I stopped posting for AOIP there.

 

[Torq]

  NOW we're talk'n! 

 
That should/could blow open the doors for 'Better', for sure.
 
Whata I gotta do?
 
 
JJ 

 
 

Go on.... Spill it! This is what I've been waiting on since selling the RN3

 
I'll email/PM you guys when I get back from my valentines day trip ...  Nothing you need to do until then (especially if you're willing to test the thing).

 

[johnjen]

Excellent news, all the way around.
Mini vacations can be a breath of fresh air.
 
And testing/comparing is continually on my agenda… 

 
JJ

 

[johnjen]

So now we've gone and dun it…
 
We're now the proud parents of a new puppy that is gunna be HUGE.
I'm guessing 95lbs±
 
He's Chocolate Lab/Chesapeake mix
He's about 4 months old and weighs ≈ 40lbs already.
He's already more than tripled his weight since we got him.
His paws are enormous.
 
But the thing is he's really smart.
Yeah all new 'parents' say that, but he picks up stuff really quickly and remembers…
 
This is a double edge sword in that he will learn to do what he wants all the more easily and quickly, especially when we aren't looking…
Those with smart dogs know exactly what I'm talking about… 

For instance he has learned, by himself how to move the gate aside and invade the kitchen and he's developing his stealthyness in the process (it's getting harder to hear him do this and I'm like 15' away.
 
But he really enjoys meeting new people, dogs, cats, racoons, birds, and really just about anything that moves.
And he truly is a joy to be around.
 
We keep looking at each other and saying,
What Have We Done? 

 
But the other, more directly thread related recent development is…
I'm now an owner of my very own Jggy!
And it will be going into service tomorrow (monday) after I lightly mod it.
 
And I'll be selling my tweako PSA PWD mk.I-II dac here before to long, but I will keep it around for a bit especially if its I2S input will be of use with some hardware testing that might be coming up before to long. 

 
I've been wanting a Jggy since before they were available and I sorta kinda know what to expect but then again I've only heard one in a stable home setting once.
In fact mostly I've heard this dac at meets, which while it can be very nice and does provide a taste of it's capabilities, the SQ is usually eclipsed in a dialed in and 'stationary' tweako home system.
 
Which means it may completely surprise me.
 
And right now the system is blossoming and the dynamic impact is returning.
This has my head on a swivel and my feet dancing under my desk (HB&W - T3), big time. 
 
Tomorrow is gunna be a MONDO headphone day to remember!
 
JJ

 

[Middy]

Lovely

 

[gefski]

Congrats on both fronts, JJ.

We also are dog-ophiles and have rescued for years, mostly seniors, have 3 now. And yes, they are good at kitchen crimes, individually or in a conspiracy.

I know you've wanted a Yggy from the beginning. In early 2015 it took me to a presentation so beyond previous digital that everything was new, and remained so. Then I was jaw-dropped again in late 2016, feeding it with Dante Ethernet.

It will be fascinating to see how it hits you, since you already have Dante "nothingness" up front, and are bringing Yggy to the party!

...and of course, the JJ credo "warranties are made to be voided".

 

[johnjen]

Congrats on both fronts, JJ.

We also are dog-ophiles and have rescued for years, mostly seniors, have 3 now. And yes, they are good at kitchen crimes, individually or in a conspiracy.

I know you've wanted a Yggy from the beginning. In early 2015 it took me to a presentation so beyond previous digital that everything was new, and remained so. Then I was jaw-dropped again in late 2016, feeding it with Dante Ethernet.

It will be fascinating to see how it hits you, since you already have Dante "nothingness" up front, and are bringing Yggy to the party!

...and of course, the JJ credo "warranties are made to be voided".

We also have a chocolate lab rescue who is learning how to play because of the puppy.
It is really interesting to watch as they teach each other.
 
And as he is teaching us, all the while we are teaching him as well.
I am continually amazed at the interaction and life lessons being shared between all members of our household (including Max the cat), and he is even involving the next door neighbors as well.
 
As for my Jggy, it needs to be taken apart again tomorrow to see if I plugged in a ribbon cable incorrectly.
Right now the Jggy won't latch onto any digital input and I've tried USB, SPDIF (RCA and BNC), AES.
 
Hopefully tomorrow I'll have it running.
 
JJ
ps warranties are to be voided indeed and in this case I don't have to do anything because I bought it used…