Over on my Gustard U12 thread we had tired to build a DIY version of the ZPM. Not easy to work with those UC's. Difficult to design a charging circuit - at least according Alex - our resident design expert.
Over on my Gustard U12 thread we had tired to build a DIY version of the ZPM. Not easy to work with those UC's. Difficult to design a charging circuit - at least according Alex - our resident design expert.
LOL! The absurdity of audio extremes! Who would need a 1000 Watt Amp. I visited a local stereo shop - a Krell dealer and he was delivering a pair of monster Krell mono blocks that needed a fork lift!
did a lot fiddling with the chain; had the best luck with having the Regen at the beginning:
Audioquest Forest USB cable > Uptone USB Regen > iFi Mercury USB cable > > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual Headed Cable > iFi iPurifier > Xonar Essence One amp/DAC > JRiver (DSPs: Sonarworks calibration VST, Relife VST, 7.1 channel up mixing) + Jitterbug in adjacent USB port (using the JB in the chain only thins out the bass) > Sennheiser HD 800's.
I would suggest that you remove the AQ Forest from the chain and try this setup if you have'nt tried it yet:
iFi Mercury USB cable > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual Headed Cable > USB Regen > Regens solid adapter > iFi iPurifier > Xonar Essence One amp/DAC > JRiver (DSPs: Sonarworks calibration VST, Relife VST, 7.1 channel up mixing) + Jitterbug in adjacent USB port (using the JB in the chain only thins out the bass) > Sennheiser HD 800's.
Make sure to detune the center silencers on both iFI USB cables each time you make a change.
I would suggest that you remove the AQ Forest from the chain and try this setup if you have'nt tried it yet:
iFi Mercury USB cable > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual Headed Cable > USB Regen > Regens solid adapter > iFi iPurifier > Xonar Essence One amp/DAC > JRiver (DSPs: Sonarworks calibration VST, Relife VST, 7.1 channel up mixing) + Jitterbug in adjacent USB port (using the JB in the chain only thins out the bass) > Sennheiser HD 800's.
Make sure to detune the center silencers on both iFI USB cables each time you make a change.
I did actually try that configuration previously, but I must have just gotten lost in the others and forgotten which one really hit the spot. That's it.
did a lot fiddling with the chain; had the best luck with having the Regen at the beginning:
Audioquest Forest USB cable > Uptone USB Regen > iFi Mercury USB cable > > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual Headed Cable > iFi iPurifier > Xonar Essence One amp/DAC > JRiver (DSPs: Sonarworks calibration VST, Relife VST, 7.1 channel up mixing) + Jitterbug in adjacent USB port (using the JB in the chain only thins out the bass) > Sennheiser HD 800's.
I would suggest that you remove the AQ Forest from the chain and try this setup if you have'nt tried it yet:
iFi Mercury USB cable > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual Headed Cable > USB Regen > Regens solid adapter > iFi iPurifier > Xonar Essence One amp/DAC > JRiver (DSPs: Sonarworks calibration VST, Relife VST, 7.1 channel up mixing) + Jitterbug in adjacent USB port (using the JB in the chain only thins out the bass) > Sennheiser HD 800's.
Make sure to detune the center silencers on both iFI USB cables each time you make a change.
I did actually try that configuration previously, but I must have just gotten lost in the others and forgotten which one really hit the spot. That's it.
I think the most potent element in Cornan's insightful recommendation to change from this...
Audioquest Forest USB cable > Uptone USB Regen > iFi Mercury USB cable > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual Headed Cable >iFi iPurifier > Xonar Essence One amp/DAC > JRiver (DSPs: Sonarworks calibration VST, Relife VST, 7.1 channel up mixing) + Jitterbug in adjacent USB port (using the JB in the chain only thins out the bass) > Sennheiser HD 800's.
... to this...
iFi Mercury USB cable > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual Headed Cable > USB Regen > Regens solid adapter > iFi iPurifier > Xonar Essence One amp/DAC > JRiver (DSPs: Sonarworks calibration VST, Relife VST, 7.1 channel up mixing) + Jitterbug in adjacent USB port (using the JB in the chain only thins out the bass) > Sennheiser HD 800's.
... was getting the USB Regen closer to the DAC. John Swenson and Alex Crespi habitually remind people to keep the path between the USB Regen and the DAC as short as possible.
I'd be curious to try tweaking this a bit further by moving the iFi Purifier somewhere ahead of the USB Regen or removing it altogether, letting your ears be the judge, of course.
did a lot fiddling with the chain; had the best luck with having the Regen at the beginning:
Audioquest Forest USB cable > Uptone USB Regen > iFi Mercury USB cable > > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual Headed Cable > iFi iPurifier > Xonar Essence One amp/DAC > JRiver (DSPs: Sonarworks calibration VST, Relife VST, 7.1 channel up mixing) + Jitterbug in adjacent USB port (using the JB in the chain only thins out the bass) > Sennheiser HD 800's.
I would suggest that you remove the AQ Forest from the chain and try this setup if you have'nt tried it yet:
iFi Mercury USB cable > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual Headed Cable > USB Regen > Regens solid adapter > iFi iPurifier > Xonar Essence One amp/DAC > JRiver (DSPs: Sonarworks calibration VST, Relife VST, 7.1 channel up mixing) + Jitterbug in adjacent USB port (using the JB in the chain only thins out the bass) > Sennheiser HD 800's.
Make sure to detune the center silencers on both iFI USB cables each time you make a change.
I did actually try that configuration previously, but I must have just gotten lost in the others and forgotten which one really hit the spot. That's it.
I think the most potent element in Cornan's insightful recommendation to change from this...
Audioquest Forest USB cable > Uptone USB Regen > iFi Mercury USB cable > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual Headed Cable >iFi iPurifier > Xonar Essence One amp/DAC > JRiver (DSPs: Sonarworks calibration VST, Relife VST, 7.1 channel up mixing) + Jitterbug in adjacent USB port (using the JB in the chain only thins out the bass) > Sennheiser HD 800's.
... to this...
iFi Mercury USB cable > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual Headed Cable > USB Regen > Regens solid adapter > iFi iPurifier > Xonar Essence One amp/DAC > JRiver (DSPs: Sonarworks calibration VST, Relife VST, 7.1 channel up mixing) + Jitterbug in adjacent USB port (using the JB in the chain only thins out the bass) > Sennheiser HD 800's.
... was getting the USB Regen closer to the DAC. John Swenson and Alex Crespi habitually remind people to keep the path between the USB Regen and the DAC as short as possible.
I'd be curious to try tweaking this a bit further by moving the iFi Purifier somewhere ahead of the USB Regen or removing it altogether, letting your ears be the judge, of course.
Totally agree Mike!
Except removing the iPurifier I would also try to remove the 5v power cable of the Gemini Dual headed USB cable from the iUSB. It could potentially improve things (or even try without Dual Gemini and iUSB as well). Worth checking out!
Selling off the iUSB and dual Gemini cable should be enough for a good psu for the USB Regen. Just a tip!
Ha! Did some more experimenting and this configuration outshines all the rest in vividness and separation in particular--the Regen is surprisingly second in the chain.
iFi Mercury USB cable > Uptone Regen > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual USB cable > iFi Purifier > Xonar Essence One Muses Edition
My theory is that the iPurifier's power-cleaning properties make it best for the end of the chain. As to why the Regen sounds better placed before the iUSB, since they're both independently powered perhaps the iUSB does a better job of this?
Regardless, I've settled on the above ordering quite happily.
Ha! Did some more experimenting and this configuration outshines all the rest in vividness and separation in particular--the Regen is surprisingly second in the chain.
iFi Mercury USB cable > Uptone Regen > iFi iUSB > iFi Gemini Dual USB cable > iFi Purifier > Xonar Essence One Muses Edition
My theory is that the iPurifier's power-cleaning properties make it best for the end of the chain. As to why the Regen sounds better placed before the iUSB, since they're both independently powered perhaps the iUSB does a better job of this?
Regardless, I've settled on the above ordering quite happily.
That is the right spirit! A curious mind is your ears best friend. Other people can only suggest things according to their own experiance. But in the end it is your own ears that knows best what will work for you. I am happy for you!
That is the right spirit! A curious mind is your ears best friend. Other people can only suggest things according to their own experiance. But in the end it is your own ears that knows best what will work for you. I am happy for you!
That is the right spirit! A curious mind is your ears best friend. Other people can only suggest things according to their own experiance. But in the end it is your own ears that knows best what will work for you. I am happy for you!
Well, in theory it should sound better with dual Gemini in computer without the power cable attached. Other end (data only) going directly to USB Regen connected to DAC with Regens solid adapter. But then again it is up to your own ears what sounds best.
The reason why your current chain sounds best is most likely (but without knowing) due to the iUSB and iPurifier cleaning the data signal in a way that you like.
Well, in theory it should sound better with dual Gemini in computer without the power cable attached. Other end (data only) going directly to USB Regen connected to DAC with Regens solid adapter. But then again it is up to your own ears what sounds best.
The reason why your current chain sounds best is most likely (but without knowing) due to the iUSB and iPurifier cleaning the data signal in a way that you like.
Interesting, I haven't tried that configuration! Thank you.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean though, could you elaborate on connecting the Gemini to the computer without the power cable attached? I'm not sure exactly what you mean by that.
Once I understand, I'll give it a go and report back
Well, in theory it should sound better with dual Gemini in computer without the power cable attached. Other end (data only) going directly to USB Regen connected to DAC with Regens solid adapter. But then again it is up to your own ears what sounds best.
The reason why your current chain sounds best is most likely (but without knowing) due to the iUSB and iPurifier cleaning the data signal in a way that you like.
Interesting, I haven't tried that configuration! Thank you.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean though, could you elaborate on connecting the Gemini to the computer without the power cable attached? I'm not sure exactly what you mean by that.
Once I understand, I'll give it a go and report back
There is two wires on the dual Gemini. One with a battery symbol on the USB and one with a music note symbol on the USB. Attach only the music note symbol USB to your computer. The other end only have one wire that you connect to the Regen. The Regen will feed new power to your DAC. The only thing you will gain in theory is not having any power wires side-by-side in the lenght of the Gemini cable. Give it a try and use what sounds best to you.
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