UpTone Audio USB REGEN

[abartels]

Hi,
 
for the ones who are interested, I started a new thread about USB interfaces since U12 thread was closed.
Feel free to subscribe 

 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/797881/digital-usb-interfaces-xmos-or-amanero-combo384-based-reviews-comparison-modifications-and-usb-audio-in-general
 
 
 
Regards,
 
Alex

 

[guzmanatm]

After reading all the reviews and feedback available for both the Wyrd & USB Regen, I've decided to pull the trigger on the Regen! I really like the smaller footprint of the Regen and how it will easily fit into my audio chain. As a bonus, I have confirmed my order will be included in the mid-February shipment as indicated on the UpTone Audio website.
 
Thanks to everyone in this thread for helping make my decision. I'm looking forward to receiving my new device and test driving it in the coming days. Cheers!

 

[Michael P]

Hi All, a couple of initial impressions of the K-lite cables
The first is for the K-lite 160, the second 160 & 500
 

I have been unable to "burn in" I only have about 4-5 hrs. it seems to provide more detail but overall not superior to Wireworld Starlight .3m. I will keep you informed.
I'm using a Schiit Bifrost Multi Bit DAC and it will not work without ground.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
 Straight out of the box it's a lively cable & one that digs deep into the music to drag out lots of detail. I'm hearing things that I've not heard before in some of my music which is always nice but it also takes a bit of time to get used to. I have them with both 5 v cable +/- & to my ear & in my set up, I can't hear any diff.
 Compared to your original Elijah cable (Aurelic Aries Mini > REGEN USB > Curious cable > PS Audio DAC), your new cables don't allow anywhere for poor recordings to hide which is a testament to the detail these cable find but I think I need to keep playing them for a few more hours so they settle in (due you expect a burn in time, is there such a thing with USB cables?).
 The only issue I have at this early stage is whether they're too analytical & whether they just show up other issues in my system? I'm also not sure whether the bass has reduced a tad or whether it's just more controlled but I'll keep listening to them.
 By way of coincidence, I've also found out that with my Aurelic Aries Mini it's best to switch the oversampling off on my PS Audio DAC. 
 I'm also going to trial the shorter cable (link) in my 2nd set-up which will be direct from my Mac Mini & into my Klein DAC so it maybe easier to compare directly against the Curious cable.
 
And a pic of the first batch of 160's ordered and ready for shipping tomorrow
 
Michael
 

 

[Cornan]

Here is my impressions of the Konvertible Lite 500 w/o 5v lead posted the other day on Uptone USB Regen CA thread if someone is interested.

Now I have had the Elijah Audio Konvertible Lite 500 w/o 5v lead for a couple of days. Just as I expected it did concur my Vertere Acoustic Pulse D-Fi v2 USB cable with SBooster VBUS Isolator. For anyone not aware of the Vetere Acoustics I suggest you Google around. The difference was'nt as obvious as changing Regens solid adapter to the Konvertible Lite 160. That was a vast difference with just about everything sounding so much better. Mind blowing! The change from Vetere+VBus Isolator was more like another jump into the depth of the music. The sence of space became more pronounced and detailed. The echos became more spacious and unfamiliar details became crystal clear. Everything sounds very smooth and natural to my ears. As said the changes was more subtile with the K-Lite 500 w/o 5v in front of the Regen than the 160 w/o 5v after the Regen...but it all adds up to an amazing couple IMHO. It adds up to the very best sound that I have ever heard on my setup. That really mean a lot to me! Thanks Michael at Elijah Audio. Your cables are both very affordable and amazing! 

I recommend anyone to try the K-Lite range. Michael is a really nice and honest man with top notch quality cables. He have a 60 days satisfaction guarantee on his his cables. No questions asked. Just be careful with them and you will have absolutely nothing to loose. I promise you will never return them. Just Remember. For a good reason the data wires is not shielded so be careful not to cross any power or ground wires in the path and make sure to separate the 5v & GND wires as much as possible. Otherwise you may defeat the purpose of the capasitive coupling along the lenght of the wire that these cables are suppose to cure. This is one of the things that makes this range so special as well as the detachable 5v wire that works with any DAC...handshake or not.

If you are a lazy reader I will make it easy with a short sentence. Try it...or be sorry! 

Here are two pictures of both cables in my setup. No good pictures I am afraid...but I hope you can see them clear enough!

 

[Michael T]

I just received my USB Regen today. More detail, blacker background while still keeping the music toe tapping. It's as if I'm in the city and looking at stars and I can't see anything with the light pollution... then someone shuts down the power grid for the entire city. It's pitch black and I can see the stars again. Damn they're beautiful. 
 
Thank you Alex and John.

 

[rb2013]

After much experimenation I have found the Regen and the PUC2 Lite DDC a fantastic combination!  The PUC2 needs USB power and using a TeraDak X1 (with a Cerious Tech power cord) fed through the Regen is simply outstanding.
 
I have ordered an iFi DC iPurifier to run between the Regen and the TeraDak (set to 7.5VDC) linear power supply.  This should clean up the power even further.
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-dcipurifier/
 
And also an iPurifier2 to try between the Regen and the PUC2 lite.  Just to see:
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-dcipurifier/

 

[106099]

  After much experimenation I have found the Regen and the PUC2 Lite DDC a fantastic combination!  The PUC2 needs USB power and using a TeraDak X1 (with a Cerious Tech power cord) fed through the Regen is simply outstanding.
 
I have ordered an iFi DC iPurifier to run between the Regen and the TeraDak (set to 7.5VDC) linear power supply.  This should clean up the power even further.
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-dcipurifier/
 
And also an iPurifier2 to try between the Regen and the PUC2 lite.  Just to see:
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-dcipurifier/

 
got a link to PUC2 lite?
 
also, have you tried the Uptone power supply, the JS-2 with Regen?

 

[dmbr]

After much experimenation I have found the Regen and the PUC2 Lite DDC a fantastic combination!  The PUC2 needs USB power and using a TeraDak X1 (with a Cerious Tech power cord) fed through the Regen is simply outstanding.

I have ordered an iFi DC iPurifier to run between the Regen and the TeraDak (set to 7.5VDC) linear power supply.  This should clean up the power even further.
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-dcipurifier/

And also an iPurifier2 to try between the Regen and the PUC2 lite.  Just to see:
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-dcipurifier/

Good stuff!

I use this chain with great results:

PC > iFi Mercury USB cable > iPurifier2 > iUSB (with iPower PSU) > iFi Gemini Dual USB cable without power cable plugged in > Uptone Regen (Teradak X1/X2 PSU) > included solid connector > Xonar Essence One

Eagerly awaiting a K-lite 160 cable to replace the questionable solid connector included with the Regen. The E1 DAC requires a handshake but no USB power after that, so hoping for results not just from superior build quality but also the removal of the 5v charge.

The iPurifier2 stacks nicely with the Regen, and it's a worthy upgrade to the iPurifier. I think you'll be happy with it!

I've ordered another iPower for the Regen, as it supposedly is quieter than Linear PSU's like my Teradak. I'll report back when I get it

I have a Jitterbug, but found it only thinned out the bass...stick it in the adjacent USB port instead.

 

[Superdad]

I use this chain with great results:

PC > iFi Mercury USB cable > iPurifier2 > iUSB (with iPower PSU) > iFi Gemini Dual USB cable without power cable plugged in > Uptone Regen (Teradak X1/X2 PSU) > included solid connector > Xonar Essence One

 
I think you might get better results feeding the iPurifier2 from the iUSB instead of the other way around.  Won't be much of a difference but it should be a little better for the signal integrity of what you feed your REGEN with.
 
Just something to try…
 
--Alex C.

 

[dmbr]

I think you might get better results feeding the iPurifier2 from the iUSB instead of the other way around.  Won't be much of a difference but it should be a little better for the signal integrity of what you feed your REGEN with.

Just something to try…

--Alex C.

Funny you say that! I almost noted why I placed it before. I've tried ordering the Regen, iPurifier2, and iUSB in all different combinations, but it's a rather maddening process.

I asked about the ordering in another thread here and iFi recommended putting the iPurifier2 before the iUSB *if* your DAC draws any power at all from USB, even for a handshake...which my self-powered E1 does need. My ears agreed with iFi.

However, the k-lite 160 should essentially take the handshake out of the equation and allow me to place the iPurifier2 after the iUSB as you recommended

 

[Superdad]

Funny you say that! I almost noted why I placed it before. I've tried ordering the Regen, iPurifier2, and iUSB in all different combinations, but it's a rather maddening process.

I asked about the ordering in another thread here and iFi recommended putting the iPurifier2 before the iUSB *if* your DAC draws any power at all from USB, even for a handshake...which my self-powered E1 does need. My ears agreed with iFi.

However, the k-lite 160 should essentially take the handshake out of the equation and allow me to place the iPurifier2 after the iUSB as you recommended

Well the REGEN ignores the pin-1 5VBUS line anyway (it provides very clean and quiet VBUS out using the best-in-class 1A TI TPS7A4700 regulator and a few caps), so neither the iPurifier2 or the iUSB ever see any draw from their VBUS line.
 
In fact, when using a REGEN (n its correct/best place as the last item before the DAC), unless you put the iUSB before the iPurifier2, then the iUSB really is not doing ANYTHING for your chain.  When you look at the iUSB board, you can see the data lines going straight from input to output--nothing but jacks and traces.  And while the iUSB may produce a very clean 5VBUS voltage (hopefully better than the REGEN given all the room and circuitry they have), it is ignored by the REGEN--and you don't even run it since you say you don't connect the power leg of your Gemini cable out of the iUSB.
 
Just sayin'...

 

[dmbr]

Well the REGEN ignores the pin-1 5VBUS line anyway (it provides very clean and quiet VBUS out using the best-in-class 1A TI TPS7A4700 regulator and a few caps), so neither the iPurifier2 or the iUSB ever see any draw from their VBUS line.

In fact, when using a REGEN (n its correct/best place as the last item before the DAC), unless you put the iUSB before the iPurifier2, then the iUSB really is not doing ANYTHING for your chain.  When you look at the iUSB board, you can see the data lines going straight from input to output--nothing but jacks and traces.  And while the iUSB may produce a very clean 5VBUS voltage (hopefully better than the REGEN given all the room and circuitry they have), it is ignored by the REGEN--and you don't even run it since you say you don't connect the power leg of your Gemini cable out of the iUSB.

Just sayin'...

ouch...

I just tried putting the iPurifier after the iUSB and it won't function (lights off) without plugging in both the power and audio ends of the connected Gemini cable. I'm not sure what this means...

To be clear, you'd recommend removing the iUSB + Gemini and using the Mercury > iPurifier2 > Regen > k-lite > DAC configuration then?

Thanks

Edit: re-reading the iFi overview, it does look like the IsoPower and IsoEarth features might provide some benefits, no?

 

[Cornan]

 

Well the REGEN ignores the pin-1 5VBUS line anyway (it provides very clean and quiet VBUS out using the best-in-class 1A TI TPS7A4700 regulator and a few caps), so neither the iPurifier2 or the iUSB ever see any draw from their VBUS line.

In fact, when using a REGEN (n its correct/best place as the last item before the DAC), unless you put the iUSB before the iPurifier2, then the iUSB really is not doing ANYTHING for your chain.  When you look at the iUSB board, you can see the data lines going straight from input to output--nothing but jacks and traces.  And while the iUSB may produce a very clean 5VBUS voltage (hopefully better than the REGEN given all the room and circuitry they have), it is ignored by the REGEN--and you don't even run it since you say you don't connect the power leg of your Gemini cable out of the iUSB.

Just sayin'...

ouch...

I just tried putting the iPurifier after the iUSB and it won't function (lights off) without plugging in both the power and audio ends of the connected Gemini cable. I'm not sure what this means...

To be clear, you'd recommend removing the iUSB + Gemini and using the Mercury > iPurifier2 > Regen > k-lite > DAC configuration then?

Thanks

Edit: re-reading the iFi overview, it does look like the IsoPower and IsoEarth features might provide some benefits, no?

Since the USB Regen is blocking ALL power coming in from the USB source there is actually no point using ANY power before the Regen. Due to the capacitive coupling inside the USB cable (negative interference between power and data since they all being very close to each other) there is however a good point having NO power before the USB Regen. Any improvements (if any) with iUSB and iPurifier2 in front of the Regen would be in the data and ground lines only. A short USB cable is also important. The only way for you to tell if it is beneficial or not for your sound is to try it your self. The outcome very much depends on your system and your own sound preferences.
 
Blocking the power AFTER the USB Regen is just as important. The reason is still the same, ie capacitive coupling. However, judging by the sound improvement by removing the supplied short adapter (which should have minimal capacitive coupling) I guess that it in some way also reduces the capacitative coupling inside the USB Regen itself as well. Please understand that this is my assumption only. All I know is that here is definitely a great improvement blocking the power in the USB cable AFTER the Regen as well. However, when you receive your Konvertible Lite 160 you will find out the SQ difference your self. I personally love that cable!
 
I would recommend that you start simple with Gemini (no power leg)>USB Regen>K-Lite160>DAC and after you have listen to familiar tracks you add the iUSB>iPurifier2>Mercury and listen to the very same tracks. Choose what you think sounds the best in your system. However, I am not sure if Gemini have the GND wire together with power or together with data wires? If Gemini have the ground wires together with the power wires you will not be able to do the simple setup since GND is needed for the handshake....and no GND is not beneficial for the sound unless you are using a star ground and unshielded USB cables (K-Lite is unshielded but Gemini/Mercury is not).

 

[zilch0md]

 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Since the USB Regen is blocking ALL power coming in from the USB source there is actually no point using ANY power before the Regen. Due to the capacitive coupling inside the USB cable (negative interference between power and data since they all being very close to each other) there is however a good point having NO power before the USB Regen. Any improvements (if any) with iUSB and iPurifier2 in front of the Regen would be in the data and ground lines only. A short USB cable is also important. The only way for you to tell if it is beneficial or not for your sound is to try it your self. The outcome very much depends on your system and your own sound preferences.
 
Blocking the power AFTER the USB Regen is just as important. The reason is still the same, ie capacitive coupling. However, judging by the sound improvement by removing the supplied short adapter (which should have minimal capacitive coupling) I guess that it in some way also reduces the capacitative coupling inside the USB Regen itself as well. Please understand that this is my assumption only. All I know is that here is definitely a great improvement blocking the power in the USB cable AFTER the Regen as well. However, when you receive your Konvertible Lite 160 you will find out the SQ difference your self. I personally love that cable!
 
I would recommend that you start simple with Gemini (no power leg)>USB Regen>K-Lite160>DAC and after you have listen to familiar tracks you add the iUSB>iPurifier2>Mercury and listen to the very same tracks. Choose what you think sounds the best in your system. However, I am not sure if Gemini have the GND wire together with power or together with data wires? If Gemini have the ground wires together with the power wires you will not be able to do the simple setup since GND is needed for the handshake....and no GND is not beneficial for the sound unless you are using a star ground and unshielded USB cables (K-Lite is unshielded but Gemini/Mercury is not).

 

 
Just a clarification:  
 
I'm sure that when you wrote...
 

 Blocking the power AFTER the USB Regen is just as important.

 
... you meant:   
 
Blocking the power AFTER the USB Regen is just as important when using a DAC that is self-powered - that does not require 5V power from the USB cable.

 

[rb2013]

Good stuff!

I use this chain with great results:

PC > iFi Mercury USB cable > iPurifier2 > iUSB (with iPower PSU) > iFi Gemini Dual USB cable without power cable plugged in > Uptone Regen (Teradak X1/X2 PSU) > included solid connector > Xonar Essence One

Eagerly awaiting a K-lite 160 cable to replace the questionable solid connector included with the Regen. The E1 DAC requires a handshake but no USB power after that, so hoping for results not just from superior build quality but also the removal of the 5v charge.

The iPurifier2 stacks nicely with the Regen, and it's a worthy upgrade to the iPurifier. I think you'll be happy with it!

I've ordered another iPower for the Regen, as it supposedly is quieter than Linear PSU's like my Teradak. I'll report back when I get it

I have a Jitterbug, but found it only thinned out the bass...stick it in the adjacent USB port instead.

Just got a iUSB  2.0 and using the new 1uV iPower to feed it tried using it to feed the PUC2 Lite vs the Regen/TeraDak X1 (upgraded Pannie HW caps and Cerious Tech Graphene power cord).  The Regen/LPS is a major setup.
 
So will try the coming iPurifier2 to try with the iUSB 2.0 and the Regen to see the effect (according to iFi the iPurifier2+the iUSB 2.0 = about 80% of a iUSB 3.0), the addition of the DC iPurifier should reduce the noise of the TeraDak to iPower levels - but without the switching distortion or noise.
 
I have a 9 VDC iPower - but that is higher voltage then the Regen limit of 8VDC.  May overheat the regs.  So have not tried it on the Regen.  Would be nice if iFi made a 7 VDC version.
 
Good success with the Jitterbug (modded to a VBUS +5VDC blocker) in between the Lightspeed 2.0 split data leg and PC.