YULONG's new U18 USB 24/192 Async digital Interface

[mrcasey]

It sounds every bit as good as the Coax out from my Squeezebox Touch.  There are no clicks or drop outs.  The only other converter I have used is one made by Opera Consonance.  It only converted to 24/96.  The U18  works equally as well with the D18 as it does with the D100 II.  I am using the AES/EBU to connect the U18 to the DACs.  I am pleased with the performance for the money.  Over the next while I will try the different connections (coax and optical) and test if using the seperate power supply makes a significant difference.

 

[mrcasey]

 
Quote:

This is great.  I use J. river as well.  However, you use SPIDF coming out your PC?  I'm going to be using USB.  Are there USB drivers as well?

Windows Control panel lists as "SPDIF" out for whatever reason but in reality I am using USB to connect the computer to the U18

 

[preproman]

Looking good.  Only thin I wish it had was  BNC for the coax SPDIF out.  Other than that, I'll be using the AES as well.  Keep the impressions coming.  
 
Did you get yours from Grant Fidelity?

 

[mrcasey]

Yes, I live 20 minutes drive from Grant Fidelity.

 

[shabta]

Quote:

It sounds every bit as good as the Coax out from my Squeezebox Touch.  There are no clicks or drop outs.  The only other converter I have used is one made by Opera Consonance.  It only converted to 24/96.  The U18  works equally as well with the D18 as it does with the D100 II.  I am using the AES/EBU to connect the U18 to the DACs.  I am pleased with the performance for the money.  Over the next while I will try the different connections (coax and optical) and test if using the seperate power supply makes a significant difference.

 

Hey Thanks for all the impressions/photos!

So it doesn't improve on using the Squeezebox Touch alone? Is there a difference in SQ betweem the u18 and the consonance? How about just going from the computer to the D18 as opposed to computer->u18->d18?

 

[mrcasey]

[size=medium]I am using the SB Touch with the Enhanced Digital Output App so it is passing files at 24/192 through its digital output to my DACs.   The SBT has been measured to show that it is capable of bit perfect low jitter operation:[/size]
 
[size=medium]http://www.anedio.com/index.php/article/squeezebox_touch[/size]
 
[size=medium]IMHO it is a good measure of any USB converter to sound as good as the SBT.[/size]
 
[size=medium]The appeal to me of the U18 is its 24/192 capabilities.  This gives me ability to play these files when I am away from home.  I found that using the Toslink out from my computer directly to the D18 (the only way I can connect the D18 directly) did not sound as good as either the SBT/Coax out or the U18/AES/EBU out.  I have not tried the Toslink out from the U18 to my DACs yet.[/size]
 
[size=medium]I can say that in my system the U18 performs flawlessly with no glitching, clicks or dropouts.  The sound quality is a good as I have ever heard from my system.  It operates with no apparent noise floor and does not impart any “flavor” on the music.  As I spend more time with the U18 over the coming weeks I will provide further insights should anything noteworthy come up.[/size]
 
[size=medium]I hope this helps.[/size]

 

[shabta]

Quote:

[size=medium]I am using the SB Touch with the Enhanced Digital Output App so it is passing files at 24/192 through its digital output to my DACs.   The SBT has been measured to show that it is capable of bit perfect low jitter operation:[/size]
 
[size=medium]http://www.anedio.com/index.php/article/squeezebox_touch[/size]
 
[size=medium]IMHO it is a good measure of any USB converter to sound as good as the SBT.[/size]
 
[size=medium]The appeal to me of the U18 is its 24/192 capabilities.  This gives me ability to play these files when I am away from home.  I found that using the toslink out from my computer directly to the D18 (the only way I can connect the D18 directly) did not sound as good as either the SBT/Coax out or the U18/AES/EBU out.  I have not tried the toslink out from the U18 to my DAC yet.[/size]
 
[size=medium]I can say that in my system the U18 performs flawlessly with no glitching, clicks or dropouts.  The sound quality is a good as I have ever heard from my system.  It operates with no apparent noise floor and does not impart any “flavor” on the music.  As I spend more time with the U18 over the coming weeks I will provide further insights should anything noteworthy come up.[/size]
 
[size=medium]I hope this helps.[/size]

Yes Thanks! Please do keep the insights coming. Much appreciated.

 

[Turn&cough]

Based on numerous comments I was under the impression that a PC/MAC connected to a good USB converter sounded better than the SB Touch into any given DAC. I was also under the impression that the Touch connected to a good Linux compatible USB converter sounded better than the Touch's S/PDIF output directly into a DAC.
 
I was considering connecting my Touch to a V-Link 192 + AQVOX power supply to improve the sound. But now you've got me wondering...the Touch is more user friendly than a PC/USB converter setup so if there's nothing to be gained soundwise what's the point?

 

[mrcasey]

[size=10pt]The SBT runs into some issues when used as a "stand alone player" and DAC.  The SBT internal DAC, though admirable, shows its limitations.  When connected to a network that is running SB Server (on a network computer), and passing only digital signal to a quality outboard DAC, it is an excellent performer.   Perhaps adding a linear power supply would take things up another notch?  I can see how a separate power supply, or battery power (disasscciated from the noisy environment of a computer) could help a USB converter.  [/size]

 

[Turn&cough]

Quote:

[size=10pt]The SBT runs into some issues when used as a "stand alone player" and DAC.  The SBT internal DAC, though admirable, shows its limitations.  When connected to a network that is running SB Server (on a network computer), and passing only digital signal to a quality outboard DAC, it is an excellent performer.   Perhaps adding a linear power supply would take things up another notch?  I can see how a separate power supply (disasscciated from the noisy environment of a computer) could help a USB converter.  [/size]

I am using a linear PS with the Touch. It also has a few hardware and software mods (TT 3.0 & EDO) and does sound quite good connected to a DAC. However I've seen quite a few people ditch similar setups in favor of MAC mini/USB converter based systems claiming a richer, more musical, more analog sound. This is why I'm confused when you use the Touch as a reference point to rate the U18.
Either the U18 is a very ordinary converter or these people are "thinking" they're hearing improvements when in fact they're not.
It could also be a question of how revealing the rest of the associated equipment is.

 

[mrcasey]

Everybody hears things differently.  I am using SBT to Yulong D18.  My amp is the Yulong A18 and my headphones are Audeze LCD 2 v2 bamboo, Shure 535's and Heir 8A's.  Perhaps at 43 my hearing is not so good anymore?   Perhaps it would be best to wait for another member's impressions on the U18's sound qualities.

 

[preproman]

Is there a final verdict on this product.  Dirvers, what input is (better) and so on.

 

[mrcasey]

As usual, things were pretty hectic for me for the short time I was home. I didn’t get much time to listen to the U18. Now that I am out of town and back at work I will have a lot more time to listen to the U18 (I know that sounds strange). I have it connected to my Yulong D100 MK II/ Yulong A100 combo. I will be listening with my Shure 535’s. So far, still, functionality is great. It plays all resolutions of music with out issue, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192.0. Both 24 and 16 bit.
 
This will be a good opportunity for me to let it run and get some hours on it as well.

 

[preproman]

Out of town and back at work??  I would love to have one of those jobs..

 

[mrcasey]

I am on a cycle of about 18 days away at work and back home for 6 days off.  From the begining of July to end of March.  3 months off in the spring.  It is not for everybody but it suits me fine .I normally get lots of time to listen to headphones.