2. digital
  3. 131208-2280

Looking for Better Jitter Reduction in a DAC

I'm looking to improve the jitter control in my digital setup, which hopefully will create a more analogue presentation. I own a PS Audio PW Memory Transport, which sports a FPGA, and a Nuwave DSD DAC with a scaled-down version of the gate array.

   I have owned a Chord which uses this technology and it was like listening to analogue recordings. I sold it only because it's soundstage was very forward, like sitting in the front row of a concert hall. My current PS Audio setup has wide and deep imaging, as does my Atma-Sphere preamp.
   I have auditioned the Schiit Grundir and it was a bit too fast in the attack and transients, but had the dynamics and deep imaging that I like. So, I guess what I'm looking for is a unit with a laid-back, realistic musical presentation.

The Mytek Digital Stereo192 DSD and Blue Circle DAC are in my price range, but there is no way to audition them.
  So any recommendation and advice is appreciated. DSD preferred, budget is about $1200 used.


128x128lowrider57
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,105 posts
 
Hi lowrider,

You have it right, the UltraCap LPS-1’s claim to fame is lower (none?) noise passthrough than the competition. I am disappointed to report that it uses a switching power supply as its "energizer". Alex at Uptone claims that the LPS-1 eliminates any noise from the latter, preventing it from entering the devices upstream/downstream via the digital signal.  Even if true, what about the crap that the switching p/s passes back to the AC line and via the air to other components... 

Seems to work as advertised to my ears with the ISO Regen. I have not tried it with other devices, although I plan to investigate using it with my router modem.

Dave

rodge827's avatar
rodge827
468 posts
 
My LPS-1 will be here on Saturday :) Will report back in a week on how it does with the spdif iPurifier.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
3,018 posts
 
Thanks, Dave. They display the pics of the LPS-1 including the PCB from both sides, so it seems they're proud of their design. I imagine they are filtering any leakage to a very small amount.

OTOH, the JS-2 LPS looks awesome. But that is some serious coin.
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,105 posts
 
Read a report from a JS-2 owner on another thread that the UltraCap LPS-1 beat out his JS-2 in sound quality. Could just buy 2,3 etc of LPS-1 and get a much better switching p/s to feed them all. FWIW.

BTW - I plug the two switching power supplies I have into a completely isolated AC Line (only "components" not plugged into my PowerCell UEF) and cover the bodies and the DC cords with RF/EMI cloth. Planning to order some of this and try in place of the cloth:

http://kgs-ind.com/wp-content/uploads/products/pdf/Absorber_Flyer-IM-02.pdf
  
Dave
rodge827's avatar
rodge827
468 posts
 
"Chris, I'm interested in your thoughts on Tommy's (owner of Digital Amplification Company) DAC - called the DAC DAC, of course. And the Uptone gear that you have with it -"

Gary

Hi Gary,
The Uptone LPS=1 will be delivered on Saturday 9/9/17 so I can't comment on it at this time. However I have had Tommy's DAC DAC in my system for about a month and I'm very pleased with it. I'm almost done building my system around a pair of Charney Audio Maestro Horns, built on the Tractrix theory. They are a full range single driver (Omega RS7) rear loaded horn. Charney suggested that I look into a solid state dac over a tube dac due to the sound characteristics of the RS7 driver.
I'm an emotional listener, I want to be moved and "get" what the artist is trying to convey. Tommy's HS DAC delivers on all counts and brings me deep into the soul of the music. Highs are well extended and not exaggerated, bass is deep and well defined without the mid-bass bump I experienced with many of the other dacs I had in my system over the last eleven months. The DAC DAC is clean, clear, tuneful, fast and precise, yet delivers music and not just good sound! 
This fall I hope to demo a pair of his Maraschino mono amps and compare them to the 300b integrated I'm using.

Current set up: PWT>Virtual mode Coaxial Dig Cable>SPDIF Purifier>DAC DAC>CR Electronic Designs Woodham 2.0 300b Integrated>Charney Audio Maestro's...IC's and Speaker wires are Jena Labs...Power cords are Aural Thrills Audio 9v Battery Active Shield...Power Conditioner-Tripp Lite Double Conversion UPS

 


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