Thanks Norman, very helpful.
Thank goodness you know who isn't on this forum to argue ad nauseum your last statement.
Ken
Regen, Wow!
- Thread starter Mechnutt
- Start date
Thanks Norman, very helpful.
Thank goodness you know who isn't on this forum to argue ad nauseum your last statement.
Ken
Thanks Norman, very helpful.
Thank goodness you know who isn't on this forum to argue ad nauseum your last statement.
Ken
LoL, Our German friend?
Le me be circumspect and say POTENTIALLY best parts money can buy. My point was that one is free to choose whatever, whereas Mac forces certain choices.
Odyssey
Member
Hi Ken, from what I've been able to discover, here is one of the better linear power supplies:
http://uptoneaudio.com/products/js-2-linear-power-supply
Attachments
Hi Ken, from what I've been able to discover, here is one of the better linear power supplies:
http://uptoneaudio.com/products/js-2-linear-power-supply
Hi Le Roy,
The Uptone Audio Mac Mini modification looks really nice, especially with that linear power supply. I look forward to hearing your impressions on sound quality.
Thanks,
Ken
La Dolce Vita
New member
So the question really is... "To USB Regen or not to USB Regen?"
I have had one sitting around a month or so now and finally got around to connecting it (I chose to connect it directly to the back of my N100H and then use my Kimber Gold USB cable to run from it to the Lampizator Golden Gate. While I've only listened to it for a few minutes I must say I do hear a difference when certain notes are struck, with vocals, etc. At this point I will refrain from trying to quantify whether it actually improves the sound (although I am leaning towards this assertion).
I have quickly read bunch of posts in this thread and it seems the consensus is well, that it "works". Outside this forum, it appears reviewers rave about the product and I have yet to really hear people didn't like it (with very few exceptions some here on AudioShark).
Now I must say this amazed me... I shared a preliminary yet positive experience of the USB Regen with Lampizator. Their response was somewhat neutral to slightly negative. One individual said "I don't like it at all myself. Sounds very unnatural to my ears." I have read pretty much everything I can get my hands on and have asked many who have used the product. This is the first time I have heard this. Furthermore this individual uses essentially the same DAC and source I do! Now one can argue he has a different room, speakers, cables etc but still...
They further weighed in on this too and they are not bashing the product nor are they endorsing it. Very neutral at best...
"On lesser sources - I tried a decent laptop in stock form - the influence was “sideways” , not an improvement just change of presentation into somewhat softer. On very good source (our Komputer) the REGEN muddied the sound, made it lifeless in comparison. NOT RECOMMENDED."
They went on to say...
"Conclusion: it may help to make poor source - decent. But it can’t improve on a good source.
I would recommemnd to spend the money on good USB cable instead."
Ok...frankly I believe my view is different from that of Lampizator's in this case... Maybe they think the Aurender is a shitty product and this is why I believe I'm hearing things a bit differently (hard to define improvement when everyone listens differently)? I can't say.
Ultimately I will reserve judgement until I can listen much more extensively and try it out. Many of you already have.
I will leave it to you to form your own experience/opinion of the product. Though very preliminary...I THINK I like it...significantly.
Thoughts???
I have had one sitting around a month or so now and finally got around to connecting it (I chose to connect it directly to the back of my N100H and then use my Kimber Gold USB cable to run from it to the Lampizator Golden Gate. While I've only listened to it for a few minutes I must say I do hear a difference when certain notes are struck, with vocals, etc. At this point I will refrain from trying to quantify whether it actually improves the sound (although I am leaning towards this assertion).
I have quickly read bunch of posts in this thread and it seems the consensus is well, that it "works". Outside this forum, it appears reviewers rave about the product and I have yet to really hear people didn't like it (with very few exceptions some here on AudioShark).
Now I must say this amazed me... I shared a preliminary yet positive experience of the USB Regen with Lampizator. Their response was somewhat neutral to slightly negative. One individual said "I don't like it at all myself. Sounds very unnatural to my ears." I have read pretty much everything I can get my hands on and have asked many who have used the product. This is the first time I have heard this. Furthermore this individual uses essentially the same DAC and source I do! Now one can argue he has a different room, speakers, cables etc but still...
They further weighed in on this too and they are not bashing the product nor are they endorsing it. Very neutral at best...
"On lesser sources - I tried a decent laptop in stock form - the influence was “sideways” , not an improvement just change of presentation into somewhat softer. On very good source (our Komputer) the REGEN muddied the sound, made it lifeless in comparison. NOT RECOMMENDED."
They went on to say...
"Conclusion: it may help to make poor source - decent. But it can’t improve on a good source.
I would recommemnd to spend the money on good USB cable instead."
Ok...frankly I believe my view is different from that of Lampizator's in this case... Maybe they think the Aurender is a shitty product and this is why I believe I'm hearing things a bit differently (hard to define improvement when everyone listens differently)? I can't say.
Ultimately I will reserve judgement until I can listen much more extensively and try it out. Many of you already have.
I will leave it to you to form your own experience/opinion of the product. Though very preliminary...I THINK I like it...significantly.
Thoughts???
La Dolce Vita
New member
So the question really is... "To USB Regen or not to USB Regen?"
I have had one sitting around a month or so now and finally got around to connecting it (I chose to connect it directly to the back of my N100H and then use my Kimber Gold USB cable to run from it to the Lampizator Golden Gate. While I've only listened to it for a few minutes I must say I do hear a difference when certain notes are struck, with vocals, etc. At this point I will refrain from trying to quantify whether it actually improves the sound (although I am leaning towards this assertion).
I have quickly read bunch of posts in this thread and it seems the consensus is well, that it "works". Outside this forum, it appears reviewers rave about the product and I have yet to really hear people didn't like it (with very few exceptions some here on AudioShark).
Now I must say this amazed me... I shared a preliminary yet positive experience of the USB Regen with Lampizator. Their response was somewhat neutral to slightly negative. One individual said "I don't like it at all myself. Sounds very unnatural to my ears." I have read pretty much everything I can get my hands on and have asked many who have used the product. This is the first time I have heard this. Furthermore this individual uses essentially the same DAC and source I do! Now one can argue he has a different room, speakers, cables etc but still...
They further weighed in on this too and they are not bashing the product nor are they endorsing it. Very neutral at best...
"On lesser sources - I tried a decent laptop in stock form - the influence was “sideways” , not an improvement just change of presentation into somewhat softer. On very good source (our Komputer) the REGEN muddied the sound, made it lifeless in comparison. NOT RECOMMENDED."
They went on to say...
"Conclusion: it may help to make poor source - decent. But it can’t improve on a good source.
I would recommemnd to spend the money on good USB cable instead."
Ok...frankly I believe my view is different from that of Lampizator's in this case... Maybe they think the Aurender is a shitty product and this is why I believe I'm hearing things a bit differently (hard to define improvement when everyone listens differently)? I can't say.
Ultimately I will reserve judgement until I can listen much more extensively and try it out. Many of you already have.
I will leave it to you to form your own experience/opinion of the product. Though very preliminary...I THINK I like it...significantly.
Thoughts???
I have had one sitting around a month or so now and finally got around to connecting it (I chose to connect it directly to the back of my N100H and then use my Kimber Gold USB cable to run from it to the Lampizator Golden Gate. While I've only listened to it for a few minutes I must say I do hear a difference when certain notes are struck, with vocals, etc. At this point I will refrain from trying to quantify whether it actually improves the sound (although I am leaning towards this assertion).
I have quickly read bunch of posts in this thread and it seems the consensus is well, that it "works". Outside this forum, it appears reviewers rave about the product and I have yet to really hear people didn't like it (with very few exceptions some here on AudioShark).
Now I must say this amazed me... I shared a preliminary yet positive experience of the USB Regen with Lampizator. Their response was somewhat neutral to slightly negative. One individual said "I don't like it at all myself. Sounds very unnatural to my ears." I have read pretty much everything I can get my hands on and have asked many who have used the product. This is the first time I have heard this. Furthermore this individual uses essentially the same DAC and source I do! Now one can argue he has a different room, speakers, cables etc but still...
They further weighed in on this too and they are not bashing the product nor are they endorsing it. Very neutral at best...
"On lesser sources - I tried a decent laptop in stock form - the influence was “sideways” , not an improvement just change of presentation into somewhat softer. On very good source (our Komputer) the REGEN muddied the sound, made it lifeless in comparison. NOT RECOMMENDED."
They went on to say...
"Conclusion: it may help to make poor source - decent. But it can’t improve on a good source.
I would recommemnd to spend the money on good USB cable instead."
Ok...frankly I believe my view is different from that of Lampizator's in this case... Maybe they think the Aurender is a shitty product and this is why I believe I'm hearing things a bit differently (hard to define improvement when everyone listens differently)? I can't say.
Ultimately I will reserve judgement until I can listen much more extensively and try it out. Many of you already have.
I will leave it to you to form your own experience/opinion of the product. Though very preliminary...I THINK I like it...significantly.
Thoughts???
La Dolce Vita
New member
Update
Since my last post a few developments have occurred that I'd like to share with you in the hope this information is useful.
1) Alex Crespi called me. I believe most all of you know he is the owner of Uptone Audio. Alex is a great guy. Super smart and informed, passionate and friendly. I very much appreciated his call during which time he nicely informed me I really did need to connect the USB Regen properly - that is to say directly to my Golden Gate. He convinced me to install it properly.
2) One thing to note: the USB Regen does not quite fit using the solid adapter (not the little USB cord) and using balanced interconnects. The side of the USB Regen rubs against the top XLR balanced connector. It fits well enough to make it work but it isn't quite right. One should use the little USB cord instead as there would be no issue. However I preferred to use the adapter.
3) Having connected the USB Regen properly as per Alex's instructions, I was ready to listen. Upon doing so, I listened for an hour last night and another hour early this morning. I listened to a few tracks/songs I am extremely familiar with (Sara Bareilles, Susan Wong, John Legend, etc.). I was shocked. I thought for sure the USB would further improve the great sound I was already experiencing. Instead I was taken by surprise. I was wrong. The USB Regen connected to the Lampi Golden Gate while it did not sound bad, added no improvement to the sound or listening experience. In fact, my impression is that it removes some of the sizzle...the music sounds less raw, less gutheral, less palpable. At times the music sounds less defined and more muddled or murky. Definitely it is not as dynamic - I would not say lifeless but processed. To my ears it really somewhat kills the magic of the Golden Gate. I couldn't believe it. So I listened intently to the same songs over and over with and without the USB Regen in place. Each time, I preferred the sound without the USB Regen.
4) Others have asked the question... Is the USB Regen incompatible with the Lampizator Golden Gate? Alex I'm sure would say no way... he said (and I believe him) that many Lampi owners use the USB Regen and enjoy it. Elberoth has a similar impression to what I have I'm told and I read he likes the USB Regen very much with his Trinity DAC. I am confident I will get better results with one of my other DACs as well.
In closing, I realize listening is subjective - we hear differently from one another. Still, many of you have come to know and trust my assessments of tubes especially in the Lampizator DACs. I'd encourage you to try the USB Regen for yourself. If you own a Lampizator however, try it "eyes wide open". Know that it won't ruin your listening experience but recognize it may take it in an unintended direction. As I said, I look forward to trying the product with a different manufacturer's DAC. In my experience, and regrettably I cannot recommend using the USB Regen with a late model Lampizator like my Golden Gate as the result is not positive. My experience may differ from yours so by all means try one and share your experience here please.
Hope this helps you.
Since my last post a few developments have occurred that I'd like to share with you in the hope this information is useful.
1) Alex Crespi called me. I believe most all of you know he is the owner of Uptone Audio. Alex is a great guy. Super smart and informed, passionate and friendly. I very much appreciated his call during which time he nicely informed me I really did need to connect the USB Regen properly - that is to say directly to my Golden Gate. He convinced me to install it properly.
2) One thing to note: the USB Regen does not quite fit using the solid adapter (not the little USB cord) and using balanced interconnects. The side of the USB Regen rubs against the top XLR balanced connector. It fits well enough to make it work but it isn't quite right. One should use the little USB cord instead as there would be no issue. However I preferred to use the adapter.
3) Having connected the USB Regen properly as per Alex's instructions, I was ready to listen. Upon doing so, I listened for an hour last night and another hour early this morning. I listened to a few tracks/songs I am extremely familiar with (Sara Bareilles, Susan Wong, John Legend, etc.). I was shocked. I thought for sure the USB would further improve the great sound I was already experiencing. Instead I was taken by surprise. I was wrong. The USB Regen connected to the Lampi Golden Gate while it did not sound bad, added no improvement to the sound or listening experience. In fact, my impression is that it removes some of the sizzle...the music sounds less raw, less gutheral, less palpable. At times the music sounds less defined and more muddled or murky. Definitely it is not as dynamic - I would not say lifeless but processed. To my ears it really somewhat kills the magic of the Golden Gate. I couldn't believe it. So I listened intently to the same songs over and over with and without the USB Regen in place. Each time, I preferred the sound without the USB Regen.
4) Others have asked the question... Is the USB Regen incompatible with the Lampizator Golden Gate? Alex I'm sure would say no way... he said (and I believe him) that many Lampi owners use the USB Regen and enjoy it. Elberoth has a similar impression to what I have I'm told and I read he likes the USB Regen very much with his Trinity DAC. I am confident I will get better results with one of my other DACs as well.
In closing, I realize listening is subjective - we hear differently from one another. Still, many of you have come to know and trust my assessments of tubes especially in the Lampizator DACs. I'd encourage you to try the USB Regen for yourself. If you own a Lampizator however, try it "eyes wide open". Know that it won't ruin your listening experience but recognize it may take it in an unintended direction. As I said, I look forward to trying the product with a different manufacturer's DAC. In my experience, and regrettably I cannot recommend using the USB Regen with a late model Lampizator like my Golden Gate as the result is not positive. My experience may differ from yours so by all means try one and share your experience here please.
Hope this helps you.
Hi Ken, from what I've been able to discover, here is one of the better linear power supplies:
http://uptoneaudio.com/products/js-2-linear-power-supply
Hi Le Roy,
Who is the manufacturer of the acoustic panels in this photo? Are they the same ones that Mike has in his listening room?
Thanks,
Ken
Vicoustics.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
La Dolce Vita
New member
USB Regen Update...
Ok, so I tried the USB Regen with another dac (YoungDSD DAC) and its effect is magical - could not believe how musical and analogue sounding I heard the music to be. What a pleasure!
Therefore while I found the USB Regen to suck the life out of my music when used with the Golden Gate, it's effect is really special and rather amazing with the other dac.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ok, so I tried the USB Regen with another dac (YoungDSD DAC) and its effect is magical - could not believe how musical and analogue sounding I heard the music to be. What a pleasure!
Therefore while I found the USB Regen to suck the life out of my music when used with the Golden Gate, it's effect is really special and rather amazing with the other dac.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
La Dolce Vita
New member
I do recall reading something about this but cannot recall. I just plug it in and it works. Please check the Uptone Audio website product FAQ
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Can someone please post up a pic of the DC SMPSU that comes with the Regen. I appear to have misfiled it and I am led to believe that it is an OK match to actually use it instead of say an IFI iPower or linear PSU with 5-9v tap.
Also, how would be the best way to use it with an ADC? The conventional way on the device end given that USB is Asyncronous, or would you flip it around the other way and put in on the PC side?
If I was to use my CAPs PC, would feeding into the SOtM USB card be the way to go for ADC recording?
I've got a Korg 10-DSR-ADC for the job. As my new pre-amp comes online, I'm planning on giving this box a whirl real soon...
What do you reckon?
Also, how would be the best way to use it with an ADC? The conventional way on the device end given that USB is Asyncronous, or would you flip it around the other way and put in on the PC side?
If I was to use my CAPs PC, would feeding into the SOtM USB card be the way to go for ADC recording?
I've got a Korg 10-DSR-ADC for the job. As my new pre-amp comes online, I'm planning on giving this box a whirl real soon...
What do you reckon?
audio.bill
Active member
Randy Myers
Well-known member
The latest (and in many people's view greatest) USB reclocker is the Wyred 4 Sound Recovery. I also use an iFi iPower unit with mine...
Dr Tone
Banned
Randy did you have Recovery already when I recommended the SOTM card to you on audioaficianado?
Randy Myers
Well-known member
Hmmmm.... I am sorry, I do not remember. I do believe I was the absolute first person to get a Recovery at home. EJ had one built for me and I picked it up the day before they started shipping them out (if I am remembering correctly). I do know I got mine on 2/1. I can tell you it is pretty amazing. The best description (which a few people have also stated) is that it sounds almost analog!