AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Empirical Audio => Topic started by: audioengr on 22 Feb 2015, 07:46 pm
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A good customer is testing a proto of the OR6, which is XMOS-based and galvanically isolated. He has the Power Block USB power supply/filter and powering the OR6 from a Dynamo supply:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1398132150&openflup&1775&4#1775 (http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1398132150&openflup&1775&4#1775)
Seems like I may have a S/W or USB cable problem in my system. It works perfectly for him, but I have trouble with 176 and 192.
Steve N.
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Steve, Thanks for the update. I am very excited about this.
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Steve, Thanks for the update. I am very excited about this.
Steve -
Let me start by saying thank you again for allowing me to be a part of the development/testing of the OR6. Well, after 2 weeks for allowing the OR6 to run around the clock and break-in further, the sound just keeps on getting better and better!! The sound stage continues to widen and the sound continues to become fuller and much more dynamic from top to bottom of the signal//bandwidth.
Also I can hear the difference the USB Power Block makes as well ! When I remove it from the signal path the sound while good, becomes less dynamic with a little less detail as well. I highly recommend the purchase of the Power Block as it gives the USB/signal that extra power boost which delivers greater dynamics and punch on the low end of the spectrum. The dynamic range is improved as well. As Steve stated "5v simply Sucks" now after hearing it for myself I concur completely!!
In conclusion, I can't wait till the development of the OR6 is complete and the unit comes to market. (I WANT ONE ) !! As always Steve continues to bring a full range of quality products to the audio world once again!
Well Done Steve!
Regards,
Trueaudiophile! :thumb:
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If it will feed an MSB IV dac via the MSB's i2s Ethernet-style jack connection I'll take one for sure!
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If it will feed an MSB IV dac via the MSB's i2s Ethernet-style jack connection I'll take one for sure!
Can you get more details on this connection?
Steve N.
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Steve is there an update path for us offramp 5 owners. And yes I want one.
Thanks is advance
Al D
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Steve is there an update path for us offramp 5 owners. And yes I want one.
Thanks is advance
Al D
The msb dsc 4 uses a rj45 input for ots umt plus. It's not compatible with anything else I feel. Although I have not tried it with anything else.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=118768)
Notice the green markings. It's only for the umt plus inter connect. It's antwomway digital path from what I understand.
Does the new offramp have USB output ? Will,it pass DSd 128 on other outputs like aes, opticsl , or coax spidif. Both my Hugo and msb stack do double DSd on any inputs besides USB.
Steve let me know and of would also be interested in trying one .
Thanks
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The 176 and 192 problems are solved. Silly problem really, an incorrect resistor value DUH :duh:
OR6 sounds amazing on 176 and 192 material. I am currently playing a 192 .wave file that was digitized by an Ayre QA9 at a show from the vinyl, "take five".
DSD has been tested already by my beta-tester. Native has problems, but it may be due to the resistor. Need to change this for him.
Now its only a matter of getting it into production.
Steve N.
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The 176 and 192 problems are solved. Silly problem really, an incorrect resistor value DUH :duh:
OR6 sounds amazing on 176 and 192 material. I am currently playing a 192 .wave file that was digitized by an Ayre QA9 at a show from the vinyl, "take five".
DSD has been tested already by my beta-tester. Native has problems, but it may be due to the resistor. Need to change this for him.
Now its only a matter of getting it into production.
Steve N.
...and upgrade potential for existing units?
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...and upgrade potential for existing units?
Off-RAMP 5 and some 4's can be upgraded. Pricing is TBD. These will get the new front panel which will say OR6 on it.
I am using the Dynamo supply for the OR6 and the Power Block for the USB cable supply. The Dynamo will be standard for the OR6. No wall-wart anymore. Power Block will be optional.
Steve N.
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Steve, what does the Off ramp do? Sorry, but I'm not familiar with it, just heard about it. Will I be able to use DSD with my SE by using this device?
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Steve, what does the Off ramp do? Sorry, but I'm not familiar with it, just heard about it. Will I be able to use DSD with my SE by using this device?
The Off-Ramp USB interface module is used in the Off-Ramp USB converter and the Overdrive DAC. Unfortunately, the Overdrive will never support DSD. You will have to wait for my next and probably final DAC for that.
Steve N.
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Oh, Ok thanks. I appreciate it.
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Steve,
It is a pleasure to have you back in Oregon and I hope you are being spared the deluge here on the other side.
When you say your final dac design, you mean a more mass produced and budget cost dac without the qualities offered by the SX? This will be helpful for customers when they decide which dac is best for them. I still believe and have written in two reviews the ODSE does PCM better than DSD in most if not all DSD capable dacs. Granted I have not heard a DSD only dac yet and each of our perceptions are unique.
I imagine the Off-Ramp 6 is a stellar product.
-j
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Steve,
It is a pleasure to have you back in Oregon and I hope you are being spared the deluge here on the other side.
When you say your final dac design, you mean a more mass produced and budget cost dac without the qualities offered by the SX?
Correct. It will not be a cheap DAC, but will be more mass-producible and more affordable. No volume control and XLR outputs will probably be an option with transformers. Probably no I2S input. It will be a much larger chassis than the Overdrive. It will have some of the technology in the SX.
Steve N.
This will be helpful for customers when they decide which dac is best for them. I still believe and have written in two reviews the ODSE does PCM better than DSD in most if not all DSD capable dacs. Granted I have not heard a DSD only dac yet and each of our perceptions are unique.
I imagine the Off-Ramp 6 is a stellar product.
-j
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Hey Steve,
Will the OR6 do DSD over the HDMI I2S interface?
Todd
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Hey Steve,
Will the OR6 do DSD over the HDMI I2S interface?
Todd
Yes
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Any update on upgrades ?
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The update unfortunately is that the OR6 worked at 192 for one day and then I could never get it to work again at 192 without errors. I have tried as many tricks as I can think of, still nothing.
At this point I am ready to throw in the towel and go for the Interchange, which is wired Ethernet. This solves the probem of computer/software SQ issues with USB. That is the current plan.
If customes dont care about 176 and 192, then I can build OR6 or put the XMOS module in my DAC.
Steve N.
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Sorry to hear about the problems.
I am not sure I understand the plan. Would you use ethernet between the computer and the OR6 and then let the customer choose between I2S, USB or S/PDIF from the OR6 to the DAC? Would that then allow 176 and 192?
If that is how it would work, I see no problems. It would get the audio stream off of the crowded USB interface in the computer and still allow flexibility on the interface to the DAC. BTW, I have one of your modded Northstar DACS, so I would favor retaining the I2S option.
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Hmm, I read this Steve's post a little more pessimistically: I thought he was scrapping the OR6 and going another direction.
Todd
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Hmm, I read this Steve's post a little more pessimistically: I thought he was scrapping the OR6 and going another direction.
Todd
I may get back to it, because it is soooo good, but for now I need to get the Ethernet interface (Interchange) into production. It works 100%.
I am more motivated to do the Ethernet because I am hopeful that the computer, computer power supply, background software and playback software will have less of an effect on SQ. So far, it seems to be better than USB in these respects, but I have not tried many different playback systems.
Steve N.
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Sorry to hear about the problems.
I am not sure I understand the plan. Would you use ethernet between the computer and the OR6 and then let the customer choose between I2S, USB or S/PDIF from the OR6 to the DAC? Would that then allow 176 and 192?
The Ethernet cable from the Interchange plugs into your router, not the computer. Your computer will connect to the LAN with wired Ethernet to the same router or by WiFi. Any smart device with the right software on the LAN can spool music to the Interchange. It allows 176 and 192 as well as DSD from the I2S outputs.
There are probably hubs that communicate with the LAN using WiFi and then can output wired Ethernet. This could be used to drive the Interchange as well, so everything is WiFi. Not sure yet if the B/W of WiFi is sufficient to support double DSD or 192 though. Need to identify one of these hubs that works well.
Steve N.
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In anticipation of trying this I purchased a Motu AVB switch and several lengths of CAT6 cable. The switch allows for five optimized LAN connections and one separate I/O LAN (i.e., WAN, connection to router, other switch, etc.). I tested it with my current setup using Plex media server on the Mac Mini and found no dropouts when streaming video (had some occasionally even when using a Netgear gigabit Prosafe switch) -- so HD audio should be fine. While this is the most expensive five port switch I have ever purchased, the setup was recommended to me by a studio recording engineer. Check out the specs. You will be impressed.
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In anticipation of trying this I purchased a Motu AVB switch...
Interesting, I'll be interested in your experience with this setup as it evolves.
Similarly, in anticipation of a network based solution, I foolishly sold my OR5-HDMI and installed a D-Link DHP-701AV Power Line Ethernet connection. I was able to get about 170 Mbps over the power line into my basement listening room but hard telling how much noise I have introduced to the rest of my system. I'm running Roon off a MacBook Pro in my listening room with a Revelation Audio dual-USB cable into a W4S DAC2 DSDse. The MBP is connected to the ethernet (for internet and remote commands) with WiFi disabled. Eventually I anticipate moving the MBP upstairs by my router and having an Ethernet renderer feeding my DAC.
Anyway, I really like the Roon interface but my sound quality had taken 5 giant leaps backwards. :duh:
Oh, and one of the reasons I sold the OR5 was to do DSD, but DSD (DoP) over USB into my DAC sounds like someone threw the proverbial wet blanket over my speakers. Double :duh: :duh:
So I guess I will wait to see how this technology evolves but for now I'm going to be listening to vinyl...
Todd
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Wow. I feel like I'm clueless with some of the stuff you guys are talking about. I'm holding off on new digital until things start to shake out a bit. I now have a ground hum in my Rhea phone pre and it's driving me nuts as I love vinyl still. Crazy stuff. fun to follow you though Steve.