Short-Block USB filter

audioengr · « **on:** 3 Jul 2012, 08:39 pm »

Feedbacks will come soon. Need to make sure its okay before I start selling them. Here is a photo:

Steve N.

Audioexcels · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Jul 2012, 07:43 am »

Steve,

What precisely does this thing do again? For example, lets say we take even an older Off-Ramp and use this with it. What does it do to the sound? I remember hearing a rough example you had on hand, and I know I heard some definitive difference, but I cannot recall what precisely it was or what/how it may help older products (i.e. say an OR4)...in other words, does it take an OR4 and make it sound closer to an OR5 or not quite?

audioengr · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Jul 2012, 05:04 pm »

Quote from: Audioexcels on 7 Jul 2012, 07:43 am

Steve,

What precisely does this thing do again? For example, lets say we take even an older Off-Ramp and use this with it. What does it do to the sound? I remember hearing a rough example you had on hand, and I know I heard some definitive difference, but I cannot recall what precisely it was or what/how it may help older products (i.e. say an OR4)...in other words, does it take an OR4 and make it sound closer to an OR5 or not quite?

I dont know if it makes an OR4 sound like an OR5. I think it is a different effect, more of a 3-D presentation.

Steve N.

Audioexcels · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Jul 2012, 05:46 am »

What devices do you feel this will most benefit from besides the Off-Ramps/Empirical stuff?

I think the 3-D is a good way of putting it. Seemed to add that extra something to the sound when I heard the rough version of it. You know how much I liked it;).

jasonyeo · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Jul 2012, 06:17 am »

Linux compatible?

audioengr · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Jul 2012, 04:58 pm »

Quote from: jasonyeo on 8 Jul 2012, 06:17 am

Linux compatible?

The Short-Block can be used with any USB device that does not require +5V in the cable.

Steve N.

jasonyeo · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Jul 2012, 05:43 pm »

Thanks . Will be interested in getting one to try out if the price is right .

doctorcilantro · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Jul 2012, 05:44 pm »

What is this device?

Any limitation of sample rate?

I have a Zodiac Gold whuich needs 5v only for handhshake.

Looks interesting...but what does it do?

audioengr · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Jul 2012, 06:30 pm »

Quote from: doctorcilantro on 9 Jul 2012, 05:44 pm

What is this device?

Any limitation of sample rate?

I have a Zodiac Gold whuich needs 5v only for handhshake.

Looks interesting...but what does it do?

Short-Block works will all sample-rates. Its a passive filter for USB cables. If you need 5V for anything, it will not work. Pricing is $199.00 plus shipping.

Steve N.

jtwrace · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Jul 2012, 07:00 pm »

So it's like this then? http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=96664.msg967242#msg967242

I'll ask again for this. Measurements?

audioengr · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Jul 2012, 08:56 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 9 Jul 2012, 07:00 pm

So it's like this then? http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=96664.msg967242#msg967242

I'll ask again for this. Measurements?

No, its different. A USB filter, not an isolator.

Why dont you buy one and make your own measurements? They will depend entirely on your system. This is a system effect.

If you purchase every component based on published measurements, I'm sad for you. Do you listen with your test equipment or your ears?

Have you read the latest $144K darTZeel monoblock review in Stereophile? Measurements are not great, particularly THD plots, but its probably the best sounding amp in the world.

Steve N.

Stephen · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Jul 2012, 12:11 am »

I've been beta-testing the Short-Block USB Filter with an Overdrive DAC for a few weeks now. I compared the following songs with and without the Short-Block: Alan Parsons - Inside Looking Out; Paul Simon - Graceland, Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes; King Crimson - Matte Kudasai; Chicago - Just You 'N' Me; Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros - Mayla, Dear Believer. There were all CD's ripped as lossless files. I also checked a 24/96 file: Paul McCartney's Bluebird, and a few 320's: John Jarvis - Whatever Works; Supertramp - School; and Sting - All This Time. What I noticed is that with the Short-Block, the soundstage appeared larger; it was as if I was sitting a few rows back from the stage as opposed to half way back. Further, on some of the more 'ambient' tracks (Alan Parsons) the children sounds appeared more three dimensional - I thought the chatter was in the chair beside me. To double check this I brought in my son Michael, who recently completed sound engineering and production at MetalWorks. He listened to the same tracks then asked for Layla (Dominos version) and a Metallica song "Don't Tread On Me." He confirmed the same thing, noting that the tracks I picked were pretty ambient anyways, but on Layla and Don't Tread On Me, the effect was even more pronounced. I'll be leaving the Short-Block in my system.

Stephen

serengetiplains · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Jul 2012, 06:12 am »

Steve, I've been listening to the Short-Block for several days now. When it arrived some time before that, I was playing with some Ncore amplifiers, so my digital amplifier was out of use. I plugged the Short-Block into this system to burn it in (whether it needs such I don't know), then promptly forgot I did so.

Several days later I replaced the Ncores with the Tact. The Ncores, I think, have greater potential than my Tact, so I was surprised when I switched the Tact back on how good it sounded. Then I remembered I had plugged the Short-Block into the Off-Ramp 5 feeding the Tact, which was, as I then confirmed, the source of my surprise.

The SB cleans the presentation in a way that's hard to otherwise come by, and a little difficult to describe, though the effect is quite apparent. The music sounds more continuous as if a layer of irritation has been removed in the listening, and by what I assume is a reduction of whatever kind of noise this device reduces. I hear a more finely resolved ambient presentation that gives the music a quieter spatial quality ... or continuousness.

Excellent stuff, Steve!

serengetiplains · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Jul 2012, 06:44 am »

I should clarify that I didn't use the Off-Ramp in playing around with the Ncore amplifiers. I used a cheap DragonFly DAC. I've had a purely digital system for a few or several years now.

srb · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Jul 2012, 07:11 am »

So, would the next step be to crack the Short-Block open and replace capacitors and resistors?

Steve

jtwrace · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Jul 2012, 11:50 am »

Quote from: srb on 16 Jul 2012, 07:11 am

So, would the next step be to crack the Short-Block open and replace capacitors and resistors?

Steve

I thought short blocks only had pistons, rods, crank....

serengetiplains · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Jul 2012, 06:25 am »

Steve, have you tried two SBs in series?

audioengr · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Jul 2012, 05:21 pm »

Quote from: serengetiplains on 20 Jul 2012, 06:25 am

Steve, have you tried two SBs in series?

Not yet, but a good idea. I have to build some more.

Steve N.

DaveBSC · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 Jul 2012, 12:23 am »

Interesting you mentioned DarTZeel. I haven't heard their mega buck flagship monos, but their standard line I thought was kind of average and pretty overpriced, impressions I've seen mirrored by some reviewers. BAlabo I thought was better on every level.

It's disappointing that so many USB audio devices rely on the 5V bus line. It's the lazy way out IMO. I had an argument with someone recently about Berkeley's decision to power the input stage of the Alpha USB with bus power. I think for $1895, they could've easily added a second linear supply.

serengetiplains · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Aug 2012, 09:06 pm »

Say, I just plugged a second SB in series with the first. Sounding pretty good.

I'll let things simmer and will give more considered impressions in due time.