[RBMitch]

I recently purchased a used Dspeaker and am currently using it as a DAC/DSP/Pre with the USB input from a laptop. I am curious whether anyone has a sound quality preference for using a USB>SPDIF converter in place of the USB. I did notice that the USB is limited to 48kHz, but not sure if there would be an advantage with toslink's 96kHz. I have a fairly large number of 24/96 files in my library. Also interested in upgrading the power supply. My unit is a 2012 model and the wall-wart power supply is a step-down unit outputting 9 volts AC. Is there any way to make this higher quality besides using my power conditioner?

Regards,

Bob

[rodge827]

Yes,

I contacted Dspeaker about this and a linear or battery power supply 12vdc-15vdc will greatly improve the sound quality.
I power mine with a 12v SLA battery power supply.

Chris

[roscoeiii]

Simplifi Audio now offers an upgraded power supply for $500. There are also other options out there, ranging from battery power to a power supply from Channel Islands Audio

[roscoeiii]

Red Wine Audio's Black Lightning battery supply is another that I have been considering for the Dual Core.

[BPT]

An Optima Blue Top battery would be a good choice for powering.
Everything that comes into the Dsp is converted to 48Khz for processing. Not sure how good the sample rate converter is on the Dsp. A good choice for computer/USB is to use JRiver and have whatever music file converted to 48Khz output so JRiver does the converting for best sound. I use a DEQX that processes at 96Khz and have everything converted in JRiver providing a nice sonic improvement vs. letting the DEQX do the sample rate conversion.
Chris H.

[RBMitch]

Yes,

I contacted Dspeaker about this and a linear or battery power supply 12vdc-15vdc will greatly improve the sound quality.
I power mine with a 12v SLA battery power supply.

Chris

I was kinda confused about this 'cause the wal-wart shows AC output.




Love to do battery supply, but my DIY skills are pretty low. I am using a Red Wine amp, so the Black Lightning would be ideal - except for being pricey.

Bob

[roscoeiii]

An Optima Blue Top battery would be a good choice for powering.
Everything that comes into the Dsp is converted to 48Khz for processing. Not sure how good the sample rate converter is on the Dsp. A good choice for computer/USB is to use JRiver and have whatever music file converted to 48Khz output so JRiver does the converting for best sound. I use a DEQX that processes at 96Khz and have everything converted in JRiver providing a nice sonic improvement vs. letting the DEQX do the sample rate conversion.
Chris H.

IIRC, the ADA is 24/192.

[RBMitch]

IIRC, the ADA is 24/192.

I found the following quote from Dspeaker in an earlier discussion.

 > It is difficult to say yet about 24/192 as we are still planning the
> 24/96. However, the analog input already is 192kHz capable and USB should be able
> to feed the data in 24/48 format. With 6.144MHz reclocking, 24/48 is
> essentially as good as 24/192 as there is no jitter (which is more
> relevant than the ultrasonics).


If what they say is true, any thoughts on the USB vs. converter issue with the bitrate out of the equation. And to open another can of worms, how important is the input USB cable that feeds the converter?

[Phil]

If the Dual Core is used for adjusting bass only, how transparent is it? 

[glynnw]

I cannot really say anything about transparency - but I am using it on a pair of stereo subs only and love it.  There is a bypass switch and comparing processed to unprocessed the processed signal is much better.  Unprocessed is wild and wooly - too loose to really call it transparent in it's native state.  Processed gives a clean,  tight signal with drums (where applicable) clearly placed in the soundstage. I tried it on a friend's full range speakers which had been almost unlistenable before due to uncontrolled bass and it made a dramatic improvement in the bass there as well.  I am a believer.

[rodge827]

If the Dual Core is used for adjusting bass only, how transparent is it?

Very transparent!
I use my Dual Core as a dac, preamp, and room correction.
I was using a Warp Speed Optocoupler as a preamp, which is known to be extremely transparent.
The Dual Core matched it for transparency.

There are some vinyl guys who say they can't hear a difference in transparency using the Dual Core over their other preamp.

Chris
 

[Phil]

Very transparent!
I use my Dual Core as a dac, preamp, and room correction.
I was using a Warp Speed Optocoupler as a preamp, which is known to be extremely transparent.
The Dual Core matched it for transparency.

There are some vinyl guys who say they can't hear a difference in transparency using the Dual Core over their other preamp.

Chris

Thanks, Chris.  I'd love to get to that level of simplicity.  What kind of power supply do you use?

[rodge827]

A custom 12v Deep Cycle Seal Lead Acid Battery (Optima Yellow) power supply.

[Phil]

A custom 12v Deep Cycle Seal Lead Acid Battery (Optima Yellow) power supply.

                   Very nice. 

[RBMitch]

I want to make sure I get the correct power connector for the Dual Core. What are the dimensions of the plug?

[rodge827]

I'm not sure of the dimensions, I took the wall wort to Rat Shak and matched it up there.
Dspeaker is quick with email responses ask them today you will have an answer tomorrow.