[GHM]

GHM,

Before you get too far into PC audio consider the use of USB, SB (Squeeze Box), Olive, and the other "interfaces".  Better sound, more convenience.  Modded the SB and Olive sound even better (but lose almost half the output).

Thanks for thr suggestions JLM. I'm not sure it would be better sound going with the other options. Maybe about the same I'm thinking. Although neither opton will give me the abilites I have now with the Media center. Being able to do everything from recording live TV to burning music to the HD and listening to other tunes at the same time. I can even use this thing as a radio tuner. Some of the PC audio guys would most likely disagree with you on PC being inferior.

Hi Everyone,

I am interested in the PC based music too but I do not know what components should I use or purchase to connect to my Dell XPS 400. Has anyone had time to explain to me how? I would appreciate your time. Thanks.

Kind regards,
Tan

I'm still learning too Tan. Don't know how much help I could be. Looks like we use similar units. I'm sure one of the PC audio Gurus can point you in the right direction.

[PromitheusAudio]

Hi guys
Merry christmas to everyone.
THe PC links seems very interesting. But how do you get the optical out from the soundcard? is there a digital out? or there is a card i can buy to get the digital out?

jaspal

Yes the power cord can be made with the British plug not a problem at all. Malaysian was an ex-British colony so we mainly followed the British standards so we have both the 13A and the 15a plugs as standard.

GHM
You may not believe this, but try placing the cones i send you for the tvc below the power energizer. i Heard it makes a difference.

[tanchiro58]

Tanchiro
I have 8 sets left. The cord uses 3 individual gauge 12 teflon silver plated (deep plating as i scratch and check on the plating thickness)military wire and hand braided. After braiding 1 set you feel the pain in your hands as the cable is pretty stiff. 12 gauge is pretty thick and should be able to support 20A. How does it sound? i waiting on feedback from one of the guys who is going to compare it with other high end cables. I like it because it is a very quiet cable. So i get to hear more nuances and stuff. To my ears it sounds neutral and fast and finesse sounding.


Guys
I would like to ask you on whether this is something to explore on.
I was thinking like most guys like me, I have all single ended outputs(RCA) on my equipment. What if I would like to play with balanced? I go out and buy balanced output equipment. But what if, I launch a product that converts the RCA into TRUE Balanced XLR via the usage of a transformer? Would this type of product work well. You gain the advantage of balanced plus the advantage of a transformer

Hi Nick,

Is the PC using ONLY for the amplifier (why 20A?)? Do you have any for peamp or digital sources? How much is the one you have right now? Thanks.

Merry Christmas,
Tan

[GHM]

Hi guys
Merry Christmas to everyone.
The PC links seems very interesting. But how do you get the optical out from the soundcard? is there a digital out? or there is a card i can buy to get the digital out?

jaspal

Yes the power cord can be made with the British plug not a problem at all. Malaysian was an ex-British colony so we mainly followed the British standards so we have both the 13A and the 15a plugs as standard.

GHM
You may not believe this, but try placing the cones i send you for the tvc below the power energizer. i Heard it makes a difference.

Thanks for the advice Nick..I'll give it a try. You can buy sound cards with digital outputs..shouldn't be a problem at all. I like using a separate Dac..some like using audio outputs from their cards straight to a preamp. The sky seems to be the limit on the configurations.

[launche]

I have been speaking to GHM telling him I was going to purchase this unit

http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/trendsaudio_ud10_e.html

I've read good things, it seems to have all manner of connections and is a very affordable ($90? USD) device.
It may not be the last word but it surely looks to be a good unit that can help get your tunes from the  PC to the system affordably.  It uses USB, can be a DAC or pass the signal on if you have a better DAC.  I've been lazy on ordering it but I will do so in the next day or so.  Obviously I would love to hear from anyone who might have the unit.

Oh and I guess since Nick is inquiring about PC Audio, we're not hijacking the thread to much but let's keep focused on the TVC (that PC Audio stuff is a world all it's own.)

[NewBuyer]

Nicholas could you please let us know, if your upcoming DAC will have USB input?

If so, is it possible to have the USB input signal be transformer-isolated, (in order to decouple the DAC from the computer power supply)?

[PromitheusAudio]

DAC
will have the USB as an optional option. Not everyone needs USB input.

After checking out the USB lines i believe it can be transformer isolated via a pulse transformer. But it seems there is 2 lines on the USB so there will be 2 pulse trans .


This week is a sort of like a semi-holiday where i am doing tvc and the same time doing what i love best. Making Single Ended Triode Amps. Currently doing a type 45 for a friend. Need to take a semi break away from doing tvc amps.

Cheers
nicholas

[NewBuyer]

DAC
will have the USB as an optional option...After checking out the USB lines i believe it can be transformer isolated...there is 2 lines on the USB so there will be 2 pulse trans .
This week is a sort of like a semi-holiday where i am doing tvc and the same time doing what i love best. Making Single Ended Triode Amps...

Outstanding! I will be one of the first to order the solid-state version of this DAC. With the 1545 chip, 8414 receiver, separate power supply, filterless, passive I/V, and transformers for line output/digital input/USB, this will be a very unique NOS DAC and perhaps the very best of its kind available to the audiophile community.

Now if only GHM would give us some feedback about the Power Energizer! Come on GHM, we can hardly wait for your impressions and detailed comments! You're making us feel like your "anxious Chapelle" avatar...

[analogmart]

Creative 2 zs soundcard is the right spot for basic Notebook music start up.
You can find the new one on Ebay around $50.
Some user said that M audio is better for Audiophile People who demand the best.

This is my set up, 2 zs ---> Head-fi Meier audio, Headphone Amp ---> AKG 701.
It gives me a good quality music every night. Never demand more.
  

[PromitheusAudio]

Guys
Yesterday there was a major earthquake in taiwan that damage the cable linking the internet access for this region. Currently all internet access is running at stone ege, the service providers are re-route thru the secondary link which super slow

I am currently using my neighbour access. and my not have internet all the time

i am not sure you can access my webpage from the US, UK area. I seem to be able to access audiocircle but some webpage is pain to view. Namely paypal.

If you need to contact me please try my primary email address as well as the circle's mail later if you can't get me


Tanchiro

The cables are reserve for the power energizer, but i have some for the cdp player which is about 10amps. If you are interested drop me an email

Cheers
Nicholas

[GHM]

Now if only GHM would give us some feedback about the Power Energizer! Come on GHM, we can hardly wait for your impressions and detailed comments! You're making us feel like your "anxious Chapelle" avatar...

Hey NewBuyer things are coming along. I've been trying to give everything time to settle down. I've been listening in different configurations. First one being with the Energizer used in a power strip with the other components. It sounded fine,but once I separated it to the other receptacle things got better. Well I was thinking why not try my amplifier direct into this unit. It does have one receptacle. Tonight I hooked it up with my Audio Sector plugged into the outlet on the Energizer. I plugged the Energizer directly into the wall. All the other components are in the power strip except the Dac. The difference in sound was immediate!! More presence more snap and more definition.

So far this configuration is the best for me so far. Man talking about the music just flowing!! The amplifier sounds like it got a boost in power! My amplifier isn't huge and doesn't draw a tremendous amount of power. Not sure if everyone could use this unit the same way.

My friend prefers to use it directly into the wall. I'm thinking it would be best to experiment with the different configurations and find the best fit for your own system. I wish the Energizer had one or two more plugs..I would use them all for sure! I wish I could afford four or five of these units. Each device would have its own Energizer. I don't know how or why this thing makes such a difference. I can't deny that it does make a positive difference in my system.

If I were you NewBuyer I would give one a try..you'll find it indispensable to the system.

[NewBuyer]

Thanks for the advice and feedback GHM

I didn't realize the PE had an output receptacle, I wonder if Nick would please let us know if making PE's with more than one output receptacle would be possible (?)

I wonder if the reason it makes such a difference with your amp plugged-in directly to the PE, is the power-factor correction aspect. For instance, Furman makes power conditioning units now that have power-factor correction receptacles for power amps, active subs, etc.

Here's a quote from the Furman website about their 'Elite-15 PF unit:
"At the center of the Elite-15 PF is our unique Power Factor Correction Circuit. For the first time, low-level analog, digital, and video components are not modulated or distorted via the power amplifier’s extreme AC current demands. Further, the power amplifier sees a highly filtered, extremely low-impedance supply of AC power. The Elite-15 PF, in fact, has in excess of 3 Amps of continuous current reserve (over 45 amps peak charge) for the most extreme peak power demands. This technology enables power amplifiers and powered subwoofers to operate at peak efficiency, reaching levels of performance previously unattainable. No longer will your amplifier’s performance be at the mercy of your home’s incoming AC power or inferior AC protection/filtering devices. The net effect is as if your power amplifier virtually doubled in power and improved immeasurably in quality."

What do you think, does this accurately describe what you're hearing with the PE?

[GHM]

That seems to be within the ball park of what I'm hearing NewBuyer.

[NewBuyer]

That seems to be within the ball park of what I'm hearing NewBuyer.

Very nice! I recall Nick said the PE performs best with no units plugged into it, so your finding with your amp is especially interesting. I will just have to try one of these Energizers. Does the PE give any mechanical buzz/hum, even with your ear right on it? Do you use any other power filtration? I remember Nick mentioned the PE shunts all powerline noise at/above 50k to ground...

[GHM]

That seems to be within the ball park of what I'm hearing NewBuyer.

Very nice! I recall Nick said the PE performs best with no units plugged into it, so your finding with your amp is especially interesting. I will just have to try one of these Energizers. Does the PE give any mechanical buzz/hum, even with your ear right on it? Do you use any other power filtration? I remember Nick mentioned the PE shunts all powerline noise at/above 50k to ground...

Nope ..this is my only filtration. I have to put my ear against the unit to hear anything. There's a light buzz coming from the transformer when doing this. Other than that, absolutely no noise what so ever. My speakers are dead silent. No humming or buzzing from the drivers. Very interesting about the shunting high frequencies... I didn't know of this. Here's a pic of the power cable and the PE.

[NewBuyer]

Thanks GHM! Now why don't I see your amp power cord plugged into the thing?

The PE hum/buzz you mention might be a deal-breaker for me - my listening room is very quiet and I can usually hear even small amounts of these mechanical sounds from the listening position. Buzz and hum from components is a major issue to me. Can you only hear it when your ear is actually pressed on the component chassis, and not hear it when the ear is an inch or two away?

[GHM]

Thanks GHM! Now why don't I see your amp power cord plugged into the thing?

The PE hum/buzz you mention might be a deal-breaker for me - my listening room is very quiet and I can usually hear even small amounts of these mechanical sounds from the listening position. Buzz and hum from components is a major issue to me. Can you only hear it when your ear is actually pressed on the component chassis, and not hear it when the ear is an inch or two away?

Unless you have the hearing of a dog ..it is not possible to hear anything from this unit. Yes you are correct..I have to put my ear physically up against it to hear anything. It wouldn't be any different for any other power device using a transformer. The pic was taken before I plugged the amplifier in. Nick told me he dampen the chassis with wax. The entire transformer is buried in the wax. It doesn't look huge..but this thing is heavy. You have to grab this one with two hands to move it.

[gooberdude]

Hey Gymane,

Do you have the ability to spike the Energizer to the floor?     I'd bet that controlling
the internal vibes of that big transformer would be a benefit..especially versus laying it on the carpet.   even a set of cheap Dayton 4 ounce brass spikes might work in this case.

i'm also wondering if simply laying the unit on a piece of butcher block (that's laying on carpet)
would make an audible change as well.      If the unit does vibe a little, which it should, trying to drain those vibes into the floor might remove ALL of the slight audbile buzz it makes.

[rollo]

Hey guys,
      sounds like what my Richard Gray unit.The RG however brings the sound stage a bit forward which is aproblem for my taste.Does Nicks energizer do this?Does the unit stabilize the incoming current,say like a Variac?
rollo

PS.to date I have 360HRS on the TVC waiting untill 400HRS for full evaluation.Preliminary review after 360HRS; the biggest bang for the buck I've EVER experienced,and the sound well You'll just have to wait.I can say this though,if you don't have at least $2800 to spend buy this TVC and check it out.

[GHM]

Hey Gymane,

Do you have the ability to spike the Energizer to the floor?     I'd bet that controlling
the internal vibes of that big transformer would be a benefit..especially versus laying it on the carpet.   even a set of cheap Dayton 4 ounce brass spikes might work in this case.

I'm also wondering if simply laying the unit on a piece of butcher block (that's laying on carpet)
would make an audible change as well.      If the unit does vibe a little, which it should, trying to drain those vibes into the floor might remove ALL of the slight audible buzz it makes.

I'll try it GD..I'm not expecting much of a difference though..maybe it will surprise me.

Hey guys,
      sounds like what my Richard Gray unit.The RG however brings the sound stage a bit forward which is a problem for my taste.Does Nicks energizer do this?Does the unit stabilize the incoming current,say like a Variac?
rollo

  Not sure if this thing is stabilizing the current or not Rollo.Soundstage seems fine..it varies depending the recording I play.