Qutest, Hugo TT2, Mscaler

Interesting, my Ultima sounds.much better with balanced XLR than with RCA leads.

I think it depends on the cable. Duelund DCA20GA is not manufactured in a format where I could add balanced connectors (that I am aware of), so need to work unbalanced, but it is a lovely audio cable to connect devices together with… sounds very good though and seemingly ideal for near field listening. The TT2 (and DAVE) is natively unbalanced which might help.

Is this the cable?!? If it is, it’s been made up as a balanced XLR cable.

Personally, I love the balanced TQ silver ultra… beautifully natural with great energy and slam to it.

I had the mscaler twice on loan, really wanted to find a good reason to keep it, both times ended up returning it, simply could not get the wow factor out of the upgrade, a few tracks seemed to sound more natural thru the mscaler but nearly all the rest showed no difference with or without the mscaler… I was underwhelmed, twice…

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I didn’t even listen to the ultra silver, given the amount of money I’ve spent in the last month, even taking into account what I sold the Naim kit for, it was too rich for my blood, especially if I’m going to change the speaker cable to match later on. That said the ultra black is pretty impressive so far

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I thought the Black Ultra was incredible… probably the better value for money given the excellent sound quality. I could have easily taken it and been perfectly happy… until those pesky kids put those silvers on :joy:

For me though, it’s the last link in the chain, the last big expense… and I’d sold the Aries G1 which paid 2/3s of the Etude!

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@MrUnderhill I’ve just ordered a krisdonia for use with my laptop when away with work. May try it with my m scaler, any tips on what I should or shouldn’t do?

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With the Krisdonia, you can use either the 9v or 12v but I’ve settled with the 12v. I’ve found the 50k mAh lasts about 5 days between charges using it a couple of hours or so a day and it takes about 3hrs to recharge.

Other than that, nothing else to worry about… just improves the sound of the MScaler by disconnecting it from the mains which stops the flow of noise created by it from flowing into the TT2/Dave.

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I’m assuming you set the voltage for the DC port and it stays on that voltage until changed? Any particular plug feom the set? Thanks

You have to set it each time it’s connected. The power controls the v settings. Press the button twice to move it up one. In other words, 6 presses moves it from the base setting to 12v. Takes a couple of seconds to do. It stays at that setting until it’s unplugged at which point it goes back to the lowest voltage.

The power bank comes with every plug imaginable… from memory it’s the standard dc plug.

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Thanks, and it does the m scaler no harm as it moves up the voltages?

You set the voltage first before plugging it in. I guess that’s a safety thing so it can’t be accidentally changed while it’s on.

What I do is use an extension DC lead from the back of the MScaler to the shelf that I keep the power bank. That way I’m not attaching/detaching it from the MScaler all the time and disturbing or reaching over other gear! Saves wear and tear on the MScaler socket I guess as well. Easy to replace the extension lead.

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Mr. U, Based on the review in the Ear and your own review, I purchased the Network Acoustics ENO AG System. Placed in system from EE 8 Switch to Nova (driven by a 250 DR- and Roon Nucleus +). Definitely lowered the noise floor. My wife (the true litmus test) immediately noticed an improvement in sound. Instruments more defined and better soundstage. Rich Trussell, the ENO designer, was very engaged in offering suggestions on how to integrate into my specific system, including adding a switch close to my router before running the 5 meter length cable I use to connect to the the EE8 switch. I choose the ENO AG filter and cable as the “last mile” connection over the EtheRegen. Very pleased with the sound improvement. Rich indicated that it would take about 100 hours to burn in - so I am looking forward to even greater improvements. Thanks for your thorough review of the product, it was very helpful and dispositive in my choice of options.

Hi Mark,

I found it very frustrating …I had to buy the damned thing! People keep talking about bias, mine is always NOT to :wink:

I am glad it worked for you too.

M

Hi @dayjay,

@anon23154165 has given you the info and saves me stealing his thunder. Look forward to your thoughts.

I find that my 50k mAh battery lasts for about 5 days at 2hrs per day, or two days of serious listening sessions @12v.

M

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I am trying to ignore boutique switches, hopefully resistance isn’t futile. Martin at Vortexbox keeps tempting me.

M

Cant see the cables, as whoever had made it and selling on eBay has put a cotton sheath over the cables, perhaps for aesthetic reasons.
I guess if they have two runs per channel, you could make balanced, not ideal but possible. But from the description looks to be some sort of hybrid cable they have made… might be worth a listen…XLR connectors look standard with a lot of metal… not always ideal for Hi-Fi though.

I always fancied learning how to make rca cable (practicing). I would be more tempted to some of the cable and plugs separately and after practicing on some cheap duff stuff, make my own.

But as I say, very happy with my current XLR cables so this would be tinkering side distraction for the fun of it.

Have you ever tried uprated DC cables with the Krisdonia? Not sure it would achieve anything though. I’ve popped a iFi dc noise purifier at the end of mine… just before it goes into the MScaler. Not sure it does anything, unlike the usb one which is good. For some reason it was in the TT2 box when I bought it. (Ex demo unit).

Martin can be the very devil when it comes to tempting us, can’t he!

So far, I am absolutely delighted with the Prestige music server and the opticalRendu that he suggested. The EtherRegen with standard Uptone power supply has also worked a treat with the server and the oR.

On the One step forward:ER + lpsu thread, I am trying a brace of posh linear power supplies on the ER and oR, so far with mixed results but it’s early days yet…

Best regards, BF

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