Qutest, Hugo TT2, Mscaler

Martin, I have been experimenting again with DC cables to the MScaler and also from my Sean Jacobs DC4 to the Dave. I think I previously reported on here that I tried the Gotham GAC-4/1 UltraPro Star Quad cable but thought the sound lost ‘something’ with it. I have now realised that the root core of my problem was Roon with the Innuos. I have now changed to iPeng and the wonderful top end, mid range and tight deep bass has come back. And with that the Gotham GAC-4/1 has come into its own as a dc cable. It just takes away the last hint of harshness and let’s subtle detail be heard. I had some GAC-4/1 left over from a purchase from Ghent Audio but I had to take them apart and earth the shield, they do the silly (IMHO) thing of not earthing the shield (a la JSSG) and that in my experience is in chocolate teapot territory.

By using the heavily shielded GAC-4/1, I am surmising that it stops the mscaler dc cable from acting as a radiating aerial. SJ has previously suggested to me that the MScaler fires significant noise back out of its dc input. So even with your power bank the dc cable might be significant. I am not inclined to go the powebank route because my MScaler is in use for more than 12 hours every day.

Ps, over the weekend I made an on the spur of the moment purchase of a second hand Etherregen on eBay so that will arrive soon . . . .

Tony, with your DIY speaker to xlr cable you really shouldn’t have the old xlr cable in the circuit because it will have very thin conductors which are not capable of carrying the current required by the speakers. Much better is to buy xlr plugs and solder the speaker cables direct into them. It will make a huge difference compared to having that xlr interconnect cable in circuit.

No, but I’ve done that myself when time has been limited…

Indeed. And quality XLR plugs (e.g. Neutrik) are not expensive (£4 or so) and are easy to use.

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I think this gets overstated. If it radiated significant noise it would be unlawful to be sold in the UK… so I really don’t think it does… I can’t detect significant noise from the DC lead. However like all small computers, iPads, iPhones, NAS, network switches etc… best keep physical distance between it and sensitive audio equipment … but out of that list I suspect the mscalar is one of the more benign.

The acid test if you have not got a RF field strength meter is the AM radio test. Put a portable SW/MW/LW radio untuned near the wire or device… if it radiates significantly you will hear a whine or buzzing sound. I suspect you might find your large screen TV or network switch significantly noisier and that will still likely be legal.

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Morning Nick,

Now you’ve got me thinking. The PoE + Network cable is a really cheap and easy experiment, as long as you make sure the voltage you are feeding down the twisted pairs is within tolerance of the cable you use. It also allows me to easily position my PSUs/Batteries to best effect.

The quad star I am using was made up for me by the chap who originally suggested the PoE tweak. He was an inveterate tinkerer. He used to run some VERY long threads on DDCs, and then got into ultra low latency network audio via focusrite. He came back to DDCs with USB extenders, LT3045s & DC cables. He was a real trailblazer and kicked off a number these ideas that gathered momentum.

I will have another look at my DC handling. I will look to plug the PoE adapter direct into the Krisdonia thereby cutting out the standard DC cable that came with the battery. The DC will then be carried by a twisted pair to the M-Scaler and through a Quadstar cable for the last 4cm. I will need to buy some barrel adapters I suspect.

It is crazy how these things make a difference …but I find they do.

WRT iPeng:
I used LMS for most of the past decade and have a healthy respect for the community. I have never tried iPeng simply because a part of my background is InfoSEC and I have never allowed WiFi to directly interface with my inner higher security LAN. I make it available to my family and it has one route - OUT.

At one point I was running AudioLinux in memory with no HDD connected. I was making fractional gains in performance, but nothing like those I made through the Meridian/Chord/Wave/ENO/SBooster combo …AND music was taking on a more IT flavour that I wasn’t enjoying.

This is hardly on point, so I will stop here!

Thanks for the update, always interesting!

Cheers,

M

Nick,I no longer use these cables, they were my first experiment of running speakers (Dynaudio excite 12’s) directly off my TT2. I now use a Nagra integrated with Peak Consult speakers. My Mscaler and TT2 are used in Dac mode, and I use proper speaker cables between the Nagra and speakers.

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I think it was @MrUnderhill who asked for a photo to show how my system looks at the moment. It will change a bit on Wednesday when a demo Antipodes K50 arrives.

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I would be very interested in your thoughts on the Antipodes Nick, I have been thinking about one of their new products too. Either Antipodes or DCS network bridge have been shortlisted for me, I guess you will be comparing the K50 to the Innous statement then?
Have you ever thought about getting a proper audio rack with such expensive gear?

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My wife would LOVE that view, her plan is for us to move closer to the horses.

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Innuous’ Roon Ready server output is compromised compared with using it as a UPnP server.

I have realised this in practical tests of a SonicTransporter i7, which I have kept since my main choice for playback is roon - and it surpasses the limited processor on the common motherboards in all Zen/Zenith models in this role. The Zen (Mini with LPSU) has been moved on to someone who ‘only’ needs UPnP.

The ST i7 also gives me the option of upscaling in roon or via HQPlayer, without going back to a MScaler, via Orendu into TT2.

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Liking the labelling, very helpful. Nice hifi stuff.

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@Fourlegs Hi Nick, I will be interested in your views of the Antipodes K50 which shares the SonicOrbiter OS with a number of devices, either ‘bare’ (e.g. SonicTransporter, AudioStore, Sonore) or ‘white-labelled’ under another brand or two .
If I hadn’t got my bargain STi7 I was considering a lesser Antipodes to the K50, as a future server move

Could anyone using a krisdonia on their m scaler please have a quick look and let me know what adapter they are using? The standard DC lead doesn’t fit. Also am I right that it will run fine at 9 volts as the m scaler drops it to 5 volts anyway? Very nervous about damaging it

It is adapter “C” which is 5.5 barrel and 2.5 pin

The one on the Krisdonia cord is 5.5 and 2.1 pin.

You are fine with 9 & 12v. Both are below the 15v that the m scaler is capable of. This was confirmed by Rob Watts.

Some people use 15v power banks but as they can put out more than intended… small amount, 15v would mean they could be slightly over but 12v is safe. Try both to see if you notice any difference in sound quality.

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Thank you

I have to say, that I have been following this thread since the beginning. And as a TT2/Mscaler owner, I want to thank everyone for contributing such valuable insight. I look forward to new additions as this conversation evolves and meanders.

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@MrUnderhill Got myself a soldering iron, hot air gun and clamp and been I’ve practicing making up cables… see below. A little googling for tips etc and realising you need to heat the wire first it wasn’t that hard. Having the clamp made a big difference. I wouldn’t want to try it without it. Used 18awg twisted copper cable and basic plugs. Tested the cable and all is good and works fine between the Krisdonia and MScaler

Anyway… flush with success I’ve ordered some CANARE 4S6 Star Quad cable (2metres) and a couple of OYAIDE DC-2.5G Jacks to make a high end cable. £38 for the parts and delivery. We’ll see how it compares to the £3 I’ve made.

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Welcome to the world of economic cables! Yes, using the soldering iron to heat the wire and connector hot enough to melt the solder is the key, not just trying to run molten solder onto them.

Mogami is another good cable, I believe similar quality to Canare. After you’ve mastered it all you’ll need for the snake oiled look is to buy some fancy heatshrink or braided outer sleeving from eBay, to make the cable look both fat and unique…

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Ordered some braided outer sleeve for the Canare cable :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

The plugs on the cable I have just made are very basic, unlike the Oyaide plugs which looks a lot more robust. The basic plugs wouldn’t take the Canare cable, too heavy and wide.

That one will be a little more tricky. I need to solder two cables together first to make the two connections and then solder them to the plug. After getting the lengths right so they reach the contact points without bending. That said, I know that cable fits the diameter of the Oyaide plugs.