Mycenius

Nice! And double Nice! It's great when things come together! And I concur with your "because there's just so much more low level detail I'm able to hear without cranking it up" comment @dontfeedphils - given I already had a lot of that with my Vortexbox and Focal SM9s I am impressed that it has been enhanced by the USBridge Signature + Shanti being added to my setup.

I can confirm the USBridge Signature performs amazingly in conjunction with the "W"-Cones & Beryllium! 😁

Can't comment myself Richard - but often devices like the Aurender music servers are essentially a 'Vortexbox' (linux based running LMS and some peripheral streaming apps like DLNA, PLEX, etc) with a software face lift and a custom hardware build. Their smaller transports/converters I'd assume aren't dissimilar to Allo's in that regard - but have not seen any in person, and to be frank I'm a bit sceptical these days of most music server vendors (I think there is too much smoke and mirrors). I originally built my own Vortexbox for this reason about 2011-2012 (only moving part was a conventional HDD, and I eventually relied on a SoTM tX USB Card for my output, originally having ASUS Xonar Essence STX providing S/PDIF - I planned to have a custom LPSU built but never got around to it). If you are bored you can read my numerous blog posts on it here: The Auricular Antipodean: A Dedicated Music Server Journey (Part 1) I like that Allo are clear and open about their logic/design, the proven measurable tests/outcome, and that the final output result from their components despite that, is still subjective - something many music server & transport manufacturers gloss over or obfuscate.

For most people it will be how did your existing system sound versus once you added in the USBridge and/or Digione @nbpf. As we are talking transports (S/PDIF for Digione and Asynchronous USB for USBridge) it's always going to require comparison to an existing method or device. Usually people choose to upgrade because either (a) they know (or believe) there is a possible weakness in their system (typical a frequency range that subjectively sounds worse than the rest), (b) they need to make a hardware change regardless (e.g. in my case I wished to remove my existing Vortexbox Server from my Hi-Fi rack which was providing my USB transport to my DAC), or (c) despite having a system they are happy with they are enticed to try a change due to the glowing reviews or similar from other music enthusiasts/audiophiles. In all cases you can at least subjectively compare your existing sound/output to the new... 🙂

Nice (re: Electra's - although IIRC they are the ones pre-beryllium tweeters, and possibly pre-"W"-cone drivers too - the beryllium will completely change your opinion - nothing, and I mean nothing, compares). And yes you comment is on the money IMO re: USBridge Signature @Cundis - that's certainly been similar to my first impression (and my initial ongoing one) as a result of having it and the Shanti in my system... Just when I couldn't imagine getting 'closer' as you say (more detail, more nuances, more 'inside' the music) and yet retaining all the dynamics/energy, and a balanced full range of sound (frequencies) - I have. 🙂

I've now used Focal SM9's for over 8 years in my main music and home-theatre set-up. Although designed as studio monitors these make fantastic active speakers for systems in small to medium sized rooms (and a medium sized room can be quite large). Being active they eliminate the need for any power amplification and thus provide incredible value for money over conventional passive speakers (e.g. they save you investment in a US$5,000+ power amp). I am convinced the sound quality of the SM9 is almost unsurpassed (think US$30,000+ to find a better performing speaker & amplifier combination) and the combination of the genuine 100% beryllium tweeter (which knows no equal for high frequency reproduction) and the "W" Cone mid-range & bass drivers simply makes this unsurpassed (and beware imitators that only have thin beryllium coating on front faces of their tweeters). The passive radiator rounds out the unit, providing extra bass reinforcement and similar which is another reason why these can operate so successfully as Hi-Fi / home theatre speakers in a relatively largish room. While these are probably not 'the best speakers in the world' they certainly surpass everything in their price range (and significantly above) - making both the performance and value for money unequalled. Without wanting to just name drop there are genuine reasons people like Sting, Peter Gabriel, etc, have purchased these (not been gifted them) for their private recording studios (even though they have been gifted monitors from 'other' manufacturers); and music enthusiasts can get the chance to appreciate the reason for this in their stereo systems. In brief terms the profile of these is almost perfectly neutral with incredible openness and clarity of high frequencies, tight, full well defined mid-range and bass (with the latter going rather deep) and with an effortless energy that is a real pleasure to listen to. Listening to these the first time can be a bit of surprise (or shock) and the level of detail and openness could be misinterpreted - so if you try these give your ears plenty of chance to adjust and appreciate their full glory. Being a studio monitor it's also highly customisable as needed with a high pass filter setting and various low/medium/high frequency settings/EQ (plus the optional 2-way function to disable the bass driver if desired). While these aren't the prettiest speakers - after all the are designed for studio use - mounted on some custom stands (to allow maximum airflow around 95% of the surface of each unit) the SM9's truly sound amazing, and can look good in their own semi-industrial style. For the record I run a pair of these as my main 'audiophile' hi-fi set-up which I can in turn then utilise as part of my larger 5.2 Home Theatre set-up that incorporates their little brothers & sisters (a Focal 'SM6 Twin6' centre, 2 SM6 'Solo' surrounds, and 2 SM6 'Sub6' subwoofers). Joel Little who produced Lorde's first album(s) did so here in New Zealand utilising a pair of Focal SM6 'Twins'. For further review info see: What Hi-Fi Review: https://www.whathifi.com/au/focal/sm9/review P.S. If you budget is limited consider the Focal SM6 range - an extremely similar profile but smaller product (e.g. a pair of SM6 'Solo' ad an SM6 'Sub6' would make a very compelling and cost effective smaller room or apartment solution).

👍 P.S. keen to hear how you find the difference sans any Allo device (USBridge or Digione) in your system versus when you have them? Did you post this already (sorry I missed some of the chat over Christmas and in January/some of February)?

Yeah all good on the ELACs @richard_crl032 - as mentioned my knowledge of them in the past was the 'laid back' description but a google at the time I posted comment brought up the bright thing - the two are quite incompatible so not sure how they got the reputation I knew - unless they changed to the metal tweeters sometime in recent years...? Anyway may have been a bit off the mark with that comment... 😞 Re: Nordost - yes can believe so - as mentioned my experience was primarily with high end Heimdall speaker cables & ICs and these had a high silver content - they were very clear and detailed sounding at first listen but after a while became apparent they were colouring the sound. Their cables with a higher copper component likely are much more neutral (which I presume the ones you mention are, as opposed to silver or what has now replaced the Heimdalls)... With the USBridge Signature (and possibly Digione Sig) in a chain I think it increases the visibility of any effect from other components down stream, so colouring and brightness (or darkness) may become more apparent than previous once implemented IMO... 🙂

Possibly unlikely (IMO at least) - ELAC's (from what I have read and heard, not personal listening) are considered generally laid back which suggests better at the lower midrange as you prefer (although I know other reviewers have rated some as having a bright signature) - so may not have emphasis on higher frequencies - so you may be on a better track considering the Hegel H300's interaction with Digione & USBridge? But re: my earlier post about people's experiences - your ELACs may have coloured your preference towards lower frequency emphasis if you have had them for a while (at least in your set-up)? 😉 But feel free to correct me. 🙂

Totally! 👍

Just FYI Wadia DACs were traditionally known for being 'dark' IIRC. Although more recent models apparently are considered less so. It may be the Digione Signature is providing a more transparent transport to the DAC allowing it to be it's natural 'colour' while your prior config (sans Digione) is brightening the sound slightly reducing this effect. Just a thought? 🤔

FWIW (and not commenting on your choice @Cundis) but I used to be a big Nordost Heimdall fan (ICs and Speaker Cables) but have since dispensed with them - anything with high silver content does 'brighten' the sound unnaturally and usually the people that like them often have big heavy or sluggish speakers - such as Kevlar speaker drivers (or lighter ones like paper with under powered amps, or valve amps, etc) that tend to colour the sound the other way (that rich, deep lower frequency emphasis) - so it's actually just evening out the distortion of the sound - far better to not have either and not colour the sound than be unnaturally colouring it twice. 🙂 Luckily for me I run active speakers (studio monitors) - so no more troublesome speaker cabling now - just an IC DAC to Pre-Amp and another longer IC from Pre-Amp to speaker. Currently I'm using a Tchernov cable for my DAC to Pre-Amp and an older Van den Hul IC for my Speaker ICs (don't recall the name but this is one that was top end of their range and was designed for both speaker and microphone use). Both are balanced XLR cables.

Well said - indeed everyone is different (both actual hearing/preferences and also how their environment/personal history has influenced their musical tastes, etc). So some configurations won't suit some peoples tastes. FWIW (as an aside) I used to be focused on lower mid-range too and bass, but also especially having that 'golden' sound (that so many valve and vinyl aficionados quest for) - my beloved Chario speakers (comparable with Sonus Faber) of 15 or so years ago were perfect for this. Then I discovered Focal, and most especially 'W' cone drivers & beryllium tweeters - oh my! FWIW some people class these as bright or too revealing/too detailed or 'lifeless' (your analytical I think @Cundis?) but that has never been a fair analysis IMO, because our personal preferences and past listening experiences taint how we all hear things - in my case (luckily) I realised the potential on day one (demoing in store) and then once my ears adjusted (which took a few weeks of listening) I suddenly realised just how full and complete the sound was and what some people interpreted on first listen as brightness or excessive detail is actually a combination of something highly revealing with clarity and reproduction close to what the original engineer intended. Anyway back on point after 8 years of listening to my current Focals I didn't think it could get any better, and then the Allo USBridge Signature comes along... It's resulted in even clearer reproduction as the original engineer intended, detailed yet full of energy, and things like bass are even tighter (when I thought the 'W' cone drivers couldn't get any better). I'm not using the Digione Signature (so unfortunately can't comment on that), as all I require is a clean USB output to my DAC - but right now after 20 years (in recent times) of actively questing for superb sounding Hi-Fi the USBridge Signature & Focal Studio Monitor 9's is getting pretty close to it for me (and that's a big change from where I started and more importantly what kind of sound I thought I liked). 😊 I guess my (general) point (to nobody in particular) is don't be scared to try things different sometimes (if you can) - anyone could be surprised. But also I don't think you'll get a much more 'neutral' (i.e. detailed but with full energy, tight bass, clarity, etc) digital transport than the USBridge Signature + Shanti LPS anywhere at this time IME; and it will possibly result in a different sound for each user depending on the rest of their system (e.g. IMO in some cases it may reveal a weakness or perhaps an incompatibility, elsewhere in their setup; other times it might make other components really sing or shine) - this may not be a bad thing but it depends on what each person's music quest is seeking! As @Cundis says you may want to just try the one for a while before you commit to both @zacho? 😀

@richard_crl032 - just curious - why do you have the USB power lead from one of the USBridge Signature 'BT/Wi-Fi USB Ports to the Ifi then to the har ddrive? If the Ifi has it's own power source can't you just draw power direct from it?