Akeg

Yes, perhaps this is the case. The general problem here is that good digital volume controls with muliple digital inputs/outputs suitable for a home audio setup are almost non-existent. My plan was to be able to use the digital volume control in the Lumin U1 Mini as volume control until for Dutch & Dutch have developed their digital control box (similar to Kii Three) which, I guess, will adjust the volume directly in the speakers just before the DAC stage. I have found a digital format converter/volume control from Lake People that seems to fit in a home setup (including remote control), but it will add considerable extra cost for me if configured with the optional USB input + remote control: https://power-holdings-inc.com/Lake-People-DAT-RS-05-Digital-Audio-Translator-p136295660 Anyone here that have had experience with the DAT RS05 ?

Hello, I am currently downsizing to a simple system consisting of only a Lumin U1 Mini and active speakers. Since the speakers will digitize any analog signal sent to them I will not send the output from the U1 Mini to my current DAC (Benchmark DAC2 HGC) for conversion to an analog signal. Instead I will connect the speakers directly to the AES/EBU output of the U1 Mini and use the built in digital volume control. The only audio input of the speakers (Dutch & Dutch 8C) is the AES/EBU input (which can also take analog XLR). This limitation creates a problem when I want to feed the speakers audio from Netflix etc. that I stream from a Macbook Pro to out TV using HDMI. I need to get the audio into the U1 Mini since this device occupy the only audio connection to the speakers. The only way, as I understand, is to Airplay the audio from my computer to the U1 Mini. I am still waiting for delivery of the new speakers, but I have tested using Airplay 2 with other speakers and the sound is delayed 2 seconds compared to the video signal to my TV due to the inbuild buffer in Airplay 2. Does anyone know how to bypass the buffer in Airplay 2, or any other way of getting the audio signal into the U1 Mini without sync problems?

Of course I don't mind. Theb topic is better suited in that thread. Akeg

Hi, I have had my UltraCap LPS-1 in my system for about 10 days now and I would like to share my impressions. I have for a long time had two Audioquest JitterBug and a USB REGEN in my digital chain (from an Apple MacBook Pro (2014) to a Benchmark DAC2 HGC). The JitterBug and the REGEN made an audible improvement of the SQ, but it cannot compare with the improvement I got after powering the REGEN with the UltraCAP LPS-1. I am actually surpised how big an improvement I got. The improvement in SQ is almost of the magnitude I got after adding Dirac room correction to my system, and that improvement was huge. The type of improvement the the LPS-1 brings is however related to different parameters (Dirac solved my frequency and impulse response related SQ problems). The effect of the LPS-1 is a bit more difficult to describe, but I can only say that now, for the first time, everything just sounds right. Gone is that stress that previously has always been a part of listening to a system with a digital front end. For the first time I actually understand the meaning of the term "digital hash". I understand it because it is gone. The sound coming from my system is now completely relaxed and it just sounds right, for the lack of a better word "analogue". And that difference is very profound. It's like when you go from exhibitor to exhibitor in a hi-fi show and finally comes to a room where it just sounds right, it is difficult to describe exactly what it is but it is there. I was actually on my way to invest in an expensive AC power conditioner like Audioquest Niagara 7000 or Shunyata Research etc. (I currently have a PS Audio Dectet), but I don't feel the need for that type of investment anymore...

Hi, I have had my UltraCap LPS-1 in my system for about 10 days now and I would like to share my impressions. I have for a long time had two Audioquest JitterBug and a USB REGEN in my digital chain (from an Apple MacBook Pro (2014) to a Benchmark DAC2 HGC). The JitterBug and the REGEN made an audible improvement of the SQ, but it cannot compare with the improvement I got after powering the REGEN with the UltraCAP LPS-1. I am actually surpised how big an improvement I got. The improvement in SQ is almost of the magnitude I got after adding Dirac room correction to my system, and that improvement was huge. The type of improvement the the LPS-1 brings is however related to different parameters (Dirac solved my frequency and impulse response related SQ problems). The effect of the LPS-1 is a bit more difficult to describe, but I can only say that now, for the first time, everything just sounds right. Gone is that stress that previously has always been a part of listening to a system with a digital front end. For the first time I actually understand the meaning of the term "digital hash". I understand it because it is gone. The sound coming from my system is now completely relaxed and it just sounds right, for the lack of a better word "analogue". And that difference is very profound. It's like when you go from exhibitor to exhibitor in a hi-fi show and finally comes to a room where it just sounds right, it is difficult to describe exactly what it is but it is there. I was actually on my way to invest in an expensive AC power conditioner like Audioquest Niagara 7000 or Shunyata Research etc. (I currently have a PS Audio Dectet), but I don't feel the need for that type of investment anymore...

I received my Regen earlier this week. After about 24 hours of break-in with pink noise + a couple of days just playing music while at work I have had some time for critical listening and I must say that my initial impressions are very positive. I have had two AQ Jitterbugs in my system for about three weeks and they made a clearly audible improvement which I would best describe as the same sound as before inserting them, but less distortion related to the digital part of the signal chain. However, the effect of the Regen is of a different magnitude. With the Regen connected familiar tracks actually sounds different. The soundstage is much larger and more 3-dimentional, improved macro and micro dynamics with faster transient attack, bass is tighter and the foundation in the 25-35 Hz range is suddenly there in a very different way. However, the presentation now seems lighter than without the Regen which I attribute to the tightening up of the bass frequency region, an impression not unlike when applying room correction. Since I perceive a large improvement it also seems like my custom made (2 inches cable + connectors) JCAT USB works really well. Unfortunately I cannot compare with the supplied solid connector. My signal chain is the following: Macbook Pro (2014) with two AQ Jitterbugs > AQ Diamond USB > USB REGEN > JCAT USB (2'') > Bechmark DAC2 HGC > Parasound Halo JC-2 > Parasound Halo JC-1s > PMC OB1i

Of course it is wishful thinking until I have heard it. However, most audiophiles agree that there are differences in SQ between USB cables and the JCAT USB cables is by many (including me) considered as one of the best USB cables available. I don't think that this observation will change when comparing shorter the normal USB cables such as the one I am waiting for.

I wrote to JPLAY and asked if they could manufacture the JCAT according to my specifications, i.e. max 6-inches and using the double shielded conectors from their two-leaded JCAT Reference USB cable.

Sounds like a very positive indicator of how the 6-inch JCAT USB I ordered will work between the Regen and my dac...

I am also not at all an expert. My reasoning simply comes from the observation that audiophiles and cable manufacturers in general are obsessed with minute details of how cable are constructed, such as using extremely pure copper or silver, how to isolate the cable, how to terminate the cable etc.... As I wrote in my previous post, my own experience supports the "cables and how they are constructed are important" view. Using extenders/adapters with brass or other unknown materials seems to defeat my investment in cables that have made a significant difference in SQ in the computer-dac part of my system (Adioquest Diamond USB and WW Silver Electra 7 power cord). Even if the extenders are short... I have never heard anyone say anything good about e.g. the cheap brass bi-wire jumpers that are supplied by the majority of speaker manufacturers. And they are very short....

I am glad that I posted regarding this since it resulted in many good suggestions for a remedy. I chose to try a very good short USB cable since I am a bit reluctant to ad extra connectors in the signal path from the Regen. I first though about the Audioquest Dragontail, but that would increase the number of connectors in the signal path since the Dragontail has to go in to the solid adapter. The same goes for adding a power cord adapter. Like many other audiophiles I have invested a lot in very good power cords and I am a bit reluctant to add an adapter between my WW Silver Electra 7 power cord and the dac. Many people of course think it is silly to say that the quality of the power cord would have any significant effect on SQ. I actually was one of them until last year when, to my big surprise, inserting a WW Electra 7, instead of an older Nordost Vishnu, into my Parasound Halo JC-2 preamp made a bigger difference in SQ than when I replaced my Parasound Halo A21 for two Parasound Halo JC-1 monoblocks. The difference became even bigger when I replaced the WW Electra 7 with a WW Silver Electra 7. Hence, I am a bit reluctant to ad a power cord adapter after the Silver Electra 7. And the only way to find out if all this in just "audiophile superstition" is to compare with a very good very short USB cable that goes directly from the Regen to the dac, e.g. the JCAT I am waiting for....

I will try to find a longer adapter so I can compare.... But I am not so sure the solid adapter will sound better.... My experience with other short extensions, such as e.g. biwire-jumpers, is that the material in the cables, construction and termination has a significant impact on SQ.

Ok, that's great. I guess it depends on what power cord you use. I use a Wireworld Silver Electra 7 to the dac and it will be uncomfortably tight.

Hi, I am looking forward to receiving my Regen in September. However, I will not be able to use the solid adapter between the REGEN and my DAC (Benchmark DAC2 HGC). Since I will be using a very good USB cable (Audioquest Diamond) from the computer to the REGEN, it seems like a good idea to have a very short extension cable of similar quality between the REGEN and the DAC. I therefore talked to JPLAY and they agreed to make a 6-inch JCAT USB cable using the double-shielded connectors they have on their dual-lead Reference USB cable.