MisterRogers

Just got my shipping notice - thanks for the effort to consistently exceed your commitments sir! It's greatly appreciated!

An ISO Regen replaced an Intona / Amber Regen combination. Though I didn't expect a combination of Intona + ISO to be an improvement over ISO alone, I DID give it a try. It wasn't bad, but it lost a bit of the magic that just the ISO (powered by an LPS-1) has. Dynamics were a bit muted, timber wasn't as authentic. Really, it makes sense I think. In our battle for the best possible signal integrity, you still want to keep your digital chain as simple as possible. Having two isolators complicates without bringing anything new to the table.

@tboooe's post gave me the nudge to add more impressions (well, really a summary) myself. Bottom line: ISO Regen combined with my modded SU-1 (Belleson reg, caps, etc) each fed by LPS-1's. Is the best digital chain I've ever owned. Full stop. My second rig is using an Mutec 3+, Amber Regen, each powered by custom built PS (dual Reflektor-D's), and it's always delivered solid sonics - but what I'm getting now is... better. Don't want to wax on, but this chain - these UpTone products aren't just changing the sound; they're elevating it by what I believe to be some of the best signal integrity out there. Less is more here; I can't imagine it sounding any better, any more analog. But I suspect it will - such is the nature of this hobby. I'm hearing more, enjoying more, feeling more. Thanks John / Alex - your considerable efforts are bearing fruit.

Thought I'd take a moment to share some impressions. I first received a faulty unit, then a good / verified replacement on Friday. Functionally, it's working flawlessly. My digital chain includes: Mac Mini (server) -> short USB cable (Pangea) -> ISO Regen -> USPCB Connector -> SU-1 Two LPS-1's power the ISO Regen / SU-1 each. The SU-1 is modified for external PS, and the on-board reg has been swapped out with a Belleson SPM. Dac is a Metrum Pavane, fed via AES from SU-1. The entire digital side is isolated with a SacThailand BLITZ (balanced line isolation transformer). Sonically, imaging is a bit tighter, staging a bit more precise, bass / mid-bass more solid / impactful, and highs less edgy - with a more natural decay. Background is a touch blacker. Compared to an Amber Regen, everything is improved. I read somewhere on CA that ISO allows us to hear deeper down the 'throat' of vocalists. Sounds a bit odd to say it, but I think that sums it up nicely. Subtle inflections, breaths, etc. are more pronounced. These are the audio 'cues' that can get lost with digital, that are slowly / wonderfully being recovered with products like ISO Regen & LPS-1. Bottom line: I can honestly say I've never heard a better digital chain (to my old ears). Alex & John - very well done! It's important to note that while subtle, the USPCB adaptor is definitely contributing to the high SI reaching the SU-1. Also - thanks for putting up with all of us through this 'half-launch' Alex. You've done / are doing your part to make it right; as we've come to expect.

I've reached out to Alex about this, but my unit doesn't work. When feeding an SU-1, I get crackling noise. When I switch it to my other system (feeding an MC-3+) I can't get a signal lock. Can you all please confirm successful use feeding either SU-1 or MC-3+?

He's not just a snob, he's an Uber Snob :-) Sent from my iPad using Computer Audiophile mobile app

Hey Julian - when you have a second, could you please let us know when to expect that firmware upgrade that supports auto switching between PCM and DSD/DOP references? Sent from my iPad using Computer Audiophile mobile app

Hey All - thought I'd add my configuration / 2 cents. Dropped in a Mutec MC-3+USB into my high end chain (Mac mini server -> USB Regen with custom PS, Yggy, Eddie Current Studio, HE1K headphones) and wow. This thing kicks arse on the Regen with custom PS. After some testing, I left the Regen in the stream feeding the Mutec; it seems to provide a subtle improvement. Anyway, this thread helped me run down the options, so a big thanks to all.

Hey Julian - when you get back, would appreciate an update on the new firmware you mentioned for the 3+USB supporting auto detection of DOP / PCM.

Is there a way to mount to Finder in OS X? I'd like to try to stream directly to Audirvana.

I use Audiophilleo2's to convert usb to spdif/coax, then feed the Bifrost coax. The Bifrost USB is decent (and it's spdif is probably more than decent, but the optical out on my MacPro has too many limitations), but using Audiophilleo as my USB converter has really brought out the best in Bifrost. It's not cheap (converter is more than Bifrost!), but it sounds fantastic. It's a component I plan to continue using until I move up to a dac that has a better receiver.

I mainly used Denon D2000's, K702's and HD600s. It drove them all fairly well - the HD600's the best (to my ears). With Lyr, I listen to my T1's, DT990/600's and HE-500's. Lyr is capable of driving the lower impedance cans (with care, and a bit higher noise floor), but it really excels and driving the 600 Ohm cans. The exception being the HE-500's. While they have lower impedance (30 Ohms I believe), as ortho's they're quite happy with the power of Lyr.

I currently have two Bifrosts (work and home) and two Lyrs (work and home). I owned the Asgard for about 6 months. The build quality, components, and bang for the buck is very good with Schiit gear. As mentioned, Bifrost performs very well. I'm actually feeding mine coaxial via an Audiophilleo2, and am amazed by the performance of this relatively inexpensive DAC. The default spdif and USB receivers performed pretty well, but the Audiophilleo is on another level. By feeding Bifrost a very low jitter, pristine digital stream, it really sings. Btw Jud - thanks for your recommendations re: the Carbon. I'm using two of them, along with a Vaunix usb power hub to with Audiophilleo2, and couldn't be happier with the sound.

Hey Aaron. I was in a similar situation, and settled on the Audiophilleo2. It's reasonable (~$550), and has proven to be a stable and wonderful sounding usb/spdif converter. It's been very favorably compared to devices like U3, Hiface, etc. I haven't heard the others, but I could be happier with the performance I'm getting from Audiophilleo. Mike

No need to concern yourself with CoreAudio. OS X audio drivers (which CoreAudio communicates through) are fully compatible with all audio protocols - including USB I2S up to 24/192.