That’s the part I’m not fully understanding, how does one determine this piece? That it’s going to be better, what makes it better?
Thank you, I think I got it now. I did not realize the Uptone was not a linear PSU despite its naming scheme. However, its calling card is using super capacitors to provide the clean power. Unless I’m misunderstanding the engineering behind this application, the SMPS is simply charging the capacitor bank? Similar to how Chord powers the TT2, using a SMPS to charge its bank of super capacitors which is why it is not recommended to use a linear PSU to charge.
This is all so interesting, and obviously power supplies make a huge difference. I rather understand the why behind some things instead of following blindly so I can best determine its importance among other important changes. Thank you both again!
Yes and no. The super caps are really just the input energy storage mechanism in the Uptone, holding a clean steady supply that is then linearly regulated down to the final output. The challenge is that super caps are such high capacitance they have very large inrush charging currents. SMPS are typically better at servicing these kind of high spikes in load current. But LPS can do it.
This is a power supply for a Keces 9v power supply. Just better filtered better regulated and cleaner than whatever Berkley is going to put in there to get to a certain price point.
It gets silly but the Mojo Illuminati LPS I’m using to power my Alpha USB cost me more than the Alpha USB.
An yeah there’s a difference on things like the Sinxer SU-6 USB reclocker where they use super capacitors to power the board and you can charge those capacitors with a basic SMPS without issue as the dirty power is not connected directly.
I still can’t understand why USB cables have any actual influence on the sound, it varies allot and it doesn’t always come across in every application but for me it has become the one cable I can actually “hear” more often than not. The FTA Callisto model has been a good performer, especially compared to cables costing double and triple its price so i stick to it exclusively for certain use applications. Congratulations on the good acquisition!
The thing that surprised me most was the fact that this is a USB cable going into your DDC, not a cable going into a DAC yet it still had an immediately noticeable effect.
Just indicates isolation isn’t complete, which it likely never is.
I’m intrigued by where the noise actually originates and what mechanism is used to transfer it. Would give you a much better idea of what to look for in a good DDC.
Also brings up the point that maybe not all noise is bad. The d1-streamer-mk2 is essily my favorite DDC ive tried despite not having great jitter or phase performance (i wonder if these contribute to the more natural sound but slightly worse image clarity tbh)
This was something Rob Watts mentioned in his talk, removing noise can result in a softer stage with less definition, and a less bright sound, that some people don’t like. take it with a bucket of salt, But it made me wonder about all those people who prefer the power out of the wall vs through a filter because of “loss of dynamics”.
In the end it doesn’t matter what’s right, just what you prefer.
completely agree, and as long as you’re able to get to get reproduceable results, it’s just another parameter in the things we can leverage to nudge a chain slightly one way or another.
Great to see an update on them. It’s a great product and better still with an improved PS. It may drive the pricing down on the original versions which is always good.
Personally don’t know if I’d justify the expense to upgrade (new purchase) as it’s likely not my bottle neck. Not much detail but 12 years of USB design evolution has to be making a good difference.
Anyone with an original Alpha USB can submit it to Berkeley for an upgrade to the Series 2 as it is simply a complete software redesign that enables new handling of the USB protocol, it reportedly is so much more efficient in operation that it uses less processing horsepower and thus generates a considerable amount less noise.
I sent my Alpha USB in and should be getting it back late this week or early next week as it’s being shipped today.
The cost is $265 including shipping back or $295 including shipping box if you don’t have the original shipping box and material.
