21-Sep-2016, 12:55
This exchange has been 'stolen' from Computer Audiophile:
![[Image: quote_icon.png]](http://www.computeraudiophile.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by JohnSwenson ![[Image: viewpost-right.png]](http://www.computeraudiophile.com/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png)
The large increase in perceived bass is likely due to leakage loops moving around due to the addition of another power supply in the system. Without seeing a map of your system (power supply and interconnects) it's hard to tell exactly what might be happening.
I keep on meaning to write up an article on this and how assembling the whole power network and interconnect network can radically change your system with out much change in your equipment.
I'm also working on some products specifically designed to alleviate issues caused by these leakage, loops, but they are not out yet.
John S.
Originally Posted by Confused
This interested me. Without going into too much detail, running my mR via direct USB into a Devialet appears to provide more (but less accurate) bass than if I run mR, to a Mutec MC3+USB to the AES/EBU Devialet input. However, via the Mutec AES/EBU route the bass is far more balanced and a LOT more accurate and realistic. For a while it has baffled me why the Devialet USB input should sound so different in this particular aspect than the AES/EBU input, the same one's and zero's are being sent. Could this be related to the 'leakage loops' you mention? With the loops being broken by the Mutec? Or maybe I am simply clutching at straws here!
It very well could be a major factor in the difference. It is quite easy to galvanically isolate an SPDIF/AES3 interface and very hard to do this with USB. For quite some time I have been suspecting that the recent fondness for SPDIF over USB is due to leakage loops rather than actual performance of the interface.
Originally Posted by JohnSwenson
Because the microRendu is connected to the computer system with wired Ethernet which is already galvanically isolated, there are two different ways to break a leakage loop in the microRendu to DAC path, one is to galvanically isolate the USB connection, the other is to galvanically isolate the power supply to the microRendu. There are couple of devices that can isolate the USB connection, and a couple ways to do it in the power supply. You can run the microRendu off batteries, or use an LPS-1, an isolated supply I have designed that will be going on sale very soon now.
Either of these approaches will work, you do not need both at the same time.
John S.
Originally Posted by JohnSwenson The large increase in perceived bass is likely due to leakage loops moving around due to the addition of another power supply in the system. Without seeing a map of your system (power supply and interconnects) it's hard to tell exactly what might be happening.
I keep on meaning to write up an article on this and how assembling the whole power network and interconnect network can radically change your system with out much change in your equipment.
I'm also working on some products specifically designed to alleviate issues caused by these leakage, loops, but they are not out yet.
John S.
Originally Posted by Confused This interested me. Without going into too much detail, running my mR via direct USB into a Devialet appears to provide more (but less accurate) bass than if I run mR, to a Mutec MC3+USB to the AES/EBU Devialet input. However, via the Mutec AES/EBU route the bass is far more balanced and a LOT more accurate and realistic. For a while it has baffled me why the Devialet USB input should sound so different in this particular aspect than the AES/EBU input, the same one's and zero's are being sent. Could this be related to the 'leakage loops' you mention? With the loops being broken by the Mutec? Or maybe I am simply clutching at straws here!
It very well could be a major factor in the difference. It is quite easy to galvanically isolate an SPDIF/AES3 interface and very hard to do this with USB. For quite some time I have been suspecting that the recent fondness for SPDIF over USB is due to leakage loops rather than actual performance of the interface.
Originally Posted by JohnSwenson Because the microRendu is connected to the computer system with wired Ethernet which is already galvanically isolated, there are two different ways to break a leakage loop in the microRendu to DAC path, one is to galvanically isolate the USB connection, the other is to galvanically isolate the power supply to the microRendu. There are couple of devices that can isolate the USB connection, and a couple ways to do it in the power supply. You can run the microRendu off batteries, or use an LPS-1, an isolated supply I have designed that will be going on sale very soon now.
Either of these approaches will work, you do not need both at the same time.
John S.
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
