19-Feb-2016, 18:57
Earlier this week I've sold my Uptone Audio Regen, it didn't work together with the Intona USB Isolator so I've never been able to determine if both were better in series. The Intona itself easily outperformed the Regen, no doubt about it.
I can retract my earlier remark about reduced bass. What happened is still unknown to me but in the process of trying out the Regen after the Intona I had to switch back from Server 2012 Core mode to GUI and back again. This time I also reinstalled Fidelizer Pro from scratch. Either this, touching/reconnecting the Curious cables, or simple (but sudden) burn-in completion restored bass performance in full.
Today I took a day off and bought myself a Mutec MC-3+ USB (http://www.mutec-net.com/product_mc-3-plus-usb.php). I've just connected it and like 'Our' wrote my Intona doesn't work with it as well, without the Intona it works immediately. I've tried multiple different USB cables but no luck so I'll have to email Intona about this. If it can't be fixed the Intona may have to go if the Mutec proves to be even better. So far I've listened to it, cold out of the box, for about 15 minutes and I like what I'm hearing thus far. Of course I'll take a lot more time to form a real opinion on it.
The dealer gave me a free 1m Sommer 'Binary 234' AES/EBU interconnect so I'm using that right now as well as the standard power cable from the box. I may have to go hunt for replacements for both!
The chain now is: music server with JCAT USB interface powered by JCAT battery PSU -> Curious USB cable 0.8m -> Mutec MC-3+ USB -> Sommer AES/EBU 1.0m -> D250
I've now also disabled the USB input of the D250. AIR ethernet and WiFi were already disabled. The only inputs active now are the AES/EBU, one stereo RCA input for surround from my TagMcLaren pre/pro, Toslink (for TV). And there's a stereo RCA output as a pre-out to my DSpeaker AntiMode DC 2.0/subwoofer.
Bad picture of it on my AV cabinet. I'll somehow have to find some place for it inside of the cabinet, it's a bit full though.
I can retract my earlier remark about reduced bass. What happened is still unknown to me but in the process of trying out the Regen after the Intona I had to switch back from Server 2012 Core mode to GUI and back again. This time I also reinstalled Fidelizer Pro from scratch. Either this, touching/reconnecting the Curious cables, or simple (but sudden) burn-in completion restored bass performance in full.
Today I took a day off and bought myself a Mutec MC-3+ USB (http://www.mutec-net.com/product_mc-3-plus-usb.php). I've just connected it and like 'Our' wrote my Intona doesn't work with it as well, without the Intona it works immediately. I've tried multiple different USB cables but no luck so I'll have to email Intona about this. If it can't be fixed the Intona may have to go if the Mutec proves to be even better. So far I've listened to it, cold out of the box, for about 15 minutes and I like what I'm hearing thus far. Of course I'll take a lot more time to form a real opinion on it.
The dealer gave me a free 1m Sommer 'Binary 234' AES/EBU interconnect so I'm using that right now as well as the standard power cable from the box. I may have to go hunt for replacements for both!
The chain now is: music server with JCAT USB interface powered by JCAT battery PSU -> Curious USB cable 0.8m -> Mutec MC-3+ USB -> Sommer AES/EBU 1.0m -> D250
I've now also disabled the USB input of the D250. AIR ethernet and WiFi were already disabled. The only inputs active now are the AES/EBU, one stereo RCA input for surround from my TagMcLaren pre/pro, Toslink (for TV). And there's a stereo RCA output as a pre-out to my DSpeaker AntiMode DC 2.0/subwoofer.
Bad picture of it on my AV cabinet. I'll somehow have to find some place for it inside of the cabinet, it's a bit full though.
PS Audio P3, Shunyata ΞTRON Alpha Digital and HC/Furutech power cables, Paul Hynes SR7EHD-MR4, DIY Roon Server & Roon Endpoint running AudioLinux Headless, Phasure Lush^2 USB cable, Audioquest Diamond RJ/E ethernet, Uptone Audio etherREGEN, Mutec MC-3+ USB, Shunyata ΞTRON Anaconda Digital XLR AES/EBU, Devialet Expert 250 Pro CI, Nordost Tyr Reference LS cables, Von Schweikert VR-5 SE Anniversary Edition, Anti-Mode Dual Core 2.0, JL Audio Fathom F112. More detail here.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands