Look at that little green light which appeared in the middle section of my ‘low board’ rack (which is always hidden out of sight by the way by a door)!
It’s the SoTM TX-USBUltra. Almost two weeks ago I approached Axel since I noticed he had one for sale. But he did not just offer the TX but also the SMS-200Ultra and SPS-500 power supply and some cables. I asked if he was willing to sell just the TX to me but he responded he wanted to sell the triple set as a whole, which I could completely understand and respect and which is also what I wrote back. I also mentioned I had thought about buying the whole set and sell the items I did not need but didn’t want to take that risk and go through the hassle.
The next day he sent me another message that he had lowered the price (I did not ask for that mind you) and that he might create an ad on EBay soon so I thought about it some more, the lower price reduced the risk of me not being able to resell without a loss so I replied I would buy the whole set.
Last Wednesday I received the package. To start using the TX I had to re-order the stuff in my low-board, mainly because of the stiff Lush^2 and short 20cm Curious USB cables.
Chain is now: AL music server -> AQ Diamond ethernet -> AL NUC end-point -> curious USB -> TX-USBUltra -> Lush^2 USB -> Mutec MC3+USB -> Shunyata Anaconda AES/EBU -> Devialet
My SR-7 is still missing the high power output since Paul Hynes has not yet made or sent me a replacement module. So I’m still using the HDPlex 100 LPSU on the server. The TX-USBUltra is now powered by the SR-7 by the output rail that was previously powering the DSpeaker Anti-Mode DC 2.0. That device is now powered by the Uptone LPS-1.2.
Contrary to other reports by other AudioLinux NUC users the TX surely improves the sound quality in my setup. Among other things it’s significantly cleaner and relaxed sounding than before, a very worthwhile improvement. I feel I’m now enjoying the benefits of the AL NUC vs. the SMS-200 minus the drawbacks. Of course there’s no isolating switch (in front of the end-point) yet in my system which might explain my differing opinion. Also the Mutec USB input was powered by the USB output of the NUC end-point and now by the TX which must be better as well.
@Axel, thank you again for everything! I’m now in the process of (hopefully ) selling the other parts and made an ad for it on a local 2nd hand marketplace.
It’s the SoTM TX-USBUltra. Almost two weeks ago I approached Axel since I noticed he had one for sale. But he did not just offer the TX but also the SMS-200Ultra and SPS-500 power supply and some cables. I asked if he was willing to sell just the TX to me but he responded he wanted to sell the triple set as a whole, which I could completely understand and respect and which is also what I wrote back. I also mentioned I had thought about buying the whole set and sell the items I did not need but didn’t want to take that risk and go through the hassle.
The next day he sent me another message that he had lowered the price (I did not ask for that mind you) and that he might create an ad on EBay soon so I thought about it some more, the lower price reduced the risk of me not being able to resell without a loss so I replied I would buy the whole set.
Last Wednesday I received the package. To start using the TX I had to re-order the stuff in my low-board, mainly because of the stiff Lush^2 and short 20cm Curious USB cables.
Chain is now: AL music server -> AQ Diamond ethernet -> AL NUC end-point -> curious USB -> TX-USBUltra -> Lush^2 USB -> Mutec MC3+USB -> Shunyata Anaconda AES/EBU -> Devialet
My SR-7 is still missing the high power output since Paul Hynes has not yet made or sent me a replacement module. So I’m still using the HDPlex 100 LPSU on the server. The TX-USBUltra is now powered by the SR-7 by the output rail that was previously powering the DSpeaker Anti-Mode DC 2.0. That device is now powered by the Uptone LPS-1.2.
Contrary to other reports by other AudioLinux NUC users the TX surely improves the sound quality in my setup. Among other things it’s significantly cleaner and relaxed sounding than before, a very worthwhile improvement. I feel I’m now enjoying the benefits of the AL NUC vs. the SMS-200 minus the drawbacks. Of course there’s no isolating switch (in front of the end-point) yet in my system which might explain my differing opinion. Also the Mutec USB input was powered by the USB output of the NUC end-point and now by the TX which must be better as well.
@Axel, thank you again for everything! I’m now in the process of (hopefully ) selling the other parts and made an ad for it on a local 2nd hand marketplace.
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