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Full Version: XLR AES Ground Lift Experiments
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Hi all,

Wanted to share another tweak that is worth experimenting with.

I got some these XLR ground lift adapters, that can be used to disconnect the ground pin 1 in the AES / XLR input of the Devialet Experts.

Hosa XLR3F Ground Lifter - Microphone Adapters | Hosa Cables (hosatech.com)
The specific adapter I tried was the Hosa GLT-255 which costs about $10 each.

I'm using it on my RCA-XLR link cable between Master & Companion units, and also trying it out on the AES input from my Singxer SU-6 DDC with interesting results.

In general, I think it results in a smoother, more airy soundstage. For my system the mids are clearer and the highs are less sibilant. With some music the sound feels holographic. It skews the balance of sound more towards 'bigger, wider and relaxed' rather than 'focused'.
Did anyone else try this?
On a related topic, I was trying to find confirmation that the Devialet Expert Pros have transformer isolation at the AES input. Closest I got was these old photos of the insides of a D-Premiere.

Those red coiled things look like transformers.

[Image: d-premier-7-devialet.jpg]

[Image: d-premier-8-devialet.jpg]

From this website: https://hifi-inside.com/hifi-ht/devialet...-amplifier

I wonder if anyone has photos of the insides of an Expert Pro 220 or 250?
Where is the fuse located? Would be needing to replace them anyway so just curious.
(17-Aug-2022, 16:19)markush Wrote: [ -> ]Where is the fuse located? Would be needing to replace them anyway so just curious.

Probably a question to ask Devialet.

Judging from the photo, the power input board is on the "top right" near the IEC input. The board that says 'caution: hazardous voltages' and 'no user serviceable part'... Wink

[Image: Devialet3.jpg]
The fuse(s) sits on the power inlet board, the two angled squares right behind the IEC socket. Soldered to the board unfortunately. This is a D-Premier so it is probably different on the newest 220/250, but I think they're still soldered.
@hardcore
I disconnected ground on the Neutrik NADITBNC-MX (pin 1) when I used a Squeezebox Touch as a streamer to AES on my D-Premier many years ago. The gain in clarity was easy to hear. At the time I thought it was noise on the ground plane of the Touch, but it may well have been other things too...
(17-Aug-2022, 17:36)ogs Wrote: [ -> ]@hardcore
I disconnected ground on the Neutrik NADITBNC-MX (pin 1) when I used a Squeezebox Touch as a streamer to AES on my D-Premier many years ago. The gain in clarity was easy to hear. At the time I thought it was noise on the ground plane of the Touch, but it may well have been other things too...

Thanks for sharing! I am doing the same now, I actually lift the ground on both ends of the AES cable between my Singxer SU-6 DDC and the Devialet AES input. What prompted me to try this was I have a Toslink cable connecting the same devices for testing, and surprisingly found the optical cable to sound better in some ways (more open, clear, less sibilant). With the ground lifted, I prefer the AES cable now, it sounds a little more dynamic compared to the Toslink.

Also it was an even bigger difference when I ground lifted the RCA-AES link cable for the Master-Companion.

I am still surprised how much the sound changes on the Devialet with these sort of digital signal cable tweaks.
Used the ground lift adapter on the AES cable from the Berkeley Alpha USB going to the Expert 220 Pro. Results were readily apparent and similar to description by OP. Keeping this tweak.