09-Mar-2019, 21:07
(09-Mar-2019, 17:59)Antoine Wrote: 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.
@Antoine. Thank you too! Glad to hear that the tX is making a difference.
Project Eperience X Pack with Ortofon Rondo Red MC, Oppo BDP 105D, 2 x Sonos Connect, QNAP HS251+ NAS with 2 X 6TB Western Digital Red, Mac 5K 32GB running Lifetime Roon, iPad Pro 12.9" for remote control. Etalon Ethernet Isolator, Devialet 440 Pro CI, Sonus faber Olympica ll with Isoacoustics Gaia ll feet, Auralic Taurus Mkll headphone amp., Denon AH-D5000, Sennheiser HD600 and HD800 with Cardas cable, Van Den Hul The First Ultimate and Crystal interconnects, Furutech power cables, GSP Audio Spatia speaker cable.
South Coast England