USB Regen from UpTone

[AllenB]

Well, as someone who does now use a Regen, I can categorically say that it reduces noise and hash on the USB path, which is why I believe that even on an expensive USB cable, the effect is still noticed, as it is passing the noise along together with the actual data.

The ironic thing was that I was just about getting AIR ethernet to be pretty stable, along comes the Regen and AIR does not matter that much to me now. What I cannot work out is why USB with Regen on the Dev sounds tangibly better than AIR, the noise generated by the computer source with AIR should, in theory, be isolated from the DAC in the Dev. Isn't that the point of AIR?

I believe from reading around the REGEN that pretty much all Ethernet inputs have the same/similar PHY chip of USB inputs, so perhaps noise is generated there also, and perhaps if using wifi, the Dev still has to devote CPU to the task.  I certainly don't claim to know, just thinking aloud.

Previously I'd thought of selling my  D200 after my AIr issues -  its totally unusable and beyond irritating in my setup. Regardless of SQ I'm so much happier with USB simply because it sounds OK and the music just keeps on playing.  But within reason I'll try and improve the USB input as much as I can….

That seems quite plausible, and gives credence to what Uptone say about the Regen and it's purpose. These PHY chips are a source of noise outside of the actual data, and could explain why AIR is not as good as a USB input with Regen IMO.

I found with mine that you had to persist for a couple of days, initially you think that it has changed the music, and everything seems more relaxed and quieter, but eventually you realise that the hash has all but gone. Rather than an initial 'wow', you get a later 'ohh wow'