Hi Dave,
  I've attached the photo showing the Regen inside my NOS 1a. (Hope it turns out ok as this is my first attempt on forum.
 
  As I'm bypassing the USB connectors/adapters on the NOS 1a chassis, I simply unscrew them and run the USB wire and DC cable thru the holes.

  My Clarixa USB cable run straight from PC USB card into Regen. From Regen out straight into NOS 1a USB interface card via the built-in cable. The picture should be able to show that. My aim is to achieve minimum adapter /connectors to affect impedance matching and/or signal integrity.

Daniel

I have been running Uptone Regen (Amber) inside my NOS 1a for 3 months. I'm powering the Regen with a Teddy Pardo 12V LPSU. It does require some work to get it running.

Steps I took to get the NOS 1a "recognised" by PC running XXHighEnd are as follows:

1. Before installing the Regen, return XXHighEnd to Normal OS mode.

2. Power down the DAC and PC.

3. Open the top cover of NOS 1a and disconnect the short USB cable of the USB interface board in NOS 1a from the USB adapter that is screwed on the NOS 1a chasis. Put the Regen inside the NOS 1a. The short USB cable from the interface board of the NOS 1a is then connected directly to the Regen's output end. Connect the input end of Regen to PC. Initially, use the SMPS supplied with Regen for DC.

4. Ensure that the +5 V power of the USB cable, (both on the PC end and the DAC end) is present. This is for those of us who have taped the +5V pin up.

5. Power up the Regen first, then followed by the NOS 1a DAC and PC.

6. Run XXHighEnd. If the NOS 1a is not visible to the XXHighEnd once all components are powered up, it may be necessary to uninstall the NOS driver from the PC and re-install the driver again. I had to do this step in order to get XX "recognise" the NOS 1a after inserting Regen.

7. Once "recognised", I played some tracks to ensure all is running smoothly as before. After being satisfied that the Regen is working well, I re-select MinOS mode, and played some tracks again.

8. I let the system played for a while before shutting down everything again to apply the other tweaks, specifically:

 a. Stripped the Regen board from its casing. I just placed the "naked" Regen board loosely inside the DAC.

 b. Tape the +5V pin of the USB cable connected at PC end, and at the short USB cable coming from the NOS 1a USB interface board. 

 c. Power the Regen with Teddy Pardo 12V LPSU.

With the LPSU-powered Regen in my NOS 1a, I feel the overall presentation of my system has a slightly lower noise-floor, and imaging is more precise with better depth. The bottom-end also seemed to be fuller.
Can't really say the change is drastic, but there's no down-side from what I can hear.

Best regards.

Daniel

Hi Peter

  I like to re-confirm. Thanks

Daniel

Thanks Peter and Joachim.

  If I may pursue further, I see 2 possible options to implement split data and 5V connections for the NOS 1a with the Clairixa cable, without sacrificing on the ESD protection. But this is on the assumption that separating power from the data signals going into the DAC (instead of getiing them from a single USB cable) could provide even better sound quality.
 
  There are currently split data and power USB cables available and some here may have already tried them (eg. from Paul Pang, Acoustic Revive, Light Harmonic etc). But these eventually re-combined the data and power at the USB input connector of the DAC. From there into the USB interface, the 5V power signal will/may still be able to influence negatively, albeit at a much shorter length (maybe the effects are negligible).

  What I'm suggesting here is using Peter's Clairixa USB cable as it is, simply by blanking off the 5V contact legs on the respective ends of the cable's connectors. Once it is confirmed workable and effective, Peter may then build a specific data-only Clairixa USB cable, and a 5V power-only USB cable.

Option 1.
USB input #1 to have data-only from Clairixa USB cable,
USB input #2 to have 5V power-only USB cable for ESD protection.

  a.  There are currently 2 USB inputs on the NOS 1a. One of it we are using for connection from PC to NOS 1a with a standard USB cable (combined data and 5v power). The other USB input is not in use at the moment. Could we not use the second USB input to connect for ESD protection? I'm guessing there would be a need to modify the internal wiring slightly, from input #2 to ESD protection circuitry.

  b.  The USB input #2 could now be powered from external 5V battery or Linear PSU or simply from the second USB port of the Silverstone PCIe USB card. (Side advantage now is Peter can sell extra Clairixa cables for this 5V ESD protection.)


Option 2.
USB input #1 to have data-only from Clairixa USB cable.
The 5V ESD protection to come from within NOS 1a.

 c. Again, this would need some modifications as new super regulators would be needed to generate the 5V power and a separate cable from the regulated supply to the ESD protection circuitry. But this option, if workable, should give better SQ since Peter's mil-spec super-regulators are definitely better than existing battery or Linear PSU or from Silverstone USB. Moreover, there will be less external connections making it neater looking.

  I'm not a technical expert. Please pardon my simplistic view. The difficult part I see here is for current owners to carry out the modifications required to re-wire the ESD protection.

  Or maybe it is totally un-workable. Just thinking aloud.

Thanks and best regards.

Daniel

Hi Peter,

  Since NOS 1a does not require the USB 5V power, would it be possible to have the Clairixa be without the power leg? Will this further improve on the SQ?

Daniel

Hello Peter,

  Please put me in for a 1.5m.

Best regards.

Daniel

Hi,

  I just received my upgraded NOS 1a and running-in for about a week now.

  Must really thank Peter and Ciska for the excellent job and service.

  Initially, I tried Peter's suggested XX settings, with my Bios settings also as per what Peter had recommended. The music was really good, much improved than before the upgrade.

  But I reverted to my previous XX settings, albeit with minor adjustments, and have to agree that even after the upgrade, they do make a difference to SQ. Current settings are denoted in my signature.

  Maybe it is placebo effect. But to me, the improvements I noticed are:

1. Lower noise-floor. Musical notes are even better separated. And there's more air and plenty of spatial information.

2. I can hear more details. Bass details are better defined, less muddled.

3. Better dynamics. Music is now more charged and lifelike.

Best regards.

Daniel

Hi Joachim,

  I have a feeling this is coming. I just managed to update my Signature as it took me quite a while yesterday to successfully send in my post.

Daniel

Hi everyone, this is my first post.

A little bit of introduction. I've been on and off this forum for more than 2 years, and have owned the NOS 1 and XX PC for a year now. However, I do not own the Orelo Mk II.

So why the sudden change to post after all these years of silence? Firstly, I owe it to Peter and all of you who posted in this forum. It is thru your numerous posts and thorough descriptions of your experience and thoughts that have assisted me in taking the plunge to purchase the NOS 1, sight-and-sound unseen. I have never regretted this move as the NOS 1 has indeed brought my audio system to a new high. So thank you all. Secondly, I visited Peter and Ciska at their wonderful home just last Saturday, 16 Aug. It was indeed an ear and eye-opening experience for me. The entire musical reproduction was smooth and easy to listen to. The soundstage was huge and very lifelike. Very low in distortions and colorations so typical with other horn system. And lastly, it is with Peter's encourage that I should contribute in this thread.

But how can I positively contribute to this thread? I don't even own the NOS 1a yet and definitely not the Orelo Mk II. Anyway, I shall give it a shot.

So was the whole thing perfect? err No...(sorry Peter). I recall sharing with Peter that I've always enjoyed listening in a larger room like his. But despite all the positive things mentioned above, there was a slight lack in bass quantity compared to what I am used to having in my system. Moreover, there was a veil to the overall presentation. The clarity and transparency was not quite there. When Peter finally demoed the "Live kick drum vs system reproduction" trick, it didn't make it. The speed and liveliness were not there. This could have contributed to the lack of precise imaging? Even when Peter went behind the speakers to make some adjustments, I could not notice any change. Perhaps, as what Peter said, I must be deaf. So take my comments with a pinch of salt.

So what has changed since then? I don't know. The Orelo Mk II could be one of the speakers that I like to own. But because of its size and my need for the audio/home theatre system to be in the living room, it could not work for me. But one thing I am sure. From what I see in Peter, his incessant pursuit of perfection, he will figure everything out in time to come. Perhaps those extreme settings may really work? Or maybe a little bit more of toe-in? But to those lucky few who can afford to own both the NOS 1a and Orelos, the picture certainly looks bright.

Best regards.

Daniel