Uptone Regen with NOS1a ??

[doublelife]

Does anyone use, or has anyone tried, using an Uptone 'Regen' on their USB connection into NOS1a? Is this explicitly a "bad" idea with NOS1a (less is more?), or does it have benefits with NOS1a?

Paul

[PeterSt]

Paul,

Mine (Amber) did not work out.
I never posted about it.

Theoretically the Regen works a sort of counter-productive in an isolated situation, but I tried anyway.
Watch out : I should have tried with a linear PSU which I can easily do, but I never did that (up till now). And all what is switching is generally bad for SQ. I also tried the brick psu in one "set up" while many more are imaginable (think mains rings).

So I just did not try hard with also the notice that I get quickly annoyed when sound is poor and move on (while I am actually *always* in the middle of judging something for SQ).

Peter

[Dantana]

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

[music33]

Daniel,
A couple of questions -
If the regen is the NOS1a, how do you connect the power cord to it?  How come you didn't connect on the outside of the NOS1a?  What USB cable are you using?
I'd be interested in seeing pictures if possible.
thanks,
dave

[toddn]

So I've been running a Uptone Amber Regen for about 2 months. I run it off a battery power supply and the stock oscillator has been replaced with a New Class-D Nuetron Star clock and its dedicated power supply.
 
The output is just the direct USB A-B converter and the input is the Phasure Clarixa cable

One other caveat, the PCI-E USB card also has a Nuetron Star clock and power supply.

In my system, currently running XX 2.02 and W10 10074, and to my ears, I prefer the result of having it in the system to removing it.

Blacker background, sharper imaging, slightly more low level information, quicker and tighter bass with less overhhang. All and all, just a more natural accurate sound. There is a very obvious flattening and slight digitizing of the sound when it is removed. It's a keeper for now,

The big qualifier is: I'm sure Peter is always one or two steps ahead of what the rest of us are hearing with "yet to be disclosed" system tweaks and of course the OS in RAM setup.

Todd

[Dantana]

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

[music33]

Dan,
Picture is great,  Many thanks! 
Todd,
Did you have Uptone do the upgrades or did you do them?  Did you hear the regen before and after and if so how much difference does the Neutron make?

I'm also considering getting the Linear PS JS-2.  I could use that to power a regen and my laptop which connects to the NOS1a.  Any opinions on whether a LPS connected to a laptop would make any difference in the sound quality. 

Many thanks to all,
Dave