Clairixa USB

[AlainGr]

How to explain this result when the power is removed ? Logically it should induce less chance for power to "pollute" the data wires ?

Unless the electrical field that the power cable emits is "kind of" protecting the signal wires from something more harmful ?

Alain

[PeterSt]

How to explain this result when the power is removed ? Logically it should induce less chance for power to "pollute" the data wires ?

Unless the electrical field that the power cable emits is "kind of" protecting the signal wires from something more harmful ?

Well Alain, something like that I have suggested before. So, theoretically when such a cable is made for 90 Ohm impedance, all its parts must be taken into account;

One property is the capacitance of the wires and when a wire is not connected the capacitance will be different.
Another property is the inductance, and I have been thinking myself that *that* part is doing jobs here. This is much what you are saying, but don't ask me about the net work out. So the inductance the power part of the cable (the plus and the ground) nornally create and which is a(n emitting) "field" will now not be there.
Additionally (at least that is how I think) now the ground - which thus is used - will have its own and different effect on the inductance (more in co-operation with the data wires now ?).

Of course it is still beyond me how that can influence the sound (so much) and all I can think of is that it has to be related to the "thoroughness" of the transmission. Say, how much work the receiver has to do to "get the data right".
But I really don't know too much of that part; maybe I should by now.

What I, also by now, don't understand much is how the differential signal is supposed to work out as really that, when the ground as such is under influence of not only the data itself. So notice that a differential signal has a plus and opposite minus signal (each with opposite amplitude so they add (total amplitude is twice as large now) with in the middle of that a mid point - ground. But that ground does not need to be the midpoint because, apparently, it connects to some other explicit potential, say the PC's chassis and the DAC's chassis at the other end. These both chassis already don't need to be at the same potential (their ground reference is different). This, with now also the notice that at the DAC's (isolated !) end nothing is really there to change the potential of the ground wire in the USB cable and thus it is the same as how it is at the PC's end. At least this is how I see it at this moment.

Now notice how the isolated NOS1a can suddenly be under influence of the USB cable (at least much more as the not isolated NOS1. So the "ground loop" explicitly created for the normal NOS1 to balance out the potential between the PC and the DAC via the backdoor(s) (this is the interlink and also the mains) is not there any more. This in itself means that that the PC is under full control now, and anything changing there will change the ground potential of the cable itself.
Bad ?

No, because along with that should be/go the generated differential signal around that same ground, and nothing should change the signal (notice : for its balance between the amplitude of each of the single ended signals forming the differential signal). Fine.

But now we are using with vs without power wire;
I am not sure how I can fit in the story above with this, but when power is used with the same ground wire as is used for the data, then I feel that this power will influence the ground potential for the differential data wires. Thus, when the ground e.g. lifts a bit (was 0V and now becomes 0.1V) then the differential signal is out of balance. This will not only create different amplitudes as both halves of the differential signal, but also lag between the two (this is a bit difficult to explain but when you'd fold the two signals over each other (virtualize them to be not opposite any more) and next imagine that both need to "edge-trigger" something, then both will not do that at the same time).
And, because the triggering will happen at one "side" only (like on the upgoing slope only), this will imply a fairly large amount of jitter on the USB transfer (I had more explanation but it is too difficult to put to words without extensive drawings).

Anyway ... I think that the power part in the USB receiver will change the potential of the ground (that part is in front of the isolation) BUT ALSO that all should be made for that. Thus :
- Ground from PC plus nicely formed differential signal around that ground;
- Power from PC but also from DAC's receiver that uses the same ground.
- Net the ground is fine, because both above are taken into account of the design.
Disclaimer : I can't hold this up for devices which don't even use power, also thinking about the one wil use more of it than the other (so following my theory the ground will change more or less depening on the used power (current)).

So what I try to think is that NOT using the power while it was intended to be used, might change the ground potential in an unexpected way and now the differential signal is misformed.
I'm sure it is too far sought but I must try something. At least I now seem to be on a path of explanation how the isolation of the DAC makes the USB cable influence more profound. But I'm afraid that if I read back what I just sprouted, I won't even understand it myself.

Regards,
Peter

[AlainGr]

I don't understand the details that are at work from your explanations, but I hope I have grabbed enough to understand that each part has its importance and fiddling with them will trigger changes that are not for the better.

I suppose that dacs that use the USB 5V to function could benefit from an accessory like a iFi iUSB, but for the NOS1 this would NOT be the same.

What I am less sure of is these "Y" shaped USB cables that separate the power from the signal (I mean "Are they beneficial"), but to my ears the Clairixa is the most accurate cable I have and that the impedance is a perfect match.

Regards,

Alain

[PeterSt]

Clairixa owners of the second batch ... Your USB cable will arrive one of these days (all were shipped yesterday).

Because at first I was rather enthusiastic about the results without the power, we made a set of these for you all :

Two is enough - one is spare.

Below you can see how to apply it when you want to try without the power wire.

If you look above again, you see one of these self adhesive "pads" upside down. The protective paper is cut in the middle. Now you can peal off the bottom part (the thinner part) which goes to the inside of the connector.

Look above and below for the position of the pad for of the A connector.

Grab a tooth pick which you can put through the hole in the connector to additionally press the padd. Try to press it over its full length so it will stick everywhere.

Above you see where to put the pad for the B connector.


When you are finished with positioning and pressing the pad so it sticks well, you can peal off the other protective piece of paper and fold the tape as you see in in the pictures so that remainder part now will stick to the outside.
You can now put in the cable and pull it out and the pads will stay. Number of in/out times won't be infinite of course.


Already-owners of the Clairixa (or others) can make these pads like this :

Total length is 28-29mm.
The thin part is 3mm of width.
The wide part is 5mm of width.

Notice that the wide part is only wider so you an hold it better during the assembly - otherwise it has no function. However, it will stick better to the outside now as well.
The thin part should not be mangled with for its width.

Have fun,
Peter

[boleary]

Customer service? It just doesn't get any better! 

[sondale]

Peter,

Cables have arrived and are in the system - I think a brick is needed to stop my iFi dac being moved by them!

Update on the sound at the weekend.

Thanks

Alan

[PeterSt]

Hey Alan - eh ...

I think a brick is needed to stop my iFi dac being moved by them!

Too much of English for me !
Sorry, but what does it mean ? Something good I hope ?

Peter

[sondale]

Peter,

The iFi dac and USB power units are small and light, the cable is strong and does not bend easily, so the cable is quite capable of pushing these little boxes around hence the need for a heavy weight on top of them.

I assume the Phasure NOS 1 is somewhat heavier!

It reminds me of the time I had some Proac Tablettes and used a VERY thick microwave cable as speaker cable, the Tablettes had to be stuck firmly to the speaker stands.

Alan

[PeterSt]

Ah Alan. Ok, thanks for the elaboration.
Anyway I wouldn't try to bend the cable in too sharp bends, if you know what I mean.

But at least it seems that your "double" solution works in the first place.

Peter

[christoffe]

The last 4 weeks a $1 USB cable was in my system, due to the “SQ nearness” to the vinyl sound with my turntable.

My very first SQ impressions (within **25** sec)  of the Clairixa USB cable (power wire enabled)  was,

this is ***a SQ similar to*** the ”YSF data only” cable, but with

-   a stronger left/right separation
-   more speed
-   ***much*** more details*** ***
-   more resolution

and less ambience compared to the $1 USB cable. The deepness of the room image declined from 5m to 2m.

Joachim

[Robert]

Gosh got Clairixa today. Well everything is better. Less digital hash whatever that is. But when its less its better. Whole sound is better. $1 cable is cr*p as you would expect. Hearing things I never heard before, vocal harmony's standing out.

Gosh can I expect this sound to get better!!!!

Everything counts even if its digits!!! I'm amazed more havn't been positive. What are you listening for? I think some are not hearing the music!!!

Robert

[michaeljeger]

My Clarixa should also be on the way.

Having the Blaxius cable now and the new Abyss Headphone, I more and more realize how bad all those other digital sources out there are.

I am really super curious what the impact of the Clarixa cable in my chain will be.

Could it be Nirvana?

We will see.

[PeterSt]

Michael,

That stupid part did not arrive yet (comes from the UK and already Monday the order was processed so I don't know what's happening).

I will also openly admit : I forgot to put Michael on the internal list and I hate it. Then we ran out of that part ...


Peter

[PeterSt]

That stupid part did not arrive yet

Ha, it just did !
So your cable will ship today, Michael.

Regards,
Peter

[michaeljeger]

Hi Peter

Happy to hear that.

I might then be in Phasure Heaven next week, or so I hope.

Best, Michael