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tinamou62
83
Jul 18, 2019
First impressions - will post a proper review later in "reviews". The hum issue is not present in my amplifier, so if that's what you're worried about hopefully you will also be fine. Wow, this thing is much better than the CTH for my HD800S. Songs just sound much more full. There is a depth to "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap that made me feel like I was listening to that song all over again. Concentrated bass slams like the drumline in Loyal by Odesza definitely hit harder. Mid presentation is more forward, feels more intimate and again has more depth to it. I do not experience the "holographic" soundstage others have talked about, in fact, things sound a bit smaller than the CTH in my short time listening - I have only used the amp for ~3 hours so maybe that's a burn-in type of thing. But wow, timbre and bass slam is so much better. I do have one issue, but it is not at all with the amp - but I want to make people aware. If you are using a USB, this amp is VERY sensitive to USB noise. It seems to be picking up noise out of my USB-C port on my laptop. When I plug my laptop in to charge and run the USB C out -> SDAC -> ZDT Jr, there is a persistent and extremely audible whine - it's not like a tiny little detail, it's obvious and really annoying. I tried using the USB-C out on my Pixel and voila, no whine. This is NOT at all an amp problem, it is a USB-C noise issue and presumably some grounding issue from what I've seen - but if you're using a DAC that does not have its own power supply (that draws power from USB like the SDAC) then you might also run into this problem. To remedy this problem, I have just unplugged my laptop. The whine becomes about 10x less audible and almost unnoticeable although still there if you pay attention. If anyone has a solution to USB noise I would love to hear it. Would buying a DAC with its own independent power supply fix this? cheers!
Fayne
2586
Jul 21, 2019
tinamou62You might wish to try a USB decrapifier, I'm thinking something like a Schiitty Wyrd may fix your problems. It is designed to isolate your USB audio device from the power on your machine. But that $100 to find out if it solves your problem may be a bit steep, so you might also trying a good USB hub. The key is getting the power stabilized and isolated from your computer. As for the Wyrd, it is also nice having a hard power switch for the gear. Most bus powered DAC don't power off when you sleep or halt a workstation, they sit there and vampire. I've noticed that most DAC with their own power supply still get their controllers powered via bus. So you may still have issues.
(Edited)
tinamou62
83
Jul 21, 2019
FayneSolved it with a couple steps, there were actually 2 issues contributing to the same annoying whine. 1) Ground loop issue - solved by getting a new laptop charger that is double-insulated and doesn't have a ground plug. 2) USB power/signal noise issue - Got a new DAC - Topping D30 - that has an external PSU. When I got my ZDT I sold my CTH/SDAC so I needed a new DAC anyways. The CTH was USB-powered and apparently the designers at HP thought clean USB power was too much of a luxury in a $1500 laptop.
YellowBee
66
Jul 24, 2019
Faynehttps://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-schiit-wyrd-usb-filter.5717/ Don't recommend stuff like that mate, just makes a huge confusion. Peace ❤️
Fayne
2586
Jul 24, 2019
YellowBeeIf you have bus power related problems, it works. Same as getting a high quality USB hub. Plus it gives you a sweet power switch to turn off the bus powered DACs. It will not magically make the sound better, and it sure as hell is easier than saying "You should buy a whole new stack". :)
YellowBee
66
Jul 24, 2019
FayneHaha, very true😂
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