Connecting SBT to an Anti Mode 2.0 Dual Core unit via USB using Triode EDO App

[bencat]

I have an SBT and have loaded the Triode EDO App mainly in the past for the digital out via Coaxial SPDIF . I have recently bought an Anti - Mode 2.0 Dual Core
http://www.dspeaker.com/en/products/20-dual-core.shtml.
The unit only has SPDIF in and out as Toslink or USB and I wanted to use the USB from the SBT as the digital out. However when I connected the two units there was no connection made and nothing but static was coming through the Anti - Mode unit and the small screen froze and showed distorted graphics.
According to the unit it is compliant with USB 2.0 but it is just a straight USB input.
Can you advise if this is just a connection issue because I tried the unit when switched on ? If I connect the SBT and the Anti-Mode while switched off and then power them both up at the same time would this make the right connection ? Are there any settings on the SBT that I would need to change ?

[guidof]

I have an SBT and have loaded the Triode EDO App mainly in the past for the digital out via Coaxial SPDIF . I have recently bought an Anti - Mode 2.0 Dual Core
http://www.dspeaker.com/en/products/20-dual-core.shtml.
The unit only has SPDIF in and out as Toslink or USB and I wanted to use the USB from the SBT as the digital out. However when I connected the two units there was no connection made and nothing but static was coming through the Anti - Mode unit and the small screen froze and showed distorted graphics.
According to the unit it is compliant with USB 2.0 but it is just a straight USB input.
Can you advise if this is just a connection issue because I tried the unit when switched on ? If I connect the SBT and the Anti-Mode while switched off and then power them both up at the same time would this make the right connection ? Are there any settings on the SBT that I would need to change ?

I tried the same setup in my system and discovered that it won't work. As a workaround I inserted a Music Fidelity VLink II USB to SPDIF converter between the SBT and the Dual Core. BTW, I found that the DAC in the Dual Core is more transparent than my former DAC (a Cambridge Audio 840C).

Regards,

Guido F.

[bencat]

Hi Guidof

Thanks for your information and response it at least means that it is not just my set up that has an issue. Has anyone responded as to why it does not work ? Is the issue with the Anti - Mode or the SBT ?

Will at some point get the Anti Mode unit connected directly to my Power amp and give it a try but not sure that it will be any better than the P-1a > Antimode > P-3a I currently have but certainly worth trying .

[guidof]

Hi Guidof

Thanks for your information and response it at least means that it is not just my set up that has an issue. Has anyone responded as to why it does not work ? Is the issue with the Anti - Mode or the SBT ?

Will at some point get the Anti Mode unit connected directly to my Power amp and give it a try but not sure that it will be any better than the P-1a > Antimode > P-3a I currently have but certainly worth trying .

I also tried the Anti Mode as a preamp (I.e., connected directly into my amp). But I found the resulting sound to be a bit on the sterile side and lacking in dynamics. Similar to the sound I get if I run my preamp in passive mode. That's why I now use the Anti Mode purely as EQ/DAC and run its balanced analog output into my preamp set for active mode (see sig below). Sounds very good to me, much better than my prior setup with the CA 840C as DAC. The benefit of room mode correction is significant in my setup. Of course, your room and your experience may be different.

Best,

Guido F.

[bencat]

Hi Guido

I bought the Anti Mode for the roomcorrection functions and was really surprised at how bad my room was when I saw the red line readings after calibration they looked like the Alps . What is more important thought is how much better the sound was when the correction was applied with so much more coherent and listenable bass and more natural voices. I am not thinking of going back to the sound without the AM in place. Currently I have it pushing out a digital output toa dac then back in to my system. Sadly my Pre Amp (Concordant Exhilliarant an old Tube / Valve Line stage) does not have balanced inputs so have to use the AM via RCA and it runs out of volume when used directly in to the pre. I understand that there is more output from the balanced XLR outputs so may look to get some XLR to phono leads and see if that could work .

[guidof]

Hi Guido

I bought the Anti Mode for the roomcorrection functions and was really surprised at how bad my room was when I saw the red line readings after calibration they looked like the Alps . What is more important thought is how much better the sound was when the correction was applied with so much more coherent and listenable bass and more natural voices. I am not thinking of going back to the sound without the AM in place. Currently I have it pushing out a digital output toa dac then back in to my system. Sadly my Pre Amp (Concordant Exhilliarant an old Tube / Valve Line stage) does not have balanced inputs so have to use the AM via RCA and it runs out of volume when used directly in to the pre. I understand that there is more output from the balanced XLR outputs so may look to get some XLR to phono leads and see if that could work .

My impression about the room correction effect is similar to yours. I had the mono version of the AM on my sub and had experienced the same kind of improvement, which is what led me to purchase the Dual Core for my main speakers. I am curious, though, about your using an external DAC (I.e., bypassing the AM's internal DAC). Have you tried using the AM's DAC and sending its analog output directly to your preamp?

BTW, I also found that the output volume of the AM is on the low side, even from the XLR out, so I'm running both the AM and the preamp at full volume (no attenuation), and use the volume on the Touch to control volume. With this setup, I get enough SPL, but at times barely.

[bencat]

Hi Guido

Because of the wat my system is stacked the AM unit has to be on the top and my power amp is right at the bottom . I strive to keep my inter connects as short as possible and I do not have a 1mtr plus at the moment to connect the AM direct. So not have not tried it direct as yet. Might well get one this weekend and give it a try but then again like the way it sounds now so as for a real change the weather is good in the UK at the moment may just play some music instead .

[guidof]

Hi Guido

Because of the wat my system is stacked the AM unit has to be on the top and my power amp is right at the bottom . I strive to keep my inter connects as short as possible and I do not have a 1mtr plus at the moment to connect the AM direct. So not have not tried it direct as yet. Might well get one this weekend and give it a try but then again like the way it sounds now so as for a real change the weather is good in the UK at the moment may just play some music instead .

Ah, yes. Good weather surely deserves an outing! Let me know how you like the AM as DAC if you ever try it.

Wonder about a power amp at the bottom of a stack, though. Does it get enough ventilation?

Enjoy the music!

Guido F.

[bencat]

Hi Guido

The Krell KSA50 is the mark one unit the original all class A amp and it very big and very heavy. The Soundstyle rack I have it in has a double sized shelf at the bottom and the Power amp has at least 4/5 inches of space above it for air circulation . Plus the amp is lifted up on some isolation feet so there is a good 2inches and more underneath the amp again allowing good air flow. The unit is also has a pair of fansin side that cool the board when switched on. Being class A it is not really viable to have the unit powered on all the time so all the equipment is switched off when not in use then given 15 / 20 mins warm up . It does seem to work .

[guidof]

Hi Guido

The Krell KSA50 is the mark one unit the original all class A amp and it very big and very heavy. The Soundstyle rack I have it in has a double sized shelf at the bottom and the Power amp has at least 4/5 inches of space above it for air circulation . Plus the amp is lifted up on some isolation feet so there is a good 2inches and more underneath the amp again allowing good air flow. The unit is also has a pair of fansin side that cool the board when switched on. Being class A it is not really viable to have the unit powered on all the time so all the equipment is switched off when not in use then given 15 / 20 mins warm up . It does seem to work .

Given that we had the warmest July ever, I'm all psyched out about hot running equipment!

No danger of that in the Dual Core though. Nifty little device. Just got a 'Golden Ear Award' in The Absolute Sound mag here in the US. (Not that all such awards are necessarily deserved, but this one surely is, IMO).

Enjoy yours, together with the big class A Krell!

Guido F.