Hans, thank you for another great review and discussion ! I do not own any of the SOtM products yet, but according to Srajan Ebaen's review of the SOtM tx-USBultra (Six Moons, Sept 2017) the SOtM linear power supply can actually power two SOtM units at the same time when set to 19V, (either 2 x 9V, or 7V + 9V) configurations when used with the SOtM single-to-double power cable.
Dear Hans, Recently I replaced my MacMini with a SOtM sMS-200 Ultra Neo USB network player . Thanks you for your kind guidance in successive videos on your channel. This proves an absolute change for the better! It feels a bit like a new career. You say goodbye to familiar routines and dear colleagues, but the choice turns out to be right. In the meantime, I wonder which old friends (components) I will continue to choose and which I will lose. The MacMini is equipped with an Uptone Audio MMK, swapping the noisy SMPS for a clean LPS. The Fusion Drive has previously been replaced by two SSDs. The MM gets a new, more limited role upstream in the network: ROON Core. In addition to my Mytek Brooklyn DAC+, the Syntaxx "Keystone" LPS now continues to power the new network player. Also a strongholder. The Uptone Ether Regen/Ultracaps LPS 1 also continues to serve in the audio rack just before the new network player. Behind the AQVOX SE switch serving the Router, NAS and Core. When the MacMini was still in service there, the iFi iGalvanic and iFi Micro iUSB 3.0/sBooster BOTW P&P Eco Mk II clearly added value. In the current configuration - which resembles the stacking of the Network player with the SOtM tx-USB Ultra USB conditioner you have evaluated - I hesitate if this is not tantamount to "washing your clothes twice". Bearing in mind your conclusion, I would expect that the effect of the iFi combi will be less than the SOtM tx-USBultra, but should still contribute audibly. What are your views on this?
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Nevertheless, I have great appreciation for your expertise and advice. In the meantime I have put things to the test and removed the IFI accessories between the Mytek Brooklyn DAC + (hereinafter DAC) and the SOTM SMS-UTLRA NEO (hereinafter Neo). In think this barer new set -up sounds even more natural. I suspect that these accessories other than the SOtM tx-USBultra USB Signal Regenerator (herinafter: USBUltra) do not add anything to the quality of the galvanic separation and reclocking of the USB signal from the Neo and even detract from it. The Neo is now the last link in the chain before the DAC. And a fine one: It - gets its DC from the Syntaxx :”Keystone” LPS; - receives an ethernet signal from the Uptone Audio EtherRegen/ Ultracap LPS 1.2, via an AQ Vodka RJ/E cable; - sends the reclocked USB signal via an AQ Diamond USB to the DAC. What I now find is consistent with earlier examples, in which the final quality is largely determinded by the quality of the last link in the chain. In line with your experience adding a USBUltra after the Neo could well bring further improvement.
Thank you for the review, Hans. I have a question: For people who have DACs with more inputs besides USB (I2S, AES/EBU or Coaxial), could they get better results with a DDC like Singxer SU6, with the advantage of being cheaper?
Hi Hans, were you ever able to try the SOtM tx-USBultra with the original SOtM sMS-200? I'm considering this combination as I have an sMS-200 already and am wondering if I should just upgrade to the ultra or just add the USBultra. What are you thoughts or suspicions on which would be best? Thanks for the awesome work!!!
This seems like "washing your shirt twice" to me as well. So if the SMS 200 Ultra is, as you related in your video, essentially an original SMS 200 coupled with SOtM's SCLK-EX, would I be better off partnering these two together or just going for the SMS 200 Ultra? The SCLK-EX appears to just be a DIY board however and probably not an add-on to the SMS 200. So it would appear I'm "S.O.L." - unless you know of another external stand-alone component similar to the SCLK-EX? I'm starting to think it would just be easier to sell the original, buy the ultra, and be done with it...but I wanted to be sure as the sound of the original SMS 200 is still quite good as you obviously know!
Hans, For people that use streaming services such as Spotify or listen to music 16/44 rather than DSDs/SACDs, is this a component that would make such a difference as it does for DSD/MQA imaging?
Forgive this unrelated question, there doesn't seem to be a location for 'general' questions on the HB channel. . . Hello Hans, As a follower of your reviews, and patron supporter, I have a request for a product review, that I guarantee when you first hear my suggestion, you will dismiss it. There is no product I’m aware of that has gotten more press over the last several years, than the KEF LS50. Everyone is a bit tired of reading about them! I’ve heard them, and they are a very impressive speaker. But I put them out of my mind as I have been focused on sorting out my digital music sources and streamer. However I was surprised at how interesting the new powered KEF LS 50 are to me. But to be clear, this is not the dreaded “what do I buy” letter, but it is more of a: Isn’t the powered LS50 an absolute game changer? Powered speakers are of course nothing new. But to have an entire digital music environment encased in an already award winning speaker system? That’s something pretty amazing. No separate amp, preamp, DAC, streamer. They all go away. More to the point, their $2,200 price point makes them look like an actual value considering all the components they replace. Worthy of a video? Warm regards, Peter Franz
KEF doesn't like my independent style of journalism so they don't invite me to press conferences nor will they lend me a set of speakers for review. They even withdrew add's from the magazine I used to publish to punish me for not being a KEF promotion channel.
Thanks Hans. Sorry to hear that. KEF SHOULD be outed for such terrible behavior. The powered LS50s could be criticized for a "lifestyle" approach to audio design, we'll have to see if others copy this approach.
Hi Hans, I use a Lumin D1 that connects directly to a network cable and lacks any usb input. Should I be worried given these Sotm devices improve so much on sq, or is the lumin direct network cable connection up to the task. I did notice a lot of improvement using an sBooster and are enjoying the sound of it
Thank you very much Hans, excellent review, I have a tX-USBultra / sPS 500 connected to a chord 2qute and I am very happy with the result, I observed a green LED flashing inside you know what it means?
I'm afraid not. Sorry. Usually they are control lights for technicians to check certain things, like if the boot process succeeded or if the power supply works fine.
have you tried just the USB conditioner without streamer? I find using Roon uncomfortable. Operating directly from Mediacenter PC works for me better. I'm interested in setup PC->Conditioner->DAC
Hans, I feel like I am The Secretary, handing you Mission Impossible assignments. Your next mission, should you choose to accept it, is to try a 10MHz reference clock, like the Mutec Ref-10 or the SOtM sCLK-OCX10. And then after that your next mission, should you choose to accept it, is to try a modified switch, clocked by the sCLK-EX in one of your Ultra's. Of course, judging by the comments already piling up here, you may not survive these missions.
Hans, let me also add that you should try the german made AQVOX AQ-SWITCH SE (audio grade ethernet switch) before the SOtM duo. Believe it or not it's another audible improvement!
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel Very strange, they seemed very eager to get one to me. Guys, anyone borrowing their switch to Hans for a review? I would send you mine but I live in Asia at the moment...
Hans, it's pronounced SOM with a silent t, rhyming with "home". No need to spell it out every time. Also, try the new Uptone LPS-1.2 with the tX-USBultra.
6 years on, this is exactly the question I was asking and your video answers it perfectly - thank you, Hans!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks Hans for your patience in reviewing all the stuff we ask. I was one of the many who asked and enjoyed the review!
Hans, thank you for another great review and discussion ! I do not own any of the SOtM products yet, but according to Srajan Ebaen's review of the SOtM tx-USBultra (Six Moons, Sept 2017) the SOtM linear power supply can actually power two SOtM units at the same time when set to 19V, (either 2 x 9V, or 7V + 9V) configurations when used with the SOtM single-to-double power cable.
Thanks for the review, Hans. Great as always.
Dear Hans,
Recently I replaced my MacMini with a SOtM sMS-200 Ultra Neo USB network player .
Thanks you for your kind guidance in successive videos on your channel. This proves an absolute change for the better!
It feels a bit like a new career.
You say goodbye to familiar routines and dear colleagues, but the choice turns out to be right.
In the meantime, I wonder which old friends (components) I will continue to choose and which I will lose.
The MacMini is equipped with an Uptone Audio MMK, swapping the noisy SMPS for a clean LPS.
The Fusion Drive has previously been replaced by two SSDs.
The MM gets a new, more limited role upstream in the network: ROON Core.
In addition to my Mytek Brooklyn DAC+, the Syntaxx "Keystone" LPS now continues to power the new network player. Also a strongholder.
The Uptone Ether Regen/Ultracaps LPS 1 also continues to serve in the audio rack just before the new network player. Behind the AQVOX SE switch serving the Router, NAS and Core.
When the MacMini was still in service there, the iFi iGalvanic and iFi Micro iUSB 3.0/sBooster BOTW P&P Eco Mk II clearly added value.
In the current configuration - which resembles the stacking of the Network player with the SOtM tx-USB Ultra USB conditioner you have evaluated - I hesitate if this is not tantamount to "washing your clothes twice".
Bearing in mind your conclusion, I would expect that the effect of the iFi combi will be less than the SOtM tx-USBultra, but should still contribute audibly.
What are your views on this?
My view isn't interesting since I don't have your ears, your preferences and so on.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
Nevertheless, I have great appreciation for your expertise and advice.
In the meantime I have put things to the test and removed the IFI accessories between the Mytek Brooklyn DAC + (hereinafter DAC) and the SOTM SMS-UTLRA NEO (hereinafter Neo).
In think this barer new set -up sounds even more natural.
I suspect that these accessories other than the SOtM tx-USBultra USB Signal Regenerator (herinafter: USBUltra) do not add anything to the quality of the galvanic separation and reclocking of the USB signal from the Neo and even detract from it.
The Neo is now the last link in the chain before the DAC. And a fine one: It
- gets its DC from the Syntaxx :”Keystone” LPS;
- receives an ethernet signal from the Uptone Audio EtherRegen/ Ultracap LPS 1.2, via an AQ Vodka RJ/E cable;
- sends the reclocked USB signal via an AQ Diamond USB to the DAC.
What I now find is consistent with earlier examples, in which the final quality is largely determinded by the quality of the last link in the chain.
In line with your experience adding a USBUltra after the Neo could well bring further improvement.
Thank you for the review, Hans. I have a question: For people who have DACs with more inputs besides USB (I2S, AES/EBU or Coaxial), could they get better results with a DDC like Singxer SU6, with the advantage of being cheaper?
That depends fully on the DAC. Some have better USB input circuits, others might have better Aes or I²S input circuits.
Thank you Hans.
Hi Hans, were you ever able to try the SOtM tx-USBultra with the original SOtM sMS-200? I'm considering this combination as I have an sMS-200 already and am wondering if I should just upgrade to the ultra or just add the USBultra. What are you thoughts or suspicions on which would be best?
Thanks for the awesome work!!!
No I haven't. But it looks to me as washing your shirt twice....
This seems like "washing your shirt twice" to me as well.
So if the SMS 200 Ultra is, as you related in your video, essentially an original SMS 200 coupled with SOtM's SCLK-EX, would I be better off partnering these two together or just going for the SMS 200 Ultra? The SCLK-EX appears to just be a DIY board however and probably not an add-on to the SMS 200.
So it would appear I'm "S.O.L." - unless you know of another external stand-alone component similar to the SCLK-EX?
I'm starting to think it would just be easier to sell the original, buy the ultra, and be done with it...but I wanted to be sure as the sound of the original SMS 200 is still quite good as you obviously know!
Hans, For people that use streaming services such as Spotify or listen to music 16/44 rather than DSDs/SACDs, is this a component that would make such a difference as it does for DSD/MQA imaging?
If you use spotify you shouldn’t invest money in this but switch to Tidal or Qobus.
Hans, how much difference upgrading the usb cable between digital source and Sotm? Any improvement upgrading the dc power cable?
Thanks mike
Always use a decent quality USB. The amount of impact depends you the quality of the rest of your stereo
Forgive this unrelated question, there doesn't seem to be a location for 'general' questions on the HB channel. . .
Hello Hans,
As a follower of your reviews, and patron supporter, I have a request for a product review, that I guarantee when you first hear my suggestion, you will dismiss it.
There is no product I’m aware of that has gotten more press over the last several years, than the KEF LS50. Everyone is a bit tired of reading about them! I’ve heard them, and they are a very impressive speaker. But I put them out of my mind as I have been focused on sorting out my digital music sources and streamer.
However I was surprised at how interesting the new powered KEF LS 50 are to me.
But to be clear, this is not the dreaded “what do I buy” letter, but it is more of a: Isn’t the powered LS50 an absolute game changer?
Powered speakers are of course nothing new. But to have an entire digital music environment encased in an already award winning speaker system? That’s something pretty amazing. No separate amp, preamp, DAC, streamer. They all go away.
More to the point, their $2,200 price point makes them look like an actual value considering all the components they replace.
Worthy of a video?
Warm regards,
Peter Franz
KEF doesn't like my independent style of journalism so they don't invite me to press conferences nor will they lend me a set of speakers for review. They even withdrew add's from the magazine I used to publish to punish me for not being a KEF promotion channel.
Thanks Hans. Sorry to hear that. KEF SHOULD be outed for such terrible behavior. The powered LS50s could be criticized for a "lifestyle" approach to audio design, we'll have to see if others copy this approach.
If you get the 200 neo and the USB, is there a benefit/do you need the separate clock unit? Or is the clock in the USB enough?
The clock offers extra precision
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you
Hi Hans, I use a Lumin D1 that connects directly to a network cable and lacks any usb input. Should I be worried given these Sotm devices improve so much on sq, or is the lumin direct network cable connection up to the task. I did notice a lot of improvement using an sBooster and are enjoying the sound of it
I have not reviewed the Luminary's, so I can't say.
What would you say is the impact of using the tx-USBultra USB beween a Roon Nucleus, and a DAC, without the use of the SMS200 Ultra?
Watch th-cam.com/video/U4RYineYsF0/w-d-xo.html
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel thank you!!!
Thank you very much Hans, excellent review, I have a tX-USBultra / sPS 500 connected to a chord 2qute and I am very happy with the result, I observed a green LED flashing inside you know what it means?
I'm afraid not. Sorry. Usually they are control lights for technicians to check certain things, like if the boot process succeeded or if the power supply works fine.
have you tried just the USB conditioner without streamer? I find using Roon uncomfortable. Operating directly from Mediacenter PC works for me better. I'm interested in setup PC->Conditioner->DAC
Watch th-cam.com/video/GxusDc39Z6g/w-d-xo.html
Great video ! Have you tried the ' sotm tx usb hub ' ?
No, I haven't. Sorry.
Hans, I feel like I am The Secretary, handing you Mission Impossible assignments.
Your next mission, should you choose to accept it, is to try a 10MHz reference clock, like the Mutec Ref-10 or the SOtM sCLK-OCX10.
And then after that your next mission, should you choose to accept it, is to try a modified switch, clocked by the sCLK-EX in one of your Ultra's.
Of course, judging by the comments already piling up here, you may not survive these missions.
For now I say no, but perhaps I get convinced again😂
Awesome love it. I have a passion for sound. And I have learned something new today. But's the price in Canadian dollars?
No, I mention prices in euros (including 21% VAT - the EU sales tax) which is roughly equal to the price in US$ excluding sales tax.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel is it around 200$?
Not really. It’s around US$ 1400...
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Holly crap. What's the main advantage of having this?
What about sound quality?
Hi Hans, thanks for a great review like always!
Any thoughts or plans in the future, you will look in to the new Stellar Gain Cell DAC from PS audio?
I haven't manage to get any PS-Audio product on review and I gave up on it. Sorry.
Hans, let me also add that you should try the german made AQVOX AQ-SWITCH SE (audio grade ethernet switch) before the SOtM duo. Believe it or not it's another audible improvement!
I have tried but apparently they don't like having a review😔
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel Very strange, they seemed very eager to get one to me. Guys, anyone borrowing their switch to Hans for a review? I would send you mine but I live in Asia at the moment...
I appreciate the effort but I don't like to review products that are owned by viewers.
Hans, it's pronounced SOM with a silent t, rhyming with "home". No need to spell it out every time. Also, try the new Uptone LPS-1.2 with the tX-USBultra.
Thanks, that is a lot easier! I am waiting for the new uptone ISO REGEN. But I will be using the LPS-1.
I believe it stands for "Soul Of the Music"
Yup, I believe you're correct. They do say their name instead of spelling it out though. Much easier in a discussion ;)