Melco S100 audiophile switch
- Thread starter CKKeung
- Start date
I ordered mine from Analogue Seduction in the UK (www.analogueseduction.net ) and was happy with their service. As I recall, no sales tax and no duty!
I am considering doing the Pinkfaun clock upgrade on my sotm switch. Could someone please let me know how much was the full cost parts and labour included ?
Here's what I paid, but this was almost a year ago, like everything else, the cost may have increased. Shoot an email to Jord at pinkfaun dot com and he'll walk you through it.
The price for the modification was €1.600 ex VAT. This includes:
- testing the switch on arrival/before modification.
- all parts and labor. (Ultra-clock board, wiring, vibration dampers etc.)
- modify the switch, this included the replacement of the standard clock, replace all internal wiring, remove all internal connectors and solder all wires
- extensive testing of the switch before and after modification (test the switch for at least one day in our system after mod is complete on technical issues and sound quality performance)
- shipping back the switch.
- insurance that if anything happens with the switch during replacing the clock, we replace the switch by an original new switch from the distributor in The Netherlands.
Also be aware that as a part of the mod, the OCXO clock they install requires a dedicated 5v/1A power supply to operate. This 5v power supply is not included in the upgrade. I was already using a Farad Super3 to power the stock switch and had PF add a Super3 to my order.
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The price for the modification was €1.600 ex VAT. This includes:
- testing the switch on arrival/before modification.
- all parts and labor. (Ultra-clock board, wiring, vibration dampers etc.)
- modify the switch, this included the replacement of the standard clock, replace all internal wiring, remove all internal connectors and solder all wires
- extensive testing of the switch before and after modification (test the switch for at least one day in our system after mod is complete on technical issues and sound quality performance)
- shipping back the switch.
- insurance that if anything happens with the switch during replacing the clock, we replace the switch by an original new switch from the distributor in The Netherlands.
Also be aware that as a part of the mod, the OCXO clock they install requires a dedicated 5v/1A power supply to operate. This 5v power supply is not included in the upgrade. I was already using a Farad Super3 to power the stock switch and had PF add a Super3 to my order.
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Yikes thats almost as expensive as an M12 gold switch. Oh well, I guess it's to be expected for something that is custom. I really hate that I can't try these items before I commit, I think that is my biggest issues right now after buying the English Electric switch and it did absolutely nothing. Decisions decisions.
AfterDark. modified Buffalo in cascade OCXO edition.
https://www.adark.co/collections/pr...cade-x-giesemann-ocxo-black-modernize-edition
https://www.adark.co/collections/pr...cade-x-giesemann-ocxo-black-modernize-edition
Well that thing is impressive. Just read through the details, looks like the same exact thing as the Melco. Anyone compare the sound of the two?
Some review from German audiophile:
https://www.open-end-music.com/foru...6-mit-giesemann-ocxo-in-der-praxis#post619816
https://www.open-end-music.com/foru...6-mit-giesemann-ocxo-in-der-praxis#post619816
Thanks do you own it? Seems like he is using a different clock (Geissman) and not the Pink Faun Ultra. Did he stop using those?
The Giesemann OCXO is quite different design from Pink Faun Ultra. This version can power two Buffalo motherboard with one OCXO clock. The net saving of using one OCXO instead of two is huge when compared.
Some more product details as below:
https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...ocxo-black-modernize-edition/#comment-1159737
Some more product details as below:
https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...ocxo-black-modernize-edition/#comment-1159737
This version may look attactive for you.
https://www.adark.co/collections/pr...er-clock-input-module-black-modernize-edition
https://www.adark.co/collections/pr...er-clock-input-module-black-modernize-edition
Not sure where you are located, but if you are in the states, you may want to try either Dedicated Audio or Underwood HiFi and see if you can score a stock version first. I don't know about either company's return policy, but if they allow 30 day returns, you could try it at home. Even with the stock power supply, the improvement in sound quality with the S100 is quite noticeable. and, if you happen to have a power supply sitting around that can work with it, you can see how well it scales just with a better power supply. In fact, you may be satisfied stopping there. For a while, anyway!
Saving is not good in this case.
You connect 2 separate circuits here. That is not optimal.
Noise can get for one to the other.
Why do we have 2 monoblocks than stereo amps ? To isolate one from the other. Why we have separate channels in DACs ? To have a better sound.
It is very impressive clock with little better noise . Thats the fact.
Unfortunately the designers keep it FAR from the actual connection point and they will need to run about 15 to 20 cm clock cable.
Doing it it will Destroy the very low noise floor.
I hope they will correct thay in their next version.
PinkFaun ultra in my Buffalo 2016 was installed very close
( 2 cm cable only) to preserve all values.
The closer the clock is the better results are.
I think the special feature of Afterdark Switch: Buffalo BS-GS2016 SFP+ 10G Cascade x Giesemann OCXO Black Modernize Edition is the clock.
The specification of the "entry-level" clock Grade PRINCE already has slightly better values (Phase Noise -131 dBC at 10Hz) , than the highly regarded Pink Faun Ultra OCXO Clock (Phase Noise -130 dBC at 10Hz).
I have the switch with Grade emperor Giesemann EVA (Phase Noise -145 dBC at 10Hz).
Source: AFTERDARK. PROJECT CLAYX GIESEMANN OCXO 10MHZ TRIFECTA ULTRA EDITION
That makes the difference again. With these extreme values it is important that both Buffalo GS2016 are clocked by the same clock. The cable from the clock on the left is as short as possible.
A galvanic isolation is done by a fiber optic cable when cascading.
Since both switches have the same power source it is important to have a very good linear power supply. I use a Keces P28 with a low ripple noise of <10uV (0,01 mV).
The clock has its own linear power supply and this is the crucial point.
The specification of the "entry-level" clock Grade PRINCE already has slightly better values (Phase Noise -131 dBC at 10Hz) , than the highly regarded Pink Faun Ultra OCXO Clock (Phase Noise -130 dBC at 10Hz).
I have the switch with Grade emperor Giesemann EVA (Phase Noise -145 dBC at 10Hz).
Source: AFTERDARK. PROJECT CLAYX GIESEMANN OCXO 10MHZ TRIFECTA ULTRA EDITION
That makes the difference again. With these extreme values it is important that both Buffalo GS2016 are clocked by the same clock. The cable from the clock on the left is as short as possible.
A galvanic isolation is done by a fiber optic cable when cascading.
Since both switches have the same power source it is important to have a very good linear power supply. I use a Keces P28 with a low ripple noise of <10uV (0,01 mV).
The clock has its own linear power supply and this is the crucial point.
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