I don’t see how any digital algorithm could convincingly “repair” a defect like non-fill which is of relatively long duration.
The Sugarcube significantly diminishes non-fill noise but will not make it disappear completely as it does with pops and clicks
I tried Magic on the non-fill vexing the last two songs on Dylan’s Travelin’ Thru, side one. While it didn’t eliminate it entirely, it was noticeably less present. I found myself listening to the music, not the pressing error. I’m giving it the ultimate run now with my Ludwig Led Zeppelin II. It has its fair share of crackles in “Whole Lotta Love” and the quiet parts of “What Is and What Should Never Be.” They are almost nonexistent with Magic; it has lost none of Ludwig’s thunderous, dynamic hot mix! I don’t think I’ve ever heard this album so satisfactorily. Magic indeed!
Seems the latest SPDIF variants are shipping with 24/96 outputs. I wonder if there's any way to get older units to support the same...
Also interested in what an upgrade would be priced at. Happy to DIY as I did already. But if parts need to be imported from Shannon it might be too expensive. If they're off the shelf from any electronics supplier - I'm almost certainly in.
Not sure on the cost. These are Shannon’s instructions on how to do the upgrade. If you email him he will let you know on the cost. He is good about emailing responses. http://parksaudiollc.com/spdif/spdif.html
I think these are the original instructions to add the digital output. Has anyone seen instructions specific to upgrading from 24/48 to 24/96?
I did the S/PDIF output modification as soon as I received the Puffin. It sounds very good to me. I've emailed Mr. Parks about the 24/96 output. Will post here when I get a response.
Has this been posted previously? From the Parks Audio Facebook page: “Now shipping a Puffin with a Toslink/optical output. Ideal for ground isolating your sensitive turntable setup from the rest of your audio system.” This is a $639 option in addition to the $589 digital coax option. I believe it’s still 24/48, however.
Where did this supposed change to a 24/96 output get announced? I still can't tell if this is real or just a rumor.
I guess we'll have to wait for an announcement from Mr. Parks. On the other hand, why would the man on the other forum lie about getting 24/96 from the Puffin? Hopefully there will be an upgrade option for us with 24/48 output and upgradius nevrosa.
Can you post a link to that post on the "other" forum? I'd just like to read the claim for myself rather than relying on rumors.
If you read on in that thread, the 96k claim was challenged and another poster reported getting only 48k. I suggest reaching out to Shannon directly if you want a definitive answer. When I emailed him about my order he responded very quickly.
I've reached out to Mr. Parks and I'll let him announce any changes. I believe both posters are right though.
Logically it'll likely be linked the the new optical digital out. that'll need some additional hardware - hence the higher price and I assume that at the same time he's 'fixed ' the restriction that forced the internal 96/24 to be 48/24 on the coax output. I'm hoping that the addition will be retro fitable for us earlier customers - that's one of the things that's great about his approach. Feels like If it's possible he'll offer it in some way...
Some interesting posts from Shannons FB page - Parks Audio LLC Reynaldo Rios What??? lol That's amazing. I already modded mine with a coax, do you have pictures? Congrats for the new products. Author Parks Audio LLC No pix yet, Reynaldo. Also probably will just be a factory upgrade as the Toslink port really needs a small daughter board PCB I've made, though I might make it a kit. 1 Reynaldo Rios the kit idea sounds great. sign me up! Thanks 1 Massimo Carozzi I'm fine with the coax mod and no interference whatsoever, will there any advantage (beside isolation) with optical connection? I think the driving digital signal is the same used by coax, isn't it? thanks Shannon Author Parks Audio LLC If you have no system interference, then it's unnecessary for you, Massimo. Just a matter of when system ground loops or leakage currents travel through the copper shielding of the interconnect and add noise.