Two CD Transports--Different Side of Speakers

[bob_m_54]

1 minute ago, muon* said:

Lucky we have you.

Mate I've been chasing data transmission faults in various equipment for the last 40 odd years.

[Kent10]

Bob, I have looked over all the information you have given me, and I now understand how it works.  Thanks so much for taking the time to explain everything to me.  

 

I was confused as to how it all works because I was comparing each of the 19 pins of the Jay's and the Gustard and there was a lot that looked different and with letters I had no idea what they meant.  Then I thought each of the 8 switches changed the pins from a + to a - and I wondered why there were only 8 switches when there were 19 pins. 

 

Now I see that the switches work in pairs and they can only change 4 pins.  So when I switch 1 to off and 2 to on, the Jay's will become + to match pin 1 + of the G.  If I turn switch 3 off and 4 on, then it goes to pin 3 as - which matches the - of the G.  If I switch 5 off and 6 on, then it goes to pin 7 as + which matches the + of the G.  If I switch 7 off and 8 on, then it goes to pin 9 as - which matches the - of the G.

 

So now pins 1, 3, 7 and 9 will match polarity on the Jay's and the G.  But I am confused about one of the pins that doesn't seem to match.  15 is GND on the Jay's but MODE(0:PCM 1:DSD) on the G.  I assume this doesn't matter because the Jay's is GND but what is the MODE?  

 

It feels really good to finally understand something new and I am going to make the switch this weekend.  It should go very well.  It will be interesting to see if I can hear any differences.  I am not expecting to really, except maybe the speakers being reversed as a possibility.  Thanks again for persisting with me!

[bob_m_54]

7 hours ago, Kent10 said:

But I am confused about one of the pins that doesn't seem to match.  15 is GND on the Jay's but MODE(0:PCM 1:DSD) on the G.  I assume this doesn't matter because the Jay's is GND but what is the MODE? 

Pin 15 appears to select between PCM mode, and DSD mode, depending on what is fed to the pin. It says on the diagram: 0:PCM  1:DSD.

 

From reading a bit here:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/gustard-dac-a26-ak4499ex-dac-impressions-thread.966041/

 

it appears that a GND on pin 15 of the Gustard DAC will cause it to select PCM mode..

[Kent10]

Very interesting about pin 15.  Thanks Bob.

[Kent10]

I made the switch changes.  As far as I know nothing changed (though I really am not sure) except as Bob anticipated the speaker positions did change.  Now the Jay's is the same as the Sony but both are different from my computers.  Not sure it matters but it would be nice to know why they are different.  I used an online speaker test on the computer and left and right are correct so it seems the Jay's and Sony are "incorrect" through the R26.

 

Tomorrow I am going to move my whole system out about 3 inches to get my new Tubulus I2S cable to fit in the back.  That will be interesting to hear if it was worth the very high cost.  I won't be able to go back and forth very easily so I may just have to accept that it probably is better than the generic HDMI cable.  I hope I can hear a difference for the better but it also needs to burn in .

 

 

[bob_m_54]

2 hours ago, Kent10 said:

except as Bob anticipated the speaker positions did change. 

 

Well that's a relief.. LOL.. (that's two for the day eh Pete? )

 

As for which is correct, I'd bet my lefty that the Sony CDP is correct (they'd have too much to lose if they stuffed up such a simple exercise).. But I can't help to explain why your computer is different, apart from (and don't shoot me if you already posted) what interface are you using from the computer to what you are connected to? ie computer via ? to ?

Edited September 23, 2023 by bob_m_54

[Kent10]

I took my system apart today to move it forward so I could fit in a Tubulus I2S cable.  I noticed there were 2 cables from the amp to the pre-amp that are not color coded.  It is an old system, maybe that is why, but I reversed them and this finally solved the speaker issue.  Now the speakers are reversed again for the Jay's, ironically to where it started.  But now I have the polarity corrected.

 

One other issue that is very disappointing I need to solve.  You can see the Tubulus cable is very thick on the end and it is blocking the USB port.  https://www.highendcableshop.com/product/tubulus-concentus-i2s-cable/

 

So now I I can't have both plugged in at the same time.  I can switch them out as I use them or I wonder if I can find an adapter for the Tubulus, or a quality extension so I can keep both cables inserted.  It would need to be quality though so it doesn't take anything away from the Tubulus.  I am not sure what yet.  I am going to look and I may start another thread to see if anyone has any ideas.  Otherwise I will just have to switch them out.  A real pain.

 

Well the speaker issue is solved so thanks Bob and Ian, and everyone else who made suggestions.  Here are some pics in case you want to see the switches.  It might help someone else.