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Coming Soon!
32 Bit JLTi
Terra Firma Multi-Player
Based on Oppo Special Edition BluRay with ESS 32 Bit DAC
Projected Prices Including
Multi-Region:
with Current Conversion &
Positive FeedForward Error Correction Module AUD $3300
($1650 if you supply
player)
Now with Feed-Forward Error
Correction: Before there was Negative Feedback there was
Feed-Forward Error Correction. While we totally avoid Negative Feedback as
a correction technique, resurrecting this and applying the current
conversion has proved to be a revelation. The increase in transparency,
openness, lack of audible grain and the ability to hear deep into the mix
is extraordinary. A genuine advancement and increased listening enjoyment.
Terra
Firma
New JLTi Enhanced Oppo Blu-Ray Player BDP83
Level 1 Upgrade -
AUD $1950.00
Region Unlocked
Super Level 2 Upgrade
- AUD $2500.00
Region Unlocked
Super Level 2 Mark 2
- AUD $2500.00
Region Unlocked
Read First
Review of Super Level 2
Level 1 Upgrade only - AUD
$880.00 (you supply the Player)
Super Level 2 Upgrade only - AUD
$1430.00 (you supply the Player)
Upgrade from Level 1
to Super Level 2 - AUD $550.00
Super Level 2 Mk2 uses
simulated Current Conversion
Below: Super Level 2 uses QuadFilar
Transformers & fully balanced
Level 1:
The audio outputs us taken from the positive outputs
of the CS4398 DAC. It does have the Terra Firma
and other features as described below.
Super Level 2:
Super Level 2 adds QuadFilar Transformers. This is an unusual type of
transformer with both pros and cons. Because of its cons it is not used as
commonly as could be. The beauty here, we have an application
where all the plusses can be realised, but without the cons.
Transformers are desirable as it creates Galvanic Isolation between the
digital source and the subsequent analogue input, leading to a noticeably
audible lower digital noise floor.
The QuadFilar transformer has four windings laid on
the bobbin simultaneously rather than layer by layer. This makes all four
windings identical and there is no "Primary" or "Secondary" windings in
the normal sense of the word.
Primary and Secondary come from the way the windings
are paired off, so we have a 1:1 ratio and indeed both sides can work as
both Primary or Secondary depending how you connect the input and the
output. The plus is the incredible intimate coupling between the
windings and less reliance of the core except at very low
frequencies. The down side is much higher than usual inter-winding
capacitance - and that is likely why it has largely been avoided (also
seems less suitable for high voltage applications).
But our custom made transformer has a 200KHz flat
bandwidth when driven from a 50 Ohm source, so if the source impedance is
able to drive the capacitance it is not a problem and indeed an advantage
as the transformer now performs nicely as a band-pass filter. Another
observed advantage is that the transformer is highly damped and less prone
to ringing and no additional components required to curb a rising
frequency response or ringing.
Under those circumstances a well designed QuadFilar
transformer is near perfection, especially when used to couple the output
of differential "Voltage" DACs from Cirrus Logic, Wolfson, AKM, Burr-Brown
etc. It is not suitable for "Current" DACs (for that we have developed a
leading edge Current/Voltage Converter as used in Sony SCD-XA5400ES Vacuum
State upgrade).
The Oppo Blu-Ray player and Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC
benefits greatly. Using the CS4398 the distortion and noise is lowered a
theoretical 6dB (halved) and the output a very healthy measured 2.45V RMS.
All reflected in the genuine improvement in sound performance.
Finally, Super Level 2 is
fully balanced
into system that have balanced inputs. Order with XLR sockets or make
balanced RCA to XLR Interconnects (we can help supply).
This new player has an exquisite implementation of
Cyrrus Logic's Flagship DAC CS4398. This is the best implementation so far
of this superb DAC, which has been used by other manufacturers. But Oppo
is to be congratulated, this is a superb player and here the the full
potential has been unleashed. With
your regular CDs, you will find that you have a music library ready to be
listened to all over again. SACDs will enthral you as their real potential
is released. And if you must have Reference Quality Video as
well, this player has it all. And yes, watching Movies with this
level of audio adding greatly to the reality and excitement of the
experience.
Terra
Firma AN ALTERNATIVE TO
ATOMIC CLOCKS
Features:
-
The
Terra Firma
Clock
-
Custom Output Stage
-
Back-EMF Noise Reduction
The “Reference Clock”
incorporating Terra Firma is not just another clock
upgrade. A new and
key design by our team from Vacuum State (www.vacuumstate.com)
and used by permission. Not just of the highest
quality but also incorporates a unique power supply, with extraordinary
low frequency bandwidth and has rock like stability. Our finding that Low
Frequency jitter is sonically more serious is not in itself unique, but
that jitter down to sub-One Hertz is critical and usually noise in the
power supply at ultra-low frequencies is far more serious than previously
thought. Only by actively seeking and finding a solution (because the
problem is largely unmeasurable) will it then
become apparent by listening. LF noise performance in the Reference Clock
easily surpasses even batteries.
Eliminating the entire
IC based analog output stage and replacing it
with our Custom Output
Stage, using minimum number
of components and filtering. There is no
artificial boost of the signal in the post-DAC circuit, so a preamp or
integrated with preamp is preferable. These components are chosen with extreme
care and incorporate a tuned (by ear and not by
numbers) filter with precise impedance and is
designed to work into 10K or more.
Major reduction of
back-EMF noise in digital circuits. Grossly
overlooked and underestimated problem, often not
fully understood until the results are heard. Even the most expensive
players on the market are inadequate, so much so that any player
can be improved by just tackling this problem
alone. Using our methods the digital circuits are damped by shunting the
noise into the player's
ground plane and out of harms way. The sonic gains and
stunning increase in focus and fluidness are immediately obvious.
Note Enhanced Stereo Outputs, the Terra Firma 15 Minute
Delay label and the Delay/Run Switch.
Super Level 2 has
additional pair of dedicated RCA Sockets (or XLR if
ordered, please enquire).
This new JLTi SACD/Blue-Ray/Multi-Player,
especially Super Level 2,
can be compared to the best players available and not really in
consideration to its price. By all means compare it with any other players
up to 10 times or more.
Let your ear
be your final arbiter.
Happy listening.
Previously called Reference Clock
is
now called Terra Firma, is a break-through Clock
Technology.
While low frequency jitter (jitter is frequency spectrum selective) is known to be
critical and the kind of jitter to have severest and worst affect on digital replay,
something has clearly not been fully understood:
It can NOW be demonstrated that even SUB-sonic
jitter kills dynamics, tonality and sheer presence of the music in
a fundamental way that is hard to put into words. Those who have heard it,
even hardcore retailers who hear all sort of ambit claims (yawn) are
excited when they hear this.
The Terra
Firma Clock system is a Vacuum State development, the only Clock that controls
ultra-low
frequency noise that induces jitter, even sub one Hertz.
The results is reducing
noise that can hardly be measured. Even the best batteries, often praised,
do not even approach the Terra Firma enhanced clock. Indeed batteries
are woefully inadequate and have a rising
noise spectrum at low frequencies. Noise equals jitter and the lower
the frequency of the noise, the more audible the jitter.
Here
is a universal player that can now compete against CD or SACD players
available at any price. Yes, even with exalted player
costing ten times as much, this player will reveal a pedigree that will
stun in any company.
Great bargains in audio like this are very rare
indeed and shows that SOTA performance need not make you bankrupt.
Oppo BDP-8SE (Special Edition) Notes, upcoming upgrades:
Our Recommendations:
It is now obvious that the various Oppo variants can
be upgraded in different ways and that it will the individual requirements
of the end user that will determine the final choice and configuration.
A.
If your primary aim is for best Stereo Playback, the
new Oppo SE with Current Conversion Module and
Feed-Forward Error Correction will provide the highest level of
playback we know of. Cost A$3300
($1650 if you supply player)
B.
If you aim at Multi-Channel or Stereo via HDMI, then
standard Oppo Level 1 will give you what you need. The SE version will not
add any advantage. Cost A$1950, including
player and Region Free.
C.
If Multi-Channel directly from the player (not using HDMI),
then I suggest Oppo SE version with Terra Firma (Level 1). Cost expected
is A$2700, including player and Region Free.
D.
If Stereo output in Balanced Mode, then the only choice is
standard Oppo Super Level 2. Cost A$2500,
including player and Region Free. But to be honest, the Oppo SE described
in A. will be better even when operated in unbalanced mode.
(Edit June 1 2010: Super Level 2 Mark2 also
available)
E. NuForce Oppo SE: This player can be bought
for A$2300 RRP. Certainly it is sonically superior to Oppo's unchanged SE,
but it is no match for the standard Oppo Super Level 2. We will be fitting
Terra Firma (Level 1) to this player shortly, total expected cost
including player A$3200. But not really
recommended.
So repeating above statement: It is now obvious that
the various Oppo variants can be upgraded in different ways and that it
will the individual requirements of the end user that will determine the
final choice and configuration. It is impossible to cover them all, please
speak to us.
All above suggestions have in
common the Terra Firma
clocking which is compatible with both standard and new SE model. But the separate DAC/Audio PC Board module is very different in the SE version.
The standard model works in
"voltage" mode and makes Super Level 2
upgrade possible and gives both unbalanced and balanced outputs. So at a total
of AUD $2500 is an amazing
player. But...
The SE on the other hand, works in "current" mode and is our
current favourite and definitely worth the extra cost.
FIRST REVIEW OF Super Level 2
UPGRADE:
As a 20 year audiophile I have heard some great CD
players, cheap and expensive.
I believe that I know the following players intimately.
The Gryphon CDP-1 Dual Mono Balanced topology
($15,000)
Audio Aero Prima Tube Output
stage ($3,000)
Meridian 507 ($4000)
Harman Kardon HD 970 ($1000)
All the above players have spent time in my system over the years as I
strived to reach higher levels of performance.
My system comprises the following equipment...
Whatmough Signature 303
leadlined MTM floorstanders
ME 24 preamp
ME 850 power amp
PSR Silver and Osborn Datalink
speaker cable in a biwired configuration
Apature Silver interconnects
(source to pre)
Goertz Alphacore Silver
interconnects (pre to power)
This gear is located in an average sized, carpeted, lounge room with a
brick feature wall at front, heavy drapes at rear. Approximately 4.4mt W X
2.6mt H X 6mt D
( My HT sources were a Denon DVD-3930 and a Panasonic DMP BD-80)
Just some of the Discs used...
The Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" XRCD
The Carpenters "Gold best of" XRCD
Mark Knopfler "Sailing to Philadelphia" HDCD
Mark knopfler "Golden Heart" HDCD
Dire Straits ""Love Over Gold" SHMCD
Metallica "Black Album" CD
Neil Diamond "Hot August Night" CD
Supertramp "Very Best Of" SHMCD
Alan Parsons "Eye in the Sky" SHMCD
Michael Flatley "Feet of Flames" CD
Mike Oldfield "Tubular Bells III" CD
Madonna "Immaculate Collection" CD
Enough background, now to the subject of this article!!
My second last player was the Harman Kardon HD 970 which actually
outperformed ALL the other abovementioned players!!
Whilst I thought it sounded wonderful, I was aware of the world of modding
and one day late last year (2009) I began wondering if there were any
aftermarket mods available to lift my HK to even greater heights.
After some internet research I found Joe Rasmussen's JLTi website. He
advertised upgrades for my exact player!!
After contacting him he advised me that even though he could upgrade my
Harman Kardon he had something else there that was in a class of its
own........the Oppo BDP-83 universal player.
I was doubtful as my previous experiences suggested a quality dedicated CD
player will always beat a universal.
Joe was quite confident and friendly and quickly convinced me of his
trustworthiness by offering a full refund if I was genuinely disappointed.
I already knew about the Oppo BDP-83's reputation as an awesome upscaling
DVD player and Blu-Ray player including SACD, HDCD and DVD-A capability.
What I did NOT know was that it uses the Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC for 2
channel analog audio output which apparently has serious upgrade
potential.
NO WONDER JOE CHOSE IT AS HIS UPGRADE PLATFORM
Joe was offering a Level 1 mod for $880 AUD and we quickly did the deal.
The player arrived just days later (from Sydney to Melbourne) and was
beautifully packed (double boxed) with clear instructions on how to
utilise the upgrades and operate the multi-region function.
That's right!!!........ MULTI-REGION BluRay and DVD are part of this
package!!!!
After spending some time hearing the level 1 mod and initially being very
impressed as it ran in I noticed a few weeks later that Joe's website was
now offering Level 2 mods!!
I contacted him and was advised that this new Level 2 mod was as far as he
could take this player and was well worth the extra $550 AUD I decided to
send the player back to him and go with the Level 2 mod purely on his
recommendation.
OK, now to the juicy bit..............
Whilst the Level 1 mods offer serious improvement and are very well worth
it on their own, the level 2 mods are ABSOLUTELY STUNNING
I used to think I had a bit of a bass problem due to room modes or my
speakers 6.5 inch drivers struggling to cope....GONE, JUST GONE
Now I get extremely clean, crisp and tight bass which digs a lot deeper
producing real punch. Just brilliant. In addition (maybe because of) the
bass improvement, my midrange is now much fuller with an uncanny lifelike
vibrancy and my top end has more sparkling detail with no harshness or
sibilance whatsoever. Imaging is pinpoint, you can REALLY tell where
everything is placed, whilst soundstaging has become much more three
dimensional. I now get depth BEYOND my back wall!!! Something I had never
had!!!
Vocals have also improved immensely sounding a lot more natural (for want
of a better word) and, due to the now DEATHLY QUIET noise floor, you can
hear everything so much easier like the artist breathing or a mis-plucked
guitar string. EVERY disc I have listened to so far has sounded so
sonically superior than ever before...... it's honestly like listening to
them for the very first time!!! I am actually hearing things, in tracks I
thought I knew, that I have never heard before, ever!!!
As anyone seriously into music knows it's all about MINIMIZING external
influences so I must emphasise that Joes' mods do not ADD anything to the
sound, they simply highly improve any of the players deficiencies in turn
allowing the high quality DAC to fully realize it's potential and pass a
clean, strong and extremely accurate clocked signal.
You probably know about clichéd reviews stating that "veils have been
lifted" but in this case truly more than just a veil has been
lifted.......more like a couple of doonas'
My friends and I are absolutely ECSTATIC at the performance of this
player.......We NEVER knew Redbook CD could sound like this, let alone SACD
and the like.
When I discovered that it also destroyed my Denon in DVD playback AND my
Panasonic in Blu -Ray I was TOTALLY blown away. They have since been sold,
along with my Harman Kardon as I now REVEL in my ONE BOX SOLUTION!!!!!
I urge you to listen to it....JUST LISTEN TO IT. Even if you don't or
can't buy it if you really care about music you owe it to yourself to hear
this magnificent modded machine.
Just remember that for around $2,500 you get a machine that easily
destroys some horribly expensive, CD only, specialist players including
all my previous ones.
As a real bonus you are also getting..
...a brilliant Multi Region DVD player that upscales
DVD's to 1080p/24fps!!
...a superb Blu Ray player
...an awesome SACD multichannel player
..a wonderful HDCD player
PLUS.....DVD-A capability, support for numerous other formats and 2 USB
ports!!
I seriously believe that you could spend more than twice as much on new
speakers and NOT be guaranteed the same level of improvement.
If, before I knew anything about Joe and JLTi, someone said I could get
this exact result for $25,000 instead of $2,500 I would honestly think
"Yes, that's fair enough"
If I sound like I am somehow affiliated with JLTi, I apologise as I am
not.
I am just reinvigorated and have renewed enthusiasm for all things A/V due
to the genius of Joe Rasmussen who has given me listening pleasure I had
only dreamed I could experience.
Lastly l just feel it is my duty to encourage fellow audiophiles to share
in that pleasure with me as I'm sure you won't regret it.
An absolute pleasure to deal with.......THE AUDIO WORLD NEEDS PEOPLE LIKE
JOE RASMUSSEN
KIND REGARDS,
JOHN LINDEMAN
VIC
Thanks John for your kind
words and your enthusiasm come through and that's what really matters.
BTW, I don't know about the "g" word, but as long as you don't call me
Guru, OK?
Joe Rasmussen |
