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W8.1 vs. Ubuntu 14.10
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Posted on February 17, 2015 at 07:32:05 | ||
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
Hi there. Some weeks ago I spent some hours on getting a standard W8.1 installation optimized for playback. The goal was to have a working Desktop system once finished with the tuning. Today I thought give latest Ubuntu a try, without messing around with the system. I took plain Rythmbox. I slightly changed the configuration of Pulseaudio. Took me 5 minutes. Guess what. I'm more then happy with the result. ----------------------------------------------------------------- blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP |
RE: If "the goal was to have a working Desktop system" - that means...., posted on February 17, 2015 at 07:59:43 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
Nope. It means I havn't crippled my Windows as many others. I can still use it for productive work. ----------------------------------------------------------------- blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP |
RE: If "the goal was to have a working Desktop system" - that means...., posted on February 17, 2015 at 09:16:44 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
W8.1 sounded very good once it was optimized. No question. It just took me quite an effort to get there. Obviously it can even be done better. For me it was good enough after 3 days. That level of performance I achieved with Ubuntu much earlier. By default Ubuntu runs much less processes then Windows. That's what you guy achieve when running Windows Server or Windows Minimal. Cheers ----------------------------------------------------------------- blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP |
Try saying this to the MAC guys with their 16G Ram , posted on February 17, 2015 at 09:26:06 | |
Posts: 13158
Location: Kent Joined: June 1, 2002 |
and bells and whistle player software. |
RE: W8.1 vs. Ubuntu 14.10, posted on February 17, 2015 at 09:32:43 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
RME Fireface UCX into Adam A5x. Beside that I'm using an USB filter and linear DIY powersupply from Thel Audioworld incl. netfilter and additional buffering (40000uF). ----------------------------------------------------------------- blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP |
RE: W8.1 vs. Ubuntu 14.10, posted on February 17, 2015 at 10:40:24 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
Hi. The UCX offers, beside its proprietary mode under Windows, a CC - Class Compliant - mode (on/off via front panel).
Volume control on a per channel basis you can also run from the front panel in CC mode. CC mode is limited to 96kHz. Cheers |
RE: Can't comment on W8.1 but can comment on stock Ubuntu w/Alsa as well as ChromiumOS and ChromeOS, posted on February 19, 2015 at 01:14:30 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
You might want to try Volumio on ARM computer or Daphile on Intel http://www.daphile.com/ Both are optimized headless Linux systems. Daphile and Volumio also support DSD afaik. For all PC/Windows fans with class compliant DACs and a spare HDD/SSD. Playing around with Daphile will be a no-brainer. Just give it a try. Cheers
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bullies?, posted on February 19, 2015 at 01:48:42 | |
Posts: 13158
Location: Kent Joined: June 1, 2002 |
There are at least two here, playing the bully game. |
RE: RPi-2 + Volumio, posted on February 19, 2015 at 23:38:09 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
Thx for the info. I kind of expected that. I think I also wrote in that or another thread related to these new ARM boards that "I'm waiting for the dust to settle" From my experience it takes several months (>6) to get new ARM boards, related firmware, drivers and OS working in a rather acceptable way. For the RPI Rev1 it was even longer than that. No. RPI Rev1 actually never got stable. But that's been a HW problem. For me it's been the B+ where operation finally got stable. I would not recommend to jump on the train at such an early stage. Volumio can't do anything if firmware and drivers are not stable. These guys just take what's there. Cheers ----------------------------------------------------------------- blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP |
RE: " class compliant DAC ", posted on February 20, 2015 at 00:12:41 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
A class compliant DAC doesn't need proprietary drivers. These DACs will work with the generic drivers as supplied by the particular operating system. The class compliant DACs usually work "plug'n play" under OSX, Android, Linux and Windows (up to 96kHz). Before buying a DAC, you need to check with the manufacturer or community, if the device is Class Compliant. Advise: Never buy a device that runs on proprietary drivers only! No matter how great the reviews seem to be! As soon as there are issues with the driver (sooner or later) you'll be left alone. Usually you can't avoid proprietary drivers on multi I/O ProAudio devices, which allow complex routings and settings. If you can't get around a ProAudio device make sure to have some kind of long term support perspective. There's no better company then RME when it comes to long term card support!!! Under Windows many Class Compliant DACS will run up to 96khz sample rate without proprietary driver. I'm not sure if you still need a 3rd party driver to get samplerates >96khz going after all these years. Then there are certain DACs which are "very close" to be "Class Compliant". Such a device used to be (still is??) e.g. the NAD M51. It'll be recognised e.g. by a Linux system. Everything looks OK. But there won't be any sound. NAD implemented very minor features that makes the generic driver to fail. (As a hacker you can fix this.) You better avoid these devices as well. Cheers ----------------------------------------------------------------- blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP |
RE: RPi-2 + Volumio, posted on February 20, 2015 at 02:50:38 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
That's why I'm also running a Cubitruck for quite some time. It comes with SATA, 2GB RAM, GB ethernet and more. I use it as server (audio/NAS) and player and DSP (crossover/equalization). Cheers |
Thanks for the information on Daphile, posted on February 20, 2015 at 06:20:13 | |
daphile is really nice and it sounds great. I repurposed an old laptop for it, I appreciate the info ;) |
Good technique???????, posted on February 21, 2015 at 21:59:09 | |
Posts: 13158
Location: Kent Joined: June 1, 2002 |
Change the subject whenever it gets awkward and indefensible!!! |
RE: How much power does your music PC draw ?, posted on February 21, 2015 at 23:33:41 | |
Posts: 13158
Location: Kent Joined: June 1, 2002 |
Guess, since you are so good at making things up. |