|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
73.229.29.71
Mine should be here soon along with the iFi iPower wall wart - the one with "Active Noise Cancellation+® drawn from military radar technology". ;-)Since I'm on a roll with Roon Core, Roon Bridge, HQPlayer, and networkaudiod, I figured the microRendu would be next considering its very reasonable price. I can always microRedo it for sale if I change my mind.
Test setup below running Roon Core & HQPlayer on 1st Mac Mini i7 Quad-Core 16GB to USB DAC.... OR streamed to Networked Roon Bridge end-point running on 2nd Mac Mini Core 2 duo 8GB to USB DAC.
The 2nd Mac Mini gets swapped out for the microRendu when it arrives.
Edits: 07/06/16Follow Ups:
Microrendu - 640
Power supply - 50
HQ player - 150
Roon - 120 per year
And a DAC is still needed.
Am I close?
...look at all the cool stuff you get to play with! You don't HAVE TO get the software components you listed with the microRendu to make it work.
On the other hand, you don't need the microRendu to get the benefits of HQPlayer or Roon. You can buy those separately and play with them on your existing computer - or get both to play with on your existing computer. They work well together.
Thanks Abe, but some questions...I am intrigued by HQ Player. You imply that there is SQ improvement with HQ player versus your established set up. Do you perceive that the rest of the hardware and software (other that HQ Player) in your experimental system(s) have a role in the SQ improvement you are experiencing?
I know that you were a Pure Music user at one time. So, given that I currently run AIFF and WAV files at native resolution through PM on a Macbook Pro in memory play into a Multibit Bifrost DAC that is 192/24 max (not DSD), would you guess that HQ player as an alternative to PM would make an SQ difference in my simple set up?
The PM interface is OK and I'm used to it. Your comments on the HQ Player interface, if run alone need to considered.
I know I can do the HQ player free trial and find out for myself, just asking for an informed opinion before I try.
Thanks in advance.
Edits: 07/08/16
If you are using a Mac and connecting to your DAC with USB, you might try Audirvana instead of HQ Player + Roon. I think Audirvana has many of the features and sound quality of HQ player and an okay interface. This is moistly from hearsay; I tried Audrivana briefly and liked it, but the trial period is over and I haven't had time to work out a good connection between my Mac and my DAC, so haven't experimented with it further.
I like the way HQPlayer sounds. I dislike it's user interface.
I'll say right up front that I AM hearing improvements with HQPlayer on my Mac Mini directly driving my USB DAC. That is in direct comparison to my other setup running AV+ or PM on the same hardware configuration.
The system always sounded excellent to me but HQPlayer has taken it up a notch. It's more noticeable to me than the HW tweaks like the Regen, Intona USB Isolator, AQ Jitterbug, and a couple different USB cables..... in my system. YMMV of course.
I tinkered with HQPlayer in the past but quickly threw it out w/o giving it serious consideration because I felt that the user interface and library management were too clunky.
I brought HQPlayer back into my setup AFTER experimenting with Roon. I'm starting to really enjoy the Roon user interface. AND.... Roon integrates with HQPlayer so I set HQPlayer for the sonics I want then use Roon for it's user interface.
So yes, HQPlayer sounds great! You may be OK with it's user interface and library management. These are personal preferences. It works. But if you need something different you can always use Roon (for a price!) to 'front-end' HQPlayer and never have to look at HQPlayer again after setting it up for the sound you want.
The other consideration with HQPlayer is the processing power of your PC/Mac. I found that PCM to PCM up conversion (say 44.1KHz to 192KHz) doesn't take a lot of processing power. Since your current DAC doesn't handle DSD this should be a non-issue. On the fly realtime PCM to DSD conversion consumes more compute resources.
for the comprehensive answer. I am considering adding a sub or an alternate set of speakers to my current set up, but HQ Player (with or without Roon) may be next.Sounds like you are enjoying your experiments.
Edits: 07/08/16
The thing about trial offers on software is that you need to take advantage of them when you have some time set aside to experiment. Otherwise you start the clock on the trial and run the risk of it expiring before having an opportunity to immerse yourself in it.
The HQPlayer trial on Mac (and Linux) has a 30-minute timer that you can reset indefinitely (I think). It spooked me a couple times when it stopped and had me thinking something broke but all I had to do was relaunch HQPlayer.
The Windows version has a 30-day limit at which point I'm not sure what happens. Maybe it quits permanently until you buy a license.
just 30 days w/o a license key for Windows. You may be able to use the trial for Mac 30 minutes at a time forever.
I'm still trying to carve out some quality time to listen to my Multibit upgrade.
The folks at Signalst have figured out the time - convenience - willingness to pay formula for their target audience.
No text.
And just when one thinks it's safe to put the foot in the water..........., another USB device has gotten my attention, so Abe, I pray that you don't mind me dropping it here?:
http://www.audiostream.com/content/wyred-4-sound-recovery-usb-reclocker#Rh61e2HpMMOQk9WB.97
First off......., not to get to far off track of the OP, as these devices are in fact shooting it out amongst themselves for the consumers attention, and as I do use an iFi Audio iUSB 3.0 Power, I find all of this very education to say the least, and once again hope it does offend anyone here, but to my mind news, is news when it comes to those of us new to the CA concept to find some sort of guidance in moving forward, lest we get left behind.
So........., as you were, and I'm sorry to have placed this here, as not to have it disappear as that would be a shame.........., you've the floor Abe, I'm just a harmless spectator eager to learn.
The iFi USB3.0 is my favorite if used with a good USB 3.0 cable like the Wireworld. A good LPS also helps.Different DACs, USB cables, and systems can change the sonic outcome. This is really tough stuff to review.
Edits: 07/07/16
Thanks........., reading between the lines, I sort of got that impressiim during your Intona review. Yet using a PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC like Abe, I'm following his and your process.
In hindsight, it's merely a matter of budgeting on said devices, and then going after the one which works collectively with ones concept of how music was intended to be rendered during playback, and of course voicing ones system by ear has its advantages as well.
Great review Steve........., Thanks again.
I knew it was small, but the doggone thang is just tiny! I use the supplied USB adapter and use some DiversiTech isolators to support it cloaked behind the DAC.
The only downside is that I'm still waiting on the HD-Plex power supply! I'm told by the US distributor that a shipment was expected this week and should have soon.
Cool! How are you streaming to your microRendu? LMS?
I'll be trying Roon, HQPlayer, Roon + HQPlayer.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
I use a range of devices around the house using LMS for streaming audio and video.
Are you streaming output of HQPlayer on Core to the 2nd Mac Mini?
Yes, two test scenarios here. The first one is what you described.#1) Roon Core & HQplayer are both running on the 1st Mac Mini which is networked to the 2nd headless Mac Mini running Roon Bridge. The 2nd Mini is acting as a NAA end-point with a USB DAC that drives the audio system. The 2nd Mini gets replaced with the microRendu when it arrives.
#2) Roon Core & HQPlayer are both running on the 1st Mac Mini attached directly to a USB DAC driving the audio system.
The test setups sound great but I need to breakdown all the variables. Roon sounds great on it's own but do I prefer the combo with HQPlayer? Roon stays for sure. I see HQPlayer as a potential sonic enhancer but I would never use it as my front end for library management and user interface.
When I'm done I'll have two systems, possibly three. The Roon Core 'server' will also have a USB DAC attached to it and can drive the rest of an audio system in addition to being a 'server' for the networked end-points. The networked end-points will also have DACs and drive audio systems. One of the great features of Roon is the ability to very easily activate different audio zones independently or simultaneously.
Everything is controlled with my iPad or iPhone. I also tried streaming to the AppleTV in the family room and AppleTV in the bedroom. It all works seamlessly and is easily manageable from the iPad.
Edits: 07/07/16
Did you recently fall and hit your head??? Or taken over by aliens?Why are you actually able to hear differences and enjoy some new ideas? ;)
Edits: 07/07/16
I've always been able to hear differences, e.g. iTunes, Audirvana Plus, Pure Music, BitPerfect, HQPlayer, Roon, Intona USB Isolator, various USB DACs, etc. Regen didn't do much for me. Same for AQ Jitterbug but they're cheap.
By far the biggest difference I'm hearing at the moment has nothing to do with hardware (server or end-point) but with the HQPlayer software itself. Good thing there's a nice 'front-end' for HQPlayer because it's UI stinks.
I'm really happy to read this :-) I think we are all finally moving in a good direction. Yes HQ player interface is usable but it's not pretty. It does work well once you get used to it, but of course using it as an engine with Roon is truly an excellent way to go. Stick with HQ player filters and settings and get used to it because it really is worthwhile IMO. Good luck with your new system and toys! Have fun :)
Stop having so much fun. Remember what Fred said;, Roon might not be around for a lifetime :)
Edits: 07/07/16
Roon lifetime?
Basically it is the software that many without sorted hardware are listening to!
Audio is following Photography. It's not about music, musicians and acoustics anymore. Soon you will be able to click on a sound quality that suits you (more refined versions of existing scenarios)
It's not about music, musicians and acoustics anymore.
It never has been for the inmate who grinds the same ole tunes over and over again to listen to his system rather than enjoying the music.
There is nothing new here fmak. Tweaking the sound with hardware changes has always been done since year one. Why should software be any different?
The funny thing is that non-audiophiles when presented these differences wonder what the fuss is about.
what is different is that software packages are not transparent in terms of what they do and their presence affect each other and modify the OS's behaviour. The fact that different players can sound so different point to ignorance when claiming that 'I am the optimiser!'.
I finally dipped my toe in the water. I got JRiver and Vinyl Studio.
Now I keep reading about Roon, HQ Player, and dbpoweramp for ripping.
I've been using JRiver's ripper which is ape. Is that bad?
I really need a guru in the Milwaukee area. I'm getting that overwhelmed feeling again, so many options. I'm content with the sound, but hate to think I'm depriving myself of better quality.
I have budget issues so I can't just by all of these different programs, I know some offer free trials, but I hate to be fiddling with the many settings. I can understand why people buy Aurenders and Antipodes, as most of the settings and testing has been done for them.
I have to give you credit Abe, you are able to do all of this, and apparently know what you are doing. What does that feel like? ;-)
I'm no audio guru and I don't completely know what I am doing. HQPlayer is quite complex. Fortunately the default settings and some others that were provided to me by the kind folks here on the Asylum got me off to a good start.I'm rushing through this rather quickly so I can experiment as much as possible before the trial period runs out on the software.
This stuff is fun but there are several ways to get outstanding audio from your setup so stick to what works best for you. Explore more later if you get the urge.
Edits: 07/07/16
I'm using poly-sync short mp and DSD7 256+fs to convert all to DSD256.
It says it's for the "higher" DSD Upconverting.
I thought I preferred not using 2s with DSD 128.
I wasn't able to get Steve's configuration to work on my system:
'poly-sync short mp and DSD7 256+fs' to convert all to DSD256.
I get white noise like hiss. I could be doing something wrong so for the time being, I am using this configuration:
'poly-sync short mp and ASDM7' to convert to DSD128.
DSD 128 is the sweet spot, tho.
I'm very happy with the Lamp DSD Euphoria, with IFI USB 3.0 and separate DC Power Supply and DC Purifier.
One day I'll try the Rendu, if it can be returned after 30-60 days.
I believe I have the answer for you Abe. You are using OSX. OSX doesn't support DSD256 unless you have a special ASIO driver like the exaSound DACs.
...and I just realized that my DAC does not support DSD256 anyway after inmate theob brought it up as a possibility. So I'll stick with DSD128.
You sure your dac can do 256? Which dac do you have?
Thanks! I think that explains it. I'm running the PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC.
5.6 MHz = DSD128 'double rate DSD' which my DAC supports according to the online specs.
11.2 MHz = DSD256 'quad rate DSD' which is not supported by my DAC
I'll give that a try. Thanks Steve.
Jriver is fine for ripping. Remember, this is an enthusiast forum and things get taken to levels that the average guy doesn't need or want, Just do what you are comfortable with and you will be just fine.
And yes, Abe is an audio guru :)
I am interested in dbpower amp ripper for HDCD, does it involve a lot of settings and tweaking?
Way to go Abe.
As always, I for one look forward to your take on said items, as this whole CA has become such a delightful journey, but one that I can see has just begun........, so watching | learning | reading does allow me to gain a better feel for which items to pursue in the months ahead.
Much thanks to you | Alan and Steve for the guidance.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: