Antipodes Oladra

[exupgh12]

looks fantastic!
The OLADRA is definitely on my menu as a future upgrade from the K50...
The thing is that the K50 surprised me so much and I'm so happy with it,
which makes me squinting less at the upgrade above it.
However, Let's be Honest, the OLADRA will definitely come and even sooner than expected.

Thank you for the words Itay
I had the opportunity to audition the K50 in my home environment, and I was thoroughly impressed with its performance.

 

[exupgh12]

Do you hear a difference between streaming vs locally stored files on the Oladra?

As I gain more experience with the Oladra, I’m better able to distinguish the differences between local playback, network streaming, and streaming services.

First, it’s worth noting that all three methods can deliver excellent sound quality—provided the album or track is well-mastered.

Local files ripped from my CD collection sound as good as the original, assuming the CD was of good quality and the rip was done properly. In such cases, playback from local storage offers fidelity that matches the source.

The same holds true for files streamed over my local network from a NAS—quality remains high and consistent.

Streaming services like Qobuz and Tidal lag slightly behind the first two methods in terms of sound quality. However, they still sound excellent as long as the track or album is available in high quality on the provider’s end.

 

[NaimYourTubes]

As I gain more experience with the Oladra, I’m better able to distinguish the differences between local playback, network streaming, and streaming services.

First, it’s worth noting that all three methods can deliver excellent sound quality—provided the album or track is well-mastered.

Local files ripped from my CD collection sound as good as the original, assuming the CD was of good quality and the rip was done properly. In such cases, playback from local storage offers fidelity that matches the source.

The same holds true for files streamed over my local network from a NAS—quality remains high and consistent.

Streaming services like Qobuz and Tidal lag slightly behind the first two methods in terms of sound quality. However, they still sound excellent as long as the track or album is available in high quality on the provider’s end.

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Beautiful system, @exupgh12 !!

 

[exupgh12]

Beautiful system, @exupgh12 !!

Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind words.

 

[SL1800]

@exupgh12 congrats on the Oladra. I just ordered an Oladra yesterday!

 

[exupgh12]

@exupgh12 congrats on the Oladra. I just ordered an Oladra yesterday!

Thank you for the kind comment.
I'm sure you'll have lots of fun when you receive your server.
With what DAC are you planning to use the Oladra?

 

[Young Skywalker]

When using the AES/EBU digital connection between Oladra and Premier DAC, do you also use the clock link, assuming that doing so makes the source asynchronous?

Did you also consider the Premier Digital Director? It is quite the leveller when it comes to different digital sources and digital connection protocols.

 

[SL1800]

Thank you for the kind comment.
I'm sure you'll have lots of fun when you receive your server.
With what DAC are you planning to use the Oladra?

My dac is the Bricasti Platinum M21.

 

[exupgh12]

When using the AES/EBU digital connection between Oladra and Premier DAC, do you also use the clock link, assuming that doing so makes the source asynchronous?

Did you also consider the Premier Digital Director? It is quite the leveller when it comes to different digital sources and digital connection protocols.

I don’t use an external clock. When using AES/EBU, the Oladra relies on its internal clocking before sending the signal to the Premier DAC. However, final clocking responsibility still lies with the DAC, which reclocks the signal on its end.

When using the Pro ISL, although the Oladra’s USB output is asynchronous, the Pro ISL module reclocks the signal before it reaches the DAC—similar to how the Director module operates.

 

[ationg]

Congrats on this. What you describe mirrors my experience with the K50 G4 though I’m sure the Oladra takes it to the next level.

As others have mentioned, it will be a few more weeks before you no longer hear improving sound quality due to it settling in. At no point do these servers ever sound bad, but they so improve subtly in a number of areas.


I use Squeeze/Squeeze when I want to hear the best sound from music in my library. I use Roon/HQPlayer when I am in music discovery mode. I wish I could stick with Roon, but at the present time, Squeeze/Squeeze does less harm to the music. Familiarity with Squeeze/Squeeze can make it more difficult to enjoy Roon as what it can overlay on the music becomes easier to perceive. I find it a non-issue though when listening to unfamiliar music.

Nice that we have options.

I am using Squeeze player/Roon server on my Oladra. Briefly tried Squeeze/Squeeze and it sounds slightly more detailed.