Streamer to kill the big boys for under $250
- Thread starter Blizzard
- Start date
Read my setup guide. If you want fairy dust, you can always use IR responses in the HQplayer convolution engine.
Fabfilter has tons of options. You will be able to fine tune the exact sound profile you desire. HQplayer can apply even to DSD.
http://www.fabfilter.com/products/micro-mini-filter-plug-in
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I have it as well. You may not call it fairy dust, but what the software does is special effects just like Fabfilter. I'm not saying the filter algorithms can't sound good, I'm just telling you want it does. They add effects like this at the studio too sometimes when they are mastering albums.
Did they do an A/B with HQplayer/NAA combo with the same system?
Hi Blizzard,
May I ask: I use Mac/A+.
Is this streaming option path open for me too? Or is this basically working with HQP?
thanks for your insight.
May I ask: I use Mac/A+.
Is this streaming option path open for me too? Or is this basically working with HQP?
thanks for your insight.
Hi Egidius,
No only for Hqplayer and Airplay. I made this decision because it sounds far better than A+. The upsampling filters and modulators are far superior to A+. Also allows for up to DSD 1024 native streaming from Mac, while A+ is limited to DSD 128 over DoP. This is because the HQplayer/streamer combo bypasses OSX core audio which wasn't designed for high end audio. Not to mention the NAA system that sends a pure audio stream from the server, to the streamer, and FIFO buffers into the RAM in the streamer, and direct to the DAC. This separates the noisy server doing all of the heavy processing from the streamer which is physically connected to the DAC. Optical isolation takes it up another level. There's no better system out there for USB DAC's. If there was, that's what I would be using. You can also run HQplayer on OSX, Windows and Linux, and get the same sound.
Hey Blizz, how do you think this would compare? http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=139697.msg1488798;topicseen#new
That's the Cubox-i that I was going to use at 1 point.
http://solid-run.com/freescale-imx6-family/cubox-i/
But I decided against it because the hardware isn't near as good as the Intel hardware, and it costs the same by the time you get it shipped all the way from Israel. As far as the Linux implementation, very similar. He uses the exact same airplay, and HQplayer NAA daemon. Only it looks like you have to reboot and launch into a different mode to toggle between HQplayer NAA and airplay. Not sure if you need to hook up a monitor for that or what. Mine is automatic and seamless.
However if someone really wanted the Cubox, I could easily make it work. All the other features like MPD, DLNA etc, are only a click away from enabling as well. I chose not to do it because they are inferior ways to do things anyways.
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Buzzard,
It is great to see that you finally figured out a real common sense path to excellent sound. And it even uses USB!!!
I've read this thread and overall it is pretty good. The dual PC suggestion is an good one. Lots of us have been doing this for a while either with HQ player and an NAA or JPlay. I'm also glad to see that you've caught on are are using fiber.
If you look into the threads on CA some more you will also see some suggestions for fiber switches. When you get the chance give one a try also.
You may also want to try some of the less expensive linear supplies that people mentioned on eBay. They're not bad and will work well for the media converters or switches. Another suggestion for the converters would be these inexpensive linear supplies.
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...Id=10001&ddkey=http:StoreCatalogDrillDownView
For the transceivers for the converter you can also try these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201380389984?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
They are less expensive than the branded ones and also work well.
When discussing fiber people should be aware of the differences between single mode and multimode and be sure they purchase the properly matched transceivers and cable.
I also use single mode as theoretically there may be less jitter. I have not compared nor do I really think I might hear a difference between single vs multimode but YMMV.
Also have you thought about powering the NUC with a sealed lead acid battery? In the past I have powered an Atom CAPS with an SLA and a car stereo capacitor I had laying around, and thought it worked well. It is a pretty inexpensive way to get clean power that is off the grid. You also mention switching supplies and you thought that can be good. This is true to a point, but run of the mill switchers can put crap back into the AC lines, so even though they might sound ok they may pollute the rest of your system.
Why don't you just recommend using the 32 GB memory stick from Amazon. It is only a few dollars more than the 16 GB and you won't have to worry about image size anymore.
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra...1-fkmr1&keywords=SanDisk+Ultra+Fit™+CZ43+16GB
I am not a real fan of those flat Ethernet cables. You probably will not notice much of a difference for such a short cable, but I don't really think they truly meet spec. Why not use some good still inexpensive Cat7 cables like these.
http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Shie..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1PBZDTR3ZTY0P25KXZ82
Have fun.
Bob
It is great to see that you finally figured out a real common sense path to excellent sound. And it even uses USB!!!
I've read this thread and overall it is pretty good. The dual PC suggestion is an good one. Lots of us have been doing this for a while either with HQ player and an NAA or JPlay. I'm also glad to see that you've caught on are are using fiber.
If you look into the threads on CA some more you will also see some suggestions for fiber switches. When you get the chance give one a try also.
You may also want to try some of the less expensive linear supplies that people mentioned on eBay. They're not bad and will work well for the media converters or switches. Another suggestion for the converters would be these inexpensive linear supplies.
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...Id=10001&ddkey=http:StoreCatalogDrillDownView
For the transceivers for the converter you can also try these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201380389984?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
They are less expensive than the branded ones and also work well.
When discussing fiber people should be aware of the differences between single mode and multimode and be sure they purchase the properly matched transceivers and cable.
I also use single mode as theoretically there may be less jitter. I have not compared nor do I really think I might hear a difference between single vs multimode but YMMV.
Also have you thought about powering the NUC with a sealed lead acid battery? In the past I have powered an Atom CAPS with an SLA and a car stereo capacitor I had laying around, and thought it worked well. It is a pretty inexpensive way to get clean power that is off the grid. You also mention switching supplies and you thought that can be good. This is true to a point, but run of the mill switchers can put crap back into the AC lines, so even though they might sound ok they may pollute the rest of your system.
Why don't you just recommend using the 32 GB memory stick from Amazon. It is only a few dollars more than the 16 GB and you won't have to worry about image size anymore.
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra...1-fkmr1&keywords=SanDisk+Ultra+Fit™+CZ43+16GB
I am not a real fan of those flat Ethernet cables. You probably will not notice much of a difference for such a short cable, but I don't really think they truly meet spec. Why not use some good still inexpensive Cat7 cables like these.
http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Shie..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1PBZDTR3ZTY0P25KXZ82
Have fun.
Bob
Thanks for the suggestions:
-That supply is a piece of crap and I won't recommend it. Just because it says "linear" in the description, doesn't mean it's good. Not only that, the max amperage rating is right at the continuous rating of the FMC. That's just asking for trouble. If you are going to settle for a cheap wall wart, I'd recommend at least going with a 10 W supply minimum.
-Same with the transceiver, just because it's the world's cheapest transceiver, doesn't mean I'll recommend it.
-I've given a clear parts list on what to buy as far as FMC and everything else.
-As far as battery power, It is better than using a cheap SMPS, but not as good as a supply like the Teddy Pardo. Also more equipment rack friendly.
-The 16GB stick is a non issue now as the image size has been reduced as documented.
-I've found the flat Ethernet cables to work fine with my testing, not sure where you came up with the idea they don't meet spec. Are you pulling this out of the air to try to make the post longer?
Thanks for the feedback.
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What makes you say that Cubox is inferior to NUC?
For that product, there is no need to reboot to select different mode. It has built in web server such that you can use the browser to select different mode.
The reason I chose the Intel product over the Cubox product is the same reason I already said. It's simply not the same level of quality as the genuine Intel products. Not only that, you must order it from Israel and wait a few weeks instead in 2 day prime with Amazon. Of course theres several more reasons the Intel boards are better like the 68000 hour MTBF under 50c conditions. Look at the user manual for many more.
As far as switching modes, I'm not sure how logging into a mobile web browser is more convenient than having to do absolutely nothing besides closing HQplayer to enable AirPlay? Close HQ player and AirPlay works. Stop the AirPlay, and HQplayer will work. No need to touch any setting.
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The mentioned product has more modes beside NAA and AirPlay. It can function as DNLA client, Roon Endpoint and Squeezebox client. This is useful for people who want to build multi endpoints in their home.
Thanks for your offer. Actually, I have a spare Cubox around. I may take up your offer.
Yes and like I also mentioned already, all of those same options are only 1 click away from enabling as well. But the reason I chose not to is simply because all those other ways allow is another inferior, low quality way to connect the system to the DAC. When you are using Roon with HQplayer, you don't use the Roon endpoint. You use the HQplayer NAA. You can easily setup a multi room system with many of these and control via iPad with the Roon app.
So I figured, it would just be best to offer only the best quality connection possible instead as an only option. This way people don't even have the option to get poor sound out of the unit.
Makes sense to me.
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That 9V supply works fine and it is basically rated the same as the one shipped with the converter. Did not say it is equal to a $500 supply. Maybe try it before you say it is crap. You are posting a way to get good sound at a price and then you recommend $$$$ power supplies for $25 transceivers. There are other ways to power them. People are also using USB battery packs with good results. People should read the CA threads.
If you actually understood who makes things like theses GBICS you might realize they are all pretty much the same. Why not just use OEM Cisco then if you think others may be substandard?
Have you actually compared batteries to other supplies?
Ethernet cables can make a difference. People should use better cables it is a no brainer.
Have you thought about the fact that the NUC you are recommending is only single core and if that can make a difference vs multi core, and assigning processes to their own separate cores?
People can buy that supply if they want, but doesn't mean I will recommend it. The stock supply is rated for 6W not 5. I don't think the $49 supply I recommended, that is designed for audio, and has measurement data backing up the product is out of line. It doesn't matter how cheap this unit is, the clean power matters just as much.
That transceiver isn't Cisco, it's a Cisco knockoff. Here's the actual cisco one:
http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-GLC-LH-SM-1000BASE-LX-Transceiver-Module/dp/B001DW0UYA
There's a million transceivers out there. I'm only going to recommend the ones that I tried.
I have used many batteries before as supplies for audio gear. Although better than the cheapest SMPS, not as good as a good AC/DC supply.
I found these cables to be fine quality, unless you tried them and compared them yourself, I don't think you're in a position to judge how good they are. But those ones you found look good. Too bad they don't come in 6" length though.
You are obviously confusing the server that runs HQplayer with the NAA. The NAA end is capable of utilizing dual cores, but if it's only running at 1% CPU load anyways, using a multicore processor could even be detrimental due to additional noise.
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No I am not confusing the server with an NAA... Core noise.
LOL Basic issues of comprehension. You are clearly using a Cisco knockoff, just recommended a less expensive one. There is actually little if any difference between any of there items. Recommend away.
Looking forward to reading about the continuing ultimate roller coaster ride.
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I just want to give a public thank you to Blizzard. I have my streamer running and the sound is fantastic. I'm enjoying digital for the first time in a LONG time.
Had a New Years party and all my guests were really enjoying the sound (which was 100% digital and streamed).
Best investment I've made in a while...!
Had a New Years party and all my guests were really enjoying the sound (which was 100% digital and streamed).
Best investment I've made in a while...!
