Streamer to kill the big boys for under $250

[Blizzard]

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...!

That's awesome! you're welcome! What do you think of the optical? And did you get the Teddy Pardo yet?

Also I may have discovered a fix for the Roon/Hqplayer lost sync issues some people are having. Make sure all of the sound devices are disabled in Roon.

 

[MadFloyd]

That's awesome! you're welcome! What do you think of the optical? And did you get the Teddy Pardo yet?

Also I may have discovered a fix for the Roon/Hqplayer lost sync issues some people are having. Make sure all of the sound devices are disabled in Roon.

Yes, I've hooked up the optical and find it great. I've ordered the Teddy Pardo but not sure when I'll get it (shipping from Israel) but I'm really looking forward to it and will report back when I get it.

I'll try deleting all other devices in Roon and see if that helps - thanks again, Mike!

 

[Blizzard]

Yes, I've hooked up the optical and find it great. I've ordered the Teddy Pardo but not sure when I'll get it (shipping from Israel) but I'm really looking forward to it and will report back when I get it.

I'll try deleting all other devices in Roon and see if that helps - thanks again, Mike!

Excellent! I didn't realize Teddy Pardo was from Israel. I always thought he was American. No problem, I'm glad you like it!

 

[BobShermanEsq]

Excellent! I didn't realize Teddy Pardo was from Israel. I always thought he was American. No problem, I'm glad you like it!

Don Pardo was American.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Pardo

 

[Blizzard]

Don Pardo was American.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Pardo

Maybe his long lost cousin

 

[PeterA]

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...!

Hello MadFloyd, As an all analog guy, I'm curious to know how your new digital setup compares to your vinyl. How would you describe the difference in sound?

 

[Blizzard]

Hello MadFloyd, As an all analog guy, I'm curious to know how your new digital setup compares to your vinyl. How would you describe the difference in sound?

He has the LPS on the way to power the streamer. Right now he's using the cheap SMPS that came with the NUC. This is going to make a huge difference.

 

[MadFloyd]

Hello MadFloyd, As an all analog guy, I'm curious to know how your new digital setup compares to your vinyl. How would you describe the difference in sound?

There's no contest, the analog wins hands down. To be fair, as Blizzard mentions, I'm using a cheap power supply and am awaiting a better one.

Also, my DAC is a limiting factor. For example yesterday I tried another phono stage that a friend lent me (just as a test) and the digital was close to this, the difference that my Pass phono had much more detailed texture than the digital or the borrowed phono. I would imagine a different DAC would yield better results.

I will of course report back when I get the new power supply.

 

[Blizzard]

There's no contest, the analog wins hands down. To be fair, as Blizzard mentions, I'm using a cheap power supply and am awaiting a better one.

Also, my DAC is a limiting factor. For example yesterday I tried another phono stage that a friend lent me (just as a test) and the digital was close to this, the difference that my Pass phono had much more detailed texture than the digital or the borrowed phono. I would imagine a different DAC would yield better results.

I will of course report back when I get the new power supply.

Yes and in order to get the best of the system, you really need a DAC that is native DSD 256 capable. Going from DoP 128 to native 256 is like using a whole new DAC with my system.

What we need is some guys with DSD 256 compatible DAC's trying this system. I have 1 GG owner who has setup a system so far. He is waiting on the LPS as well before sharing his full assessment. But unfortunately the GG is only DSD 128 over DoP with Linux as well.

Based on my experience, the finest way to experience this system is if your DAC has the latest Xmos based USB interface. As it's capable of DSD 512 natively on Linux. Most DAC's released in the last year or so probably use this chip.

A DAC with the AKM AK4490 DAC chip, and Xmos interface, is a real game changer with this streamer for the price. Lots of them popping up on the market. Understanding how everything works it the key to the best sound. you don't have to spend a fortune for SOTA sound if everything is optimized to perfection.

 

[Al M.]

There's no contest, the analog wins hands down. To be fair, as Blizzard mentions, I'm using a cheap power supply and am awaiting a better one.

Also, my DAC is a limiting factor. For example yesterday I tried another phono stage that a friend lent me (just as a test) and the digital was close to this, the difference that my Pass phono had much more detailed texture than the digital or the borrowed phono. I would imagine a different DAC would yield better results.

I will of course report back when I get the new power supply.

Phew!! (Wiping the sweat from my forehead . . .)

I wasn't so sure anymore that you thought the analog is so much better than your current DAC, which now produces "fantastic sound" as you describe it, but glad to hear it still is.

Yes, a better DAC should do a lot to narrow the gap. Since you now do DSD upsampling anyway perhaps a NADAC would be worth considering a try. What you report also confirms how important the phono stage is. I couldn't believe last time what a difference it made.

 

[Blizzard]

Phew!! (Wiping the sweat from my forehead . . .)

I wasn't so sure anymore that you thought the analog is so much better than your current DAC, but glad to hear it still is.

Yes, a better DAC should do a lot to narrow the gap. Since you now do DSD upsampling anyway perhaps a NADAC would be worth considering a try. What you report also confirms how important the phono stage is. I couldn't believe last time what a difference it made.

Yes the NADAC is a DAC that has the potential to match or beat his mighty analog rig. And it's only $11500. Even the Merging HAPI at $4000 is 95% the DAC the NADAC is. It uses the same DAC board and Ravenna interface as the NADAC.

And no I'm not a shill for Merging which will probably be what people will be saying next.

The reason I put together this streamer package, is to provide folks with USB DAC's the next best thing to having a DAC with Ravenna interface.

 

[PeterA]

Yes the NADAC is a DAC that has the potential to match or beat his mighty analog rig. And it's only $11500. Even the Merging HAPI at $4000 is 95% the DAC the NADAC is. It uses the same DAC board and Ravenna interface as the NADAC.

How will it match or beat is mighty analog rig? In terms of accuracy to the original recording or sounding preferable or sounding more like the real thing?

The question I have is which will sound better to him and which will he listen to more often. That is the standard that really matters, imo. If it comes close for a total cost of less than $15K, than that would be quite an accomplishment, especially if it is in the league of the might Vivaldi stack that I have heard once. I have not heard MadFloyd's new phono stage, but I hope to soon. We will do some comparisons with his digital, I'm sure.

 

[Blizzard]

How will it match or beat is mighty analog rig? In terms of accuracy to the original recording or sounding preferable or sounding more like the real thing?

The question I have is which will sound better to him and which will he listen to more often. That is the standard that really matters, imo. If it comes close for a total cost of less than $15K, than that would be quite an accomplishment, especially if it is in the league of the might Vivaldi stack that I have heard once. I have not heard MadFloyd's new phono stage, but I hope to soon. We will do some comparisons with his digital, I'm sure.

There's enough filter settings in hqplayer alone to tailor the sound to anyones personal tastes. I think the analog rig would be on the back burner if he was to buy a Merging NADAC or HAPI.

In a world where people automatically assume more money and complexity is better it may be hard to believe, but let's not forget that a computer less powerful than what can fit on your fingertip today, used to take up the space of an entire room, and cost over $1 million. Technology is a good thing, not a bad thing.

I can't wait to compare my chipless DSD system to the NADAC once I have my Ravenna interface.

 

[MadFloyd]

Yes and in order to get the best of the system, you really need a DAC that is native DSD 256 capable. Going from DoP 128 to native 256 is like using a whole new DAC with my system.

What we need is some guys with DSD 256 compatible DAC's trying this system. I have 1 GG owner who has setup a system so far. He is waiting on the LPS as well before sharing his full assessment. But unfortunately the GG is only DSD 128 over DoP with Linux as well.

Based on my experience, the finest way to experience this system is if your DAC has the latest Xmos based USB interface. As it's capable of DSD 512 natively on Linux. Most DAC's released in the last year or so probably use this chip.

A DAC with the AKM AK4490 DAC chip, and Xmos interface, is a real game changer with this streamer for the price. Lots of them popping up on the market. Understanding how everything works it the key to the best sound. you don't have to spend a fortune for SOTA sound if everything is optimized to perfection.

Can you name some of these DACs? And what is the NADAC? Never heard of it...

I'm also wondering if this new setup can rival the upsampling & transport boxes of the dCS stack. If so, I would only need 2 of the 4 boxes lol.

 

[BobShermanEsq]

There's enough filter settings in hqplayer alone to tailor the sound to anyones personal tastes. I think the analog rig would be on the back burner if he was to buy a Merging NADAC or HAPI.

In a world where people automatically assume more money and complexity is better it may be hard to believe, but let's not forget that a computer less powerful than what can fit on your fingertip today, used to take up the space of an entire room, and cost over $1 million. Technology is a good thing, not a bad thing.

I can't wait to compare my chipless DSD system to the NADAC once I have my Ravenna interface.

The NAA image is interesting. What have you added or changed from the current AudioLinux software that makes yours different and adds value?

Regards
Bob

 

[Blizzard]

Can you name some of these DACs? And what is the NADAC? Never heard of it...

I'm also wondering if this new setup can rival the upsampling & transport boxes of the dCS stack. If so, I would only need 2 of the 4 boxes lol.

The NADAC is a new DAC from Merging technologies in Switzerland. They are the guys behind DxD and the finest mastering software in the industry called Pyramix. They were the first to enable DSD 256 recording. They have a line of of both SOTA DAC's and ADC's. Their 2 pro sound unit's are the Horus and Hapi. The NADAC is their first product for the high end audio market. It uses a SOTA new Ethernet interface called Ravenna. It's far better than USB. I think combined with HQplayer it has the potential to be in the DCS stack league, without the insane price. I really suggest you audition one of these DAC's.

You won't need my streamer with this DAC. It has what my streamer does built in . So you could just use the streamer on another zone. Both could seamlessly tie into the same network with Ravenna and zones could be changed via the Roon iPad app. Basically once setup, it will be identical to how your system functions with the streamer.


Here's a real good review on the NADAC. David Robinson did a really good job. And he didn't even use it with HQplayer or fiber isolation!

http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/impressions-the-merging-technology-nadac-mc-8-dsd-dac/

On this thread here I helped Andrew setup his with HQplayer and fiber isolation. Another guy chimed in claiming the fiber isolation made a big difference as well. Same fiber setup you have:

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?19241-Nadac/page2

 

[Blizzard]

The NAA image is interesting. What have you added or changed from the current AudioLinux software that makes yours different and adds value?

Regards
Bob

I worked with the developer to slim it down, add the airplay functionality, and auto configured it so it just works from command line mode with this hardware without any configuration. Just burn to stick, pop stick in , and turn on and it works. The airplay takes over whenever HQplayer is connected, and vice versa. I made it so someone with absolutely no linux knowledge could easily set the system up.

 

[Al M.]

Here's a real good review on the NADAC. David Robinson did a really good job. And he didn't even use it with HQplayer or fiber isolation!

http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/impressions-the-merging-technology-nadac-mc-8-dsd-dac/

On this thread here I helped Andrew setup his with HQplayer and fiber isolation. Another guy chimed in claiming the fiber isolation made a big difference as well. Same fiber setup you have:

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?19241-Nadac/page2

In the report one engineer claimed that the ADDA over Hapi/NADAC was completely transparent to the source tape, he couldn't hear the difference. But if the NADAC can be improved as you describe then it cannot have been fully transparent after all in that test -- that alleged transparency would have implied perfect performance. Isn't there a contradiction?

 

[Blizzard]

In the report one engineer claimed that the ADDA over Hapi/NADAC was completely transparent to the source tape, he couldn't hear the difference. But if the NADAC can be improved as you describe then it cannot have been fully transparent after all in that test -- that alleged transparency would have implied perfect performance. Isn't there a contradiction?

In their comparison with R2R, they were strictly using DSD 256 files. The media player was Merging's own software called Emotion. For DSD 256 files, Emotion is probably the equal to HQplayer. Where HQplayer shines, is resampling all of the other formats to DSD 256. So with 99% of most peoples collection, HQplayer will offer improvement. As for the fiber, they were using high end copper cables in the review already. So it's going to take more experimenting to see what's better, high end copper, or fiber. One thing for sure is, at $550 for the 1st meter, and $200 for each additional meter, nobody going to be wiring their whole house up with that! Fibre optic cable is cheap, and doesn't lose quality with long runs.

 

[wisnon]

The NADAC is a new DAC from Merging technologies in Switzerland. They are the guys behind DxD and the finest mastering software in the industry called Pyramix. They were the first to enable DSD 256 recording. They have a line of of both SOTA DAC's and ADC's. Their 2 pro sound unit's are the Horus and Hapi. The NADAC is their first product for the high end audio market. It uses a SOTA new Ethernet interface called Ravenna. It's far better than USB. I think combined with HQplayer it has the potential to be in the DCS stack league, without the insane price. I really suggest you audition one of these DAC's.

You won't need my streamer with this DAC. It has what my streamer does built in . So you could just use the streamer on another zone. Both could seamlessly tie into the same network with Ravenna and zones could be changed via the Roon iPad app. Basically once setup, it will be identical to how your system functions with the streamer.


Here's a real good review on the NADAC. David Robinson did a really good job. And he didn't even use it with HQplayer or fiber isolation!

http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/impressions-the-merging-technology-nadac-mc-8-dsd-dac/

On this thread here I helped Andrew setup his with HQplayer and fiber isolation. Another guy chimed in claiming the fiber isolation made a big difference as well. Same fiber setup you have:

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?19241-Nadac/page2

I think the NADAC is Sabre…definitely not chipless DSD.