[Pentagonal]

Hi everyone,

I recently download HQPlayer 4 and am completely blown away by the sound quality of the Closed-form-16M (16 million taps) filter when upscaling PCM to DSD256. It's like time slows down and the edge is taken off the music. I can hear so much more with ease.

So far I've been using my Chord Mojo and a Macbook Pro. My computer isn't powerful enough to handle the 16M filter at DSD256 and I'm now looking at a dedicated audio PC.

I can buy a Dell Precision with a multi-Xeon CPU and CUDA-enabled GPU on Craigslist for under $500. I'm concerned it still won't be powerful to handle HQPlayer running at max (with Roon streaming Tidal into it, unless there's a cheaper way).

Then for a DAC, there are many options like a R2R Holo Spring 2 that can do DSD1024 or a $100 used iFi Nano that will do DSD512. Not sure where to spend the money, or whether to look into a USB-I2S interface or other tweaks.

And then I need to buy headphones

Has anyone gone down a path like this already?

Thank you!

 

[PurpleAngel]

Over all budget for all audio gear?

 

[Pentagonal]

$1,000 would be ideal. Up to $1,500 if it’s really good. I’m totally fine with used equipment.

 

[koven]

Check out this thread, a lot of good info in there. HQP developer posts there as well (Miska).

 

[Pentagonal]

^ Thank you!

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Over all budget for all audio gear?

Don't forget the $230 or so price of the app.

I used to love foobar2000. After reading this thread I love it even more.