AUDIO over IP - REDNET 3 & 16 Review. AES67 Sets A New Standard for Computer Audio

[Iving]

Just did a quick test with the Dante Background Processes. Looks like the first 2 on the list cannot be stopped (Dante stops working). The last 3 can be stopped, but you cannot use Dante Virtual Soundcard (DVS), Dante Controller, or Rednet Controller.

In Fidelizer, the vital thing is to *not demote* Dante processes (wrt priority). At present, Fidelizer doesn't "know" about Dante (or Merging) and demotes their priority "thinking" they are non-audio processes. Keetakawee is going to correct the matter for a future edition. I'm sure he would answer any questions by e-mail. I identified the processes to him (where OLD means before I updated DVS, RN Control and Dante Controller to current versions = NEW) as per ...

e.g. Dante Clock Synch (ptp.exe) runs at REALTIME by default but Fidelizer sets it below Normal! (It's easy to reset priority manually in Task Manager - and I'm told Process Lasso can maintain user-set priorities once re-established - although I haven't seen reversion during a playing session <24 hrs.)

 

[Golfnutz]

In Fidelizer, the vital thing is to *not demote* Dante processes (wrt priority). At present, Fidelizer doesn't "know" about Dante (or Merging) and demotes their priority "thinking" they are non-audio processes. Keetakawee is going to correct the matter for a future edition. I'm sure he would answer any questions by e-mail. I identified the processes to him (where OLD means before I updated DVS, RN Control and Dante Controller to current versions = NEW) as per ...



e.g. Dante Clock Synch (ptp.exe) runs at REALTIME by default but Fidelizer sets it below Normal! (It's easy to reset priority manually in Task Manager - and I'm told Process Lasso can maintain user-set priorities once re-established - although I haven't seen reversion during a playing session <24 hrs.)

I know, I run HQPlayer in Real time.

But why bother setting those 3 programs to lower priority, you shouldn't be running them very often after initial setup. Therefore, why not just stop them manually if you're goal is to reduce the number of processes (under a minute to turn them off). If you were in a recording studio, it would be a different set of circumstances, but for our use running them or not isn't going to make a difference.

 

[Iving]

I know, I run HQPlayer in Real time.

But why bother setting those 3 programs to lower priority, you shouldn't be running them very often after initial setup. Therefore, why not just stop them manually if you're goal is to reduce the number of processes (under a minute to turn them off). If you were in a recording studio, it would be a different set of circumstances, but for our use running them or not isn't going to make a difference.

I don't set them to lower priority - Fidelizer does - and that is what needs to be corrected in Fidelizer - Fidelizer needs to deem them audio processes and leave them alone. For myself I have tried *promoting* any Dante / RedNet processes - but I don't hear any difference to write home about. I don't bother trying to switch any Dante or RedNet processes off (except the two that stop automatically if you close the DVS or RedNet Control Windows).

 

[Golfnutz]

Glad that you like the JCAT in your system. I checked the price of the JCAT card and it is about $500 before shipping. What was your fiber optic setup?

TP-Link MC220L (x4), Genuine Cisco SFP (x4), separate LPS (x2 - double 9v output on each), Battery packs (x2) Cables (too many), Shipping costs.

I've mentioned it earlier in this thread, when I have my laptop in my listening room, there are times I can hear noise through my speakers when I remote into my music server. Adding the second Fiber Optics to the Router helped somewhat, but there were still times it was audible when using RDC. It's completely gone now that I'm using a Belden 10GX bonded pairs Ethernet cable (CA21109002). There's information about reduced alien crosstalk on there website.

 

[Golfnutz]

I don't set them to lower priority - Fidelizer does - and that is what needs to be corrected in Fidelizer - Fidelizer needs to deem them audio processes and leave them alone. For myself I have tried *promoting* any Dante / RedNet processes - but I don't hear any difference to write home about. I don't bother trying to switch any Dante or RedNet processes off (except the two that stop automatically if you close the DVS or RedNet Control Windows).

Sorry, I thought you were implying they would set them to lower priority in a future release.
I agree with you, leave them alone and let the user decide if they want to do anything with them.

 

[Iving]

Sorry, I thought you were implying they would set them to lower priority in a future release.
I agree with you, leave them alone and let the user decide if they want to do anything with them.

Well the whole point of Fidelizer is (inter alia) to relegate unnecessary = non-audio processes. It's just not yet up to speed with ethernet (cf. USB etc) audio. Of course an audiophile would prioritise audio highly whether in Windows or life at large! But I don't want to seem an apologist for Fidelizer for AOIP since I've not yet bought Pro. There are at least a couple of other threads dedicated to Fidelizer at this Forum.

Going back to what started the present conversation, I *am* convinced that I can hear the difference between different LANs/NICs, and would love to hear an audiophile's assessment of the RedNet PCIe card. What made you buy the JCAT? Do you know of any other RedNet users with a JCAT?

What a pity we are all so dispersed. I'd just love a PCIe card bake off right now

 

[WindowsX]

Thank you @Iving for your cooperation. I'll update Fidelizer with Dante and Merging in next release with some other fixes. It's been merged in main system now.

Regards,
Keetakawee

 

[Golfnutz]

Well the whole point of Fidelizer is (inter alia) to relegate unnecessary = non-audio processes. It's just not yet up to speed with ethernet (cf. USB etc) audio. Of course an audiophile would prioritise audio highly whether in Windows or life at large! But I don't want to seem an apologist for Fidelizer for AOIP since I've not yet bought Pro. There are at least a couple of other threads dedicated to Fidelizer at this Forum.

Going back to what started the present conversation, I *am* convinced that I can hear the difference between different LANs/NICs, and would love to hear an audiophile's assessment of the RedNet PCIe card. What made you buy the JCAT? Do you know of any other RedNet users with a JCAT?

What a pity we are all so dispersed. I'd just love a PCIe card bake off right now

I saw it on JPlay, where RedNet AOIP was first pioneered for 2 channel stereo - including modifying the SMPS (sorry, this thread wasn't the first to discover it).

http://jplay.eu/forum/index.php?/to...usb-audio-pcie-cards-usb-to-spdif-converters/

Since the JCAT Net card has an option to power it externally, and an upgraded Crystek CCHD-957 clock (Ultra-Low Phase Noise Oscillator), it seemed like it would be a good fit for a low powered mini-itx system. My goal was to externally power as many devices as possible from the motherboard.

Too bad the Rednet D16/3 don't have a PCIe slot (users can add their own upgraded Ethernet ports). Maybe that could also be included along with an optional DC power input in the next generation Dante Audio Interfaces.

 

[mourip]

In the well over a year since the AOIP thread started I have found not one person who has opted for the RedNet PCIe card. It might be due to the information on the Focusrite site itself that basically says that sonically it holds no advantage but just offers more channels for availability.

The hard part of comparing equipment is to isolate the variables by trying everything in just one system. This gives you a shot at comparing "apples to apples". Otherwise you just get anecdotal evidence from folks who have seen an improvement to their ears in their system. Best case is one user with a good system and is methodical and compares each method without making any other changes.

When deciding to make changes the best I can usually do is to find several users who all seem to agree that a product or method gives an improvement. Even so that might not happen in my own system depending on other choices I have made. In my mind what we are doing is a bit more like cooking and not just science.

OK. So who is going to buy the $1000 Dante card?

 

[Iving]

(sorry, this thread wasn't the first to discover it).

http://jplay.eu/forum/index.php?/to...usb-audio-pcie-cards-usb-to-spdif-converters/

rb2013 used to credit mhamel as the pioneer - thanks for the link

 

[Iving]

OK. So who is going to buy the $1000 Dante card?

Exactly!

 

[Golfnutz]

Interesting this company is including the JCAT Net card as an option with their low powered Celeron board - http://www.mojo-audio.com/deja-vu-music-server/

"Our Deja Vu Music Server is optimized for 24-bit 192KHz PCM, DSD, and MQA music streaming. Built around a low-noise ultrahigh-efficiency 6 watt main board with an integrated Intel N3150 quad-core processor. Powered by our Illuminati v2 ultralow-noise ultrahigh-dynamic linear power supply and Internal Regulator Modules. Optional high-performance JCAT Femto USB and/or optional JCAT Femto Ethernet cards. Comes with Audiophile Optimizer and your choice of Windows Server 2016 or Windows 10 operating system".

Everything about this server is designed around low power and low noise. The fact they are including the JCAT Net/USB cards as options should speak for itself.

I'm not really trying to push the JCAT card itself, it's more about the importance of low noise (a result of low power) feeding the Rednet device to get the best results. To me, anything that avoids the voltage regulators on the motherboard has to be a good thing (done better by external low noise LPS). At least you would think....

 

[mourip]

This is not a comment about the card itself and I have not dealt with Mojo Audio but you might want to look through some of the MicroZotl threads for Mojo Audio before committing to a purchase. Not everyone was pleased...

 

[Golfnutz]

This is not a comment about the card itself and I have not dealt with Mojo Audio but you might want to look through some of the MicroZotl threads for Mojo Audio before committing to a purchase. Not everyone was pleased...

It was just an example...

For members of this thread, it would be far cheaper to build something more tailored towards AOIP.

 

[mourip]

It was just an example...

For members of this thread, it would be far cheaper to build something more tailored towards AOIP.

Agreed. Both my headphone and speaker systems use fanless PCs made from HDPlex or Streacom cases and use HDPlex LPSs to power them. Be sure to get a case and system board that can accommodate a PCIe card if you want to go the JCAT route. The Computer Audiophile is a great source for building one of these.

Unfortunately on CA they seem to have very little interest in exploring AOIP. Go figure!