I see, have not tried to play Qobuz through HQPlayer, using Roon.
HQPlayer’s UI is so primitive, that it never crossed my mind to use it as a playback console.
CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE
- Thread starter magiccabbage
- Start date
HQPlayer’s UI is so primitive, that it never crossed my mind to use it as a playback console.
TheMiddleSky
Headphoneus Supremus
When "one more song before bed" moment become sleepless night.
So far all the recommended apps are complete crap, so i can see why people go to Roon. I didn't buy it since it sounded so bad. Any other recommendations?
Roon is the best that I tried, it sounds great with HQPlayer.
I did find a 40 page document on how to install Kodi and than an addon (Supersonic) that pushes the stream to HQplayer. Addon won't install. I'm pretty much done with it. I am curious about PGGB though.
I have used Audirvana, HQ Player, JRiver, PGGB, Roon, and Stylus and it was a tie— they all lose. Streaming audio software is down a dirt road.
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Would you also rate ripped CD playback below spinning CDs?
I have a lifetime subscription to Roon. I have just just received an email from them, describing the new features of the upcoming Roon 1.8 update available next week for beta testing. One of the new features is:
Improved buffering and caching for streaming content
"We’ve made changes to Roon’s buffering and caching infrastructure when playing streaming content. The new implementation is designed to use a lighter touch when interacting with your network and internet connection, making streaming less intensive for your Roon Core."
This backups my believe that the sound quality issues that some have experienced with Roon is due to additional CPU usage of the Roon Core causing more RF noise, both mains and airborne. Roon after all is bit perfect so RF noise and jitter are the main things affecting sound quality. As Chord dacs are immune to jitter. RF noise is the issue.
This has never been a problem in my system as my Dave and Blu2 are separated by about 4 metres using the Opto DX, my Intel NUC and Hypos Ferrum power supply are a further metre away. I also have separate power supply lines for the analogue components (Dave and the power amps) and Digital components (Blu2 and the Intel NUC).
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Did another Roon trial just to setup HQplayer. Running them both on a 9900k with 32 gb ram and Rtx 3080 TI via usb with the settings below. I can see why people like it. I'll keep testing over this weekend but it sounds a bit artificial to me. I can't tell which one is the culprit.
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Progisus
Headphoneus Supremus
Make sure adaptive output rate is checked not blocked. It will start much faster and you will have a better experience.Did another Roon trial just to setup HQplayer. Running them both on a 9900k with 32 gb ram and Rtx 3080 via usb with the settings below. I can see why people like it. I'll keep testing over this weekend but it sounds a bit artificial to me. I can't tell which one is the culprit.
This does seem to be the case. with the famous sync L filter that beats the M-scaler everything does sound more spaced out, like going from Dave to M-scaler yet again, compared to the M-scaler.
However timbre and depth suffer imo. That just might be the RF noise via the USB from the PC, but even with Opto-dx and SRC-DX i'm not sure the timbre will be fixed. There's also a lot less tonal density. With Sync-M and NS9 Dither, and you get some of that back, and it does sound closer to the M-scaler, but still slightly worse .
Its why I own the Blu Mk2. I have a physical CD library with tens of thousands of rare and out of print classical recordings. Being able to play them without all of the issues of streaming audio is my preference. I’ve explored many network/streaming solutions over the years and I feel those technologies are still too unsettled.
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Jawed
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3mm ferrites on the DC cable coming out of the HMS SMPS and 7mm ferrites on the AC cable going in to HMS SMPS is a big upgrade.
The 3mm ferrites are a tight, awkward fit:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01MRC9JN5
You could use 5mm ferrites instead for an easy fit.
The 7mm ferrites are easy to fit:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N4U91RS
It's moderately expensive to fit these ferrites: about 65 3mm ferrites and about 72 7mm ferrites. Well worth doing.
Also, 9mm ferrites along the entire length of the IEC mains cable for DAVE. And any power amps, while you're at it.
Out of curiosity, for the PGGB/HQ Player crowd. Would a Zen/Zenith be a suitable sever /streamer? I'm trying to figure out a good setup if i were to replace the M-scaler with Roon+HQplayer/PGGB + Src DX, but Innuos seems to cap out at 384 khz. As i understand it SRC DX needs 24 bits, not the full 32.
I'm still unclear if 24 vs SRC DX are recommended vs 32 via USB. I've read about the bad USB controller on Dave, and i do agree it's the worst connection, but when i leave HQplayer to default (as Mika recommends) it appears to send 32 bit , even though he said Dave doesn't support it (contrary to what Chord and Roon say).
What's the consensus?
I'm still unclear if 24 vs SRC DX are recommended vs 32 via USB. I've read about the bad USB controller on Dave, and i do agree it's the worst connection, but when i leave HQplayer to default (as Mika recommends) it appears to send 32 bit , even though he said Dave doesn't support it (contrary to what Chord and Roon say).
What's the consensus?
Toonartist
Formerly known as dAndis67
For PGGB and HQP I use Roon Nucleus > Mac mini M1 HQP server > opticalRendu + Uptone JS-2 + TQ Silver Diamond USB > SRC.DX > TT2 > Etude.
I use the oR as a HQP NAA and both Roon and the Mac mini HQP server connect to the network via fibre optical connections (away from the listening room in a network cupboard). Then a 10m fibre cable to the listening room to the oR. This allows you to use 24/768... 24 bit is best for dual coax into a TT2 as 32bit forces the TT2 to convert it to 24bit first... this just adds processing noise that doesn't need to happen. If your using a DAC that can accept 32bit via dual coax without converting it down, just leave HQP bit setting as default.
If you have a HQP server... of any sort, then a small NAA is the best option as it doesn't need to be that powerful, it's just an endpoint. It keeps all the computing away from sensitive audio gear. It also means that your centralising the HQP server on the network so it can send the data to any number of HQP NAA's across the house... I have a couple of headphone points downstairs with a Pi4 + Digione tophat. The main listening room has the oR with the SRC.DX.
Now...should it replace an MScaler? All I'll say that when I compared it to the one I had for 18months, I disliked HQP when it was connected via USB. Didn't like it at all compared to the MScaler. So, to make a better comparison, just make sure the HQP software is running on a laptop/desktop on the network & use something like a Zen Streamer, Raspberry Pi4 or Mircorendu or better as a HQP NAA. If you're not into tweaking or experimenting.... stick with the MScaler
HQP can be very rewarding when done right but it isn't always plug and play like the MScaler.
I use the oR as a HQP NAA and both Roon and the Mac mini HQP server connect to the network via fibre optical connections (away from the listening room in a network cupboard). Then a 10m fibre cable to the listening room to the oR. This allows you to use 24/768... 24 bit is best for dual coax into a TT2 as 32bit forces the TT2 to convert it to 24bit first... this just adds processing noise that doesn't need to happen. If your using a DAC that can accept 32bit via dual coax without converting it down, just leave HQP bit setting as default.
If you have a HQP server... of any sort, then a small NAA is the best option as it doesn't need to be that powerful, it's just an endpoint. It keeps all the computing away from sensitive audio gear. It also means that your centralising the HQP server on the network so it can send the data to any number of HQP NAA's across the house... I have a couple of headphone points downstairs with a Pi4 + Digione tophat. The main listening room has the oR with the SRC.DX.
Now...should it replace an MScaler? All I'll say that when I compared it to the one I had for 18months, I disliked HQP when it was connected via USB. Didn't like it at all compared to the MScaler. So, to make a better comparison, just make sure the HQP software is running on a laptop/desktop on the network & use something like a Zen Streamer, Raspberry Pi4 or Mircorendu or better as a HQP NAA. If you're not into tweaking or experimenting.... stick with the MScaler
HQP can be very rewarding when done right but it isn't always plug and play like the MScaler.
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