It seems like HQPlayer 5 updates benefit DSD format output more. I use PCM with the Chord DACs so I'm not seeing much reason to upgrade to version 5 yet. Anyone using PCM output and finds version 5 to be an audible improvement?
Good observation! HQPlayer 5 does seem to focus a lot on DSD output improvements, which might not make as much of a difference if you’re sticking to PCM with Chord DACs. Chord’s unique upsampling approach already does wonders with PCM, so I can see why you’re hesitant to upgrade.
That said, I’d be curious if anyone using PCM has noticed a tangible improvement in version 5. Sometimes the differences can be subtle but still worthwhile depending on the system. Have you tried any specific filters or tweaks with HQPlayer 5, or are you sticking with your current setup for now?
Thanks heaps for this heads up, I’m on vacation now so can’t try for myself quite yet, but this sounds exactly like what I’ve been looking for as an alternative to controlling HQP via Roon on my iPad. A Christmas present indeed for consumers, some stiff competition for Roon for their subset of streaming-first HQP-using subscribers.
Speaking of vacation, I just came back from a trip to the mountains resort with the kids. I just connected my iPhone Bluetooth to the car and use jplay iOS to stream mp3 qobuz stream on the road. In the hotel with wifi, I used jplay iOS to stream qobuz hires to my hidizs s9 pro plus dac/amp to a pair of Crinacle Red iems. Worked like a charm!!!
Good observation! HQPlayer 5 does seem to focus a lot on DSD output improvements, which might not make as much of a difference if you’re sticking to PCM with Chord DACs. Chord’s unique upsampling approach already does wonders with PCM, so I can see why you’re hesitant to upgrade.
That said, I’d be curious if anyone using PCM has noticed a tangible improvement in version 5. Sometimes the differences can be subtle but still worthwhile depending on the system. Have you tried any specific filters or tweaks with HQPlayer 5, or are you sticking with your current setup for now?
It’s more of a question of trying it for yourself and see if it’s worth it. I really enjoy the sinc Long or sinc Medium as well as the Half Band filters with my mojo 2. Hqplayer allows you to change filters and peq/convolution settings on the fly is also a big thing for me. But it’s just me liking to tinkle with sound
The above load is low enough that this can be handled by more power efficient card like the Pascal based GTX1080.
FP64 is rated at 0.27 TFlops
This will keep this card at 50-60% load
You're absolutely right—the GTX 1080, with its Pascal architecture, can easily handle this kind of load, especially since the FP64 performance is relatively low at 0.27 TFlops. Running at 50-60% load should keep the card operating efficiently without pushing it to its limits. It’s a nice balance between performance and power efficiency, ensuring the card doesn’t overheat or draw unnecessary power.
If you were looking at something more demanding in FP64 tasks, a card with higher FP64 capabilities would be a better choice, but for this, the 1080 is a solid option. Have you tested any specific workloads or benchmarks to compare its real-world performance?
Good observation! HQPlayer 5 does seem to focus a lot on DSD output improvements, which might not make as much of a difference if you’re sticking to PCM with Chord DACs. Chord’s unique upsampling approach already does wonders with PCM, so I can see why you’re hesitant to upgrade.
That said, I’d be curious if anyone using PCM has noticed a tangible improvement in version 5. Sometimes the differences can be subtle but still worthwhile depending on the system. Have you tried any specific filters or tweaks with HQPlayer 5, or are you sticking with your current setup for now?
I was able to figure this out and the big reason to use version 5 are the new sinc filters that are able to convert between rate families. I find that 768k rates on my Mojo2 over USB or even coax using SRC-DX result in issues, but 705k rate playback is rock solid. With version 5, I can use the sinc-long filter and leave it locked at 705k rate for any input format. Note that you could do this with version 4 as well, using some of the other filters that allow rate family conversion, but not the Chord style sinc filters (which do tend to sound the best on the Chord gear, imo).
I was able to figure this out and the big reason to use version 5 are the new sinc filters that are able to convert between rate families. I find that 768k rates on my Mojo2 over USB or even coax using SRC-DX result in issues, but 705k rate playback is rock solid. With version 5, I can use the sinc-long filter and leave it locked at 705k rate for any input format. Note that you could do this with version 4 as well, using some of the other filters that allow rate family conversion, but not the Chord style sinc filters (which do tend to sound the best on the Chord gear, imo).
Are you using 16/44 files upsampled to 768?
I have never had any issue using sinc-long (my favorite filter for maximum transparency but very processor intensive compared to all of the other filters) at 768 for 192 files. Which automatically selects 705 for 44.1k files when adaptive rate is selected.
Are you using 16/44 files upsampled to 768?
I have never had any issue using sinc-long (my favorite filter for maximum transparency but very processor intensive compared to all of the other filters) at 768 for 192 files. Which automatically selects 705 for 44.1k files when adaptive rate is selected.
I was using auto/adaptive rate, but I find the Chord Mojo2 has issues playing back at 768k, so I prefer to lock it at 705k and use sinc-long to convert between rate families.
I encourage anyone using a Holo Audio DAC with a Windows PC to be certain they are using the latest Holo Audio drivers, which can be downloaded from this webpage: Kitsune HiFi Cyan 2
I was using v5.68 (Feb 24), which were the latest drivers available when I obtained my Cyan 2. I always had WASAPI output selected in HQ Player. There was no Holo Audio ASIO driver in the drop down menu on my Output page and I never realized there was one until it was pointed out to me that PCM->DSD conversion works only with the Holo Audio ASIO driver. This explains why I was never able even get the DSD conversion to load.
Upon installing the current v5.72 (Nov 24) drivers, this problem magically disappeared, as did some other minor glitches. The ASIO driver now appears in the drop down menu, everything works, and my CPU load has decreased.
It would be easier to respond to more specific questions. Where are you having problems? I agree it’s a steep climb at first. Will screenshot my setup later when I’m near my computer, unless someone else does it first.
Don’t have the pc in front of me. But probably the most complicated part is that under settings you should select playback to either “pcm” or “sdm”. Then under the output tab, select asio and find your dac otherwise it won’t play.
The rest are simply options you find the sound settings that suits you.
I would suggest “sdm” output at 256x44.1, no change to filters for now, for akm dac, change modulator to 7EC super
Here are shots of my settings from start to finish. Hopefully this will be enough to get you started and ask specific questions if you have any.
FYI, I've got Roon and HQP running on my M1 Mac mini, which is running via fiber to my system.
in the Input tab, the "device" shown is my Holo Red. In the output tab, the "device" is my Holo Cyan 2. Your specific devices should appear in the dropdown menus.
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