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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2010 22:47:05 GMT
Will,
I only tried it very briefly and only with the supplied chip. I thought at the time that it was, maybe, a little better than a Marantz CD52II, seemed a snadge clearer and "faster". Though the Asus was using a USB pen transport and the Marantz was all on board. BUT compared to the SPDIF out, via a partially modded ( <50% ) SCDAC, it was clearly the loser.
Leo,
I had a quick waz around the net about the board you linked to. i couldn't find anything definitive. Seems to have been around since at least 2008 but I only found general yack and little facts or findings.
Chris
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2010 23:08:06 GMT
Will I preferred your first 'test bed', its not the same without the scorch marks As you know I use a 46" LCD screen for my little ITX device. It works great and I can see it fine from the 8' or so seating position (in my play room). I also have some Slim Devices (now Logitech) equipment including their Duet and Remote. I had been experimenting with VNC to use a little NC10 netbook to select the music remotely but its a bit sluggish. The idea is to avoid using the big screen if only calling up music, not other tasks which would need a screen. Don't know if remote desktop is any better. Anyhow, today my son d/l'd an app to the Duet remote which lets me use it to select and play the tracks directly to the Buffalo. It works great. He has now found an app that he has put on his mobile and he can now control the music from that, including showing the CD cover. Thought it might be worth your while trying it if you have one of these later generation devices. I think the Slimserver software is openly available. Syd
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Spirit
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Post by Spirit on Nov 29, 2010 0:52:06 GMT
Syd, I've always found RDP (remote desktop) to be a bit more responsive than VNC. Will, Seeing that toybox makes me glad I came over You're tempting me to soft mount my hdd's now... I'll hopefully pick up an SSD for my system drive sometime over these holidays. It'd be interesting to compare TPA's (as yet unreleased) usb transport to the musiland card that Leo found. The card *looks* pretty shmick
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Post by Will on Nov 29, 2010 16:58:09 GMT
That looks exactly like what I want! I've done a little digging, and the Via site is a bit odd when it comes to this Tremor chip. At some points is says it's 24/96 capable, and once 24/196. A little odd, and enough to make mt wary. Perhaps that's what musiland are using that FPGA for, perhaps upsampling? Just a wild guess.
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Post by Will on Nov 29, 2010 17:16:09 GMT
Hi Syd, Yep, it certainly lacks that air of maturity a well placed scorch mark can bring Interesting idea with the control you have, do you have any more details? I don't have anything like that myself, but could be good for the future. As Phil says, the remote desktop is pretty lag free, and as good as using the computer directly. Connect in, start music playing, and disconnect (or just just minimise the session) It'll be easier with something like this on the front of the case linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=10773 but that's way in the future. Phil, you'll have to let us know how you find the ssd. That's the future plan for storing music, if not a small one for the OS. This little PC will be completely silent then. TPA's usb or a hiface would be a good way to go I reckon, I'll have to have a good compare when I've maxed out.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2010 21:20:11 GMT
Hi Syd, Yep, it certainly lacks that air of maturity a well placed scorch mark can bring Interesting idea with the control you have, do you have any more details? I don't have anything like that myself, but could be good for the future. As Phil says, the remote desktop is pretty lag free, and as good as using the computer directly. Connect in, start music playing, and disconnect (or just just minimise the session) It'll be easier with something like this on the front of the case linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=10773 but that's way in the future. Phil, you'll have to let us know how you find the ssd. That's the future plan for storing music, if not a small one for the OS. This little PC will be completely silent then. TPA's usb or a hiface would be a good way to go I reckon, I'll have to have a good compare when I've maxed out. If only you could find a way to supply the SSDs with a Linear PSU. !
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Post by Will on Nov 29, 2010 21:51:39 GMT
I think most SSD's use one of the 3 types of sata power connector? If the drive has a normal sata power, then you only need to supply 5V and 12V, like the old style molex power connectors. The Slimline connector means that only 5V is needed, which is even better. Of course, all these voltages are JLH compatible The only potential bugger is micro sata power connector, which is 5V and 3v3. No JLH for 3v3 Farnell sell terminated power plugs, with the other end ready to be wired in. uk.farnell.com/molex/88751-1410/power-cable-assembly-type-sata/dp/1078522 They also do the slimline as a molex connector.
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Post by Will on Dec 2, 2010 22:48:44 GMT
Just a quick update.
Most of the fiddling has been software wise. I've paired down Vista using Vlite, and seem to have a stable version now, that allows me to play music and access via remote desktop (unlike earlier attempts that allowed one, but not the other)
For playback, I'm using Foobar and Creative Media.
I've also compared the internal spdif to the one on my Asus, and found it lacking, so the Asus will be staying for quite a while yet.
I've also compared the musicPC to my main PC, which I used to use for hires DL's. The musicPC is a step further on, which surprised me a little, as they both have the same spdif out (Asus DS) Perhaps its the complete lack of fans and the such? The only moving part is the HDD, which is suspended. Quite glad I've got a decent dac and amp, which let all the changes show through, and not get masked.
Pretty pleased at the moment, as I've had a substantial improvement to my system for less than a £200 CD player, whilst being far better than one.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2010 0:01:18 GMT
Just a quick update. Most of the fiddling has been software wise. I've paired down Vista using Vlite, and seem to have a stable version now, that allows me to play music and access via remote desktop (unlike earlier attempts that allowed one, but not the other) For playback, I'm using Foobar and Creative Media. I've also compared the internal spdif to the one on my Asus, and found it lacking, so the Asus will be staying for quite a while yet. I've also compared the musicPC to my main PC, which I used to use for hires DL's. The musicPC is a step further on, which surprised me a little, as they both have the same spdif out (Asus DS) Perhaps its the complete lack of fans and the such? The only moving part is the HDD, which is suspended. Quite glad I've got a decent dac and amp, which let all the changes show through, and not get masked. Pretty pleased at the moment, as I've had a substantial improvement to my system for less than a £200 CD player, whilst being far better than one. Hi Will I agree 100% Your findings are just further confirmation of what many others have found, and are still finding. It's only going to get better. Properly executed .wav file playback from a PC is far superior to that from any affordable CD/DVD player, where there are so many analogue processes involved in accurately extracting the music from a spinning, and perhaps vibrating piece of polycarbonate. Alex
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Post by Spirit on Dec 3, 2010 2:42:24 GMT
I've paired down Vista using Vlite, and seem to have a stable version now, that allows me to play music and access via remote desktop (unlike earlier attempts that allowed one, but not the other)I've had that experience more than I'd care to admit Glad to hear you're pleased with it
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Post by Will on Dec 7, 2010 20:19:33 GMT
Thanks guys! A minor update related to my musicPC here, where I've found SQ benefits in using a JLH on a USB PSU. Hmm, that link to post isn't working right, my post is down the bottom.
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Post by leo on Dec 20, 2010 23:45:00 GMT
I've been sent a Hiface to play with, should be fun cracking this thing open. Interesting comparing it as stock against the modded QA550 and modded Duet
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2010 23:48:33 GMT
I've been sent a Hiface to play with, should be fun cracking this thing open. Interesting comparing it as stock against the modded QA550 and modded Duet Hi Leo A better comparison would be a John Kenny modified unit,complete with SPDIF attenuator ? Alex
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Post by leo on Dec 20, 2010 23:54:45 GMT
I've been sent a Hiface to play with, should be fun cracking this thing open. Interesting comparing it as stock against the modded QA550 and modded Duet Hi Leo Is it a John Kenny modified unit,complete with SPDIF attenuator ? Alex Hi Alex, No, its stock a friend sent me to play about with. I can crack it open to have a fiddle. I've been using one of those Schuner SPDIF attenuators on and off for a few years now ever since I had the old TDA1541 dac so it should work well with the Hiface Leo Sorry Alex, I thought you asked if it was already modded
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2010 0:02:30 GMT
Hi Leo You were too quick ! You replied before I finished editing my reply . Alex
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Post by leo on Dec 21, 2010 0:14:20 GMT
Thats ok, I honestly thought I'd read it wrong You tried one of these Hifaces Alex? doesn't seem as good stock as last time I tried one. Hope it improves a lot after some fiddling, seems a bit flat
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2010 0:21:24 GMT
Thats ok, I honestly thought I'd read it wrong You tried one of these Hifaces Alex? doesn't seem as good stock as last time I tried one. Hope it improves a lot after some fiddling, seems a bit flat Hi Leo I don't feel the need for one. Alex
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Post by jkeny on Dec 21, 2010 0:21:43 GMT
Hi guys, I have been sent one of these QA550 to have a play with also & in "stock" form using I2S out it sounds surprisingly good - I would say in the same league as a modified Hiface. I haven't done A/B comparisons yet with the MK2 Hiface but I think it's close. This is using I2S from the QA550 - I suspect SPDIF out is very much worse however! I too will have a play around with it. The main DSP chip could do with better PS bypassing & indeed the whole 3.3V PS could be upgraded. The clock could also be upgraded & independently powered . The I2S lines are a bit meandering & long but probably little can be done with that. Not really looking at SPDIF - I'll leave that to Leo but suspect i will require a better DIT chip & PS.
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Post by leo on Dec 21, 2010 0:31:48 GMT
Let us know how you get on too John, Its handy being able to play about with these things, it basically gives me an idea which way to go when I find which I like best. If the Hiface after mods is as good or even better than say the QA550 it would be more appealing because of the option of playing hi-res . The Android apps makes the phone a decent remote too
I've been using SPDIF for comparisons mainly to keep it fair, once the Hi-face is cracked open I can compare I2S
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Post by leo on Dec 21, 2010 0:36:37 GMT
Thats ok, I honestly thought I'd read it wrong You tried one of these Hifaces Alex? doesn't seem as good stock as last time I tried one. Hope it improves a lot after some fiddling, seems a bit flat Hi Leo I don't feel the need for one. Alex Hi Alex, I know but just wondered if any of your mates had brought one around, I was wondering how it compared against the Sound card. I'm on the hunt for a new digital source, just trying to collect the best options . Obviously no interest in something with an onboard dac Leo
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2010 0:41:30 GMT
Let us know how you get on too John, Its handy being able to play about with these things, it basically gives me an idea which way to go when I find which I like best. If the Hiface after mods is as good or even better than say the QA550 it would be more appealing because of the option of playing hi-res . The Android apps makes the phone a decent remote too I've been using SPDIF for comparisons mainly to keep it fair, once the Hi-face is cracked open I can compare I2S Leo and John You will both already know that I am not a fan of USB Audio. TBH, I regard USB as a necessary evil. There is nothing wrong with SPDIF via a good quality soundcard. There are numerous reports elsewhere that this sounds far better than onboard SPDIF. This illustrates to me, yet again, that the enemy is crappy internal SMPS. A linear supply to a quality soundcard should pay even greater dividends via SPDIF ? It seems a waste to go from USB via a SPDIF converter,then back to SPDIF to correct a problem that shouldn't happen with better PC design ? WHAT ?MACS don't necessarily have SPDIF OUT ? :'(rAlex
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Post by jkeny on Dec 21, 2010 0:50:11 GMT
Alex, I have to disagree with you I2S is significantly better than SPDIF (when both are properly implemented) - I have an I2S version of the modified Hiface & it sounds even more natural than the modified Hiface SPDIF out. Inherently SPDIF is inferior to I2S - the clock recovery issue is the problem!
You really should try USB audio, you might change your opinion?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2010 0:57:00 GMT
Alex, I have to disagree with you I2S is significantly better than SPDIF (when both are properly implemented) - I have an I2S version of the modified Hiface & it sounds even more natural than the modified Hiface SPDIF out. Inherently SPDIF is inferior to I2S - the clock recovery issue is the problem! You really should try USB audio, you might change your opinion? John Where did I say anything about I2S ? As far as USB Audio is concerned, I have heard it via a Benchmark USB DAC, and also via a laptop. It ruined a good listening session. I am just saying that you shouldn't have to go to all that trouble and expense to correct a problem that shouldn't exist. Even in the last 24 hours there is yet another report in RG about noisy (hum) audio via USB . Alex h
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Post by leo on Dec 21, 2010 0:58:25 GMT
At least we can almost deal with the psu probs , I guess the question is which is best when all are modded Every other spdif source I've modded so far sounded much better after psu upgrades, I must say so far the Duet was a totally different unit performance wise but the required mods was quite intense, it was shite as stock. I'm hoping the Hiface doesn't require the same amount.
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Post by jkeny on Dec 21, 2010 1:04:31 GMT
Ah right, sorry! Do good sound cards use local clocks & implement asynchronous clocking or do they go with the PC's clock?
That would be one advantage to asynch USB audio. Another you've already identified - the PS issue. Another possible advantage of removing the converter outside the PC is to avoid the Rf hash flying around. So if USB audio fixes some of these then it ain't all bad!
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