Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2013 9:17:05 GMT
With all I have read about laptops limitations, outputs, power supplies, USB issues and jitter, does anyone have any suggestions as to how to maximize a laptop for hi-rez files, such as those available for sites such as HDTracks? Specifically if one has a high end DAC that does not have a USB input. Hi Ron Some people run them off their battery for improved Audio. Many people get great results with a John Kenny modified HiFace that converts USB to SPDIF with low Jitter. Perhaps John may like to chime in here with other suggestions? Bear in mind that improvements to laptops often cost money that SWMBO is likely to be unhappy about you spending. Regards Alex
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ronzo56
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Post by ronzo56 on Jan 3, 2013 9:32:41 GMT
LOL!! ;D I'm asking theoretically. So no budget is required. I would be very interested in the differences between the modded Hi Face and the V-Link. Also I have been spending the day over at CA. I would be curious to know what hardware/software Barry D. feels do justice to the 192kHz files. My next plans in this hobby are to implement a computer based playback that will match my main rigs capabilities. Of course after an appropriate waiting period for SWMBO. ;D (She's actually really understanding, amazingly so according to my friends.) PS- I seemed to have deleted instead of modified my original post. My apologies. Ron
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XTRProf
Fully Modded
Pssst ! Got any spare capacitors ?
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Post by XTRProf on Jan 5, 2013 13:34:42 GMT
Seriously Ron, with computers so cheap nowadays, why bother to use a laptop? Use the lappy only for work.
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ronzo56
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Post by ronzo56 on Jan 5, 2013 14:11:49 GMT
Seriously Ron, with computers so cheap nowadays, why bother to use a laptop? Use the lappy only for work. You are probably correct on that. The lappy works for the space I have in my main rig. With a computer I would need a monitor and then there is the noise factor of the fan that I can hear over the music. Any suggestions would be appreciated. This is a longer term project. Cheers, and good luck with the business! Ron
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Jan 5, 2013 23:36:10 GMT
There is one major advantage that a laptop MIGHT have over a desktop - it often isn't grounded to the mains earth. Ground loops & common mode noise are a serious source of audio degradation that is often overlooked so I often recommend people use a laptop & check it's mains plug.
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ronzo56
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Post by ronzo56 on Jan 6, 2013 0:57:26 GMT
There is one major advantage that a laptop MIGHT have over a desktop - it often isn't grounded to the mains earth. Ground loops & common mode noise are a serious source of audio degradation that is often overlooked so I often recommend people use a laptop & check it's mains plug. Thanks for the suggestion. I checked. The lappy isn't grounded to the mains. I'm suspecting that my V-Link may be my "weak link". I using the internal DAC in my Wadia SACD player, so I think am OK there and my cans are my old HD650 and my new LCD-2 rev2. There just seems to be a difference in SQ between the same files played out of the digital output of my iPod in a Wadia i170 transport and into the DAC with SPDIF and then played out of my laptop with the V-Link into the same DAC. Some loss of air, less smooth highs. They are 24 bit 48 kHz files. But could swear I hear it with higher rez files vs. the SACD of the same title. Could it be USB jitter the V-Link isn't removing, sideband noise? Anticipatory bias? I think I need to compare my laptop to my main computer and see if I hear any difference. Cheers, Ron
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Jan 6, 2013 1:48:35 GMT
If it's the original V-link then yes, it's not a very good source.I haven't heard the 2nd generation V-link but believe that it is better.
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ronzo56
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Post by ronzo56 on Jan 6, 2013 2:21:13 GMT
If it's the original V-link then yes, it's not a very good source.I haven't heard the 2nd generation V-link but believe that it is better. It is the original. I just re-read the measurements in Stereophile. Jitter isn't too bad, but there is some low level noise spikes between 8 and 9 kHz. Might explain my subjective impressions. Any suggestions for a better USB/SPDIF converter? Cheers, Ron
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jkeny
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Post by jkeny on Jan 6, 2013 23:51:02 GMT
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