Yes. With my setup WAV sounds richer, fuller and more relaxed, FLAC sounding slightly brittle and flatter in comparison
Might be due to several factors including personal preference and transparency of system.
Device for hires audio streaming/playback
- Fretless
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Re: Device for hires audio streaming/playback
Upstairs:
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Re: Device for hires audio streaming/playback
Interesting. I'm going to rip some WAVs to compare with the same FLACs over the weekend. I have also found brittleness compared to CD playback. But I'm not trusting playback via Android box over network until I've tried other devices - for price, I think I'll be investing in RaspPi/HifiBerry initially, and because I have an SSP digi interconnect already.
dBpoweramp is indeed excellent with the multiple pass secure rips. But I also like the 4 metadata source API which can also be edited - particularly useful when record companies repackage into box sets (typical classical catalogue practice) to ensure accuracy of original album data.
dBpoweramp is indeed excellent with the multiple pass secure rips. But I also like the 4 metadata source API which can also be edited - particularly useful when record companies repackage into box sets (typical classical catalogue practice) to ensure accuracy of original album data.
"Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art." ~ Frederic Chopin
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Re: Device for hires audio streaming/playback
Interesting. The on the fly conversion must be having a effect. Whats the setup, where is the flac being converted back into PCM before being sent to the DAC? There is no difference in the data stream that is converted so it must be secondary effects on the system.
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Re: Device for hires audio streaming/playback
Conversion is in the Pi under Volumio. But I am hearing similar differences in all devices (although less pronounced) such as Sonos Connect and Fiio X3.
Might be that something happens at the rip/encoding stage.
Might be that something happens at the rip/encoding stage.
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
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Re: Device for hires audio streaming/playback
Try taking a WAV file, and converting a copy of it to FLAC so you can play the WAV against the matching FLAC, that will remove the ripping from the equation.
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Re: Device for hires audio streaming/playback
Could do. But I'm just starting a fortnight's holiday and won't be able to try that until I get back.
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
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Re: Device for hires audio streaming/playback
So, external harddrive arrived over the weekend and I had a chance to test FLAC/WAV of same tracks.
Difference is marginal if anything but maybe more fuller sound from WAV.
But it's a nonsense test because still loads of jitter (thought it was the media server as i have a repeater between PC/router) due to the crappy cheapo Android box.
RaspPi/HifiBerry Digi+ Pro ordered. Will also get an Allo DigiOne down the road for comparison, and a linear PSU. Will post experience on the Pi thread.
Difference is marginal if anything but maybe more fuller sound from WAV.
But it's a nonsense test because still loads of jitter (thought it was the media server as i have a repeater between PC/router) due to the crappy cheapo Android box.
RaspPi/HifiBerry Digi+ Pro ordered. Will also get an Allo DigiOne down the road for comparison, and a linear PSU. Will post experience on the Pi thread.
"Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art." ~ Frederic Chopin
Amps/cables: NVA P50sa (48 step), A40 mk3, LS6, SSP
Digi/source: ARCAM CDS50
PaS: Troels Gravesen Scanspeak Discovery 3-Way Classic (homemade)
Music lover and piano dork.
Amps/cables: NVA P50sa (48 step), A40 mk3, LS6, SSP
Digi/source: ARCAM CDS50
PaS: Troels Gravesen Scanspeak Discovery 3-Way Classic (homemade)
Music lover and piano dork.
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Re: Device for hires audio streaming/playback
if running Roon, all decoding is done on the server and only PCM is streamed. Likewise Squeezebox server can be setup that way. Should nullify the differences as all of the hardwork is done where the horsepower sits
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PicorepLayer Squezeebox clone with HifiBerry DAC+, NVA SSC, NVA P50, Project AMPBox, Sonance Ceiling Speakers
PiCorePlayer Squeezebox clone, Allo Boss Dac, NVA AP10H with Stepped Attenuator upgrade and external PSU, Audioquest Nightowl Cans, NVA mini BMU
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PicorepLayer Squezeebox clone with HifiBerry DIGI+, NVA SSP Digital, Arcam AV9. NVA SSC, NVA AP10P, NVA LS5, NVA Cubettes, NVA Mini BMU
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PicorepLayer Squezeebox clone with HifiBerry DAC+, NVA SSC, NVA P50, Project AMPBox, Sonance Ceiling Speakers