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Options to improve digital sound

Hi,

I am looking for some, hopefully, simple advice.  My current digital system is an M4 MacMini feeding a Holo May DAC into a PrimaLuna 400 preamp and amp.  My speakers are Devore Gibbon X.  I primarily listen to downloaded and ripped files with Roon and Audirvana.  I also use Qobuz, but not as often.

The sound quality is good, but I feel like it could be improved.  The options I'm considering are a Small Green Computer SonicTransporter i7 to replace the Mini, or a SGC UltraRendu to put between the Mini and the Holo May.

Which option would be better?  Is there a better option?  I'd like to keep the cost under around $2500.

Thanks

walt8489
rspyder
103 posts
 

If you use a USB cable then I would strongly recommend the CAD USB Filter and/or the CAD GC 1.1.  For the later, don't mix earth and signal ground.

Your digital system has the same issue as most.  It generates and dissipates noise from quantization noise, jitter and aliasing.  Top end server/streamers and DACs have begun to tackle these issues.  I have the Antipodes Oladra and Horizon360 and as quiet as these two components are, my system benefitted greatly from the CAD USB filter (I ended up getting the CAD USB II-R digital cable because it incorporates the CAD USB Filter and isolates the 5V feed) and the CAD GC1.1. 

When digital hash is removed or isolated from the non-digital component signals the noise floor drops significantly allowing more inner detail to come through and permitting a more organic/natural sound with far less digital artifacts (i.e. classic digital sound).

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,728 posts
 

I run Roon Core on a newer Mac Mini as well as a sonicTransporter i5. There’s absolutely zero difference in sound quality. To be honest, I’m tired of the CPU intensive nature of Roon but most people who are comparing the Mac Mini probably had older models. Use a good streamer and Ethernet filters if you want to improve SQ but don’t listen to people who tried Mac mini 10 years ago and still hanging on to those outdated impressions. 

rgottschalk
11 posts
 

Since you have Roon, I'd recommend Roon's operating system installed on an Intel NIC. You can then run it as a server only. Can create an endpoint with a raspberry pi. Cost for software is free, cost for hardware would be $500-750.

Roon operating system (Rock) link:. https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/rock-install-guide

 

Roon endpoint link:  https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/linux-install

Good luck!

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