2. digital
  3. 183713-110508

Playing Hi-Res Files with SOtM SMS-200 Ultra Neo

Hi guys

I have a pretty nice digital rig (besides the SMS-200, I have three Lan filters, Fiber converters, Uptone ER, silver cables, master clock, Audio GD DI-20 DDC, Audio GD HE7 DAC, Audioquest Jitterbug, etc etc).

I use it for streaming Tidal with Audinirvana and Windows 10 on the computer used as a Core and I really love the way it sounds.

Nevertheless, as an audiophile, I’m always looking for better SQ and now I want to try to play Hi-Res files and I have some technical questions that maybe you can help me (I’m not an expert on digital networks).

As I understand, there are three ways of playing those files and I would love to hear another fellows experiences:

 

  1. Storing the files on the internal hard drive of the computer used as a Core to command the SMS-200 as End Point.

This is a fast test to make and easy to compare with Tidal, at least with Audinirvana.

The caveat is that the files have to go through the home network to the SMS-200 and I think some data must be lost.

I compared this option with Tidal, with the only Hi Res album I have now (Flac 96/24) and to be honest I haven’t found noticeably differences in SQ.

I will compare another Hi-Res formats (WAV and DSD) vs Tidal next week to see if my appreciations are correct.

 

  1. Storing the files on a NAS.

This is not my idea by the moment as I believe it’s somehow technically complicated and the most expensive option.

Nevertheless, I’m open to hear new ideas about it.

 

  1. Storing the files on a SSD external hard drive connected directly to the USB inputs at the back of the SMS-200.

This options needs some configuration, wich I will try next weeks, but I believe some users had trouble making it work properly and SQ was not optimal when the hard drive uses the power from SMS-200 USB input.

Has anyone succeded with this alternative and had a better SQ than streaming? How? Any suggestion on configuration, hard drive specs, etc?

 

Please I would appreciate posts from people with actual experience with the SMS-200.

 

Finally, a side question. Does the specs/quality of the Core computer affect the SQ on the SMS-200? Why? Any suggestion on configuration, specs, etc?

 

Thank you!!

plga
mahler123
3,318 posts
 

So, I have no experience with the SMS.

To address a few other points you bring up:  I use a Melco N100 as a NAS and also as a player.  As a NAS it feeds a few other streamers in the home.  It was not difficult to set up.  If you use Ethernet, there is virtually nothing to do.  WiFi requires a few extra steps, about the equivalent to setting up a new computer printer.  The Melco will also play Tidal and Qobuz.

   Second, you do have a nice system currently.  Realize that High Resolution Files will sound better, in some circumstances, depending upon the recording, but the improvement is asymptotic, not night and day.  Your present setup is probably so maximized to extract digital data that you may hardly notice much.  So don’t drive yourself crazy trying to improve things.

   Finally, there should be no loss of data for digits traveling from a server in your home to a player.  It is more likely that a server located possibly on another continent, such as Qobuz, might have a bit of dropout sending data to your listening room; however, in practice not much is lost there either

plga OP
184 posts
 

Thanks @mahler123 

I will try and then I will post my impressions.

melm
1,075 posts
 

I also use an SMS-200 Ultra Neo powered by an SBooster unit.  I am very pleased with my set-up and simply pass it along as a data point.

I have about 2 tb of music files, PCM of all sorts and SACD rips to DSD, on a Synology NAS.  It is hard-wired to a router and to a D-Link DGS105 switch powered by an iPower unit hardwired to the SOtM and to a very low power lap top computer.  The computer runs JRiver and I use the SOtM as a DLNA/UPnP Bridge for my files and for Qobuz.  My DAC is a Musetec 005.  Work on my own files and also some listening to files and Qobuz is via a desk top in another part of the house.  Most of my listening is to files.  I do Qobuz from time to time for a month at long intervals in between to listen for candidates to add to collection.

I am very secure in my set-up.  The only question I have had over time is whether there is something to replace the SOtM that would give much more fidelity at a modest cost.  But in climbing the high fidelity ladder, you have to stop somewhere.

plga OP
184 posts
 

Hi @melm 

Thanks for the answer.

Yes, I believe that to better the SMS 200 UN you have to spend considerably more money. I think there are cheaper ways of improving SQ that in my case worked, like cables and LAN filters.

By the way, how do you find the SQ of streaming Qobuz vs the Hi-Res files on the NAS?

 

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