sonic79

Responses from sonic79

Streaming, Optimization and compromises
@sns I have most of the parts list compiled. Like I said I'm still determining the OS and power supply. The hardware aspect is simple, basically a standard PC build. The software is more advanced. Audiolinux is based on Arch Linux which requires a... 
Streaming, Optimization and compromises
I'll be building my own music server in the next month. Having enough processing power for upsampling to DSD, and implementing fiber optic are priorities. All components will be in a fanless case to minimize audible and electrical noise. The serv... 
What's All The Fuss And Big Deal About Roon About Roon Being A Must-Have??
The Bluesound Node is Roon ready, meaning it can act as a Roon endpoint. You can not run Roon core on it, however. You will need a computer or music server for that. Roon core features integration of Tidal and Qobuz, DSP and upsampling, multi-sour... 
How eclectic is your taste in music?
My taste is all over the board. Genres I do not listen to are metal, alternative rock, industrial, classical (I do enjoy OST's), free jazz, rap (except for Run The Jewels). Most everything else is on the menu. My listening sessions usually begin ... 
Spatial X5 speakers
@audiosaurusrex  My room is 11'5" wide by 15'5" long. Speakers are a little under 7' apart centerline to centerline, and a little under 9' from the listening position. Toe in around 15° but I think I will try less toe. I tried 19 different positi... 
Spatial X5 speakers
Loving my M3 Sapphires. Depth of the soundstage is very impressive--one of the first things I noticed after getting them. In a nearfield configuration this is a huge advantage. The soundstage is projected rearward behind the speakers. It helps a s... 
New streamer or dac?
Considering something as simple as a Raspberry Pi or Intel NUC can be used as a streamer, I believe the quality of the DAC is more important. A two box solution also allows for more versatility and upgradability.  
Roon Streaming Service actually Degrades the sound
Debate over the best sounding player software has existed since digital audio playback became more mainstream. Roon is just another contender in the game. I suppose its popularity has made it an easy target. I don't see nearly the same discussion ... 
Roon Streaming Service actually Degrades the sound
Objective measurements are a tool to get better sound quality but they don’t constitute better sound quality. Measurements do not represent sound quality in its totality. In the end if it sounds better, it is better. Or if it sounds worse, it is ... 
Roon Streaming Service actually Degrades the sound
Does this streamer maker have objective proof Roon degrades sound quality? Actual measurements that prove degredation of the signal? If not, I would not put so much faith in anecdotal evidence. What makes this streamer maker the barometer of excel... 
750$ Intel NUC vs $6000 Aurender N200: I don't hear the difference
OP, do not be led to believe there is anything wrong with your hearing or impressions. You are not the first to report hearing zero difference between servers. I suspect many owners of high cost "audiophile" servers will denounce such a finding as... 
Noisy ethernet cables
Ethernet over UTP offers galvanic isolation from transformer coupling. Any noise you are noticing must therefore be from EMI/RFI picked up by the cable. The fact that multiple cables exhibit noise confirms this. I would try to locate sources of i... 
My experience with Roon Hardware
I do not view the Nucleus as good value. It is essentially a NUC in a fancy enclosure booting from Roon ROCK. The same result can be accomplished for far less cost with a DIY approach--although also requiring a bit more technical knowledge.  
Weakest digital link: DAC - Streamer - Server?
Roon helps consolidate a library with multiple sources. You can use anything from a laptop to an expensive music server as the Roon core. Link your Tidal or Qobuz account to Roon and continue using your NAS for local files. A simple Raspberry Pi c... 
Tidal vs. Others- End of 2021
Another vote for Qobuz. I've had a Tidal account for almost three years. Happy for the most part. Sound quality is satisfactory to me, and aside from a few rare occasions, I've been able to find all tracks I search for. I am sceptical of MQA, and ...