AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Empirical Audio => Topic started by: audioengr on 4 Mar 2016, 05:40 pm
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My new interface module for wired Ethernet, "Interchange" is finally working. It gives me Ethernet input and S/PDIF, AES, and I2S output. I will be comparing it to my partially working XMOS Off-Ramp 6 interface today. Right off the bat, it seems to sound very good and works at all sample rates. I am using Jriver so far.
It draws a lot more power than the USB modules did, so I will need to change the Dynamo from 12VDC to 9VDC in order to reduce power dissipation. It think it may be okay inside the ODSX however.
Steve N.
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Steve -
Great news! Any new sound update? I am sitting here listening to the OR6 Bata and the Dynamo PS and PB. I am really blown away by what I am hearing! Running I2S out into the newly updated dac and I just can't imagine things getting much better!! Heavens, I Love This Stuff :lol: I cant wait to check out the Ethernet connection and the differences it may have over USB! After all, hearing is believing.....
Please keep up the magic of your products!! The OR6 is truly a killer!! No, you cant have it back : :thumb:
Keep me posted
Best Regards,
Trueaudiophile
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Hey Steve,
Very interesting, a few questions;
Does this device require specific playback software?
Can it be attached via a network switch?
best regards,
Rogier
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Hey Steve,
Very interesting, a few questions;
Does this device require specific playback software?
I am using Jriver now, but I believe anything that will do DLNA will work with it.
Can it be attached via a network switch?
Yes.
Steve N.
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Steve -
Great news! Any new sound update? I am sitting here listening to the OR6 Beta and the Dynamo PS and PB. I am really blown away by what I am hearing! Running I2S out into the newly updated dac and I just can't imagine things getting much better!! Heavens, I Love This Stuff :lol: I cant wait to check out the Ethernet connection and the differences it may have over USB! After all, hearing is believing.....
Please keep up the magic of your products!! The OR6 is truly a killer!! No, you cant have it back : :thumb:
Keep me posted
Best Regards,
Trueaudiophile
Okay, I am finally well enough (over the flu) to compare my XMOS USB (Off-Ramp 6) to the new Interchange Ethernet renderer. They are virtually identical. Very good news. The XMOS is driven by Amarra on an optimized Mac and the Ethernet is driven by Jriver on the same Mac. I think maybe this eliminates the computer and playback software as a factor affecting SQ. This is the desired result.
This weekend I will be building a new Dynamo at 9VDC to power the Interchange. This will ship standard. No wall-wart.
The first Ethernet module shipped will go into an Overdrive SX.
Steve N.
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The 9VDC Dynamo is finished and working nicely with the Interchange. Does not overheat now.
I would like to install the BubbleUPNP and the Linn Kazoo, but I must have El Capitan on my Mac to support these and I don't have the El Capitan driver for my USB yet. It is coming soon I am told....
Steve N.
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Interested in trying this for sure... Will you be verifying that this sounds the same using an inferior source?
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Steve -
I am using both Linn Kazoo and Bubble UPNP with JRiver 21 and I can tell you once again there is absolutely no difference in sound quality! The big difference comes when I use Linn Kazoo and MinimServer . Totally smokes JRiver 21 in overall soundstage and detail. This is via windows server 2012 R2 and the Audiophile Optimizer in core mode. The OR6 via USB performs flawlessly at all sample rates. DoP must be used for DSD processing. This configuration also sounds great using the windows 10 pro OS.
Best Regards,
Tueuaudiophile :thumb:
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Steve -
I am using both Linn Kazoo and Bubble UPNP with JRiver 21and I can tell you once again there is absolutely no difference in sound quality! The big difference comes when I use Linn Kazoo and MinimServer . Totally smokes JRiver 21 in overall soundstage and detail. This is via windows server 2012 R2 and the Audiophile Optimizer in core mode. The OR6 via USB performs flawlessly at all sample rates. DoP must be used for DSD processing. This configuration also sounds great using the windows 10 pro OS.
Best Regards,
Tueuaudiophile :thumb:
I have a Win7 laptop I can convert to Win10. Can I use this one to do Linn Kazoo and Minimserver?
Can I use Minimserver on the Mac?
Steve N.
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MinimServer app is available on any Qnap NAS...
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MinimServer (http://minimserver.com/downloads/) is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, QNAP, Synology, Netgear ReadyNAS and ASUSTORE.
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Steve -
As previously answered, yes you can and trust me , I did a real time direct A/B comparison and without question the ladder is the way to go!
Best!
Trueaudiophile
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I understand the
minimserver --> JRiver --> BubbleUPNP --> Kazoo
using Kazoo as a control point. How do you get minimserver to Kazoo without a media renderer? Are you using Kazoo Server?
Thanks!
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Oh man, I should not send emails on Monday morning before having my coffee. :duh:
I am using the same basic layout with Windows 10 but using Foobar 2000 with the foo_upnp and WASABI plugins and following the Fidelizer documentation for settings. Have you compared Foobar to JRiver in terms of sound (lots of talk on the audiophile chat boards about Jplay but for 100 euro that seems far fetched)? Or is the issue now moot with the move toward Ethernet?
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Is this going to be a standalone product or just an add on for other Empirical products?
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Is this going to be a standalone product or just an add on for other Empirical products?
Its a stand-alone renderer. It includes the Dynamo power supply, so 2 boxes. Looks like the Off-Ramp, but with Ethernet input.
Steve N.
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HI Steve,
Sounds interesting. I like the idea of getting my MacBook Pro out of the direct signal path, although I guess I would lose Amarra Symphony with the very good sounding IRC.
Any idea on release timing, features and pricing? On the features side, I am the most interested in native DSD over I2S and would also like to know if you are putting the Hynes regulators on the HDMI output.
Todd
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And I realize I'm asking for a stretch here, but could it support Roon?
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No Roon, sorry.
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This application will allow you to stream Roon to this device:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=146693.0
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Great news, thanks. I have started shipping some Ethernet renderer interfaces in the ODSX DAC so I will let these customers know. I can also build the Interchange Ethernet renderer, with one caveat:
Unfortunately, the Ethernet renderer has one issue right now: it must be powered first and then the Ethernet cable plugged in. Not sure why this is happening, maybe the Hynes power supplies coming up in different order. I am looking at work-arounds. IF the customer has no problem with this, I can ship the Interchange Renderer to them. I don't plan to do a large build of the interface yet, until I have a good resolution to the cable plug issue.
I compared it to my best XMOS USB interface and the SQ is identical, so this is great news. It means that customers don't have to worry about SQ differences with different USB/computers or driver availability for USB on different OS's. As long as the playback app supports it, it will work on any platform and sound identical I believe, unlike USB. This is why I wanted to change to Ethernet.
Steve N.
This application will allow you to stream Roon to this device:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=146693.0