AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => The Discless Circle => Topic started by: JLM on 12 Nov 2017, 12:46 pm
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Wondering...
How many here listen to high-resolution formats?
And how many who listen to hi-res use dedicated, designed from the ground up music servers?
And how many of you 'server guys' are under 40 years old and work in IT?
Just trying to get a handle on who the hi-res community is, because outside of the internet I don't know anyone who even owns a hi-res file.
Thanks for voting and commenting.
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Listening to HiRez downloads and files like HRx have made a huge improvement in sound for both analog and digital recordings.
I only play vinyl if it is not available in HiRez.
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It looks like you have some duplicates in your poll options. I want to answer with 50% or less in an over $5,000 system, but I don't see the option to do so.
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It looks like you have some duplicates in your poll options. I want to answer with 50% or less in an over $5,000 system, but I don't see the option to do so.
Good catch, already fixed, thanks. Feel free to fix your voting.
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100% digital tracks (when not streaming Spotify or Pandora i.e. background) from a Win 10 based PC running jRiver. 80G of source material from older MP3 to 24/192. I do frequent HD Tracks, however I find their selection is limited. Like HAL above, there seems to be a bunch of stuff I like that is not in Hi-Res. I'm over 40 and not in I.T. I'm in R.F.. However, I spent many years working in the data storage industry so I have a working knowledge of a PC. I was contemplating building a Mac based system but many servers now are pretty affordable so I'm not sure that is logical. It seemed like a good idea when everything was $5K. Also I wonder what Type of listener has a high percentage of Hi-res ? I'm fairly analytical in my music/listening/system requirements. I want to hear and discern as much as I can while others may enjoy their music for different reasons? Anyway, not to hi-jack your thread- hope this answers your question(s).
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Currently in the never category, but I have been acquiring dvd-audios and Blu-ray’s for the surround mixes and they have stereo mixes also that are hi-res. I just have’t gotten around to ripping them yet to my pc music server. Currently listening to a hodgepodge sub $1000 system. I am currently building a few new components, but I will still be under $5000 for stereo rig when I am done. I am over 40 and have an engineering background, not IT.
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Standard 16 bit/44.1 Hz CD's are all I listen to on my $13,000 system. I thought seriously of going the music server route but the prospect of converting around 7,000 CD's to flac files was just too intimidating and I'm really just too emotionally attached to physical media anyway.
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Shouldn't the 3rd option from the top also read "over $5000"?
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Shouldn't the 3rd option from the top also read "over $5000"?
Thanks for the heads up, fixed now. Boy this polling business is hard (early in the AM).
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100% digital. Likely only 10-15% of my collection is hi-rez. By that I mean 24 bit and 88.2-192. No DSD in my collection. Most is 16/44.1 flac.
Been 100% pc based front end since the Logitech SB3 came out. I still have a Touch, and use LMS as the server software on my dedicated netbook. In the main system is use a Linux based plug PC fooled into thinking it is a Logitech device. I used a Pogoplug but have since seen Pi bass versions. Installing Linux on that plug PC was tough for me. So you know I am far from a wizard at this stuff.
I enjoy hi rez and will,seek it out sometimes, but often sort music by genre and build playlists that way.
Not an IT pro, though I do have a degree that included networking training. Late 40's.
iOS devices are the user interface, running an app called iPeng to control it all.
I don't have a ton invested in audio these days. Unless you count the value of all the CDs in storage.
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Self assembled PC to the rest of the system
Not in IT
Just joined the 40 year old club
Todd
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I usually stick with 24/96, I don't hear any difference in higher resolutions which is not surprising since I'm 69 years old. The new Van Morrison - Roll with the Punches 24/96 download is definitely better than the 16/44.1.
My server is built from scratch and uses three separate linear regulated power supplies running Win 10 and JRiver.
I'm not in IT but started with Fortran 4 in 1970, moved up to a Kaypro 2 computer running CP/M, then DOS on a 80286, and later taught myself HTML over a dial up connection.
Wayne
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100% digital. Over 12 Tb storage with formats from 16/44 to DSD.
Windows 10 server running ROON in basement. Odroid C2 with DIY PS into DIY AKM4490 DAC with multiple Salas regulators in listening room.
All music upsampled in ROON to DSD256
63 yrs old. Not in IT. Happily brewing beer for a living.
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Windows10 based PC music server with 1TB SATA SSD driving a multichannel DSP crossover to amps to speaker drivers. Using Foobar2000 for player and room.correction. Best sound for music ever in my room.
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All high-res because source matter!
15% of cd’s
85% of streaming
Over 45 , self employee on IT storage of course :)
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Only listening to digital sources. I am using an Auralic Altair primarily in combination with Qobuz hires and Tidal. Although there are more and more highres files in Qobuz I am not able to hear any differences when compared to standard CD resolution. I am 52 years of age and engineer but not in the IT sector.
I nevertheless prefer the hires files because it feels better to do so :D I also compared streamed media with local files just to find out that there is no difference at all.
But at the moment I am waiting for my dream come true. An active and DSP based horn system ( using an external soundcard and Acourate Convolver for a room corrected crossover network ). It will arrive at my home on 4th of December and then I will switch to a PC based music server using JRiver and Acourate Convolver.
I will write a review for these speaker in the matching circle after I received the speakers.
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Thanks for all the votes/replies.
I ask as a 60+ year old who is very nearly computer phobic, have never ventured into hi-res (neither has anyone in my little audio club), have a $5,000 USD system (100% ripped ALAC files to iTunes on my MacBook, do DSP via DSPeaker) that I'm quite satisfied with, and have no idea of the difference between a server, streamer, and a renderer, various softwares, how I'd obtain ethernet, or how to begin setting up a dedicated music computer to function from my laptop/smartphone. Wish someone would write a primer (hint, hint).
I estimate it'd cost $20,000 USD to make a significant improvement to my system (in my near perfect listening room) plus the cost of replacing my library (which I found out is lacking based on home trialing better DAC/preamp earlier this year).
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I am 38 years old, work in the audio video live production industry, very computer literate. Run a computer based system, all FLAC file including hi res. Running from a 4 TB NAS. It's the way to go for me. Other than that I have my vinyl setup, that's it.
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100% digital here and is convenient given the size of my library. Everything lossless with occasional MP3s when I cannot find lossless. As far as high-res, I don't go out of my way to listen to high-res. If it's music that I like and it happens to be in high-res, I'll check it out. I will say Sound Liaison makes excellent recordings though and they are available in all formats. I pay far more attention in finding the best masters and pressings of each album. I don't work in IT, but I'm comfortable with computers and basic networking for audio purposes.
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Thanks for all the votes/replies.
I ask as a 60+ year old who is very nearly computer phobic, have never ventured into hi-res (neither has anyone in my little audio club), have a $5,000 USD system that I'm satisfied with, and have no idea of the difference between a server and a renderer, various softwares, how I'd obtain ethernet, or how to begin setting up a dedicated music computer to function from my laptop/smartphone. Wish someone would write a primer (hint, hint).
I estimate it'd cost $20,000 USD to make a significant improvement to my system (in my near perfect listening room) plus the cost of replacing my library (which I found out is lacking based on home trialing better DAC/preamp earlier this year).
You don't need super expensive gear to hear differences between various media players. I find almost all reasonably high-end DACs benefit from better digital feed. I can plug in my HD 800 directly into my Dangerous Source powered with LPS, and tell difference between various digital feeds. That's like $3k. A lot of it is experience and just developing the ability to differentiate. Comes with hours upon hours. Once you get a hang of it and know what to look/hear for, it's much quicker. Of course, nobody that I know does this. Everyone likes to press play and just enjoy.
If you're thinking of using a digital library for music, I can guarantee you that Roon is the best solution. Even if you don't know it yet, once you start putting things together from either reading or first hand experience with various softwares on Mac and PC, and USB vs. ethernet implementations, or generic PC vs. dedicated player etc. I have experience in all combinations of these. Roon wins overall in user interface, convenience, and sound quality when the system is setup correctly.
You'll need to Buy Roon (software). You will run Roon on a traditional computer (PC/Windows). There needs to be nothing special about this computer except that it needs to be fast enough (RAM, CPU, SSD preferably instead of HDD - although my 2009 iMac still runs Roon perfectly).
When you setup the app, you can select the location of where you keep your music. If you want to keep it simple, don't worry about NAS. I use a 2TB portable hard drive that is plugged directly into the iMac. All my music is on that. Roon looks only in that hard drive. Whenever I add music to the hard drive, Roon automatically notices that and adds that music to it's library.
As for connection, you can either connect the computer directly to a DAC via USB. Although for best sound quality, you usually want to keep the computer far away and avoid a direct connection with the DAC. Ethernet allows for connectivity to internet and between various devices as well offers isolation (good for sound). So this is where network endpoints and ethernet come to play.
The Roon network endpoint (for example MicroRendu or a Bryston BDP-1...both are computers) accepts the incoming ethernet signal and then will process the audio and can output USB or AES to your DAC. The benefit is that the processing is done in a low noise dedicated computer, rather than a typical noisy computer with poor power supplies and heavy CPU and vibrations.
You want to connect the computer and the RoonReady endpoint (e.g. Bryston BDP or Sonore microrendu) to your network by ethernet. All of these devices will be connected to each other and your router. This means you can sit back on your couch and control Roon by a tablet. If you have an iPad, you open the Roon app and just touch the song and it will play music.
It may seem daunting at first, but with some help and time investment, this is by far the best way to enjoy digital music.
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This should help visualize it:
https://community.roonlabs.com/uploads/default/original/3X/5/7/57bdcda1334ddaf5ddb4e921caa4e10459eb1195.png
The "Music server" can be the Bryston or microRendu
The "NUC Roon Server" is the computer that runs Roon software. Just attach hard drives to it. Everything connected by ethernet.
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I listen to 95% hirez. I have over $25k into my system. And I have thousands of DSD and hirez-PCM files. I do work in IT :)
IMO, digital at it's best is still not 'quite' as good as vinyl at it's best. DSD is very close to vinyl, but not quite there. PCM is a small step down from DSD. I say this as someone that doesn't do vinyl and who is actually a bit biased in favor of digital, but the truth is the truth - vinyl is still better sounding, IMO.
The main thing that digital gives you is convenience, and the ability to store a very large amount of music in a very small space.
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Question. I have everything Redbook. I listen to older music with few exceptions - so this is about the exceptions since hi-rez may be in my future. BUT I'm on a budget.
So, since my JRiver has higher rez capabilities, my SPDF converter can do so (fed into RCA inputs), what would be the best improvement?
a) Just getting a few 24/192 copies (easily done and favored right now in asking this!) or
b) some type of inexpensive DSD DAC/converter
We're talking here about a few hundreds of dollars.. definitely not over $1K which is a HUGE stretch of the budget.
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Question. I have everything Redbook. I listen to older music with few exceptions - so this is about the exceptions since hi-rez may be in my future. BUT I'm on a budget.
So, since my JRiver has higher rez capabilities, my SPDF converter can do so (fed into RCA inputs), what would be the best improvement?
a) Just getting a few 24/192 copies (easily done and favored right now in asking this!) or
b) some type of inexpensive DSD DAC/converter
We're talking here about a few hundreds of dollars.. definitely not over $1K which is a HUGE stretch of the budget.
Get an inexpensive DSD native DAC. DSD files played back via a DSD native DAC is where the magic is at. In my $25k system, I use the iFi iDSD Micro, it's $550 new - https://www.amazon.com/iFi-iDSD-Black-Label-Headphone/dp/B01MTNK3ZT
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Wondering...
How many here listen to high-resolution formats?
And how many who listen to hi-res use dedicated, designed from the ground up music servers?
And how many of you 'server guys' are under 40 years old and work in IT?
Just trying to get a handle on who the hi-res community is, because outside of the internet I don't know anyone who even owns a hi-res file.
Thanks for voting and commenting.
Hi JLM --
To answer your questions:
I listen to high-res formats. However, I don't listen to them exclusively, because I buy releases based on whether I want and like the music, not on the resolution. That said, if something I want to add to my library is available in high-res, I often buy it that way. That goes only for new releases; I don't see any sense in buying old analog recordings in high res. (Nor would I see any sense in buying most new pop releases in high res, because the excessive compression makes them unlistenable anyway. My listening is mostly classical music and jazz, which tend to be recorded better, to my ears.)
The files are all stored on a Synology NAS, and I listen to them in two main ways. First, through JRiver on my desktop computer, with the NAS drives mounted. JRiver feeds a USB DAC, then a power amp and speakers. Second, through a UPnP/DLNA setup with MinimServer running on the NAS and an Auralic Aries as the renderer, feeding into a DAC, power amp, and speakers.
I am 69 years old (in a few days) and have never worked in IT. However, my career was mainly in scientific modeling with computers, so I have been using them since 1967 (not a typo).
You didn't ask this, but I'll add it: About 10-15% of my collection is high res, which I define as anything with bit depth over 16. That includes 44.1/24, 48/24, 88.2/24, 96/24, and a few higher. To me the differences between CD resolution and high res are statistical, with more overlap than difference. Recording and mastering techniques are hugely more important than the recording format! I have many, many 44.1/16 files that sound better than the 192/24 remaster of Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life. I find that 24-bit recordings at any sample rate are more likely to sound naturally smooth than CD's. Again, there is more overlap than difference.
I agree entirely with the following from Anthony H. Cordesman of TAS (and it was my view long before I read what he wrote):
When the only difference in recordings is the bit and sampling rate used by two different machines to record the same music at the same moment, however, I find the sonic differences are subtle and often musically insignificant compared to the choices made in microphone, mike placement, mix, and venue.
I have yet to hear a convincing demonstration that hi-res recordings above 24-bit/96kHz—or from PCM to DSD64 and 128—really improve musical realism in even the best players. Even when I feel I can hear a difference, it requires a level of attention to upper-octave detail that can detract from the musical listening experience, and the level of difference—real or imagined—has no impact on the other, far larger aspects of musical sound quality.
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Oh, one last thing I forgot to say. High-res listening usually involve some form of computer-based audio, a topic I'm giving two talks on to our audio club. In my introduction, I list reasons one might want to use it, and reasons not.
The main reason I suggest someone avoid computer audio is that they dislike computers. That is not meant as a cut, just being realistic.
Computer audio -- even the relatively simple kind using a USB DAC -- is still a bit bleeding-edge compared to a CD player. Software has a learning curve, has bugs, and is constantly updated. Computer operating systems need attention. Viruses and malware are factors. Disk crashes must be insured against with backups. There can be interoperability problems. Files may not be properly tagged. Even those who like computers find plenty of problems and issues to grumble about.
Unless you really, really want what computer audio can give you and you like computers (at least a little bit), you'll probably be happier without it. And you can get excellent sound without it, as you already know.
HTH
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Get an inexpensive DSD native DAC. DSD files played back via a DSD native DAC is where the magic is at. In my $25k system, I use the iFi iDSD Micro, it's $550 new - https://www.amazon.com/iFi-iDSD-Black-Label-Headphone/dp/B01MTNK3ZT (https://www.amazon.com/iFi-iDSD-Black-Label-Headphone/dp/B01MTNK3ZT)
Hmmm, I guess I'll have to start budgeting and saving for next year!
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With the PC setup here, would not trade being able to do things like room correction.
Not found a CD player or transport yet that sounds better than the PC setup for USB DAC use. I would no longer call USB DAC's bleeding edge tech. They are very easy to use with PC's. Windows 10 has been very easy with updates, including ones that improve sound quality.
Having a PC in the system is a matter of choice. PC's are cheaper than transports even with SSD's and no moving parts except the DVD drive when used for ripping.
Heard an Esoteric transport last weekend and my PC sounds better with CD's. Glad I saved the $20K and have the PC.
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Heard an Esoteric transport last weekend and my PC sounds better with CD's. Glad I saved the $20K and have the PC.
Wow thats a huge statement, I love my PC/server but haven't been able to compare to a good transport.
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Wow thats a huge statement, I love my PC/server but haven't been able to compare to a good transport.
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In a blind test, I'm not sure if I could hear a difference between my laptop>Dragonfly>Uptone Regen>USPDF into my AVA UltraDAC vs. a standard direct digital out from a Sony player. The ddo sounds a bit more spacious/airy....I think.
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There is a reason the guys from Philips went with 44.1/16. The average human is not able to hear any difference between 44.1/16 and any higher resolution in a non-studio environment. The trained human ear MIGHT hear a difference between 16 bit and 24 bit in a controlled situation. In every day life at home or in a car the difference is not noticable.
What people proclaim to hear is the difference in mastering. A high res recording is basicaly NEVER mastered at the same time as the standard/low res material it is compared with.
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I can't argue with the above in that -
1. My PC based system gets me probably above and beyond the quality I can appreciate (hear)
2. Everyone may laugh, but when I stream good old Spotify, it sounds great!. My MP3s are up sampled by Roon (PCM Max) and they sound pretty dang good too. Now can I tell a difference on a Miles Davis 24/192 Kinda Blue track- yes. But I really have to listen. Like as the tracks gets rolling a cymbal is struck and you can hear that decay for a hour (exaggeration). Some of us are not that analytical but there are times I like to sit and "really" listen. The reasons stated above such as human hearing limitations and my personal limitations are why I have seen no need to make sure everything is up sampled to DSD or even purchase that high a res. I would never hear it. Also to me tweaks are fun.... I just ordered a new USB cable (I moved my system and the Kimber is too short) and am anxious to try it... The "difference in mastering" mentioned above makes sense and I have not considered that but am always aware your source is your primary limiting factor.
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There is a reason the guys from Philips went with 44.1/16. The average human is not able to hear any difference between 44.1/16 and any higher resolution in a non-studio environment. The trained human ear MIGHT hear a difference between 16 bit and 24 bit in a controlled situation. In every day life at home or in a car the difference is not noticable.
What people proclaim to hear is the difference in mastering. A high res recording is basicaly NEVER mastered at the same time as the standard/low res material it is compared with.
The reasons Phillips went with 16/44.1 had to do with hardware limitations and compromises. One can read about this in any number of places, but even during the writing of the CD standard there were plenty of people involved who “knew” that 16/44.1 wasn’t really optimal, but that it could be “good enough” for commercial purposes.
As far as mastering goes, the vast majority of high-res masterings are identical to the Redbook masterings in terms of amplitude and frequency envelopes up to ~22 kHz.
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I would no longer call USB DAC's bleeding edge tech. They are very easy to use with PC's. Windows 10 has been very easy with updates, including ones that improve sound quality.
That's one of my main points, you IT people live in a different world and just don't realize how foreign computer 'stuff' can be to the rest of us, and explains why computers aren't more intuitive (like a car used to be until computer interfaces/features have ruined them). 40 years ago Bang and Olufsen had a receiver that won my design award: well built, sleek looking, and extremely simple to operate. I challenge server manufacturers to invent one that can plug in as simply as a CD player for the common consumer.
An audio friend of mine has never bought a CD or a computer but is 100% digital. He uses an $800 BlueSound PowerNode 2 (DAC/60 wpc integrated), controlled by his smartphone, and uses Tidal HiFi. Not the best sound quality, but very elegant, easy to set up, and functional. Puts nearly all other server based systems to shame in those regards.
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When I build a music server, all you have to do is plug in the USB DAC and start Foobar2000 and play music. One add brings in the music library. Everything is setup before shipping. Only question is what USB DAC do I need to load the driver for Windows 10.
All the networking needs are like any other PC. Click on the WiFi icon select the network and put in the password. Or just plug in the Ethernet cable. If you want the Foobar2000 remote on any device with a browser, just put in the IP address of the machine in Foobar2000. One command finds that address.
Put a CD in the drive and click the Foobar2000 tab for CD replay.
Much simpler than a lot of stuff I have seen.
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Do you a tablet or smartphone remote for your Foobar 2000 setup? If so, which app?
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Foobar2000 Mobile app for Android or Windows phones.
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I use MonkeyMoteHD remote for iPad for my foobar2000
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I use MonkeyMoteHD remote for iPad for my foobar2000
Thanks!
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When I build a music server, all you have to do is plug in the USB DAC and start Foobar2000 and play music. One add brings in the music library. Everything is setup before shipping. Only question is what USB DAC do I need to load the driver for Windows 10.
All the networking needs are like any other PC. Click on the WiFi icon select the network and put in the password. Or just plug in the Ethernet cable. If you want the Foobar2000 remote on any device with a browser, just put in the IP address of the machine in Foobar2000. One command finds that address.
Put a CD in the drive and click the Foobar2000 tab for CD replay.
Much simpler than a lot of stuff I have seen.
You're making my point very clearly.
What's Foobar2000? What's an 'add'? What's a driver? What if I don't use Windows 10? What's the WiFi icon? What's my password? What's the point of plugging in an ethernet cable? And what if I don't have an ethernet plug? What's a foobar remote? What's a browser? What's an 'IP address'? What's the command I would use? Why not just tell me what that command is?
When I drive my car I just put the key in the lock and turn it, then shift into drive, push the gas pedal, and steer away. All quite intuitive. Why can't someone make a server that is intuitive to the most casual observer (a saying from a long gone college professor)? Ever heard of plug and play? Or zero glitches/100% stable/no upgrades needed? Both of my cars have worked for 160,000 miles with routine maintenance and a new battery.
I use a MacBook with iTunes, about as glitch free/stable a computer solution out there. Trying out Tidal right now and getting silence. Don't know why. It does work on and off. Slow connection? Wireless router too far away? Something else?
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Based on your above post, you are right. Stick with your Mac and iTunes.
I'm not a Apple guy and probably never will be. However they make good music servers. I thought I knew jRiver but I was still getting glitches. Roon has been a substantial improvement. Stick with what you are comfortable with and what works. You do not have to be a Msoft certified IT Pro to use this stuff but sometimes it takes patience + trial and error. Good luck and if it's no fun and frustrating, stick with what you have had success with.. My previous attempt was with a Win10 Laptop running only jRiver (no other apps, just a music server) with HDMI to flat screen tv, mouse controlled from couch. It sucked. Now I use my home desktop and control from either my work desk or Galaxy Tab A from the couch using Roon= glorious. But it took a while to get here....
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I gotta be honest, I struggle to comprehend all this stuff too. I'm turning 60 next year and am in the process of significantly upgrading my Stereo... Salk speakers are on order and I'm now doing my research on a streamer and a Dac (probably the Salk streamer and currently trying to decide on the Mytek Brooklyn or the Benchmark (alphabet soup :D). A lot of the geek speak (don't mean to sound derogatory) I read goes right over my head. I find I have to re-read some of the posts/reviews/manuals/blogs & YouTube videos more than once. :oops:
My plan is to stream music through Tidal using Roon (God help me!) :scratch:
This article from Computer Audiophile actually made me laugh when Chris C. complained about the music choices in part (then play something else... Problem solved!)
https://www.computeraudiophile.com/ca/bits-and-bytes/notes-from-a-disconnected-axpona-r646/
I honestly think that if this was all simplified, there would be more people enjoying this hobby.
I know once I "get it " I'll probably be writing my own blog... :thumb:
JD
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JDoyle- Hopefully one of the best parts of a forum like this is the help you can receive and get some answers to your questions. Keeping it simple and enjoyable is a key to many of us. I (like others) have had separate everything and all in one (Halo Integrated) solutions. Matter of preference. I bet this will be easier than it sounds and once you get it, the tweaks are endless, if you enjoy that type of thing.
I have separate mono amps but a pre with a DAC built in. It will be a long time till I outgrow this Pre. I was using jRiver but it was a pain at times. However I wanted to share with you that upon realizing my new pre was not getting the correct resolution, I installed Roon. 5 minutes and done. All simple. Roon is set for Tidal but I personally am not interested. Roon houses my music collection and has various functions and multiple ways to play my collection-from playlists, to queue, to "radio". When I stream, Pandora and even better-Spotify does a great job and sounds fine. If I really like what I hear, I buy it and put it in my collection for hi-res playback.
My bet is we could go out, buy a decent Lenovo PC, 8 gig RAM, nothing too special and set it up right out of the box using basic generic instructions. Then install Roon in 5 minutes. Run a USB from PC to Pre (or DAC) and done..... The only thing I have done since to Roon (that I kept) was to set it to up sample. Seems very easy to use and plays very nice with Win 10. Get some help, dive in and you will be up and running in no time. I'm also anxious to read your new blog!
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You're making my point very clearly.
What's Foobar2000? What's an 'add'? What's a driver? What if I don't use Windows 10? What's the WiFi icon? What's my password? What's the point of plugging in an ethernet cable? And what if I don't have an ethernet plug? What's a foobar remote? What's a browser? What's an 'IP address'? What's the command I would use? Why not just tell me what that command is?
When I drive my car I just put the key in the lock and turn it, then shift into drive, push the gas pedal, and steer away. All quite intuitive. Why can't someone make a server that is intuitive to the most casual observer (a saying from a long gone college professor)? Ever heard of plug and play? Or zero glitches/100% stable/no upgrades needed? Both of my cars have worked for 160,000 miles with routine maintenance and a new battery.
I use a MacBook with iTunes, about as glitch free/stable a computer solution out there. Trying out Tidal right now and getting silence. Don't know why. It does work on and off. Slow connection? Wireless router too far away? Something else?
I have the same seamless integration with my PC. Stick with your MAC. I will never own another Apple product except the TV Remote to run the digital crossover plugged into the PC.
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I have just started listening to Tidal, streaming it through a NVIDIA SHIELD streaming devise using a Ethernet cable, not WiFi. I was content listening to Pandora when someone commented on another post that I needed to upgrade to Deezer or Tidal because I was getting lossy files with Pandora. The Shield was a suggestion of a salesperson at Best Buy and seems to be better than what I was getting with Pandora through My Marantz AVR. I guess I'm asking the experts if this is an acceptable means to get Tidal to my system or am I still missing a lot of detail. I really don't want to have to hook a PC up to my system.
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Update -
Just upgraded to the latest Mac OS, High Sierra, and Tidal streaming has improved significantly (far fewer breaks). Don't know why, any ideas?
On another front, my attempt to upgrade our service from DSL to fiber optic keeps running into weather/scheduling troubles. The crew spent a day horizontal drilling (about 300 ft) under the neighbors yards on a very cold day without success and haven't been back. New wireless router and my payment are both waiting along with me to get the projected 20+ faster service. :(
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I've abandoned wifi as a way to stream. Wired ethernet is the way to go.
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Update -
Just upgraded to the latest Mac OS, High Sierra, and Tidal streaming has improved significantly (far fewer breaks). Don't know why, any ideas?
On another front, my attempt to upgrade our service from DSL to fiber optic keeps running into weather/scheduling troubles. The crew spent a day horizontal drilling (about 300 ft) under the neighbors yards on a very cold day without success and haven't been back. New wireless router and my payment are both waiting along with me to get the projected 20+ faster service. :(
Since you are a Mac guy, here is what I do: I just have all my library accessible from a Mac (either USB drive or online) and I have a 3.5 to TOSLINK to a Nuforce/Nuprime DAC/amp - recently upgraded to KEF LS50 from Klipsch. Not an audiophile, and like to keep things simple. I use the free VLC to play sound but considering some of the newer tools. Also I have airport express which has optical out ...
BTW youtube has a lot of decent hi-res classical recordings hence I am getting a $35 chrome cast audio with optical out! That will be connected to my cheap Nuprime setup.
Another option for digital audio is the KEF LS50 Wireless .... I auditioned it and it was good (and it will be the next system for my study).
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Another update: the fiber optic company has given up trying to lay cable this winter, my money has been refunded until summer (won't let them put ruts in the lawn in the spring).
envydd:
Currently have my entire library on an iMac (at my desk in the back of my dedicated study) and most of the "good stuff" on a MacBook Air (that normally is at my near-field listening chair). iMac is connected to DSPeaker Anti-Mode 2.0 Dual Core (DAC/preamp/DSP) via a $6 35ft Monoprice optical cable. MacBook is connected to the DSPeaker via a $74 10ft Straightwire USB cable. Room shape follows Cardas Golden Cuboid ratios (8ft x 13ft x 21ft) and barely benefits from the six GIK 244 panels.
Have heard the LS50's briefly here and at shows, not impressed. A friend has ChromeCast that he feeds/controls via his phone, very impressive for the money/size/simplicity. After nearly 50 years at this I'll stick with wired connections (except Tidal).
Tyson:
Ethernet is easier said than done.
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I've abandoned wifi as a way to stream. Wired ethernet is the way to go.
I prioritized my streaming PC on my router and have had no more issues with buffering. WiFi connection is now as good as Ethernet.
Ric 8)
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Another update: the fiber optic company has given up trying to lay cable this winter, my money has been refunded until summer (won't let them put ruts in the lawn in the spring).
I would be surprised if the increase in data speed did not resolve any skips you still are having with Tidal.
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I've abandoned wifi as a way to stream. Wired ethernet is the way to go.
Were you having issues with connectivity? Also out of curiosity, what router and streamer?
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I've had good luck streaming from my HAL MS-3 Server using JRMC to my Sonos system via wi-fi throughout the house. The J River Media Center is much more stable to the Sonos system rather than using the Sonos app to stream throughout the house via the Sonos zonebridge. Tyson recommended I try J river over Foobar for sound quality and he was right. Fidelizer is a great inexpensive App for those of you with PC based systems as well. Works really well with JRiver....So I can listen to my 330+ redbook CD's converted to Flac on the server (as well as a few HD track Hi Res downloads), and control it from a big screen laptop across the room, and happily watch as various photos of the artist Im listening to scroll across my HD computer screen. $14000 system (still upgrading)...life is good! :D
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I've abandoned wifi as a way to stream. Wired ethernet is the way to go.
Wired is more robust when practical, but I have no problems at all over wi fi.
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I would be surprised if the increase in data speed did not resolve any skips you still are having with Tidal.
I continue to suspect that the problem is with the connection, not with Tidal. DSL is a joke and many users will struggle with mp3 at higher bitrates, let alone lossless. I didn't even get dial up speeds out of mine, in a major city. I've known others who had it and they all said it sucked. Can you stream high def video? I doubt it.
BTW, nobody is streaming 'hi-res' if you use the loose industry definition of 'anything higher bitrate than Redbook' (or FLAC conversion of same). So, not sure how a discussion of 'high res' relates to streaming.
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I have not problems to send 24/192 FLAC from my second system (PC, W10 Pro) to the main one with wireless.
foobar2000 and J River MC 23 64-bits (best sound that foobar2000 from 22 version). Off course, the received music maintains the resolution, usually 24/96 or 24/192.