AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Salk Signature Sound => Topic started by: dpatters on 20 Oct 2016, 03:23 pm
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I'm retiring at the end of November and decided to order to order the Gen III streamer as a retirement gift. Jim is testing my unit today and it should ship tomorrow. This will be my first foray into file playback and streaming. I have ordered a USB cable from Triode Wire labs and some Netgear powerline ethernet adapters to extend my network for the connection to the streamer. I plan on using Roon as the interface and Tidal for streaming content. I'll also be using dBpoweramp to rip my CD collection to flac files. I'll post on my experience with getting it set up and then some listening impressions compared to spinning CDs on my Woo Audio WTP-1 transport.
Should be fun!
Don P.
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Congrats! I should be ordering mine soon. I'm slightly confused, is it recommended that you use the Streamer with an external Dac?
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Congrats! I should be ordering mine soon. I'm slightly confused, is it recommended that you use the Streamer with an external Dac?
There is no dac currently in the streamer so you have to decode the files somewhere.
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That is correct. I will be using Metrum Musette DAC connected to Salk StreamPlayer via USB
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Nice! I am jealous!
I would love to own one as well, but I am one that wants to touch something before buying... And no dealers in the Netherlands...
To have it shipped here will cost me a small fortune, plus Dutch customs will add 25% to the price in taxes and handing...
Please keep us posted on every little detail!!!
Oh, when ripping CD's to FLAC, keep compression low, "0" or "1" is what I would recommend. The files will be somewhat bigger, but the processor will have an easier job decoding.
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Thanks for the advice!
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what a perfect retirement gift for yourself!!!! I'm sure you'll be very happy with this set up. Keep us posted and Congrats!
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The StreamPlayer is arriving tomorrow but my new laptop won't arrive until Thursday and I want to start fresh with the new computer. I wouldn't have believed that I would receive it this quickly. Jim's service is awesome :thumb:
I'm still working until Dec. 2nd and have to travel this weekend so I don't know how much I'll get done but I'll post any progress.
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.....Oh, when ripping CD's to FLAC, keep compression low, "0" or "1" is what I would recommend. The files will be somewhat bigger, but the processor will have an easier job decoding.
I have the Salkstream III and can assure you it has absolutely no problems with higher FLAC compression settings. I have compression set to 5 (dbPoweramp) and the Salkstream III handles them flawlessly. :)
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I have the Salkstream III and can assure you it has absolutely no problems with higher FLAC compression settings. I have compression set to 5 (dbPoweramp) and the Salkstream III handles them flawlessly. :)
Saturn,
That's good to know as I will also be using dBpoweramp for my rips :thumb:
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I have the Salkstream III and can assure you it has absolutely no problems with higher FLAC compression settings. I have compression set to 5 (dbPoweramp) and the Salkstream III handles them flawlessly. :)
Oh, I don't doubt the player has no problems handling even the maximum compression. But I found the lesser compressed a file is, the better it sounds. Some online searching will back this up.
Btw, does it handle internet radio well? Any streamer here will be decoding radio most of the time... And can you post a screenshot of the controller?
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Oh, I don't doubt the player has no problems handling even the maximum compression. But I found the lesser compressed a file is, the better it sounds. Some online searching will back this up.
Btw, does it handle internet radio well? Any streamer here will be decoding radio most of the time... And can you post a screenshot of the controller?
I've not compared different compression levels, so I can't say if less compression than I'm using would sound better or not (to me). As great as it sounds now I'm not real motivated to go through the trouble of comparing. Perhaps next time I rip a CD I'll try it and see if I can hear a difference.
By "controller" I assume you mean the software I'm using to control the Salkstream III? I'm using Roon. Overall I like Roon, but there are a couple things about it that irk me; the way it handles playing by Genre and the fact I can't stream to my iPad.
So far I've had no issues with internet radio. In Roon you do have to add the station's streaming URL , but once added it has worked without issue.
Some screenshots
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=152449)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=152450)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=152451)
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the fact I can't stream to my iPad.
So I understand what you are saying is, using your IPad as your remote controller you can stream Roon FROM your iPad (to your sound system) but you can't stream TO your iPad, is that right?
Thanks
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Congrats on your retirement Don! I've got a couple more years to go...
Good choice on the gift! I really like dBpoweramp. You also have the choice of Uncompressed flac, which sounds like an oxymoron. 'Uncompressed is a special compression mode with stores 16 bit audio in an uncompressed state.'
Once you select your compression level, tick the 'Verify Written Audio' box. It will compare the compressed file to the source.
Here is a great site for all you want to know about flac.
https://xiph.org/flac/index.html
"Why do the encoder settings have a big effect on the encoding time but not the decoding time?
It's hard to explain without going into the codec design, but to oversimplify, the encoder is looking for functions that approximate the signal. Higher settings make the encoder search more to find better approximations. The functions are themselves encoded in the FLAC file. Decoding only requires computing the one chosen function, and the complexity of the function is very stable. This is by design, to make decoding easier, and is one of the things that makes FLAC easy to implement in hardware."
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SCompRacer,
Thanks for the link. The Salk StreamPlayer arrived on Saturday. My new laptop is being delivered tomorrow so I have taken the day off to see if I can get things working. I'm using NetGear powerline adapters to extend my network to the rack. I don't have my TWL usb cable yet but I'll use one I have laying around for now. The instruction manual seems very thorough so I'm not anticipating problems. My goal is to get Tidal and Roon up and running and then I will move on to ripping my CD collection.
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I found that ripping my CD collection was an exercise in patience. It can seem overwhelming with a large one. I did it while I was listening to music or while doing something while in the same room. Sometimes just one in one day. It took a long while.
You won't regret it in the end. How exciting! :thumb:
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the fact I can't stream to my iPad.
So I understand what you are saying is, using your IPad as your remote controller you can stream Roon FROM your iPad (to your sound system) but you can't stream TO your iPad, is that right?
Thanks
I can stream from my iPad to the Salkstream III via AirPlay. I cannot stream from the Salkstream III to my iPad like I can if I were on a computer running Roon. In other words, on a computer, Roon can be used as a controller and a player, but on an iPad it can only be used as a controller. Roon says it has something to do with they way Apple does things on iOS. Supposedly they are working in a fix, though I've been hearing that for some time now with no fix in sight. :(
Btw, on my Logitech Touch/Logitech Media Server using iPeng on my iPad I can stream to the iPad, which is great when I want to listen out in the yard or use headphones in a different part of the house.
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I found that ripping my CD collection was an exercise in patience. It can seem overwhelming with a large one. I did it while I was listening to music or while doing something while in the same room. Sometimes just one in one day. It took a long while.
You won't regret it in the end. How exciting! :thumb:
Yep, it took me quite some time to get through my CD colllection. This is one reason it's important to have backups.
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Yep, it took me quite some time to get through my CD colllection. This is one reason it's important to have backups.
Yeah, I lost some music/effort with a failed backup then a virus. :( External HD's are cheap but can occasionally fail. Buy two, it may save you a lot of time. Don't learn the hard way like me.. and others.
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I found that ripping my CD collection was an exercise in patience. It can seem overwhelming with a large one. I did it while I was listening to music or while doing something while in the same room. Sometimes just one in one day. It took a long while.
You won't regret it in the end. How exciting! :thumb:
Once Dec. 2nd rolls around I should have plenty of time since I won't be working :lol:
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Yeah but sitting around waiting for ripped CD's to pop out all afternoon gets really boring!
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Yeah but sitting around waiting for ripped CD's to pop out all afternoon gets really boring!
Get a robot. Stack 100 at a time and walk away.
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Yeah, I lost some music/effort with a failed backup then a virus. :( External HD's are cheap but can occasionally fail. Buy two, it may save you a lot of time. Don't learn the hard way like me.. and others.
Yikes!
I have 3 backups. ;)
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Does the SalkStreamer III have an IEC for ones own power cord, a captive power cord or does it use a power supply???
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Does the SalkStreamer III have an IEC for ones own power cord, a captive power cord or does it use a power supply???
It uses a power supply. There are other options for a supply (HD-Plex, Teddy Pardo, etc.) if you want a linear supply.
- Jim
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Perhaps those looking for an external power supply should look into the Ultracapacitor powered Vinnie Rossi MINI
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=145402.0
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Thank you, Jim!
Perhaps those looking for an external power supply should look into the Ultracapacitor powered Vinnie Rossi MINI
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=145402.0
Thats exactly why I was asking :eyebrows:
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Got the StreamPlayer on my network without any issues. Roon and Tidal working flawlessly. Instruction manual well laid out. SQ good. Looking forward to my TWL USB cable. Roon is very intuitive. I've been adding albums all day.
Fed Ex just delivered a new laptop a few minutes ago. I'll get that set up later and start ripping my CD collection.
updates to follow.
Don P.
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Once you start ripping, you will be tagging too. Fortunately I haven't batch ripped in several years due to having proper backups.
For instance, it's important that the album artist tag is kept the same for all tracks on an album. If there are even minor differences (like multiple artists) music players will treat the two variations as different albums, and separate the tracks. That's why I prefer to rip one at a time to have control. I'd be worried about having to correct what a robot ripper might do.
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I don't plan on batch ripping. I'm not in any big hurry. I have a good CD transport to use in the meantime. This is new to me so I want to get it right the first time. I have to travel this weekend so I don't know if I'll get started or not. I'm definitely enjoying the Roon interface and integration with Tidal!!
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like many I have external storage for my music already (a NAS in my case) and don't have any need/want for internal storage in a streaming device. considered making a streamer for use with an NAS/external drive with no internal storage?
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like many I have external storage for my music already (a NAS in my case) and don't have any need/want for internal storage in a streaming device. considered making a streamer for use with an NAS/external drive with no internal storage?
We can do this. But is a bit more challenging to set up since it is Linux. We can help with that. Once it is set up, there are no problems. You would still need a small drive for the OS/Roon/etc.
- Jim
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We can do this. But is a bit more challenging to set up since it is Linux. We can help with that. Once it is set up, there are no problems. You would still need a small drive for the OS/Roon/etc.
- Jim
I set up my server (not a Salk) with a small SSD drive for the op system in the hopes that it won't fail like a spinner might. ;)
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I have a very favorable impression of the Salk Streamer III based on what I've read, in particular because of its apparent ease of use (compared to other streamers) and the fact that Jim Salk is a man who stands behind his products with intimate knowledge and stellar customer service.
In his recent review of the III Doug Shhroeder of Dagogo offered much praise but acknowledged the "weakness of his review" was that he hadn't heard other competing aftermarket streamers, and could only compare the streamer to his tricked out Mac Mini. That was more than a weakness in my mind, it kind of sucked the life out his review.
So my question is, can anyone who has auditioned different streamers (Aurender/Sonore/Melco/Bryston. etc.) offer comparisons between the sound qualities they've heard in those products and the Salk Steamer III? I know there are some great streamers out there today, including Jim Salk's, and would love to get anyone's feedback.
Thanks
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I have a very favorable impression of the Salk Streamer III based on what I've read, in particular because of its apparent ease of use (compared to other streamers) and the fact that Jim Salk is a man who stands behind his products with intimate knowledge and stellar customer service.
In his recent review of the III Doug Shhroeder of Dagogo offered much praise but acknowledged the "weakness of his review" was that he hadn't heard other competing aftermarket streamers, and could only compare the streamer to his tricked out Mac Mini. That was more than a weakness in my mind, it kind of sucked the life out his review.
So my question is, can anyone who has auditioned different streamers (Aurender/Sonore/Melco/Bryston. etc.) offer comparisons between the sound qualities they've heard in those products and the Salk Steamer III? I know there are some great streamers out there today, including Jim Salk's, and would love to get anyone's feedback.
Thanks
You may want to start a new thread on this topic. I think you might get more feedback. I certainly don't mind your post on this thread at all. I'm fine with wherever the thread leads.
I only have 20 hours on the StreamPlayer but it did open up some last evening. Pete is shipping my TWL USB cable today. I'll report back when I have some more hours on it and start ripping my CD collection.
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Downloaded dBpower amp and started ripping some CDs. I didn't encounter any problems so far. I have 700 CDs or so in my modest collection and got about 50 or so done so far. I'll just keep hacking away at it.
Received the TWL split power and data 2.0 usb cable but had a problem. The TWL cable has some rather thick collars near the connector end and the usb 2.0 connectors on the StreamPlayer are too close together to attach both legs of the cable. Pete of TWL is taking care of me on this one and has his "USB partner in crime", Dave of PI Audio construct a single leg cable for me. Need to keep ripping and get some more hours on the unit. I usually like to get 100 hours before coming to final sound quality judgements but things are sounding pretty good.
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BTW, the CD ripper in JRiver works pretty darned good. I had one CD that EAC would not copy even when I cleaned the disc twice. JRiver ripped it easily and put it into FLAC as I wanted and it sounds great.