[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: FLAC onboard decoding v. server side in SB2
Okay - a lurker posting here. But not one who isn't interested in attaining the highest quality sound for the most reasonable (wife friendly) cost!!! Coming from a scientific background (father electronic engineer) myself an orthopaedic surgeon I think you may gather the slant I will have on this thread. But to throw in the curve ball, have any of the audiophiles gone to an audiometrist to have their hearing checked? I mean, alot of the threads I read (here and elsewhere) that insight controversy between "techies" and audiophiles generally end with the statement that "I CAN hear the difference but just can't prove it exists..." This is the whole beauty of music, as it sounds different to us ALL (regardless of system being played back on). Yeah the notes are the same etc but individual perception will never be. Spending more money on the hardware certainly "levels the playing field" but after a threshold the perceived differences seem to come down to blind faith or the latest fad amongst of the scene. I would love to see the spectral map of hearing for the audiophile set (and for the techs too) and then lets comment on how good the real "final stage" is in their systems... ! :) As for FLAC - its the dogs, server side vs onboard SB2 decoding - still needing the consent to swap out the old SB1!! Nic PS: m1abrams - liking your home built speakers BTW! -- DrNic ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Getting the best from PC audio
Jetlag Wrote: > > "Slimserver" >> gigabit ethernet >> Squeezebox2 >> > I presume you know - but using gigabit ethernet on the SB2 gives no improved bandwidth as it "only" has the 100Mbps Ethernet interface... Sorry but I just lurk in the audiofool section now and then (and drool over some of the nice kit bantered around here, and occasionally laugh at the inevitable discussions! :) ) Nic -- DrNic ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Getting the best from PC audio
My own solution is quite similar to what you are considering. I bought a used Benchmark DAC1 that was purchasd new in April of this year. The seller guaranteed me that it is in "new" condition. It arrives on Wednesday. I will be running: server side decoding of my FLAC files via "Slimserver" >> gigabit ethernet >> Squeezebox2 >> a custom single ended digital coax cable >> DAC1 >> analog out into amplifier >> speakers (no Pre, Pro or Receiver!) The dig-coax connector on the DAC1=BNC and on the SB2=RCA, so I am having a short BNC to RCA cable made so I do not have to use an 'adapter'. *shudder* ;) I wired my house using all CAT6 components and Belden bonded pair CAT6 cable, so will obviously use this as opposed to WIFI. I did get the wireless version of the SB2, just to have the added flexibility however. My FLAC files were encoded from lossless WAV (using the EAC ripper and the FLAC encoder). The sound should be stellar as I now have perfect bit-4-bit sound decoded via an awesome DAC, and pumped directly to my speakers via an Anthem amplifier. I will also eventually be getting a tube amp (on loan from a good friend), and will do some thorough listening test once the setup is complete. -- Jetlag ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Getting the best from PC audio
I spent some time looking through the Headfi stuff and found the comparisons you mentioned. Looks like the analogue upgrades to the RME failed but that using digitalout to the Benchmark is up there. What I need to sort now is whether there is an option for two SP/DIF outputs from the RME, one for DVD and the other for a DAC. All the best Chris -- Chris OH ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: DTS file for tests ?
I doubt you'll find any DTS encoded audio files. Also, the Squeezebox's digital output only streams PCM so no DTS support there either. -- Aylwin ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Getting the best from PC audio
I think the RME analogue output will always be limited in comparison with a high end external dac - but you probably want to try whatever you are considering out as you need to get into the region where you are spending reasonable amounts of money on the dac to improve. I think there were some posts on the http://www6.head-fi.org/ computers as sources forum about modded RMEs and DAC1s - I think the conclusion was that the DAC1 was preferred. [Though I have never heard one myself and would want to before buying] -- Triode ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] DTS file for tests ?
Hi, Would it be possible to find somewhere on Internet few DTS files encoded in WAV or something compatible with Slimboxes ? so I can test if it works well to use digital output of slimboxes playing DTS files to connect to a DTS decoder ? Thanks in advance Vincèn___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Getting the best from PC audio
Morning Ceejay, English cricket didn't get where it is today without some remarkable raindancing, well done that man. Still pretty unsatisfactory result all the same if it rains again tomorrow. The house is 100 yrs old, semi built in Yorkshire stone with beams / wooden floors so I hope wireless might work, I suppose I should go for a wireless network for my laptop once it is replaced with one with a card in it first. Hi Triode, I postted over in the assylum at the same time as here as i thought there might be two approaches ie getting the most out of the card itself in my main system and using a SB2 and / or external DAC for a second system. >From your response it seems you are using an external DAC/SB2 in your main system. The question I suppose i still have is whether you would use an external DAC if the card was in close proximity to your main preamp? This stated for me after reading about the DAC1 people are raving about on a UK forum Pink Fish Media which i lurk in from time to time. I was also happy with the RME compared to any CD player i have had, largely i suppose because i never spent much on CD replay. That said it is blown into the weeds by my vinyl set up and i think there must be more to get by tweaking or spending a bit more. All the best Chris -- Chris OH ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Super regulator measurements
I think he's just got to go out and buy some audiophile amps and speakers ... and some wanky wire to connect them all up ;) ;) -- Patrick Dixon www.at-view.co.uk ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
