What has CAPS to do with sound quality

[Magdanus]

Hi,

 

Reading about the different CAPS on this site I wonder where sound quality comes in to the matter. My renderer is a Linn Klimax DS and I am thinking of changing my WHS2011 Storage Server to a Synology 1513+ adding a CAPS (or Intel NUC) to be able to run JRiver for control. But has the CAPS anything to do with the sound quality? Is´nt that only determined by the Klimax?

 

Hope someone can clairy my confusion.

 

Thanks.

 

Magdanus

[RubenV]

Hi Magdanus,

 

Do you want to use de Linn as a DAC for the CAPS?

[Magdanus]

Hi Magdanus,

 

Do you want to use de Linn as a DAC for the CAPS?

 

The plan is: the Linn Klimax as the DAC + the Synology as the music storage/server (Flac files) + CAPS/JRiver for management of the storage/metadata + IPAD/JRiverRemote as the controller and now wonder if the CAPS has any influence on the sound quality rendered by the Linn. Want the best possible sound quality.

 

Kjartan

[RubenV]

Hi Kjartan,

 

Now it is clear for me, thanks. I am using a similar setup for over a year now. I have a netgear NAS (just like your Synology) and I use two CAPS between my NAS and dCS Paganini DAC(like your Linn).

The best result I got is with two CAPS streamers, one as an audio pc and the second one as a control pc. Both are running on Windows Server 2012, Audiophile Optimizer and JRive/Jplay. Both the OS and the use of two machines were a big step up from my first CAPS running on Windows 7 (and later on windows8).

 

Both machines are pretty simple. Use a passive cooled chassis (like the streacom fc5), use a SSD or CompactFlash card for OS (less electral and mechanical noise compared to a normal HDD), and use a USB card designed for audioplayback (like the JCAT, Adnaco, PPAstudio).

 

In my setup I use for both pc's the PPA sata cables, PPA Compactflashcard setup(OS for audio pc), PPA usb card with PPA usb cable going to the PPA DigitalToDigitalConverter, and from there a PPA AES cable into the Paganini DAC.

 

If you really want to go all out, use a linear power supply for both machines (I am in the process of getting one).

 

If this to hardcore, you could always start with just one normal CAPS, but for the best possible sound quality I would recommend two machines so you can use JPlay in streamer mode (one control and once audio pc) with Windows Server 2012 and Audiophile Optimizer installed.

[Audio_ELF]

If you have the Klimax DS (not DSM) then you have no method of input other than via UPnP over Ethernet so please ignore any comments regarding two CAPS machines as this relies on a direct (non-Ethernet) connection to the DAC.

 

Personally I don't believe the server can have any effect on sound quality when using a UPnP server - but I accept that other people have reported differences. Running JRiver and JRemote on your iPad is a possible method of streaming to your Linn but the sound quality is unlikely (in my experience) to change over using the WHS2011 directly.

 

Chris has posted UPnP guide where he utilised a Synology. You could do exactly the same thing with the WHS2011 - use that in file sharing mode to J.River on a separate PC (CAPS design or anything else) then use the UPnP server to "push" the music to your Linn. Alternatively you could run MinimServer (or another UPnP server) on the Synology and control that with Kinsky or the Lumin app (other UPnP control point apps are available). Another option would be to build a CAPS type machine in a larger case to also hold 1 (or more) HDDs which hold your music and then these can be accessed directly by J.River.

 

Eloise

[Audio_ELF]

[snip]

If this to hardcore, you could always start with just one normal CAPS, but for the best possible sound quality I would recommend two machines so you can use JPlay in streamer mode (one control and once audio pc) with Windows Server 2012 and Audiophile Optimizer installed.

Ruben ... with respect your answer while generally of interest it is of no relevance to a Linn Klimax DS which has only an Ethernet input to access music via UPnP.

[RubenV]

Ruben ... with respect your answer while generally of interest it is of no relevance to a Linn Klimax DS which has only an Ethernet input to access music via UPnP.

 

True, I miss understood the working of the Linn (that's why I asked if he wanted to use it as a DAC). I did not know the only input was ethernet. Then I would doubt why to use a CAPS between the NAS and Linn anyway...

You can use the Linn also as the controller, and you could use any pc on the network for management of the storage/metadata.

[wappinghigh]

Get a QNAP NAS and stream to the Linn from that..

 

If you don't like Kinsky there is other control point software out there..

 

Visit the Linn forums

 

If you've got a Klimax DS, you've got pretty much the best source available...

 

You don't need a CAPS..

 

You don't need JRiver either..

 

Put MinimServer on the QNAP (or Synology for that matter if you like them) and be done with it..

[RubenV]

Get a QNAP NAS and stream to the Linn from that..

 

 

 

If you've got a Klimax DS, you've got pretty much the best source available in the Linn portfolio...

 

 

Fixed. Of course there are more ways leading to audiophile Nirvana. If you want a hassle free setup, without have to diy a caps and just plug-and-play or whatever sure, Linn is at the very best. But in terms of SQ there are a lot more options available that might not sound best in your ears but for other people it does. Think of MSB, Trinity or dCS. Wether you use a CAPS or not...

 

But since the TS already has a Linn I guess he likes the sound. Still, I don't understand the question of why adding a CAPS.

He could use any pc on the network for management of the storage/metadata.

[Magdanus]

Thank you guys for all your input and I am sorry for my late response - caused by the time difference (I am in Denmark/Europe).

It is true that the Klimax only has an Ethernet input to access music via UPnp. Until now, I have used a HFX NAS running WHS 2011 for storage and Asset UPnp for managing the file structure and metadata for the music files on the NAS. For control I use Kinsky on Ipad.This setup has worked fine. The HFX went down the other day and I was recommended to buy a Synologi 1513+ server instead with 5 x 3TB hard disks in a Raid 5 setup. The Synology server is on its way for delivery so I have not had a chance of playing with it yet. I was told that I can’ t use the Asset UPnp on the Synology as Asset only runs on Windows but Synology offers an alternative to Asset with I have not experienced yet. Then I read ”The Complete Guide to Hafiz Pun/DLNA Network Audio” by Chris, Computer Audiophile where 4 different systems are explained and they include (at least on the photos) a Linn Klimax DS Streamer and a Synology DS 1812+Nas plus a setup including a CAPS that makes it possible to use Asset UPnp which I am familiar with and like. AHA- I think :-)

 

As I read Chris setup then I need a CAPS running Windows to be able to the use Asset or Jriver on a Synology NAS. I do not know MinimServer – is that similar to Asset? For control, I use Kinksy on Ipad but for defining the file structure presented to Kinsky, I use Asset and am/was looking forward to try JRiver which I do not know.

So my understanding now after listening to you guys is, that I only need a CAPS for running Asset or JRiver on the Synology and that I can skip the CAPS and those software’s if I am happy with the features in MinimServer.

Is that correct understood?

Thanks.

Magdanus

[Audio_ELF]

Yes. Minimserver is similar to AssetUPnP.

 

MinimServer

 

Eloise