joelha Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 "The NAA output is very cool and Jussi put a lot of effort into it...well worth the try! Jesus R" Hi Jesus, My question is, if I'm running a Linux application on a Zuma server (presumably, because it's Linux, there's a lower draw on the Zuma's resources), into a Berkeley Alpha USB converter, will even the best NAA improve the sound much or at all? I realize, you can't just pop over with your device and know what my system will sound like, but in concept, what do you think? And if the question has too many variables to offer a reasonable answer, I certainly understand. Thanks, Joel Link to comment
joelha Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 realmassy, Would you mind posting a link to the item(s) you're using? Thanks, Joel Link to comment
MarkS Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Is it possible to upgrade this thing by adding SoTM's audiophile grade USB out? - Mark Synology DS916+ > SoTM dCBL-CAT7 > Netgear switch > SoTM dCBL-CAT7 > dCS Vivaldi Upsampler (Nordost Valhalla 2 power cord) > Nordost Valhalla 2 Dual 110 Ohm AES/EBU > dCS Vivaldi DAC (David Elrod Statement Gold power cord) > Nordost Valhalla 2 xlr > Absolare Passion preamp (Nordost Valhalla 2 power cord) > Nordost Valhalla 2 xlr > VTL MB-450 III (Shunyata King Cobra CX power cords) > Nordost Valhalla 2 speaker > Kaiser Kaewero Classic /JL Audio F110 (Wireworld Platinum power cord). Power Conditioning: Entreq Olympus Tellus grounding (AC, preamp and dac) / Shunyata Hydra Triton + Typhoon (Shunyata Anaconda ZiTron umbilical/Shunyata King Cobra CX power cord) > Furutec GTX D-Rhodium AC outlet. Link to comment
vortecjr Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 "The NAA output is very cool and Jussi put a lot of effort into it...well worth the try! Jesus R" Hi Jesus, My question is, if I'm running a Linux application on a Zuma server (presumably, because it's Linux, there's a lower draw on the Zuma's resources), into a Berkeley Alpha USB converter, will even the best NAA improve the sound much or at all? I realize, you can't just pop over with your device and know what my system will sound like, but in concept, what do you think? And if the question has too many variables to offer a reasonable answer, I certainly understand. Thanks, Joel The improvement comes from the combination of HQ Player and NAA. So you run the power hungry process on a complex device and output via the lower power / simple device... Jesus R SONORE computer audio | opticalRendu | ultraRendu | microRendu | Signature Rendu SE | endPoint | opticalModule DX | Power Supplies | Link to comment
vortecjr Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Is it possible to upgrade this thing by adding SoTM's audiophile grade USB out? No. You can use a device that cleans the USB downstream of the SOtM USB output. BTW no everyone is finding the need to do anything.... Jesus R SONORE computer audio | opticalRendu | ultraRendu | microRendu | Signature Rendu SE | endPoint | opticalModule DX | Power Supplies | Link to comment
joelha Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Thanks Jesus. So can I assume if the process on the server is not power hungry, the NAA would not offer much of a sonic benefit? Joel Link to comment
sg60 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Thanks for the review Chris. I've been reading about the Auralic Aries but hadn't heard about this device. However, I'm disappointed to hear that when paired with the Ayre QB9 it only produced good sound. The QB9 is my primary DAC and I'm wondering why the results weren't better. Any thoughts on that? You mention that the QB9 is a completely isolated DAC. Can you explain what you mean by that? Link to comment
vortecjr Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Thanks Jesus. So can I assume if the process on the server is not power hungry, the NAA would not offer much of a sonic benefit? Joel I'm not sure what your doing, but HQ Player's sophisticated algorithms are going to need some power under the hood. Jesus R SONORE computer audio | opticalRendu | ultraRendu | microRendu | Signature Rendu SE | endPoint | opticalModule DX | Power Supplies | Link to comment
vortecjr Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Thanks for the review Chris. I've been reading about the Auralic Aries but hadn't heard about this device. However, I'm disappointed to hear that when paired with the Ayre QB9 it only produced good sound. The QB9 is my primary DAC and I'm wondering why the results weren't better. Any thoughts on that? You mention that the QB9 is a completely isolated DAC. Can you explain what you mean by that? I think there is a misunderstanding. Here is what he said, "The sound quality of music played through the SOtM sMS-100 Mini Server had three distinct levels, good, better, and great. But, not all levels were present while connected to all DACs. For example, when connected to a completely isolated USB audio device such as the Alpha USB or Ayre Acoustics QB-9 the sMS-100 was only capable of great sound. The other levels of sound quality were present with unisolated devices, and depended on use of the SOtM mBPS-d2s Intelligent Battery Power Supply ($399)." Jesus R SONORE computer audio | opticalRendu | ultraRendu | microRendu | Signature Rendu SE | endPoint | opticalModule DX | Power Supplies | Link to comment
joelha Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 I'm not sure what your doing, but HQ Player's sophisticated algorithms are going to need some power under the hood. Jesus R Hi Jesus, I've been playing with Daphile, a 300MB install using no upsampling or other additional digital processing. Can I assume, based on your previous statements, that you believe an NAA would not add any sonic benefits to my situation? Thanks, Joel Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 Thanks for the review Chris. I've been reading about the Auralic Aries but hadn't heard about this device. However, I'm disappointed to hear that when paired with the Ayre QB9 it only produced good sound. The QB9 is my primary DAC and I'm wondering why the results weren't better. Any thoughts on that? You mention that the QB9 is a completely isolated DAC. Can you explain what you mean by that? With the Ayre the SMS-100 is only capable of great sound. This means the lower two levels of sound quality don't come into play due to the QB-9's great isolation. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Sam Lord Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 With the Ayre the SMS-100 is only capable of great sound. This means the lower two levels of sound quality don't come into play due to the QB-9's great isolation. He and I (briefly) read "only" as meaning "merely" or "disappointingly" as opposed to "no other than" which is a point within "never less than." Symantext... Mac Mini 2012 with 2.3 GHz i5 CPU and 16GB RAM running newest OS10.9x and Signalyst HQ Player software (occasionally JRMC), ethernet to Cisco SG100-08 GigE switch, ethernet to SOtM SMS100 Miniserver in audio room, sending via short 1/2 meter AQ Cinnamon USB to Oppo 105D, feeding balanced outputs to 2x Bel Canto S300 amps which vertically biamp ATC SCM20SL speakers, 2x Velodyne DD12+ subs. Each side is mounted vertically on 3-tiered Sound Anchor ADJ2 stands: ATC (top), amp (middle), sub (bottom), Mogami, Koala, Nordost, Mosaic cables, split at the preamp outputs with splitters. All transducers are thoroughly and lovingly time aligned for the listening position. Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 He and I (briefly) read "only" as meaning "merely" or "disappointingly" as opposed to "no other than" which is a point within "never less than." Symantext... Understood. Semantics :~) Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Altabay Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Would you expect the Auralic Vega DAC to also get only-great sound like Alpha USB and QB-9? In other words, is the battery power supply upgrade not needed when using sMS-100 with Auralic Vega? Link to comment
agentsmith Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Will the SMS-100 work with the Devialet? Has anyone tried ? Macbook Pro/MacMini/dCS Debussy/Cambridge 650BD[br]Vitus Audio SS-010/Living Voice OBX-R2 Speakers/Ultrasone Edition 8 phones[br]Airport Express/Meridian AD88[br] Link to comment
Sam Lord Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 If it takes async USB, yes. Mine fixed me an omelet this morning. Not, but my system is breathtaking now, no shit. Git one. Mac Mini 2012 with 2.3 GHz i5 CPU and 16GB RAM running newest OS10.9x and Signalyst HQ Player software (occasionally JRMC), ethernet to Cisco SG100-08 GigE switch, ethernet to SOtM SMS100 Miniserver in audio room, sending via short 1/2 meter AQ Cinnamon USB to Oppo 105D, feeding balanced outputs to 2x Bel Canto S300 amps which vertically biamp ATC SCM20SL speakers, 2x Velodyne DD12+ subs. Each side is mounted vertically on 3-tiered Sound Anchor ADJ2 stands: ATC (top), amp (middle), sub (bottom), Mogami, Koala, Nordost, Mosaic cables, split at the preamp outputs with splitters. All transducers are thoroughly and lovingly time aligned for the listening position. Link to comment
MikeJazz Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 With the Ayre the SMS-100 is only capable of great sound. This means the lower two levels of sound quality don't come into play due to the QB-9's great isolation. Chris, I also had a great experience with a friends QB-9 and a mac as a source...this makes me wonder...besides the Ayre which other dacs in the market achieve a similar level of isolation, from your experience.. http://www.computeraudiophile.com/members/mikejazz/ funded this campain: http://igg.me/at/geekpulseaudio/x/5216671 Link to comment
agentsmith Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 If it takes async USB, yes. Mine fixed me an omelet this morning. Not, but my system is breathtaking now, no shit. Git one. It takes async USB but not all USB streamers work with it. For instance the Mac Mini works, but the Squeezebox Touch doesn't. Macbook Pro/MacMini/dCS Debussy/Cambridge 650BD[br]Vitus Audio SS-010/Living Voice OBX-R2 Speakers/Ultrasone Edition 8 phones[br]Airport Express/Meridian AD88[br] Link to comment
4est Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Thank you Jesus! The software on this unit is setup for one output at a time. I can unofficially change the configuration file, but I prefer that we leave it as is. I know what your trying to do with i2s, but let's just say no for now. Jesus R Forrest: Win10 i9 9900KS/GTX1060 HQPlayer4>Win10 NAA DSD>Pavel's DSC2.6>Bent Audio TAP> Parasound JC1>"Naked" Quad ESL63/Tannoy PS350B subs<100Hz Link to comment
ducatirider Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 A cheaper alternative to the SOtM battery supply is a laptop power bank, I've been using a 23000mah one for the last couple of days and it works nicely. Mine has selectable DC output voltage (9, 12, 16 and 19V, I use 9V with the mini server) and the battery seems to last forever.Before I was using a linear PSU, connected to a balanced transformer: I know it seems crazy (I don't understand myself why) but the battery powered mini server sounds different, very relaxed and even a bit distant, less exciting, but ears get used to the new sound soon and when I swtiched back to the linear PSU everything was 'in your face' and harsh. I found a 9V linear power supply off eBay for around $65 landed. It sounds wonderful. Better than the wall wart. I wanted to try an RC style 9V battery but couldn't find an adapter from the square plug of the battery charger to the round plug of the SMS-100. Link to comment
realmassy Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 This is what I'm using: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00K4PXNZK/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It has a DC 9v and 12v output, I use it at 9V and works perefectly. Massimiliano Link to comment
ducatirider Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 HiFi Linear Power DC 1 USB Amp DAC External Power Supply with Digital Display | eBay and you don't have to worry about battery drainage. Link to comment
labjr Posted June 14, 2014 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Looks nice but just a cheapo transformer and a three pin regulator. Probably needs to be modded to make it quiet. Link to comment
realmassy Posted June 14, 2014 Share Posted June 14, 2014 The main reason I'm using a battery is exactly the noise coming from the transformer in the linear PSU: I'm sitting close to the system (I use STAX earspeakers) and the 'hummmm' was audible. I'm using a Ayre QB-9 DSD, so according to Chris review there shouldn't be any improvement using a battery, but in my case is different: removing the linear PSU has lowered the noise floor in my room, and I also moved the balanced transformer I was using to the DAC (before it was sitting between the mini server PSU and the wall socket)...double win! Massimiliano Link to comment
realmassy Posted June 14, 2014 Share Posted June 14, 2014 HiFi Linear Power DC 1 USB Amp DAC External Power Supply with Digital Display | eBay and you don't have to worry about battery drainage. I've seen that PSU before, but I'm scared about the AC input: 220V is not right here in UK, and at home I usually get 250V Massimiliano Link to comment
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