A novel way to massively improve the SQ of computer audio streaming

[the_doc735]

3 hours ago, shyamwanne said:

I just realized I have a similar tinnitus problem.  My high quality home headphone setup has started aggravating my tinnitus,  If I listen with the same HD800s headphones on my portable setup....no tinnitus.  I've been curious why, so I can rectify it....like if ultrasonic frequencies are being passed through, or ?????    I know its off topic, so don't want to take up people's time here, but if you, EM2016 or doc735, have a link to more information in another thread please post or PM me:)   Thanks guys!

The only thing I know of is the anti-noise technique were they play it back to you and one is supposed to cancel out the other and you have to pay for it! NO free anti-noise LOL!

[the_doc735]

1 hour ago, sam1000 said:

 

I'm very inclined to build NUC based solution because the cost of admission is relatively cheap, but at the same time, I'm also think that I'm susceptible to the tricks that my mind plays on me. Yesterday I read the following post and it made me think about biases quite a bit .

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/uptone-lps-1-linear-power-supply-review-and-measurements.1849/page-9#post-60699

I can identify with the above post because I also bought a TA cable which costs a fortune and I think I should be able to discern it without any problem. (I have not subjected myself with DBX).

 

Please understand that I've utmost respect for contributors on this thread. In fact I like the DIY solution which is tenfolds cheaper than the megabucks steamers. I just don't get it when we can't pick our favorites in a blind test ? DO you think DBX test put too much pressure on us. Do you know what characteristics Rajiv liked when he picked ZENith over NUC in a blind test? did you do this multiple times or was this a single test.

they don't like audiosciencereview on here with it's apparent objective proof, I got blasted for it! As austinpop said: this is a subjective thread with no proof or objective evidence, only listening and our ears! - So, be careful what you say. friendly warning!

[greenleo]

6 hours ago, limniscate said:

@austinpop and I tested his NUC versus my ZENith SE.  In blind testing, he picked the ZENith.  However, the NUC was not on the Synergistic Research Tranquility UEF base.

thank you for the info.  In the blind test, did Rajiv find the SQ close or was it an easy pick?

[the_doc735]

wtf: Synergistic Research Tranquility UEF base.?

[BigAlMc]

47 minutes ago, greenleo said:

For the CAer's who are using the NUC7i7DNBE, would you mind telling me the RAM that you're using?  I got the compatabile RAM list from Rajiv's post for the NUC7i7DNKE but the RAMs on the list are all unobtainium.

 

Any help will be very much appreciated. 

 

Hi Leo,

 

I'm installed this in my i7DNBE yesterday and it worked without any issues:

 

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/4gb-1x4gb-samsung-ddr4-so-dimm-pc4-19200-2400-non-ecc-unbuffered-cas-17-12v

 

Cheers,

Alan

 

[greenleo]

10 minutes ago, BigAlMc said:

 

Hi Leo,

 

I'm installed this in my i7DNBE yesterday and it worked without any issues:

 

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/4gb-1x4gb-samsung-ddr4-so-dimm-pc4-19200-2400-non-ecc-unbuffered-cas-17-12v

 

Cheers,

Alan

 

Thank you Alan.  Samsung cannot be bought in my place.

[BigAlMc]

Bummer.

 

I'm sure there are plenty alternatives.

 

Out of interest where are you based Leo?

[seeteeyou]

12 minutes ago, greenleo said:

Samsung cannot be bought in my place.

 

This particular one was listed here and it's Intel Validated

 

http://compatibleproducts.intel.com/ProductDetails/ExportPeripheralInfo?moduleName=Intel®%20NUC&productType=Boards&productName=Intel®%20NUC%20Board%20NUC7i7DNBE

Quote

SK hynix HMA451S6AFR8N

 

FYI - they should be available on TaoBao for 200 RMB or less

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=531268137585

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=570496675875

 

Only 159 RMB here but make sure that you're picking the cheaper one the left that's actually showing SK hynix HMA451S6AFR8N in the picture

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=579117754738

[LTG2010]

6 hours ago, the_doc735 said:

At the moment I have a noctura fan on my 218+ and it doesn't blow hot air on other components

The NUC has a tiny case, especially on the more powerful processors, the fan does not work so well.

[the_doc735]

12 minutes ago, LTG2010 said:

The NUC has a tiny case, especially on the more powerful processors, the fan does not work so well.

Uh! ~ I was talking about my synology NAS 218+, not a NUC?

[seeteeyou]

1 hour ago, the_doc735 said:

wtf: Synergistic Research Tranquility UEF base.?

 

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/30376-a-novel-way-to-massively-improve-the-sq-of-computer-audio-streaming/?page=153&tab=comments#comment-724987

On 10/2/2017 at 8:09 PM, romaz said:

Other tweaks - Synergistic Research Tranquility Base XL UEF ($3,250)

 

I found one used for $1,300 and so I took a chance on it.  It was used at an audio show and it had some obvious cosmetic wear but was in perfect operational condition.  At the very least, it would serve as a means of mechanical isolation in my equipment cabinet and perched on top of a trio of Synergistic Research's MIG 2.0 footers, it did a very nice job.  When you turned this device on, however, I found it to be transformational in its impact.  I didn't think it was possible but detail clarity improved further and the improvement was not subtle.  This impact was remarkable enough that I felt compelled to squeeze every electronic component I had onto this 20" x 23" base including the REF10, server, tX-USBultra, Chord DAVE and Blu Mk2.  They just barely fit and while the whole arrangement isn't as aesthetically tasteful as what I had before, I cannot deny what this thing does and the resultant improvement in detail clarity.  This thing supposedly addresses airborne EMI but also EMI in your electric components.  Just when you thought you had sufficiently addressed EMI, this device tells you there's still so much more of it.  I was sure this was voodoo when I first heard about it but having heard a brief demo at an audio show, I felt compelled to give it a shot at home.  At $3,250, I would question its value but at the price I paid, I consider it a must have.

 

[LTG2010]

16 minutes ago, the_doc735 said:

Uh! ~ I was talking about my synology NAS 218+, not a NUC?

Well the discussion was based around NUC and the benefits of removing it from its case and using an Akasa fanless one. Temps dropped more than 10 degrees. As well as improvements to sound quality, mentioned by quite a few posters.

[greenleo]

1 hour ago, BigAlMc said:

Bummer.

 

I'm sure there are plenty alternatives.

 

Out of interest where are you based Leo?

 

1 hour ago, seeteeyou said:

 

This particular one was listed here and it's Intel Validated

 

http://compatibleproducts.intel.com/ProductDetails/ExportPeripheralInfo?moduleName=Intel®%20NUC&productType=Boards&productName=Intel®%20NUC%20Board%20NUC7i7DNBE

 

FYI - they should be available on TaoBao for 200 RMB or less

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=531268137585

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=570496675875

 

Only 159 RMB here but make sure that you're picking the cheaper one the left that's actually showing SK hynix HMA451S6AFR8N in the picture

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=579117754738

Thank you so much!!

[the_doc735]

12 minutes ago, LTG2010 said:

Well the discussion was based around NUC and the benefits of removing it from its case and using an Akasa fanless one. Temps dropped more than 10 degrees. As well as improvements to sound quality, mentioned by quite a few posters.

I was just making a remark about fans in general, I know the thread is about novel ways to improve sound quality.

[yellowblue]

After the unexpected big step up soundwise with the new firmware of the Zenith SE - isn’t it time for a new evaluation between NUC-AL and Zenith SE?

[lmitche]

4 hours ago, limniscate said:

 

Server was the ZENith SE.  NUC was powered by the SR7MR2DRXL.

Were you using headphones or speakers? What kind?

[yellowblue]

8 hours ago, limniscate said:

@austinpop and I tested his NUC versus my ZENith SE.  In blind testing, he picked the ZENith.  However, the NUC was not on the Synergistic Research Tranquility UEF base.

@austinpop any comments? Was it with the new firmware?

[Middy]

Just another confirmation for turning  off speedstep for the CELERON NUC bios. (bios specific feature)

 

From my view point a more detailed presentation. That wasnt there before moment again.

It does slow down the responsiveness of the PC a little but nothing to worry about.

 

Fan removal ..fanless

Turning off speed step

Turning off unwanted features in bios

 

These in order had the most obvious changes. With benefit to listener. Me..

 

Single PC Win 10

8G ram

Roon

 

Cheers all

Dave

See the NUC AL thread for more detailed information,  Case, AL NUC Help..

 

Side note ordered 8g for my second hand old Gen I3. Ill try using that as my first try of AL...

[MrUnderhill]

4 hours ago, sam1000 said:

 

I'm very inclined to build NUC based solution because the cost of admission is relatively cheap, but at the same time, I'm also think that I'm susceptible to the tricks that my mind plays on me. Yesterday I read the following post and it made me think about biases quite a bit .

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/uptone-lps-1-linear-power-supply-review-and-measurements.1849/page-9#post-60699

I can identify with the above post because I also bought a TA cable which costs a fortune and I think I should be able to discern it without any problem. (I have not subjected myself with DBX).

 

Please understand that I've utmost respect for contributors on this thread. In fact I like the DIY solution which is tenfolds cheaper than the megabucks steamers. I just don't get it when we can't pick our favorites in a blind test ? DO you think DBX test put too much pressure on us. Do you know what characteristics Rajiv liked when he picked ZENith over NUC in a blind test? did you do this multiple times or was this a single test.

Hi Sam,

 

Audioscience is an interesting site, and I give the Amir a lot of respect for the time and effort he has invested .....however, he is not without ego. There have been a couple of occasions where his methodologies have been critiqued, as he had measured the wrong thing. His comments have lived on and he has gone back a re-crafted his reviews without acknowledging, as far as I am aware, his errors. Certain companies have taken up his challenges as a result including IFI and Uptone.

 

This also feeds into the whole debate around subjectivity and objectivity.

 

Certain observations are cheap to check yourself, such as Power over Ethernet. Others involve a slightly larger investment, such as the NUC/AL. This ultimately comes down to trust. Rajev and Roy have been reporting here for years, and have been recommending some expensive solutions. Their observations therefore, I would suggest, carry a certain weight, and have been backed up by a range on non-industry posters.

 

My own personal observations are that this is a cheap route into top end streaming; hope you choose to give it a go and let us know your thoughts.

 

M

 

[MrUnderhill]

16 hours ago, Windows X said:

 

More processor power tends to produce high frequency noise in Linux OS. Using low powered device, high frequency noise will be less apparent in Linux OS. Windows address these issues better so high processing power processor won't cause glare effect as much as Linux one.

 

Such issue in Linux can be redeemed through Alsa audio driver configuration and kernel configuration to reduce glare effect but they're mostly hardware dependent like adjusting some parameters to perform better in specific hardware.

Interesting observations.

 

I have had issues with digital glare, I have found that these have been related to POWER not to the operating system.

 

In my case I resolved the issues by paying close attention to grounding, isolation and applying good quality DC. I would encourage any reader to pay attention to this before looking at anything else.

[mourip]

4 hours ago, sam1000 said:

 

I'm very inclined to build NUC based solution because the cost of admission is relatively cheap, but at the same time, I'm also think that I'm susceptible to the tricks that my mind plays on me. Yesterday I read the following post and it made me think about biases quite a bit .

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/uptone-lps-1-linear-power-supply-review-and-measurements.1849/page-9#post-60699

I can identify with the above post because I also bought a TA cable which costs a fortune and I think I should be able to discern it without any problem. (I have not subjected myself with DBX).

 

Please understand that I've utmost respect for contributors on this thread. In fact I like the DIY solution which is tenfolds cheaper than the megabucks steamers. I just don't get it when we can't pick our favorites in a blind test ? DO you think DBX test put too much pressure on us. Do you know what characteristics Rajiv liked when he picked ZENith over NUC in a blind test? did you do this multiple times or was this a single test.

 

I would say that whatever they think they are doing over at ASR it is pretty much the opposite of the stated purpose of this thread.

[mourip]

12 minutes ago, MrUnderhill said:

Hi Sam,

 

Audioscience is an interesting site, and I give the Amir a lot of respect for the time and effort he has invested .....however, he is not without ego. There have been a couple of occasions where his methodologies have been critiqued, as he had measured the wrong thing. His comments have lived on and he has gone back a re-crafted his reviews without acknowledging his errors. Certain companies have taken up his challenges as a result including IFI and Uptone.

 

This also feeds into the whole debate around subjectivity and objectivity.

 

Certain observations are cheap to check yourself, such as Power over Ethernet. Others involve a slightly larger investment, such as the NUC/AL. This ultimately comes down to trust. Rajev and Roy have been reporting here for years, and have been recommending some expensive solutions. Their observations therefore, I would suggest, carry a certain weight, and have been backed up by a range on non-industry posters.

 

My own persoanl observations are that this is a cheap route into top end streaming; hope you choose to give it a go and let us know your thoughts.

 

M

 

 

It seems like most of the folks who gravitate to this thread are of the school " If it sounds good and measures poorly then you are measuring the wrong thing." and it's corollary " If it measures great and sounds bad ...then why would you listen to it." ? 

[Middy]

Get him to buy a celeron and i7 and set up AL, it will keep him happy for weeks.

This thread does differ from others.  No wild claims and everyone is free to try. 

The mechanics are a different topic of why? What helps without the armchair oscilloscope detail.

But in the grand picture its all good for the community at large..

Always buyer beware...

'End game' has always been a contradiction in terms.

Like Military intelligence...

God bless the Marx brothers..

 

[LTG2010]

7 minutes ago, mourip said:

It seems like most of the folks who gravitate to this thread are of the school " If it sounds good and measures poorly then you are measuring the wrong thing." and it's corollary " If it measures great and sounds bad ...then why would you listen to it." ? 

Good design measures good and sounds good. It gets to a stage where the lowest /best measurements don't automatically give you the best sound quality because there are many variables as to component choice. A serious amount of listening needs to accompany measurements. Also you need to be sure that what you are measuring is relevant eg. a poor measurement does not automatically mean a bad product as there are a lot of compromises  and trade offs involved.

[MrUnderhill]

10 minutes ago, LTG2010 said:

Good design measures good and sounds good.

<digression>

Hi LTG,

 

Not sure I agree with this.

 

Mr Walker of Quad fame stated that an amplifier was a wire with gain. He did a LOT of pioneering work with amps and electrostatic speakers. His 405 amp was a good design I believe, and i think it measured well ....didn't work well for me in my system, context being king.

 

Equally:

My DAC is the Audionote 2.1. This famously measures poorly; and yet I would say it is well designed and sounds GREAT.

 

M

<\digression>