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

[Summit]

On 1/19/2022 at 9:05 AM, seeteeyou said:

Taiko Audio DC DC-ATX
https://taikoaudio.com/taiko-2020/product/taiko-audio-dc-dc-atx/

 

Unregulated ARC6 Power Supply for Taiko ATX
https://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/power-supplies/unregulated-arc6-power-supply-for-taiko-atx

 

Unbeatable combo for powering Asus WS C621E SAGE, the best thing since sliced bread.

 

@Nenon, @seeteeyou What can Taiko Audio DC DC-ATX, feed by the unregulated ARC6 DC4 PSU, drive for loads (W, A, V) and type of servers?

[MarcelNL]

@Summit did you check out the Taiko site (link in message above) ; there is a spec sheet with all that info. JUst scroll down, click on the image at the far right and you'll see the currents and voltages listed underneath.

[Summit]

4 minutes ago, MarcelNL said:

@Summit did you check out the Taiko site (link in message above) ; there is a spec sheet with all that info. JUst scroll down, click on the image at the far right and you'll see the currents and voltages listed underneath.

 

Yes I did, but is those numbers actually with the unregulated ARC6 DC4 PSU? If yes its a hell lot of power packed in that PSU.

[MarcelNL]

the output is valid for any input with sufficient grunt, plenty of options to choose from but you'd have to read the thread for more details...it's quite a read though but the time reading that one and this one is well worth it!

 

in short; 35-ish volts of unregulated great quality power makes it sing provided your CPU, MB, output, memory, storage, OS and settings are up to snuff

 

[lmitche]

Quick update - while the pace of innovation has slowed a bit here, major gains in SQ are still happening. 

• The new monolithic AMD processors (5x00G series 6 and 8 core with onboard GPU) take things to a new level when run headless. BIOS can be tuned to optimize steady current demand. Power consumption is at a new low as well. This all adds up to an improved music playback experience.
• Tuning of the OS and playback environment continues to make gains.  Even with playback CPU utilization at 99%, tweaks that lower consumption still matter, and not in a small way. It seems like the reverse of diminishing returns for both Intel and AMD processors.

Knowing this, I am looking forward to the Linux 5.17 kernel that is said to significantly lower CPU consumption for TCP/IP connections, like in half.

 

All the best, Larry

[MarcelNL]

9 minutes ago, lmitche said:

Quick update - while the pace of innovation has slowed a bit here, major gains in SQ are still happening. 

• The new monolithic AMD processors (5x00G series 6 and 8 core with onboard GPU) take things to a new level when run headless. BIOS can be tuned to optimize steady current demand. Power consumption is at a new low as well. This all adds up to an improved music playback experience.
• Tuning of the OS and playback environment continues to make gains.  Even with playback CPU utilization at 99%, tweaks that lower consumption still matter, and not in a small way. It seems like the reverse of diminishing returns for both Intel and AMD processors.

Knowing this, I am looking forward to the Linux 5.17 kernel that is said to significantly lower CPU consumption for TCP/IP connections, like in half.

 

All the best, Larry

Are those new? and if so, where are the 12 and higher core versions? 

I'm currently using the 9 3900X, which is 12 core and the only newer version I see is the 5900x that eats 105W TDP as well...both 3900 and 5900 are not sold separately AFAIK

 

[skyline]

Surprise there is no love for Entreq on this thread.

 

I ground my router, streamer, and use an Entreq ethernet cable.

 

Just magical. So refined, effortless, and engaging.

 

The Entreq streaming cable made my previous reference cable sound broken.

 

[auricgoldfinger]

15 hours ago, skyline said:

Surprise there is no love for Entreq on this thread.

 

I ground my router, streamer, and use an Entreq ethernet cable.

 

Just magical. So refined, effortless, and engaging.

 

The Entreq streaming cable made my previous reference cable sound broken.

 

 

What was your previous reference cable?

 

Is your Entreq ethernet cable directly grounded to the box?

[skyline]

7 hours ago, auricgoldfinger said:

 

What was your previous reference cable?

 

Is your Entreq ethernet cable directly grounded to the box?

 

Yes, the Entreq ethernet cable has a lead that is grounded to an Olympus ten.

 

I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around how much of a difference this cable has made. Easily one of the biggest upgrades in streaming I’ve tried.

[beautiful music]

 

 

 

 

[GryphonGuy]

I have the mundorf internal wiring upgrade as well to my ARC6 DC4. After 1 month it is the best decision I've made for DAVE. Completely happy at this point and apparently I have another 2 months of subtle improvements (but seriously after the first 2 weeks there have been no obvious changes).

 

Regards

GG

[drjimwillie]

On 1/19/2022 at 10:44 AM, Gavin1977 said:

On it's way to me.... https://micro-audio.com/store/product/smps440-tk/

Hi Gavin

do you have any update, please?

are you using this with the Taiko DC DC ATX?

[Gavin1977]

5 hours ago, drjimwillie said:

Hi Gavin

do you have any update, please?

are you using this with the Taiko DC DC ATX?

Not yet - still being made.  I only have HDPLEX 800w DC-DC.

 

I will post when I have feedback 

[F208Frank]

Is my chain considered a direct connection and or a bridged connection?

 

Router - ethernet cable - antipodes server/player (single box) - usb cable - dac

 

If one can suggest, what can be potentially added for most bang for buck improvement, does having a server/player in a single box make the some parts of the "ultra trifecta" redundant?

 

Hope someone can chime in, thanks in advance!

[austinpop]

4 hours ago, F208Frank said:

Is my chain considered a direct connection and or a bridged connection?

 

Router - ethernet cable - antipodes server/player (single box) - usb cable - dac

 

Since you only have the one network connection here (your Antipodes server), you don't have (nor need) a bridged connection.

 

4 hours ago, F208Frank said:

If one can suggest, what can be potentially added for most bang for buck improvement, does having a server/player in a single box make the some parts of the "ultra trifecta" redundant?

 

I would suggest you assess SQ improvements as a sequence of small steps. After each step, assess if you hear an improvement, and if so, is it worth the cost of the change? You make the decision to keep the change, or go back!

1. Try a better PSU on your router.
2. Try one of the positively reviewed switches here in the chain.
   • Router - ethernet cable - switch - ethernet cable - antipodes server/player (single box) - usb cable - dac
3. Try a better PSU on the switch.

For switches, I've directly tried and liked the Uptone EtherRegen, the SOtM sNH-10g. Others have mentioned a couple more if you look back on the thread.

 

For PSUs, similarly, I've directly tried and liked the Uptone LPS-1.2, Farad Super 3, Paul Hynes SR-4T. Others have been mentioned too.

 

You can get better bang for the buck by finding these on the used market. Search sites like hifishark.com.

[F208Frank]

Immensely helpful. Thank you.

[LondonDan]

Frank, after going through this wonderful thread with hours and hours and days and days of great audio lovers investigations into their network streaming (hugely appreciated and helpful thread with lots of fantastic insight) I used the recommendations to take some shortcuts experimenting which is here. Pointing you towards this as the pictures can be helpful which is why I put it together. It’s only testing one brand of network switch so it’s not a comparison but there is loads of suggestions in the wider thread to try others too.

 

 

[lmitche]

FYI - The Audiolinux 5.17 kernel SQ exceeds expectations.

[F208Frank]

On 4/4/2022 at 2:30 AM, LondonDan said:

Frank, after going through this wonderful thread with hours and hours and days and days of great audio lovers investigations into their network streaming (hugely appreciated and helpful thread with lots of fantastic insight) I used the recommendations to take some shortcuts experimenting which is here. Pointing you towards this as the pictures can be helpful which is why I put it together. It’s only testing one brand of network switch so it’s not a comparison but there is loads of suggestions in the wider thread to try others too.

 

 

Looked at it and just one word, wow.

[F208Frank]

Anyone try out the ethernet filters from the company Network Acoustics? The owner is really nice and their products look promising. Anyone have some experience with them?

[ASRMichael]

Does anyone know where I can buy Apacer 8gb or 16gb with Samsung chips? 
 

Or have part number? 

[elan120]

3 minutes ago, ASRMichael said:

Does anyone know where I can buy Apacer 8gb or 16gb with Samsung chips? 
 

Or have part number? 

DDR4 or DDR5?  Based on my recent email with Apacer two weeks ago, DDR5 will not be in production until at least June 2022.  Not sure if Samsung chips will be used when the production starts.

[MarcelNL]

4 minutes ago, ASRMichael said:

Does anyone know where I can buy Apacer 8gb or 16gb with Samsung chips? 
 

Or have part number? 

I ordered mine at Mouser, yet that was the 4Gb version. 

[ASRMichael]

Just now, MarcelNL said:

I ordered mine at Mouser, yet that was the 4Gb version. 

I have the 4gb version. I need higher gb now

[ASRMichael]

2 minutes ago, elan120 said:

DDR4 or DDR5?  Based on my recent email with Apacer two weeks ago, DDR5 will not be in production until at least June 2022.  Not sure if Samsung chips will be used when the production starts.

DDR4. I have the 4gb model but need higher gb now.