The true experimental tweak thread

[Cornan]

I just changed out my TP-Link RE450 to the new version RE650 hardwired to the Aqvox switch-8 >Aries Mini. Wow! I was’nt prepared to the extent that improved SQ. Instant goose-bumps, expressive mids and a bass that kicked the dynamic notes quite a lot harder than before even on low volume. I am totally sold on the RE650. It certainly improved upon a direct router connection as well! ?

 

 

 

[Cornan]

I just ordered the perfect docking station for my iPad Mini 4 control point. I just love it!

 

https://eaton.london/collections/featured/products/mini-venus-of-cupertino

 

[agladstone]

7 hours ago, Cornan said:

I just ordered the perfect docking station for my iPad Mini 4 control point. I just love it!

 

https://eaton.london/collections/featured/products/mini-venus-of-cupertino

 

That looks cool! Do they make them for the full size iPads also? 

[Cornan]

1 hour ago, agladstone said:

That looks cool! Do they make them for the full size iPads also? 

 

I thought so too! ? Yes, they make a bigger one for full size iPads as well! ?

[mozes]

Guys if you use Bubble DS Next for streaming Tidal, try saving the track on a local playlist and then play it from there and let me know what you think.

[Cornan]

4 hours ago, mozes said:

Guys if you use Bubble DS Next for streaming Tidal, try saving the track on a local playlist and then play it from there and let me know what you think.

 

If you mean that you play local SD card saved files on the tablet through BubbleDS Next this is something that I wanted to try for a long time. Unfortunately my Android tabled does’nt have a SD card reader. Local FLAC files saved on Google Drive and played through BubbleDS Next sounds slightly better than TIDAL FLAC.

I am actually researching wireless SD card readers with UPnP/DNLA and found this interesting RAVpower file hub that I might give a try?https://www.amazon.co.uk/RAVPower-Wireless-Portable-Companion-Streamer/dp/B00TI3WQJS

 

[mozes]

7 hours ago, Cornan said:

 

If you mean that you play local SD card saved files on the tablet through BubbleDS Next this is something that I wanted to try for a long time. Unfortunately my Android tabled does’nt have a SD card reader. Local FLAC files saved on Google Drive and played through BubbleDS Next sounds slightly better than TIDAL FLAC.

I am actually researching wireless SD card readers with UPnP/DNLA and found this interesting RAVpower file hub that I might give a try?https://www.amazon.co.uk/RAVPower-Wireless-Portable-Companion-Streamer/dp/B00TI3WQJS

 

I don’t use a SD card, Bubble DS Next saves Tidal tracks on a saved playlist under virtual folders. I can only play them by streaming to Jplaystreamer

[Cornan]

45 minutes ago, mozes said:

I don’t use a SD card, Bubble DS Next saves Tidal tracks on the tablet hard drive. I can only play them by streaming to Jplaystreamer

 

OK. I am more interested to see how a SD card reader than internal/external HDD/SSD will turn out. I have been trying to figure out ways to connect a SD card reader to Aries Mini. I started out searching for 2.5" SD card reader replacements for HDD/SSD but are not that sure if it is a great idea or not just yet?

 

http://eshop.sintech.cn/dual-sd-card-to-25-inch-sata-adapter-with-case-p-542.html?zenid=30ublceh6d5d9gchtl176293j4 (this is just an example. There is other and probably better out there)

 

 

Now the UPnP/DNLA RAVpower file hub (which is also a NAS, powerbank and an network extender) is the most interesting so far, but not optimal. I still want to use OpenHome directly with the Aries Mini if possible. Not going through a PC with BubbleUPnP Server. Until I find the perfect one I will continue to experiment with cloud saved file solutions. It do sounds promising!  

 

Naturally you´ll need JplayStreamer in your setup if you want to use it directly with BubbleDS Next due to the OpenHome platform. LightningDS is a perfect BubbleDS Next replacement IMO though, but so far it works only with Auralic. There have been rumours about that Auralic will release their LightningDS on as a open source, but no actual hard facts that I have seen yet.

[mozes]

1 hour ago, Cornan said:

 

OK. I am more interested to see how a SD card reader than internal/external HDD/SSD will turn out. I have been trying to figure out ways to connect a SD card reader to Aries Mini. I started out searching for 2.5" SD card reader replacements for HDD/SSD but are not that sure if it is a great idea or not just yet?

 

http://eshop.sintech.cn/dual-sd-card-to-25-inch-sata-adapter-with-case-p-542.html?zenid=30ublceh6d5d9gchtl176293j4 (this is just an example. There is other and probably better out there)

 

 

Now the UPnP/DNLA RAVpower file hub (which is also a NAS, powerbank and an network extender) is the most interesting so far, but not optimal. I still want to use OpenHome directly with the Aries Mini if possible. Not going through a PC with BubbleUPnP Server. Until I find the perfect one I will continue to experiment with cloud saved file solutions. It do sounds promising!  

 

Naturally you´ll need JplayStreamer in your setup if you want to use it directly with BubbleDS Next due to the OpenHome platform. LightningDS is a perfect BubbleDS Next replacement IMO though, but so far it works only with Auralic. There have been rumours about that Auralic will release their LightningDS on as a open source, but no actual hard facts that I have seen yet.

My Samsung Tab already has a SD card slot, but I never bothered with it. Regarding Jplaystreamer it sounds slightly better than Jriver as a DLNA renderer with Tidal.

[Cornan]

2 hours ago, mozes said:

My Samsung Tab already has a SD card slot, but I never bothered with it. Regarding Jplaystreamer it sounds slightly better than Jriver as a DLNA renderer with Tidal.

 

I have always preferred JplayStreamer to Jriver with Tidal as well. I guess Jriver is closing in since as I remember that difference was’nt subtile back then. Are you using hibernate mode on Jplay?

 

[mozes]

59 minutes ago, Cornan said:

 

I have always preferred JplayStreamer to Jriver with Tidal as well. I guess Jriver is closing in since as I remember that difference was’nt subtile back then. Are you using hibernate mode on Jplay?

 

No I don’t use hibernate mode as I think it will freeze the PC. Isn’t it for dual PC setup?

Jriver 23 is the best so far in terms of SQ

Hopefully we can try MQA with Bubble DS Next and Jplaystreamer one day.

[Cornan]

37 minutes ago, mozes said:

No I don’t use hibernate mode as I think it will freeze the PC. Isn’t it for dual PC setup?

Jriver 23 is the best so far in terms of SQ

Hopefully we can try MQA with Bubble DS Next and Jplaystreamer one day.

 

No, hibernate mode works with single PC as well. I know what you mean though. I used to get freezing moments with hibernate mode in the beginning when I used a certain USB port. When I changed to another USB port on the same PC the freezing moments went away. Hibernate mode sounds noticable better. I am certainly hoping for BubbleDS Next with MQA as well! ?

[mozes]

8 minutes ago, Cornan said:

 

No, hibernate mode works with single PC as well. I know what you mean though. I used to get freezing moments with hibernate mode in the beginning when I used a certain USB port. When I changed to another USB port on the same PC the freezing moments went away. Hibernate mode sounds noticable better. I am certainly hoping for BubbleDS Next with MQA as well! ?

Thanks I will use an old usb stick to try it out. 

[Cornan]

1 hour ago, mozes said:

Thanks I will use an old usb stick to try it out. 

 

Just not too old. The quicker USB stick the better! ?

[mozes]

16 minutes ago, Cornan said:

 

Just not too old. The quicker USB stick the better! ?

I tried it with a new USB stick and surprisingly I didn’t like it. The music lost some energy and became dull relative to Hibernate off. I guess there are no universal truths in audio ?

[Cornan]

20 minutes ago, mozes said:

I tried it with a new USB stick and surprisingly I didn’t like it. The music lost some energy and became dull relative to Hibernate off. I guess there are no universal truths in audio ?

 

You might have given up too easily. Try different Jplay settings. Are you using kernal streaming?

[sandyk]

48 minutes ago, Cornan said:

 

Just not too old. The quicker USB stick the better! ?

 

Many older, and slower ,USB memory sticks can't handle 24/192 and may stutter on playback.

 Just like most other storage devices, USB memory sticks sound considerably better when using a much higher quality power supply.

[Cornan]

18 minutes ago, sandyk said:

 

Many older, and slower ,USB memory sticks can't handle 24/192 and may stutter on playback.

 Just like most other storage devices, USB memory sticks sound considerably better when using a much higher quality power supply.

 

Well, While that is absolutely true USB stick for JplayStreamers hibernate mode is used to put the PC into sleep-mode. Forcing it to consume less power (only audio related processes allowed). Speed of the USB stick still matters for best results.

[mozes]

1 hour ago, Cornan said:

 

You might have given up too easily. Try different Jplay settings. Are you using kernal streaming?

Yes I use KS , here are my settings 

[Cornan]

8 hours ago, mozes said:

Yes I use KS , here are my settings 

 

Try something like this (copy from Jplay manual) and see how that turns out in hinernate mode? I used something similar. Without hibernate mode I preferred something like Classic engine/700 DAC link/0.5 sec.

 

[Cornan]

Look what arrived today! ?

 

 

Ofcourse I gave it a try even if the LT3045s that I plan to use with it is still on their way.

 

Replaced my TP Link Vivid powerbank powering the GI Spdif output of my BluWave board using the original SMPS (with JSGT) that came in the package. 

 

 

I also got my 15 additional pcs Entreq Cat Foot’s and now have all 18 pcs of then all over the place! ?

 

 

Soundwise it sounds great, but not by much compared to the TP Link Vivid. Small differences. Also I am hearing some ticking noises from my active speakers even when no signal is present. It seems to be coming from the supplied SMPS. I was’nt expecting the fireworks that other people have posted on this perticular spot alone though. I do expect it to be a LOT better when the additional LT3045s arrives, Gophert csp-3205II as feeder supply connected and LPS-1.2 is powering Aqvox switch as well. I also suspect that the Gophert will cure the ticking noises I am hearing through the AC mains.

Let’s see! Stay tuned for more soon. This LPS-1.2 experiment is FAR from over yet! ?

[mozes]

54 minutes ago, Cornan said:

Look what arrived today! ?

 

 

Ofcourse I gave it a try even if the LT3045s that I plan to use with it is still on their way.

 

Replaced my TP Link Vivid powerbank powering the GI Spdif output of my BluWave board using the original SMPS (with JSGT) that came in the package. 

 

 

I also got my 15 additional pcs Entreq Cat Foot’s and now have all 18 pcs of then all over the place! ?

 

 

Soundwise it sounds great, but not by much compared to the TP Link Vivid. Small differences. Also I am hearing some ticking noises from my active speakers even when no signal is present. It seems to be coming from the supplied SMPS. I was’nt expecting the fireworks that other people have posted on this perticular spot alone though. I do expect it to be a LOT better when the additional LT3045s arrives, Gophert csp-3205II as feeder supply connected and LPS-1.2 is powering Aqvox switch as well. I also suspect that the Gophert will cure the ticking noises I am hearing through the AC mains.

Let’s see! Stay tuned for more soon. This LPS-1.2 experiment is FAR from over yet! ?

I have 3 LPS-1.2s in my system. The one that has the strongest impact is the one that powers the tX-USBultra that connects directly to Dave.

the ticking noise should be cleared with a LPS. I had this issue before with one of my LPS-1s

[Cornan]

8 hours ago, mozes said:

I have 3 LPS-1.2s in my system. The one that has the strongest impact is the one that powers the tX-USBultra that connects directly to Dave.

the ticking noise should be cleared with a LPS. I had this issue before with one of my LPS-1s

 

That´s good to know!  Actually the distortion that I am getting with LPS-1.2 is more like a constant vinyl (like what you are hearing at the end of a vinyl record when the platter is still running with the tonearm on a emty track) crack sort of noise rather than random clicks. It is present with only active speakers and LPS-1.2 powered on and goes away when LPS-1.2 is turned off or the supplied SMPS disconnected. My guess is that it is some kind of charging noise and will find out if the floating Gophert (7v/5.1A max) will cure that sound from reaching the speakers. I hope so, because it is present with the music playing as well. I will see if I get the time to do so tonight.

Hopefully I will get the additional LT3045s in a couple of days or so so I can start checking out how they turn out in the mix.

 

 

[mozes]

3 hours ago, Cornan said:

 

That´s good to know!  Actually the distortion that I am getting with LPS-1.2 is more like a constant vinyl (like what you are hearing at the end of a vinyl record when the platter is still running with the tonearm on a emty track) crack sort of noise rather than random clicks. It is present with only active speakers and LPS-1.2 powered on and goes away when LPS-1.2 is turned off or the supplied SMPS disconnected. My guess is that it is some kind of charging noise and will find out if the floating Gophert (7v/5.1A max) will cure that sound from reaching the speakers. I hope so, because it is present with the music playing as well. I will see if I get the time to do so tonight.

Hopefully I will get the additional LT3045s in a couple of days or so so I can start checking out how they turn out in the mix.

 

 

BTW, I have never been a fan of SMPS chargers for the LPS-1, they always sound harsh compared to my LPSs even when shunted. The LPS-1.2 is more immune to the SMPS harshness but still not 100% so I am back to my LPSs energizing the LPS-1.2s.

[mfin]

5 hours ago, Cornan said:

 

That´s good to know!  Actually the distortion that I am getting with LPS-1.2 is more like a constant vinyl (like what you are hearing at the end of a vinyl record when the platter is still running with the tonearm on a emty track) crack sort of noise rather than random clicks.

 

That description is the same as how I would describe what I heard with powerline lan adapters present.

Also, with the noise present have you tried unplugging the TPLink RE650 for a moment, purely based on it being something you have recently added.