Best CPU for hqplayer

[MP1968]

I'd appreciate some advice on optimal Windows 10 laptop specs for the following scenario.

 

I have an Antipodes K22 server, and an Esoteric D03 DAC.  The DAC can't handle DSD, so I'll be using PCM only. The K22 can't really handle much in the way of DSP, so I'm going to integrate a new Windows 10 laptop solely to run HQP desktop, as follows: 

 

K22 and laptop both connected to my network with wired Ethernet.  K22 runs Roon as Server and HQPlayer NAA as Player.  Laptop runs HQPlayer desktop. HQP should be able to find the K22 NAA. HQPlayer then is set to output to it. Roon is then configured to reach HQPlayer via the IP of the laptop. 

 

This laptop will only be used to run HQP, and for no other purpose.  From this thread it seems that I won't need heroic specs given that this is for PCM and not DSD, but what will I need for the following?:

 

Intel or AMD CPU

NVIDIA GPU

RAM

 

Lastly, is there a brief summary anywhere of key settings I'd need to set, e.g. Windows set to "High Performance" power profile?

 

Many thanks. 

 

[MP1968]

@paradis

 

Thanks, that's very helpful.  I just want a laptop which can handle all the HQP permutations available for PCM, given that my DAC is limited to 192.  I'm actually trying to get my office laptop ready to try this.  It's an i7 6600U (compatible with AVX2, per the Intel website).

 

However as I have posted on the HQP thread I can't get HQP Desktop to install:  

 

 

 

[MP1968]

7 minutes ago, Miska said:

Something like Raspberry Pi 5, or Apple's Mac Mini could be also an option? Sure, neither one is Windows (Linux and macOS), but could be potentially very suitable for the purpose

I don’t have a tech background, so know very little about the Pi 5.  However a Google search indicates that it’s sold in kit form, rather than pre assembled.  At least that seems to be the case in the UK.  
 

Prices for the Mac Mini seem quite high secondhand.  There are many more W11 laptops available 2nd hand on eBay, with very good specs (I’m thinking of i7 10th gen), for £300 or less.  So this appears to be a better option atm.  

[MP1968]

4 minutes ago, Miska said:

But one thing to consider is that if the computer is within the listening space, then some solutions may end up having tiny cooling fans running at high speeds and becoming rather loud doing so.

I used to have a Windows music laptop in my listening room, before I bought the Antipodes. I didn’t usually hear any fan noise, though it has to be said that I listen to music LOUD.  Much to the irritation of my family (and neighbours).

 

Having looked more at eBay I suspect I’ll push the budget more to £400, which would buy me a Ryzen 7 Pro 5875U.  This should have enough ‘grunt’ for my needs. 

[MP1968]

On 3/25/2024 at 6:07 PM, 1laraz said:

Are you sure that the K22 can run both the Roon server and the NAA client simultaneously?

 

@1laraz

 

As it turns out I'm not sure the K22 can actually do this.  I put HQP Desktop on a fresh W11 laptop, connected to the same network as the K22.  Set the K22 for Server = Roon and HQPlayer NAA = Player.  I set up HQP in Roon - Settings - SetUp with my local IP address (not localhost). In HQPD the Allow control from network switch was toggled on.  

 

However as much as I fiddled around with the Settings in HQPD, Roon was unable to find HQPD to output to it. 

 

If you have any suggestions on how to get this to work then that would be great.  Otherwise I'll try the approach suggested by @bogi a few weeks ago, which is to have both Roon + HQPD on the laptop.  

 

[MP1968]

1 minute ago, Miska said:

Do you have the "Allow network control" button pressed in HQPlayer Desktop toobar? (rightmost button)

 

 

Yes, it appears to be toggled on. 

 

2 minutes ago, Miska said:

add IP address of your Win11 laptop (probably DHCP,

 

I ran ipconfig in Command Prompt, and entered the IPv4 address when setting up the HQP in Roon.  Is that correct?  If not where do I find the DHCP?

 

4 minutes ago, Miska said:

First check that HQPlayer is able to play to your NAA standalone, without Roon. So you know HQPlayer is likely correctly setup and the output is accessible. Then you can try playing from Roon.

 

 

Ok.  But first what do I set in HQP Settings? There is a box for Output Device Settings, and the options for Backend are WASAPI, ASIO, NetworkAudioAdaptor, Network Audio Adaptor IPv6, and Null.

 

For Input Device Settings the options for Backend are WASAPI, ASIO, NetworkAudioAdaptor, Network Audio Adaptor IPv6.

 

[MP1968]

1 minute ago, Miska said:

If you have not specified a static IP in your network interface settings, nor defined a fixed IP in your router settings for your laptop MAC address, it may/will change over time as the IP gets assigned by your router.

 

How do I do this?  Do I need to log into my wifi router (this is a home network with just one wifi router), and if so what do I do next?

 

I realise this may be very obvious to someone with an IT background, but my professional experience is in a very different field. 

 

[MP1968]

 

7 minutes ago, Carousel said:

Can you access the web interface of your router and navigate to the area in which you can find your devices listed?

 

@Carousel

 

Thanks, I'll try this later tonight. This may be a monumentally dumb question, but I'll ask it anyway: does the Windows 11 laptop I'm using (the one which has HQP desktop on it) have to be connected to my router via ethernet cable, or is wifi acceptable? 

 

[MP1968]

Although this technical stuff sometimes fries my brain, it's also very satisfying when it works out in the end. Largely because this forum is an excellent source of help.  

 

I logged into my router, and fixed the IP address of the laptop which has HQP Desktop on it. That’s the IP address I used when setting HQP in Roon, and so far it’s working. …

 

Many thanks @Miska and @Carousel

[MP1968]

7 hours ago, 1laraz said:

Congrats! So eventually your K22 can run both the Roon server and the NAA Client simultaneously, right?

 

Yes that's correct.  The key thing in my experience is to make sure that the IP address is the correct one when setting up HQP in Roon, and also fixing this IP address in your router.  

 

Also to be aware that if you move from wifi to wired (ethernet) then the IP address will change, and will have to be updated in Roon.  This tripped me up this morning, until I figured it out.