flkin Posted June 17, 2018 Share Posted June 17, 2018 Ok I see. Its that your HQPlayer settings use the full xtr filters upsampled to DSD512. I can't get this setting to work with 44.1 files and the only difference is the DoP setting. My unit contains the AMD Rizen 8-core chip. Is that the same as your unit? My head is spinning with the huge number of possible combinations available. And not all filter combinations work with different music file resolutions. The only DSD512 stable settings I can find is with the -2s/ASDM options. Although not my preferred filter, it sounds pretty good anyway. PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
flkin Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Just want to confirm that it is indeed easier to use the harder filters under DoP setting. But I'm finding I still prefer the Native setting for my Vinnie Rossi LIO DAC2.0. Another question for Pink Faun streamer owners, do you leave the machine on 24/7 or switch it to standby (one pink led on). Jord informs when in standby mode the motherboard and processor clocks are still on but not the card clocks for synchronisation issues. PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
jjkale Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 I also have the PinkFaun streamer. I run multichannel through Win10 Pro and JRiver. I have OCXO clocks on the mobo, the I2S MCH bridge and the PF USB board. My DAC lineup is Denafrips Terminator/Holo Lvl 3/ Matrix Pro. Revel F208s. My room is the weak spot. FWIW, several months ago I compared the Holo, the PF 3.32 and Directstream Jr for my C/Sub position. I thought that the Holo and PF were clearly superior to the DJr. I decided on the Holo based on a little bit better connection flexibility. The sonics were too close to call, Holo v PF. I couldn't be happier with the equipment, and Jord and Mattijs at PF have been outstanding to work with. Highest possible rating. Regards to all. p.s. The Terminator absolutely kills it. Top shelf, up where Grandma keeps the cookies. jjk Link to comment
lpost Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 At this level of gear, everyone's room is the weak spot. Link to comment
edorr Posted June 22, 2018 Author Share Posted June 22, 2018 On 6/21/2018 at 7:45 AM, jjkale said: I also have the PinkFaun streamer. I run multichannel through Win10 Pro and JRiver. I have OCXO clocks on the mobo, the I2S MCH bridge and the PF USB board. My DAC lineup is Denafrips Terminator/Holo Lvl 3/ Matrix Pro. Revel F208s. My room is the weak spot. FWIW, several months ago I compared the Holo, the PF 3.32 and Directstream Jr for my C/Sub position. I thought that the Holo and PF were clearly superior to the DJr. I decided on the Holo based on a little bit better connection flexibility. The sonics were too close to call, Holo v PF. I couldn't be happier with the equipment, and Jord and Mattijs at PF have been outstanding to work with. Highest possible rating. Regards to all. p.s. The Terminator absolutely kills it. Top shelf, up where Grandma keeps the cookies. If you have the older streamer (I believe that is what I traded in on the 2.16) you will be in for a shock moving to the 2.16. It is a lot better. Link to comment
lpost Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 On 6/15/2018 at 4:27 PM, edorr said: Sorry I missed this for a day. If I understand the architecture over I2S correctly, upgrading clocks at the source does not benefit sound because the clocking is not used. I could be wrong. You could ask Ted @ PS audio to validate this. No doubt folks on the forum can weigh in as well. I understand the goal of the OCXO is not the clocking per se but the reduced phase noise. Link to comment
edorr Posted June 25, 2018 Author Share Posted June 25, 2018 3 hours ago, lpost said: I understand the goal of the OCXO is not the clocking per se but the reduced phase noise. Well either way, I won't be shipping the unit back to holland and I would not want a DIY install of the clocks to I guess I'll have to live without them. Not sure what the pricing is either. Link to comment
lpost Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Well, they aren't cheap but it is a simple 3 wires to join for the MB and CPU clocks. ~600 euro each. Has your 2.16 gone through any significant changes? Up or downs or just solid right out of the gate and remained that way? Link to comment
flkin Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Deleted PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
flkin Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 It may be a little more complicated than that as the clock boards are separately powered and regulated. Not sure if ordered without the clock, the power supply is pre-wired especially given their complicated star-earthing system they have in place? Anyway, a quick email to Jord will clear this up if interested. On a side note, the motherboard and CPU clocks can also be installed under the motherboard (as an option) to shorten the signal path. The benefit of clocks are said to be highest when installed closest to the point they are required. PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
lpost Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Like this, already done. This is probably pics of your unit as they are dated a month ago. Link to comment
flkin Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Yeah, I recognise those photos, it's my unit. It shows the 2 clocks installed on one board under the motherboard. It has separate power regulation despite being on the same board I'm told. It's not clear how this shortens the signal path though, I wonder how the connection is made to the MB and processor? I guess it's through the holes and into the bottom of the MB. This is one highly optimised and dense design of a machine! PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
lpost Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 It might be a logical shortening of the path and not so much physical. No matter, we're both in a position to upgrade to the uber low-phase when they are ready. Hopefully the price isn't too high for what should be a very subtle improvement. Link to comment
flkin Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 Yeah, it think it's around 400euro or so more per clock. A better clock makes for quite large perceived difference in my experience to date. Each time I switch to a better clock, what I thought of as being near SOTA sound would be bumped up to another level. There seems no end to this improvement! Or spending ? FredM 1 PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
lpost Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 I asked Jord which clock he felt/measured as most important to the audio signal. Without a doubt, the clock on the output card. This is probably the only one I would consider upgrading to the uber low phase noise one. Otherwise, it never ends and I lose precious time to enjoy the music. Link to comment
jjkale Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 I agree, Jord said the same to me. I shipped mine back to correct a problem or two and it did take some time. Also it cost me about $300 for shipping and that was with a FedEx discount. Not sure if I want to ship it back again for low phase. edorr, I had the previous model but now have the 2.16 internals if that makes any sense. Do any of y'all have an opinion on what sounds best for redbook output: native, 24/192 or DSD512? Regards! jjk Link to comment
lpost Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Ouch, what was the problem or two and presumably they didn't cover them under warranty? Link to comment
lpost Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 or they did but you had to pay shipping? Link to comment
jjkale Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Actually Jord credited me back for my shipping cost by installing the latest USB board for no charge. He paid for shipping back to me. The hdmi/graphics on the intel 7700k became non-functional for some reason. Probably related to a Windows update. It was weird. Jord also put the OCXO on the USB board. I also bought his USB cable and one of his power cords. Again, outstanding service and communication. Really like those guys. Prior to the original purchase I had a chance to visit him at his shop. Highly recommended. They were great hosts and it was an interesting and fun visit for an afternoon. That is what convinced me to buy the streamer in the end. For any of you history guys, Rhenen (where PF is located) is only a few miles from Arnhem and Oosterbeek, the location of one of the great battles of WW II...Market Garden (A Bridge Too Far). jjk Link to comment
flkin Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 3 hours ago, jjkale said: Do any of y'all have an opinion on what sounds best for redbook output: native, 24/192 or DSD512? Regards! As my 2.16 is breaking in, and it does seem to take quite some time for this to happen, the sound is becoming better playing in NOS mode. No upsampling at all, just Roon playing at original resolutions. It was fun experimenting with HQplayer and Roon upsampling and certain settings (polysinclp or polysincxtr mp/lp or Sinc) sound very nice but all that's changing as I approach full burn in. Now I find 44.1 as is it amazingly good - focused and full of detail, yet organic and real. That said, I output as USB into a tX-USBultra reclocked by a Mutec Ref10. Managed to retire my IsoRegen and iPurifier in the chain but not the tX-USBultra. That still seems to add an extra sense of reality to the music. PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
austinpop Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 3 minutes ago, flkin said: That said, I output as USB into a tX-USBultra reclocked by a Mutec Ref10. Managed to retire my IsoRegen and iPurifier in the chain but not the tX-USBultra. That still seems to add an extra sense of reality to the music. Hi Kin, I just tuned into the Pink Faun discussion. You just answered one of the key questions I had above! My Audio Setup Link to comment
lpost Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 I thought I would add, for Austinpop mostly, I'm going with only I2S into PSA Directstream dac. With the DS, I've experimented with upsampling in Roon (not yet with HQPlayer) and don't find it does anything to the sound just CPU load on the Roon core. With I2S I'm limited to 192PCM but given my experience with the DS, I'm completely fine with that 'limitation'. I will be using their I2S cable. Of course, I could always add USB card in the future. With my current standard PC running Roon ROCK, the addition of Matrix X Spdif 2 made a tremendous improvement vs. USB direct to DS. Jord et al have found USB adds significant latency further affecting the sound vs. I2S. Whether it's audible or not, I guess it depends on the litany of system variables. Anxiously awaiting delivery. It should ship early next week. Link to comment
Popular Post flkin Posted June 28, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted June 28, 2018 Yes, I find that many who use the 2.16 uses I2S but at this time my Vinnie Rossi DAC2 doesn't have this input option. From the chatter, it seems the I2S may be a better input technique so I'm curious about this. However this will require a specialised board made to order as the I2S wiring standards are not fixed and therefore is device specific. Mind you the Pink Faun OCXO USB output is no slouch! It's by far the best my system has ever sounded and not by a small margin. And this is before optimisation of power cables, USB cables etc. All to come once the break-in process is complete. @austinpop , it's still work in progress at this time as the Pink Faun streamer is still breaking in - Jord did inform that it takes as long as 500 hours before it settles in. It's quite a change in sound from the first day it arrived 3 weeks ago and I've been running it 24/7 since with the occasional thermal rest in between. Immediately, the sMS-200ultra wasn't comparable so that went. This was connected via the streamer's standard LAN port. My OCXO LAN card wasn't ready yet as Pink Faun was building a new card so I plan to revisit this comparison at a later date. During the first week, the IsoRegen could be seen to dull the music despite Stammhein power cleaning boards and PoE DC wires so I stopped using it. Then in the second week, the iPurifier started to make the music hard so that had to go. This past week, all upsampling had to be removed as it wasn't necessary anymore. Straight 44.1 (for redbook files) sounded most organic and real without further need for "sharpening" and "focus" using upsampling techniques. Presently the tX-USBultra alone drops the sound quite a bit. It's only when the Mutec Ref10 is added (with the Habst clock cable) that brings the sound a touch higher than without the tX. This may change when the break-in completes or when the newer Pink Faun clocks are out. Jord informs that those are custom built for them and has substantially lower phase noise than the current clock - by a whopping 20db! ?? aangen and Kritpoon 2 PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
Whitigir Posted June 28, 2018 Share Posted June 28, 2018 I am also using Pinkfaun I2S and it is limited 192Khz, but it sound really good. I wonder how good the USB card is with the upgraded clock Link to comment
lpost Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 My 2.16 is playing for visitors to PF HQ since Tuesday. Jord will ship it next Tuesday...I patiently wait, enjoying the anticipation! ? Link to comment
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