Is this website about "computer" audio anymore?

[sandyk]

5 hours ago, plissken said:

 

Data?

 

This is exactly the point.

Far too many like yourself ignore the experiences of numerous other members in other areas of the forum, and consider them as purely anecdotal, and believe that any old laptop or desktop in standard guise, even a purpose built Server, results in exactly the same audio quality when exported to an affordable DAC.

You also refuse to accept the experiences of many members with different USB cables, improved PSUs and clocking etc. and regard them as nothing more than EXPECTATION Bias.

Correct ?

[sandyk]

2 minutes ago, jabbr said:

 

With a properly implemented network any crappy old PC streaming to an optimized streamer will function as well as any “bespoke” PC assuming the PC has enough horsepower — 

 

prove me wrong

 I wasn't talking about an optimised streamer. You appear to believe that most members feel the need to stream Audio through the whole house, at the control of a remote button push..

 This may apply to many of the frequent posters, but I doubt that it applies to the general readership..

 Many simply want high quality audio directly from a PC or Laptop into a decent DAC, without having to rummage through numerous CDs etc. stored in the " mancave" or wherever.

 This is possibly the point the OP was trying to make ?

[sandyk]

5 minutes ago, crenca said:

 

You probably already know this, being a reasonable forum regular, but that is the weakest defense of the subjective/anecdotal I might have ever read (certainly in the last week or two) with an added bonus of a it's-so-wrong-it's-not-even-wrong use of expectation bias!  Thanks!!  ??

 

 Yeah, I forgot to include your name along with Plissken. Sorry for the omission..

 Your reply was not unexpected ,as being one who demands irrefutable evidence of just about everything that other members report.

[sandyk]

3 minutes ago, mansr said:

In many instances, I'd settle for plausible or even vaguely believable.

 

 Like you did with Mani perhaps ?

[sandyk]

16 minutes ago, wgscott said:

Whole-house audio streaming is most easily accomplished using the volume control.

 

 LOL !

 

 Still using your DIY amplifier , and without further problems ?

[sandyk]

5 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

a properly implemented network...

 

What part can't you understand about a large percentage of members not needing " a properly implemented network" and only needing  a means to access a large number of music files without the inconvenience of physical media  ?

[sandyk]

11 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

You mis-quoted me - I never said that. 

 

Please retract your post above.

 NO !

 You agreed with, and quoted that comment.

[sandyk]

Just now, wgscott said:

 

I took your advice and rebuilt it, and put the power supplies and toroid into a separate (metal) box.  It genuinely sounds better now (much lower noise floor). I bought parts to do it several years ago but never got around to it, so thanks for the push!

 

 Hi Bill

 That's pleasing to hear. That is why I also have my Class A Amplifier PSUs , as well as the 2 toroidal transformers for my Preamp in a separate 2U metal rack case.

 

Regards

Alex

[sandyk]

11 minutes ago, plissken said:

I refuse to accept sighted evaluation. 

 

 But the simple fact is that many members do use NON SIGHTED evaluation.

 You don't accept that either, as you weren't present to verify that it was non sighted, and even if you were present ,you would demand  a large number of repeats to obtain a high statistical probability of it being correct !

 However, that is no different to the requirements of several other prominent posters from the Objective side.

[sandyk]

31 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

 

Stop lying nutso

 

 Your never ending insults have no place in this forum , or any other forum for that matter.

 

Quote

      2 hours ago, jabbr said:

 

With a properly implemented network any crappy old PC streaming to an optimized streamer will function as well as any “bespoke” PC assuming the PC has enough horsepower — 

 

prove me wrong

 

Ralf11 replied

" He can't

 

That would require data

 

+1 plisskin"

 

[sandyk]

1 hour ago, jabbr said:

In 2018, computers and computer audio, mean computers connected by networks, and audio over networks. The isolated non-networked PC of today is essentially the same as the CD player of 1984 (or whenever those archaic times were  )

 

The OP wants to talk about computers (and by extension networks), right? 

 

Quote

6 hours ago, crenca said:

I suspect there are many more computer audiophiles than is apparent, that is to say folks who simply plug in a cheap USB cable into their "noisy" computer with its "noisy" USB hub, directly into a DAC. They don't run fancy "OS tweaks" either.  Some of them even have "soundcards" plug directly into their computer ?.

 

[sandyk]

8 hours ago, Kal Rubinson said:

Correct.  But there's no reason that either  side should be excluded from CA because of the convictions of the other.

 Kal

 Nobody is suggesting that. There is good information available from both sides if we try to meet each other half way in a spirit of cooperation..

 

Alex

[sandyk]

6 hours ago, jabbr said:

what I am addressing is the meme being spread about needing a "special" high priced server to get the best SQ, and have provided many examples and instructions of ways to use off the shelf PCs and hardware to get great SQ -- network isolation is part of that, but again if you or anyone else are happy with your laptop and DAC then no problem (and there shouldn't be). I am suggesting that instead of ripping apart your PC and replacing with a network of DC power cables and LPS and special clocks, that you or anyone can use a bog standard PC and a proper network (perhaps fiber).

Jon

 Not everybody needs , or wants a Network. In my case my PC is located a couple of meters from my main system, and if I wanted to I can simply plug in a 3M Coax SPDIF cable from my Asus Xonar soundcard into my main highly modified DIY DAC and Class A amplifier..

I also spend quite a bit of time listening to music from the PC via a modified X-DAC V3 and Class A HA.as my DI.L works shift work and the house has to be quiet..

Everybody's situation is different.

Neither do I feel the need to implement expensive clocking modifications and use stand alone Linear PSUs to go with the PC.

I simply use a couple of DIY " shunt"  +12V to +5V regulators to improve and isolate the existing internal +12V SMPS for my OS SSD and Music SSD. They don't take up much room in the bottom of my Desktop PC. (below)

 Yes, I do use another battery derived JLH PSU add on and USB Regen to improve the signal integrity  of material saved to USB memory, but it isn't needed for playback.

The main problem as I see it, is when you need to extend the music to other areas of the dwelling , while retaining the highest possible quality playback

 

Alex

[sandyk]

5 hours ago, wgscott said:

 

 

They have quite a bit of breathing room!

 

One issue (which is minor, but still annoys me) is that I get "pops" when the power comes on to the amplifier boards.  This happens with one power supply connected to both boards, or two separate power supplies each connected to one board.  It is silent when I turn it off (no "thump").  But this annoys me.  The Ncore-400s I was loaned don't do that.  Is this an artifact of linear power supplies?  Is there something I can do to get rid of it (within reason -- it isn't that big of a deal, and I don't want to interfere with sound quality due to a momentary issue).

 

 

 Hi Bill

 

 If you used a Loudspeaker Protector PCB you can mute on/off PSU related plops at a low cost.

 You can see a Silicon Chip magazine designed Loud Speaker protector kit at the rear of my 15W Class A .

I need to use one as my amplifier is fully DC coupled. The kit needs assembly, but is quite easy to put together if you can use a soldering iron. It will also protect your speakers in the event of a major fault in the amplifier.(i.e. > several hundred mV D.C. Out)

https://www.altronics.com.au/p/k5167-stereo-speaker-protector-board-for-135w-ultra-ld-amplifier/

 

Regards

Alex

[sandyk]

6 hours ago, vmartell22 said:

if no data the alternative is to add at the end "assuming it can be proven it causes an audible difference"

man I am in a troll mood today - apologies...

 

v

 

 Properly performed DBTs using trained listeners can do that provided that there is a real audible difference of sufficient magnitude.

[sandyk]

Bill

 Please check your PMs for details of the Loudspeaker Protector.

Alex

[sandyk]

Deleted

[sandyk]

3 hours ago, Sal1950 said:

This might be of some help for you Prof.

https://hoppesbrain.com/product/universal-amplifier-soft-start-power-supply-board/

 Sal

 This is designed for a different purpose. It  will not stop plops from the speakers at start up.

 Where you have a large bank of filter capacitors it will help to prevent the amplifier's fuse from eventually blowing at start up, as well as permitting a more suitably rated fuse to be used .

 A large current inrush at start up may even cause nearby lamps to momentarily dim.

Yes, I have used a similar device to the one you linked to in a DIY 240W/Ch Power Amplifier quite a few years ago.

 After a time delay governed by the 555 timer, the relay operates and short circuits a series Power Resistor to permit full current into the amplifier.

Alex

[sandyk]

6 hours ago, 4est said:

A simple time delayed relay on the outputs would work.

 

 Agreed. However for the low sum of Au$27.95 + P&P you can buy a complete kit from Altronics with additional protection features, not just a time delay.

[sandyk]

1 hour ago, mansr said:

Capacitors and inductors will occasionally buzz a little.

 

The earlier SSDs had inductors that made audible noises.