Euphony OS w/Stylus player setup and issues thread

[Anwar]

Here is my initial impression.  Please note that I am using Stylus and all my music files are attached locally, separate O/S SSD (inside NUC) and music SSD (attached as USB SSD thru iFi Micro iUSB 3.0).

 

I installed the latest unreleased version into external USB SSD drive to boot from so that I can do A/B comparison with the current version.  Unfortunately, maybe due to 11k songs, Euphony crashed a few times.  Response was also slow when changing folders/tracks.  Eventually I installed the unreleased version to NVMe EVO 970 SSD and it is indeed stable.

 

I tested with DSD 256 music files purchased from Blue Coast, very fine recording of piano solo (Steinway 1875) by John R Burr (Quarter-Tones) and Fiona Joy (Story of Ghosts), and also vocal by Meghan Andrews (Just Let Go) which she played piano / guitar as well.  I heard a veil is lifted.  Music flows more naturally now.  I never heard DSD 256 this good.

 

Is this just RAM root change or the rendering engine was also enhanced?  The improvement is very significant.

 

 

[Anwar]

Additional update after playing many music files.  While DSD 256 sounds better, the lower resolution files (both PCM and DSD 64, 128) sound worse with RAM root.  After turning off RAM root and reboot the system, I am getting back what I used to hear from previous version.

 

With RAM root, Euphony occasionally has problems with not displaying album artwork and sometimes not responding to folder/track changes.

[Anwar]

I am having problem with Euphony registration (not trial but proper license).  Even though my internet connection is good, Euphony keeps giving warning message about no internet connection, hence registration cannot work.  Anyone else seeing this problem?  I am using Intel NUC7i5BNH with wired LAN connection.  I was trying to reinstall the RAMroot vs official release for comparison.

[Anwar]

9 minutes ago, davide256 said:

 

Tried OS in RAM, wasn't pleased. Vocal harmonics for female "crooners" on soundtracks in "A Beautiful mind" developed harmonic dissonance, overall sound while detailed seemed blunted compared to stock Euphony goodness. Think I'll go the Optane SSD route for boot drive.

I had the same experience.  It's like Euphony is trying to produce more details than necessary.  Based on my observation, "Buffer before Play" may not work properly with RAM root option - I can see the HDD light blinking most of the time.

[Anwar]

6 hours ago, austinpop said:

 

Are you using Stylus? "Buffer before play = 100%" and "Use cache" are only applicable to the Stylus server.

I am using Stylus and play from local USB music SSD.  "Buffer before play = 100%" always checked and "use cache" always unchecked.

 

Let me clarify after additional observations.  Apparently for all versions, RAM root or not, for the first folder I "Add & Play" after boot, a green box appears with "Playing dir ....  from song number:1".  When changing tracks, the orange small box "Buffering" never shows up.

 

The second folder I "Add & Play" after boot, the green box appears with 

Buffering
Playing dir ... from song number:1

 

When changing tracks, the orange small box "Buffering" shows up.

 

So it seems there is no buffering for the first folder we selected and played.  I hope others can share their observation too.

[Anwar]

Per my email with Željko, this 20190910 latest release has dynamic support for DSD native playback.  No need to recompile kernel anymore in order to support DSD Native playback for new DACs.

 

From Željko: Go to Card Info dialog and notice new UI for setting your card DSD format - click set and then power off/on the DAC or just detach and reattach it.

[Anwar]

2 hours ago, TheAttorney said:

Only 2 days later, another "new feature" release 20190912 has appeared:

 

I haven't spotted any new features , but SQ seems to have further improved in a particular way. The previous release did indeed have more air, better defined space, greater clarity and focus in Ramroot. But further listening to my brighter recordings showed that it was not shy in showing up the brighter aspects of the recording.

 

This new release seems to have added a more full bodied, natural presentation (what Euphony Stylus was originally praised for), without any apparent loss of that ramroot clarity. My reference point has changed several times in the last few weeks, so I'm no longer sure whether the latest changes are real or imaginary. Maybe I'm just getting used to the new sound? Or maybe something else has changed in the background? But whatever, I'm really, really enjoying this new release.

 

 

 

This recent release (20190910 + 20190912 feature update) is very significant.  The improvements are not imaginary.  I use my SACD player (playing music files from USB drive) as the reference for 'correct' rendering.  When the same SACD player is used as DAC with NUC7i5BNH + Euphony Stylus, the sound is close enough with very small difference. 

 

I've heard my friend's SOtM sMS-200ultra in my system.  I also have Zenith Mk2.  Right now my preference is NUC + Euphony, but please note that the NUC is treated with accessories (Zerozone LPS, iFi iSilencers, iFi Micro iUSB3, Elfidelity SATA filter, iFi iPower 5V for SATA SSD storing music files).

[Anwar]

It seems Euphony is getting more advanced now and it is very good that the RAM root features have been properly documented.

 

I am not sure how many software developers are there to continue supporting Euphony.  Initially my emails were replied by Robert, recently my emails were replied by Željko.  Are there any others?

[Anwar]

I don't use PTS Server but Intel NUC7i5BNH with LPSU and music on local 2TB SSD.  I am very happy with Euphony Stylus.

If the PTS Server comes with switched mode AC-DC adapter, I suggest you upgrade to 12V 4A linear power supply.  China-made brands like Zerozone low-noise LPSU with R-core transformer is reasonably priced but very good.  You can get them from ebay.  Please ensure your order with 5.5mm outer x 2.5mm inner barrel connector / center positive +.

 

Despite already having 19V 4.2A Zerozone R-core LPSU powering my Intel NUC, recently I added iFi DC iPurifier2 and it lowers the background noise even further.  Not every expensive upgrade but very significant improvement in SQ.

 

[Anwar]

30 minutes ago, Chopin75 said:

Off current topic,  but want to confirm that Euphony Stylus can do native DSD correct ? Can it do DSD512 ?

I have tried DSD 256 with DoP and also native DSD with my Marantz SA-10 used as USB DAC.  However, specific to my DAC, when native DSD is used, there are some problems switching from PCM to DSD - it caused the DAC to freeze.  Adding DAC delay does not help either.  So I just use DoP since I can't tell if there is any SQ difference.

 

I don't know about DSD 512.  There is no studio recordings done natively in DSD 512.  DSD 512 albums being sold today are all upsampled, even though some companies called it remodulation.

 

Please note that the latest version of Euphony has dynamic native DSD.  email reply I received from Željko on Sept 11th:
 

"We implemented dynamic support for DSD native playback - we won't need to recompile kernel anymore in order to support DSD Native playback for new DACs.

Go to Card Info dialog and notice new UI for setting your card DSD format - click set and then power off/on the DAC or just detach and reattach it."

[Anwar]

3 hours ago, Chopin75 said:

Also I am unable to undo the Ramroot despite rebooting after disabling it ?!   SO I am stuck with RAMRoot.  I have about 30% RAM used now with RAMroot. I am not sure if there is a lot of improvement esp I can't go back to non-RAMroot to compare! 

 

I don't have this problem.  I boot Euphony from NVMe SSD inside NUC.  After disabling Ramroot from Advanced Settings, it takes a few seconds before the system is ready for shutdown.  It takes a lot longer if Euphony is booted from USB stick.  The next reboot should be quicker without Ramroot. 

 

I suggest you connect HDMI output to a monitor or TV and check the messages during boot.

[Anwar]

5 hours ago, Chopin75 said:

Hi all,

 

I am trying RAMroot for first time. After rebooting,  what does "safe root fs to disk" mean?   Thanks!

 

Adrian 

 

Rajiv has posted this before: https://euphony-audio.com/hesk/knowledgebase.php?article=14

[Anwar]

- Added option to buffer entire Queue to RAM

 

With my 16 GB RAM NUC7i5BNH, it seems the RAM buffer is limited to 8 GB.  So far this is not a problem, including when buffering a folder with DSD256 album.  The "i" info per playlist item will change from white to blue indicating buffering is done.

[Anwar]

Try HDD Low Level Format Tool 4.40.  https://hddguru.com/software/HDD-LLF-Low-Level-Format-Tool/

Just make sure you select the correct drive, i.e. USB stick, before formatting.

[Anwar]

With the latest Euphony updates, I am getting better sound quality without ramroot - the music flows more naturally.  With ramroom, music sounds more compressed.

 

Also, with ramroot, the album artwork display is okay sometimes but not okay most of the times.  No such problem when ramroot is disabled.

 

The buffering of an album/folder runs into problem when total file size is greater than 8GB.  I have some DSD256 albums purchased from Blue Coast where Euphony runs out of memory after reading 8 tracks into buffer, so it did not read the remaining tracks.  When I tried to play the 9th track, Euphony shows file not found error.

 

My setup: NUC7i5BNH with 16GB RAM, Euphony O/S in M.2 Samsung EVO 970, music in 2TB external Samsung EVO 860 SSD connected thru iFi Micro iUSB3 which is also used as USB reclocker between NUC and Marantz SA-10 USB audio input.  Music playback with Euphony Stylus only.

[Anwar]

19 hours ago, organics1 said:

So, is my little Partaker fanless pc with 4GB of RAM useless when it comes to the big DSD files? Currently, I'm using Daphile and I have no problem whatever with those files, some of which are double, quad, and octuple rates, and bigger than 8GB.

I was just days away from making the Euphony OS purchase when I ran across this thread. Glad I kept searching for reviews and info.

Is the company working on a fix? Or is Euphony and DSD just not the best match without huge computer resources?

Euphony can play DSD, no issues with huge computer resources.  The problem I reported was about buffering the whole album (or whole songs in playlist) when it exceeds 8GB.  If the buffering of whole songs in playlist is turned off, Euphony will only buffer (read into memory) the next song to be played.

 

My NUC7iBNH has 16GB RAM.  Even when ramroot is disabled, Euphony allocates max 8GB for buffering and O/S.  I hope this limitation can be fixed.

[Anwar]

New Euphony version today:

 

20201005
- New TIDAL login procedure
- Added sorting option: 'random'
- Improved UPnP endpoint detection
- Smaller Volume up/down steps
- Improved cover handling
- Use original cover for Playing now screen
- Changed 'Tidal' to TIDAL everywhere (request from TIDAL) 
- Updated Realtek 2.5Gb network driver
- Changed samba sharing (each added local or network drive is shared via separate samba share - not via single EXTERNAL samba share as before)
- Support for per-user customizations on app start
- Confirm Email fix
- File View sorting fix
- Add song to saved playlist fix
- Add song to playlist iOS fix
- Fixed duration parsing
- Fixed behavior after clearing Queue (playback stops)
- Fixed HQPlayer started detection
- Fixed HQPlayer NAA name parsing

 

I notice "File View sorting fix" above but I still have problems with folders (local SSD) sorted incorrectly.

[Anwar]

I started using Euphony with NUC715BNH and 19V LPSU, getting reasonably good sound with the help of iFi iSilencers and iFi Micro iUSB3.0 reclocker.  But the sound quality is still inferior compared to playback/rendering directly using my DAC/SACD player with discs or USB drive.

 

I don't need high-powered CPU as I don't upsample using HQPlayer but rather let the DAC handles that since my SA-10 upsamples all signals to DSD 4x.  The past week, I completed my DIY 2-rail LPSU using China-made R-core transformer (80W 230V AC in, 16V and 9V AC outs), 2 Sigma11 kits (China clone unassembled), and China-made PSU Alu enclosure.  I bought ASRock J4105-ITX low-powered fanless Celeron 4-core (10W TDP) and Samsung 8GB DDR4-2666 x 2 (but operates at 2400), and then put them inside Streacom FC7 Alpha enclosure, and prepared 1 small SSD for Euphony O/S and another 2TB Samsung EVO 860 SSD for music files.  Experimented with various accessories but settled with Elfidelity AXF-104 PCIe power filter and Elfidelity AXF-94 power filter for each SSD.  The 12V DC rail powers the ATX 24-pin power socket using 20-pin PicoPSU 90W.  The 5V DC rail powers both SSD.  Regular SATA data signal cables used.  Outside the Streacom FC7 Alpha, 1 iFi iSilencer is used where the DAC connection is made (J4105-ITX back USB2 port).  Curious USB is used into my DAC.

 

I played with different J4105 BIOS settings but settled with the following: Turbo Boost: OFF, SpeedStep: OFF, C-State: OFF.  With the Celeron J4105 only having 4 cores, I settled with "0-1 gstp 2 stylus 3" CPU isolation setting.

 

Wow, the SQ is so close to the SQ of my DAC's own rendering.  It even beats my Innuos ZENith Mk2.Std.  It surprises me as I don't need to spend crazy money on expensive USB reclocker.  To Euphony users who use low-powered NUC and don't do CPU intensive tasks such as HQPlayer but purely using Stylus only, this experience sharing is for you.

 

P/S: Elfidelity has newer PCIe power filter, AXF-107.  The one I used, AXF-104, is the older one.

 

[Anwar]

My initial impression about Version 20210217 is that it sounds better without RAM root.  The sound of 20210217 without RAM root is almost similar to 20210108 with RAM root.  Version 20210217 with RAM root sounds more digital and lacks warmth.

 

Since the boot time without RAM root is faster and Euphony is more stable without RAM root, I like this new development.  My Euphony sometimes has album artwork display problem when running with RAM root  - the artwork is not displayed properly despite artwork picture file inside each music folder.

 

[Anwar]

Deleted

[Anwar]

1 hour ago, BTO said:

Could anybody help me in the following?

I use Euphony app from android where the app goes to offline after short time then it takes 3-6 secs to wake up. Quite disturbing when I just move to other app then return in 10-20 secs when I need to wait 3-6secs to reach Euphony app to make any play action.

 

I experienced similar thing before.  Google "prevent Android app from going to sleep" and you will see instructions on how to do the app setting.

[Anwar]

Hello Euphony users, I am using 20210217v3.  I keep getting ENOTFOUND errors despite having good network connection.  I don't have this issue with earlier versions of Euphony.

 

Anyone else seeing ENOTFOUND problem?  Thanks.

 

[Anwar]

Thanks for the replies.  euphony20210217v3.img is the filename of downloaded image, most people here called this version 217, the version which I prefer.  More on that in another posting.

 

I no longer use NUC7i5 with iFi Micro USB, right now using AsRock J5040-ITX (Pentium Silver) with DIY multi-rail linear PSU based on LT1764A regulators.  I need to update my system profile and pictures.

 

Željko spent a bit of time checking my system's log files and debug remotely.  Apparently the ENOTFOUND issue was caused by my router not having iPv6 enabled.  I use TP-Link MR600 4G+ router but the mobile carrier is only using iPv4.  After I enabled iPv6 inside the router, the ENOTFOUND errors are no longer seen.

[Anwar]

My preferred Euphony version remains 217.  My DAC is actually a CD/SACD player (Marantz SA-10), so every streamer or Euphony versions I tried, I compare its SQ with internal rendering by SA-10, either playing discs or from USB thumb drive attached behind, which I consider my reference SQ since there are no other external components involved, everything happened inside SA-10.

 

217 comes really close to matching the SQ of SA-10 rendering, but not the other Euphony versions.  My streamer: DIY multi-rail LPSU powering ASRock J5040-ITX Pentium Silver with turbo boost turned off.  Separate 5V rails for SSDs.  Apacer consumer grade RAM, 32GB total.  I use Stylus, playing music from SSD only.

[Anwar]

4 hours ago, edwardsean said:

Hey, I wanted to report back for those who might be wrestling with jumping onto 421. I’ve spent some time now adjusting the rest of my system to accommodate 421.  I’ve found that I can make up some fullness and soundstage width through adjusting convolution. However, the performance gains in 421 (accuracy, clarity, detail) obviously can’t be reduplicated.

 

As the new sound is coming together the efforts to work with 421 are being well rewarded. 

 

I am getting used to 421 too, initially a bit reluctant, but now getting used to it.  It has better resolving ability; I can hear more details yet still musical.