Aqua linQ

[magnuska]

So far there are or have been very little talk about this one

I am interested in this one and a new review is out now.

 

https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/digital-reviews/network-player-reviews/aqua-linq/

 

 

[magnuska]

I have ordered one with the Roon module only in black. Will be a direct replacement to an Antipodes EX that I have now. Server is Innuos zen Mini mk3. 

 

The linq has its advantages in that is modular. When new tech comes its easy to upgrade. It will not have USB out but in my opinion thats no disadvantage. The Antipodes EX benefits greatly of a USB regenerator/reclocker inserted before the DAC. And we see how much a Innuos Phoenix seems to improve any USB. Will report ones it has arrived.

[BigAlMc]

Congrats on your new purchase.

 

Will look forward to hearing how you get on with it.

 

I took a look when you posted this on Saturday. Looks interesting. The I2S thing caught my eye but a weird non-HDMI implementation of I2S

[magnuska]

1 hour ago, BigAlMc said:

Congrats on your new purchase.

 

Will look forward to hearing how you get on with it.

 

I took a look when you posted this on Saturday. Looks interesting. The I2S thing caught my eye but a weird non-HDMI implementation of I2S

Hi Alan, thanks for that.

 

Yes it is an interesting machine/bridge that got great review from Christian Punter too. I took a chance and ordered it unheard from Elite Audio ( we have no Aqua dealer in Sweden at the moment) . It was interesting since they also have Antipodes ex and also my Vinnie Rossi amp in store so they could easliy compare to mine. Unfortunately I only have spdif/BNC on my DAC but that input would be ok I guess for now. The inhouse designed AQ link is I2S and should be the best of course. 

 

Cheers/Magnus

[BigAlMc]

1 hour ago, magnuska said:

Hi Alan, thanks for that.

 

Yes it is an interesting machine/bridge that got great review from Christian Punter too. I took a chance and ordered it unheard from Elite Audio ( we have no Aqua dealer in Sweden at the moment) . It was interesting since they also have Antipodes ex and also my Vinnie Rossi amp in store so they could easliy compare to mine. Unfortunately I only have spdif/BNC on my DAC but that input would be ok I guess for now. The inhouse designed AQ link is I2S and should be the best of course. 

 

Cheers/Magnus

 

Is that Elite Audio in Scotland?

 

If so then they are great. Really helpful and really willing to go the extra mile for their customers.

 

And yeah, auditions are great but sometimes you just need to roll the dice and order something unheard. Fingers crossed this one works out well and has your toes tapping.

 

Cheers,

Alan

[magnuska]

41 minutes ago, BigAlMc said:

 

Is that Elite Audio in Scotland?

 

41 minutes ago, BigAlMc said:

Indeed it is. 🙂

 

[magnuska]

2 minutes ago, magnuska said:

 

Indeed it is🙂

 

[magnuska]

My new LinQ arrived yesterday. 

 

It sounds very promising indeed🙂

 

/Magnus

[BigAlMc]

Looking forward to listening impressions once you get past the dreaded burn-in.

 

Cheers,

Alan

[jacquesr]

I have had one for two months. 
Awesome. Christian’s review is spot on. Order an Ethercon cable from Ghent. A must in my view. 
 

AQLinq Is by far the best connection. If you have a Formula.
 

A module will soon be available to support HQPlayer. Can’t wait...

 

The one question I hope to be able to answer is this: Should I replace my Mac mini? Will it make a difference?

[magnuska]

11 hours ago, BigAlMc said:

Looking forward to listening impressions once you get past the dreaded burn-in.

 

Cheers,

Alan

Hi Alan,

 

Yes I will try to write something later on. Prior to initial startup my system was shut down for a couple of weeks so it was a bit catching up . But after 24hrs it is a bit better still. But the "dreaded" burn-in is inevitable.

[magnuska]

8 hours ago, jacques_racine said:

I have had one for two months. 
Awesome. Christian’s review is spot on. Order an Ethercon cable from Ghent. A must in my view. 
 

AQLinq Is by far the best connection. If you have a Formula.
 

A module will soon be available to support HQPlayer. Can’t wait...

 

The one question I hope to be able to answer is this: Should I replace my Mac mini? Will it make a difference?

Hello!

 

I only have BNC/spdif so I am ok with this even though I understand AQ Linq is superior. 

 

Will a better server make a difference thats a good question. Or what about other gizmos like etherregen as well. I asked Christian that question and based on their findings boths by ear and in the lab these have no positive effect because the linQ already has a inbuilt switch card. For me the server part has always been important. After changing my Audiostore prestige server for an Innuos zen mini that change was an upgrade SQ wise. But with linQ its harder to tell . My gut feeling is that it will affect..

[matthias]

22 minutes ago, magnuska said:

After changing my Audiostore prestige server for an Innuos zen mini that change was an upgrade SQ wise.

 

BTW, do you use your Zen Mini with a dedicated power supply?

Thanks

 

Matt

[magnuska]

26 minutes ago, matthias said:

 

BTW, do you use your Zen Mini with a dedicated power supply?

Thanks

 

Matt

Yes with a Sean Jacobs DC-3

[jacquesr]

I do use an EtherRegen. Would not live without it.

[sb6]

IME with my LinQ I2S is better than BNC but not significantly, it's marginal and likely not much depending on the resolution capabilities of the system.

[jacquesr]

Are you using an Ethernet cable or an EtherCon? (See Hi-Fi Advice review. )

[sb6]

Ethercon is a connector type used primarily in Pro audio. Ethernet cables and Ethercon - connector cables are wired the same. After experimenting with a few few very short CAT 8 cables and an Audioquest Cinnamon I liked the AQ best so far. However differences are fairly minimal IME. I may go to an AQ Vodka since I seem to like the AQ flavor, if you will.

[jacquesr]

FYI

Aqua sells their own EtherCon cable.

I got mine from Ghent. 
Also tried a Sablon Riserva. 
Preferred a plain Ethernet from Ghent. Sold it. 
 

[sb6]

Thanks for the info. I asked about buying Aqua's EtherCon cable and the Aqua dealer told me it wasn't yet available. Can I ask - which Ghent audio ethernet cable you bought?

[magnuska]

On 8/14/2020 at 5:49 PM, jacques_racine said:

I do use an EtherRegen. Would not live without it.

Have that too AND an optical module. It will stay in my system for now. 

[jacquesr]

I originally used a Cat 6 ET11 Belden from ghent. Great service and quality, always.

 

Then after I read Christian's review and learned about the possibility of using an etherCon cable I contacted Aqua.

There were not ready to sell their own cable. Then I had Ghent build one. Here are the specs provided by Aqua.

Hope that helps. I did a very quick comparison, and the brand new EtherCon seemed to sound better than the CAT6. It stayed there.

Foot tapping since.

 

[jacquesr]

Here is the pinout for the EtherCon cable.

It did not show in my previous post.

[Arcadia Audio]

On 8/13/2020 at 6:15 PM, jacques_racine said:

I have had one for two months. 
Awesome. Christian’s review is spot on. Order an Ethercon cable from Ghent. A must in my view. 
 

AQLinq Is by far the best connection. If you have a Formula.
 

A module will soon be available to support HQPlayer. Can’t wait...

 

The one question I hope to be able to answer is this: Should I replace my Mac mini? Will it make a difference?

I can confirm the HQPlayer module will be available in September.

[magnuska]

Update at last.

 

Today after about 3 weeks of connected to my system from new,  something different with the sound happened. I must say that its been a very long and uncertain 3 weeks with a sound that did not feel right. I have gone trough many burn in periods but this was not anything like a normal one. This one was agony of from day one (even if it sounded very detailed and as I said promising). It replaced right of an Antipodes EX.

 

Now the natural sounding linQ is all there with natural decaying reverbs, speedy transients and microdynamics present. Very easy to listen to male and female vocals now, lyrics come through as it shall. Its very much a veil that has been removed😉

 

I was soo tired of the sound a few days ago that I even blamed (unfairly I admit now) my inexpensive spdif cable for what I was hearing. I have now an Audio Sensibility signature BNC cable on the way making a good sound even better I hope.