HQplayer 4 and Mac-mini M1

[Schafheide]

No probs using Monterey. Must clean the M1 Big Sur and start again.

[Schafheide]

Hi Jussi

This might interest you.

Re my problems with HQP 4.15.0 upgrade.

It is solved - this is what I did.

1. On M1 Big Sur, I tried upgrading HQP to 4.15.- failed

2. Removed and "cleaned" HQP from the M1.

2. Updated Big Sur to Monterey.

3. Installed HQP 4.14

4. Updated to 4.15

This worked, so, I assume, the problem might be with Big Sur?

[Miska]

9 hours ago, Schafheide said:

This worked, so, I assume, the problem might be with Big Sur?

 

Yes, seems to be. I have flagged my code to work with macOS 11.0+, but I think it is some other component that fails on older macOS versions for some unknown reason. Maybe related to the fact that the code has been built on latest macOS and Xcode.

 

[MikePid]

I just updated my mini M1 from Big Sur to Monterey 12.1, and installed HQP 4.15.1.  Went smoothly.  Set DSD256/EC7v2/gauss-xla with 1x and guass-long for Nx, multicore DSP to checkmark, hit play, and WOW!  

 

@Miska is there a reason that multicore DSP set to grey (i.e. automatic) doesn't enable the multicore on M1, since that seems to optimal?  BTW, like others have said here, thanks for the early Christmas present!

[Miska]

3 hours ago, MikePid said:

@Miska is there a reason that multicore DSP set to grey (i.e. automatic) doesn't enable the multicore on M1, since that seems to optimal?  BTW, like others have said here, thanks for the early Christmas present!

 

On purpose the two don't result in exact same configuration.

 

[Schafheide]

 

21 hours ago, MikePid said:

I just updated my mini M1 from Big Sur to Monterey 12.1, and installed HQP 4.15.1.  Went smoothly.  Set DSD256/EC7v2/gauss-xla with 1x and guass-long for Nx, multicore DSP to checkmark, hit play, and WOW!  

 

@Miska is there a reason that multicore DSP set to grey (i.e. automatic) doesn't enable the multicore on M1, since that seems to optimal?  BTW, like others have said here, thanks for the early Christmas present!

 

I agree.

Unless I tick Multicore DSP, I get massive dropouts using your settings.

Why is it so? (HQP now utilises all 8 cores)

[Schafheide]

Well my experiment is finished. HQP (with RASPi4 NAA) is at least as good as my Auralic Aries G2.1 (with SU-6 DDC). Actually better, given that it can convert 16/44.1 rips into wonderful DSD256.

So now I am thinking of a "better" NAA. Even though Jussi recommends the UP board, it seem to me that this is still a general purpose computer, albeit with more powerful processor. Surely a purpose designed commercial NAA should sound better (if correctly designed)?

At the moment I am considering ultraRendu.

Any thoughts?

[MikePid]

Aha! I knew you’d fall down the rabbit hole!  I have ultraRendu and I’m very happy with it. Plug and play, set and forget. 

[pis99]

53 minutes ago, Schafheide said:

Well my experiment is finished. HQP (with RASPi4 NAA) is at least as good as my Auralic Aries G2.1 (with SU-6 DDC). Actually better, given that it can convert 16/44.1 rips into wonderful DSD256.

So now I am thinking of a "better" NAA. Even though Jussi recommends the UP board, it seem to me that this is still a general purpose computer, albeit with more powerful processor. Surely a purpose designed commercial NAA should sound better (if correctly designed)?

At the moment I am considering ultraRendu.

Any thoughts?

I have several mRendus and Up-squares. For Holo Dac, I would only go with UP so I can explore the full potential of Holo dac. I guess you did not have the chance to hear 1.5366M pcm out of your May. Just my 2 cents!

[Schafheide]

2 hours ago, pis99 said:

I have several mRendus and Up-squares. For Holo Dac, I would only go with UP so I can explore the full potential of Holo dac. I guess you did not have the chance to hear 1.5366M pcm out of your May. Just my 2 cents!

No, I have the original firmware in the May. But you do have my attention! Is this the only reason to use UP? - I mostly listen to DSD as does Yussi (I think).

Here in Oz an AAEON UP UPS-EDGE-X70864-U01 is cheaper than ultraRendu.

Aside from the 1.5366M PCM, I still need to be convinced that an UP would sound better than ultraRendu?

[pis99]

18 minutes ago, Schafheide said:

No, I have the original firmware in the May. But you do have my attention! Is this the only reason to use UP? - I mostly listen to DSD as does Yussi (I think).

Here in Oz an AAEON UP UPS-EDGE-X70864-U01 is cheaper than ultraRendu.

Aside from the 1.5366M PCM, I still need to be convinced that an UP would sound better than ultraRendu?

1. I no longer use M1 as I found powerful intel CPU(11900K+3090GPU) could do better sound at 7ECv2/Ext3 at 512DSD. For me, I found 1.536M/LN15 is my prefeered go-to setting with M1. Things might change as now there is new ECv2.

 

2. I had my mRendu moded to use AGM battery and used with JACT USB isolator. But I still bought Jussi recommanded UP suared not jut one. And that decision is purely for sound quality with Holo DAC although UP squared is much cheaper. The key point here is Jussi's NAS image I guess.

 

 

[Schafheide]

On my Auralic system, I can process up to DSD1024, but I cannot honestly hear the difference compared to DSD256.

So, I wonder if I could hear the difference between PCM 768 and 13566 ??

[pis99]

55 minutes ago, Schafheide said:

On my Auralic system, I can process up to DSD1024, but I cannot honestly hear the difference compared to DSD256.

So, I wonder if I could hear the difference between PCM 768 and 13566 ??

Do you have your Auralic gear in front of May? If so, it amkes sense because you are hearing the sould processing again by your suralic gear. I have no intention to say anything bad with your gear but for for HQP, you need to trust it's authority of processing and leave everythinbg out of the loop so you can clearly make judgement for your own music. 

[Schafheide]

On 12/16/2021 at 5:08 PM, pis99 said:

Do you have your Auralic gear in front of May? If so, it amkes sense because you are hearing the sould processing again by your suralic gear. I have no intention to say anything bad with your gear but for for HQP, you need to trust it's authority of processing and leave everythinbg out of the loop so you can clearly make judgement for your own music. 

I am reluctant to change the firmware on my May because -

*note: May DAC DAC does NOT need firmware update in some cases. L2 May and KTE May come shipped with 30.14 firmware (pre aug2021) and Gen2.0 Enhanced USB Module. (compatibility firmware), however if you need to use DSD1024 and PCM 1.536mhz than you would need to install 30.12 firmware which is less compatible with some devices. However the 30.12 firmware does support high res content with Intel Gen7,Gen8,Gen9, Gen10 type Intel boards and many AMD comparable motherboards are incompatible with this firmware. And some dedicated cards with Altera Chipsets. Please contact us about the Gen2.1 USB module if you have AMD CPU. Post Aug2021 KTE Spring3, L2 May and KTE May come shipped with Gen2.1 Enhanced USB Module.  Between Gen2.0 and 2.1 there are no differences in sound quality, only added support for AMD CPU. Many users will not need this module, however if you have AMD CPU, contact us to discuss our swap out program and how you may qualify for this program.

[pis99]

1 hour ago, Schafheide said:

I am reluctant to change the firmware on my May because -

*note: May DAC DAC does NOT need firmware update in some cases. L2 May and KTE May come shipped with 30.14 firmware (pre aug2021) and Gen2.0 Enhanced USB Module. (compatibility firmware), however if you need to use DSD1024 and PCM 1.536mhz than you would need to install 30.12 firmware which is less compatible with some devices. However the 30.12 firmware does support high res content with Intel Gen7,Gen8,Gen9, Gen10 type Intel boards and many AMD comparable motherboards are incompatible with this firmware. And some dedicated cards with Altera Chipsets. Please contact us about the Gen2.1 USB module if you have AMD CPU. Post Aug2021 KTE Spring3, L2 May and KTE May come shipped with Gen2.1 Enhanced USB Module.  Between Gen2.0 and 2.1 there are no differences in sound quality, only added support for AMD CPU. Many users will not need this module, however if you have AMD CPU, contact us to discuss our swap out program and how you may qualify for this program.

Maybe get a NAA to verify if the suggested upgrade generates the sound you like/expect. I do understand the firmware upgrade for holo DAC is not easy. 

[Schafheide]

And if the upgrade failed and I could not go back to previous firmware?

No thank you!

[Schafheide]

On 12/16/2021 at 10:17 AM, MikePid said:

Aha! I knew you’d fall down the rabbit hole!  I have ultraRendu and I’m very happy with it. Plug and play, set and forget. 

How right you are!

A long time ago, I decided that "When you buy your new car, stop reading magazine car road tests."

Maybe there is an AA for hifi addicts?

[MikePid]

15 minutes ago, Schafheide said:

How right you are!

A long time ago, I decided that "When you buy your new car, stop reading magazine car road tests."

Maybe there is an AA for hifi addicts?

try this link for AA for hifi addicts 🤣:  https://community.roonlabs.com/t/audio-or-music-related-anecdotes-jokes-cartoons-anyone-2021/171732/474

[Schafheide]

22 hours ago, pis99 said:

Maybe get a NAA to verify if the suggested upgrade generates the sound you like/expect. I do understand the firmware upgrade for holo DAC is not easy. 

I should say that, because 30.12 firmware which is less compatible with some devices.  I would need to purchase a compatible PC. Then, if I was not happy with the SQ of the result, I might be stuck.

Therefore I have ordered an ultraRendu.

I know that it does not support PCM 13566, but so be it.

[Schafheide]

MikePid

 

My UltraRendu has arrived.

1. I have not yet listened to it.

2. I note that it has HQPlayer NAA 4.1.1

3. Am I correct in assuming that the OS is on the SD card?

So -

1. Is NAA 4.1.1 the latest, if not should/how do I update it?

2. Should I install a Yussi OS + NAA on the SD card?

 

A rabbit hole dweller.

 

[Schafheide]

Forgot to ask - how can I determine if I have version 1.2 ?

[AudioDoctor]

4.1.1 is the latest and I think it would be best for you to leave it alone.

[Schafheide]

OK 4.1.1 it is. Cheers

[MikePid]

13 hours ago, Schafheide said:

MikePid

 

My UltraRendu has arrived.

1. I have not yet listened to it.

2. I note that it has HQPlayer NAA 4.1.1

3. Am I correct in assuming that the OS is on the SD card?

So -

1. Is NAA 4.1.1 the latest, if not should/how do I update it?

2. Should I install a Yussi OS + NAA on the SD card?

 

A rabbit hole dweller.

 

Congratulations on getting your ultraRendu!  This opens up a whole new level for your music!

 

The latest NAA is 4.1.1 and has not been updated by Jussi for almost 2 years.  Whenever a new NAA is released, Sonore will usually update SonicOrbitor shortly after.  Yes, the SD card is the OS, and you leave it in, because it boots off of that.  I suggest that you check for updates (Apps > Software Manager > Software Updates) to make sure everything is as current as possible.

 

I did try installing HQP OS on my ultraRendu, but I didn't notice much difference, so I just use the SonicOrbitor OS.

 

If you are feeding the USB signal to the ultraRendu from a Mac, you can set SDM Pack to None in HQP instead of DoP.

[Schafheide]

Seen this?

https://kamaudio.com/TeraDak-Mac-mini-LPS