Server OS

[Bones13]

Finished the physical build today of my Christmas present (HDPlex H3V3 with 9th gen i5, and M.2 drive for OS, and a second for music files) by dinner today. I was playing with the BIOS before I left off today.

 

My system has a streamer built into the DAC, so my server will not use USB out to DAC, files to copper Ethernet. I use Roon to resample all to DSD128, as that sounds best out of the DAC.

 

I can build a PC, configure my ubiquiti router, and access points. 
 

Question I’m asking tonight: which OS to use? I kinda like RoonCore, so having that option is important.

 

Windows 10 + AO

Euphony

AudioLinux

other?

[AudioDoctor]

I have tried them all and I prefer Euphony OS the most.

[jcn3]

@Bones13 - do you own licenses for any already? If so I'd use that.

 

I have used Windows plus AO and currently using Audiolinux running Roon core.  I prefer the lightweight Linux solution.

[Joerg D]

Euphony 

 

Jörg

 

[christos]

Euphony Stylus is my preference for Critical Listening.

W10 + AO with Audirvana is equally good.

W10 + AO + Roon (u/s toDSD128) to Euphony Stylus EP for general listening.

W10 + AO + Roon through HQPlayer (u/s toDSD128) to Euphony NAA for special cases and Critical Listening. 

 

Christos P.

[Bones13]

Thanks for responding all. Struggling with Euphony install. Not paid for anything yet.

[ctsooner]

My server, The Memory Player by Laufer Technic, uses Windows.  They are selling some amazing software to lower jitter etc. that my buddy installed on his Windows computer and it sounds amazing.  He built a minimal server and used the build in DAC on the board.  He build a nice sounding LPS to drive it all, but once he installed some of this software, it took it to a new level.  

 

It's all about implementation though.  You can make any of them sound good, but some sound a lot better if done properly.    I enjoy reading these threads to find out what folks are doing.  Fun stuff, thanks for letting me play.

[ChrisG]

2 hours ago, ctsooner said:

My server, The Memory Player by Laufer Technic, uses Windows.  They are selling some amazing software to lower jitter etc. that my buddy installed on his Windows computer and it sounds amazing.  He built a minimal server and used the build in DAC on the board.  He build a nice sounding LPS to drive it all, but once he installed some of this software, it took it to a new level.  

 

It's all about implementation though.  You can make any of them sound good, but some sound a lot better if done properly.    I enjoy reading these threads to find out what folks are doing.  Fun stuff, thanks for letting me play.

Do you know where he purchased the software from? Their site doesn't indicate they have dealers in the USA. Thanks. 

[misterspense]

You could have a look at Gentooplayer, a very nice OS option with Roon installed. I also have Euphony installed on an optane drive, and don't like to de/re-installing everything to compare them, but from a usb stick Gentooplayer already sounds very good. Maybe even better than Euphony.

[ctsooner]

17 hours ago, ChrisG said:

Do you know where he purchased the software from? Their site doesn't indicate they have dealers in the USA. Thanks. 

Chris, Sam sells it from his site. If you have interest in any of his software (it really takes things to a better level) get in touch with Sam.

Text Sam at: 917-535-8888

email at: [email protected] 

 

Feel free to tell him Pete sent you.  He'll be able to let you know if he can help or not. I also know they have even more software upgrades from what they share on the site as their players keep getting upgraded.  

[Bones13]

Ok, done for the weekend.

 

I installed Euphony, but it would not stay connected long. Static IP address and all tried.

 

I went with Win10pro/AO, as I could figure things out. There were other challenges as a headless server...

 

1) It was easy to configure the BIOS to start the computer when the power comes on. (frequent short black outs here)

2) Had to try a few things to get the PC to load up without logging in

3) I really struggled with auto-starting Roon

    - I tried RoonServer, which would auto-oad easy, but I could not find it with the remotes (PC+iPad)

    - I tried using Scheduled Task app, but even after I managed to install a task, it did not load up

    - I finally googled how to access the Start Up folder, and pulled Roon into that - works great

4) Remote Desktop access required me to change the login that I was using to Administrator, I was hoping to not.

 

Still doing some listening. Thanks for the help all.

 

 

[walloon]

21 hours ago, Bones13 said:

Ok, done for the weekend.

 

I installed Euphony, but it would not stay connected long. Static IP address and all tried.

 

 

Open a ticket. Support at Euphony is brilliant, even during trail period.

[HardrockInMiniMac]

Excuse me and sorry to say: Windows 2019 Server with AO is not only the recommended by Phil but als the best sounding OS. I sounds a lot better than Windows 10 plus AO...

[davide256]

I have tried JPlay,AO, Fidelizer in various combinations using Server 2012 and WIndows 10. These solutions  emphasized transients  but produced an

unconvincing midrange compared to vinyl.

 

Audiolinux works well but its tweakier than I can deal with. Euphony works simply and well in its default mode.  The RAM mode is useful but you have to reach

a critical mass of system transparency to hear a difference.  The Prima Luna Premium and Hafler amp I had masked the improved resolution of background

instruments until I removed them from the system. I really wish I could get Roon to sound as good as Stylus server, it's much nicer interface but no matter what I try

its like switching from a current eye glass prescription to an older pair, detail just isn't as sharp.

 

I've encountered issues with GigE ports not getting along well before between router and device. Try restricting the ethernet port to FE and see if all behaves,

on expert settings tab for "ethtool command line params" paste and apply

 

-s eth0 speed 100 duplex full -autoneg off

 

Still not as good as vinyl but Euphony comes close