audiobomber

I'm definitely keeping the little Nobsound. I was using Ethernet to a Raspberry Pi/Volumio for streaming local files in my desktop system. I had a 15' USB A to Micro cable on hand, which just reaches from the NAS to my desktop. I connected from a NAS USB port to the Nobsound, and powered the isolator with an external SMPS. The USB system sounds a lot better than the Ethernet/Pi system; richer, more detailed, smoother. Previous setup: Yauhody CAT8 Ethernet cable from Switch to Raspberry Pi 3B+ Ghent Audio dual head USB cable with Modius SMPS iFi Audio iP

I received the Nobsound isolator today. Wow, it's tiny! Unfortunately it is incompatible with my Modius DAC. USB power gets through, but the laptop doesn't recognize the DAC. Substituting an XTremPro X1 for the Modius works, but that's not a satisfactory solution. I was able to connect from a NAS USB port to the X1 and also to a Schiit Eitr. It did make the sound smoother with both the X1 and Eitr so I will keep the Nobsound, even though I don't need it currently.

I was on Archmago's site today and noticed his measurements of a Nobsound USB to USB Isolator (and his usual swipes at audiophiles). 😄 I looked it up on Amazon.ca, but it was listed at $69, so I passed. Then I found another listing for what appears to be the same device listed for $23, which is about what Archi said it should be. I should have one in two days. This Nobsound thingy has some disadvantages; it uses USB micro connectors and is limited to USB 1.0 spec so it will only process 24/96 and up to 12Mbps. Those downsides matter not a whit in my desktop system, where I'm

Interesting description. Could there be another factor at work? EMI and RFI are very high frequency signals, and higher frequency vibrations die out faster than lower. Maybe there's more attenuation of noise vs. data over longer distances. Just spitballing, due to something that @plissken said about there being nine hops before data reached his house, and how that would collect a lot of noise if EMI/RFI was a problem. I believe the closer the noise source is to the DA conversion, the greater the impact on sound quality. I have a LAN Isolator between my modem and router

Some people also consider Roon to be sonically compromised. I don't use it, so I have no opinion: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/what-features-of-roon-are-worth-the-price-compensate-for-roon’s-poorer-sound-quality.32265/

I play files from my NAS to several different systems. Wi-Fi to Windows laptop, USB to DAC Ethernet to RPi, Schiit Eitr, coax to DAC Wi-Fi, bridge, Playpoint Streamer, USB to DAC Wi-Fi, bridge, SOtM sMS-200, USB to DAC Using Music Station, systems 2-4 play music in the original format (16/44.1, 24/88.2, etc.). Only system #1 changes the format, to whatever single value is selected in the Sound Panel. This format change only happens with my Windows laptop and tablet. After a couple more tests, it seems the app does matter. PowerDVD plays back at th

I just changed DAC, from the Modius to the iFi iOne, because the Modius does not show sample rate. I have the proprietary iFi driver, but the behaviour has not changed in Windows. Whatever sample rate I've selected in the Windows Sound Panel is what the DAC is seeing, regardless of recorded rate.

Music Station uses a web browser, but surely it is an app? To play from the laptop, I select Streaming Mode. The other streamers all play via DLNA or Cast.

I use both apps with a Windows laptop. Regardless of which of these two apps I use, or how the music is recorded, music is sent to the DAC at one set format, currently 24/96. Edit: If I use the Korg DAC and Korg AudioGate app, music is not converted, remains in its original format. But the issue I think is the driver, not the app. If the DAC uses the Windows driver, sample rate does not change, regardless of the recorded format.

I use QNAP Music Station for my own FLAC files and the YouTubeMusic app from the internet, which is AAC. I may change when Spotify goes to CD quality. AFAIK, YouTube only plays at 48kHz, not sure about bit rate. Music Station plays the original format though my main system with exaSound Playpoint and DAC and my secondary SOtM/iFi system, so the app is not the problem.

I am currently using the Schiit Modius DAC with the Windows laptop. I am not aware of a proprietary driver for this DAC. I have drivers for iFi Audio and Korg loaded, but I don't think they are available without a DAC. from the same manufacturer.

When I play music from my Dell laptop via USB, the sample rate and bit depth are fixed at whatever default sample and bit rate I've selected. Choices are the common values from 16 bit/44.1kHz to 32 bit/192kHz. My other systems send music to the DAC in its original format. Is there any way to force Windows to do the same? (I don't care about DSD.)

The Topping P50S sounds better than the iFi iPower IME. I own both. The iPower X is a better comparator, it's as good the linear power supplies I own, from Welborne Labs and Zero-Zone. Unfortunately Audio Science Review measurements bear no relation to sound quality.

I agree, binaural can do soundstage. Stereo headphones can't even come close.