Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

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George Hincapie
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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by George Hincapie »

Interesting. Will speak to Audio Store.
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CN211276
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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by CN211276 »

For a long time BubbleUp was my streaming app. Recently I came across a mention of mconnect on a forum and decided to investigate. I diiscovered that comments about the virtues or otherwise of BubbleUp and mconnect were split more or less fifty fifty across forums with some stating that they could hear no difference. At £6, less than the price of a pint at the Bristol show, I pressed the button on mconnect. The two apps do not sound the same and streaming Qobuz on my system I have a slight preference for mconnect. The difference is very subtle and takes the form of a slight increase in the depth of the sound stage and dynamic range. Added to this, after some initial stalling problems, it has been glitch free. I had occasionally experienced problems with BubbleUp, especially on the second system where tracks could jump. The drawbacks are that I cannot connect mconnect to my NAS or Radio Paradise. If there is a way to do so I am yet to figure it out. I fall back on BubbleUp for this. I raised the subject of streaming apps with Qobuz at Bristol yesterday and they seemed to agree that they do effect the sound and it is a matter of personal choice.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

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Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by CN211276 »

In my previous post I mentioned that the Mconnect app produced an increase in dynamic range streaming Qobuz. I have since become aware that this pertains far more to 24 Bit than 16 Bit. Previously I was hard pressed to find a difference between the two Bit rates, but not any more. I have been playing music at reduced mean levels yet the peaks (usually guitar solos) are at the same level as before or louder, adding to the excitement. As 16 Bit has a dynamic range of 96db which would seem more than adequate this is difficult to explain. I liken the situation to 44kHz sample rate being well above the range of human hearing but being significantly bettered by sample rates far higher. I am going on the evidence of my ears and at £6 mconnect is by far the cheapest upgrade I have ever made. I have now been able to connect it to my NAS after waking it on the Fling app. However for some reason not all the content is accessible on my phone whilst it is on the tablet.
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Fretless (Tue Mar 07, 2023 8:56 am)
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by Fretless »

My ageing little WD MyCloud NAS is is starting to make odd noises and so it is time for a new one. Very happy with the way Western Digital devices work so I looked in their selection. Ordering directly from them is cheaper than Amazon (!) and if you sign up for the newsletter you get a 15% discount on your first order. Very appealing.

Seeing as my music files currently occupy about 3TB I looked to double that to 6TB - shuold be enough for the next few years. ended up with this:

Image

My Cloud Expert Series EX2 Ultra

Available with storage from 4TB to 36TB this looks like a perfect device for me, usage here is light - primarily music streaming and occasional backups.

The 'old' MyCloud has reported that it is no longer supported by WD and that the security on it is outdated. Another reason to get something which meets current privacy specs.

Accommodating this is also causing a minor re-jig of the home network (probably necessary anyway) with aan extra switch being installed. Just a simple 'Plug & Play' for now but I might have a look at the Cisco units that Lindsay is so keen on.

In theory this should all be arriving today (customs and post permitting - the NAS is being shipped in from the UK and that can cause delays).

More later ..... :techie-typing:
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CN211276 (Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:33 pm) • antonio66 (Sat Mar 18, 2023 6:54 am)

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NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
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Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by CN211276 »

My WD My Cloud must be at least eight years old and I am sure the latest ones are a lot better. This could explain the imconnect issues I have with the phone but not the more recent tablet. It is not making noises so I will not be changing it. I store pictures and documents as well as music, all backed up on a WD external hard drive. I do not play much music from it as in most cases remasters on Qobuz sound better than my long in the tooth ripped CDs.
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Fretless (Fri Mar 17, 2023 1:05 pm)
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by Fretless »

Beginner's mistake. :geek:

With about 1.5TB of audio files copied over into the new NAS, I realized that I had to set RAID to 'spanning' in order to access the unit's 2nd disk drive. Otherwise I would only have 3TB of storage available rather than 6TB.

Changing this setting means that all data is erased from the drives and I can start all over again.

:doh:

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by Fretless »

Network switches:

During the Covid-era, the Downstairs system became my main rig and everything was set up to maximise the audio quality there. Now the Upstairs installation has taken over for 'critical' listening and it was time to make some changes.

Mainly this involves moving the Silent Angel Bonn N8 network switch upstairs.

Image

This is a special audio-grade unit, not cheap - but not Megabucks either. It has proved itself to be a solid sonic upgrade and well-worth having. A version of this is sold in the UK under the brand-name English Electric (Chord).

So, this switch goes upstairs, replacing a very cheap, plastic Sitecom one I got from Dixon's when I didn't know any better. Then CAT8 cables to old and new NAS, and a CAT7 Audioquest Cinnamon running to the Volumio PC.

Experimentation has shown that standard CAT8 ethernet links are superb for audio streaming, the AQ being ever-so-slightly smoother. Longer runs between modem and switches in-house are CAT6.

With all this in place I fired up the system for a listen. Definite improvement; more 3D with the soundfield detaching from the speakers. Airy smoothness, crisp detail, no edgy nasties. The music projects towards you and is more enveloping.

Downstairs has a little, metal-housed TP-Link switch to replace the Bonn. Tiny reduction in SQ there but with the upgraded Ares DAC it still sounds excellent.

Time for some file copying ... :ugeek:

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by Fretless »

Problems, problems ....

Irritatingly, two of my in-house streaming devices are refusing to link to the new NAS and so I will have to replace them until I can work out what the matter is.

Firstly the Volumio Tinkerboard S, sitting in a headphone setup. Swapped out for a Pi with HifiBerry Digi+Pro. Not bad, acceptable for now.

Then the Sonos Connect in the kitchen.
Spent an hour this morning struggling with this and gave up - probably too outdated for the newer tech to deal with. Trickier, as this is a spot where I can only access a streamer via wifi. Will have to go back to playing CD's (gasp!) again there.

:snooty:

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by CN211276 »

Fretless wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 3:49 pm Problems, problems ....

Irritatingly, two of my in-house streaming devices are refusing to link to the new NAS and so I will have to replace them until I can work out what the matter is.

Firstly the Volumio Tinkerboard S, sitting in a headphone setup. Swapped out for a Pi with HifiBerry Digi+Pro. Not bad, acceptable for now.

Then the Sonos Connect in the kitchen.
Spent an hour this morning struggling with this and gave up - probably too outdated for the newer tech to deal with. Trickier, as this is a spot where I can only access a streamer via wifi. Will have to go back to playing CD's (gasp!) again there.

:snooty:
A long shot but have you tried accessing CDs ripped to both WAV and FLAC? I am going on my WD My Cloud experience with Mconnect. For some reason I am only able to connect with CDs ripped to FLAC from my Sansum Galaxy phone yet my Lenovo tablet connects to both WAV and FLAC rips. It is a complete mystery to me and WD support.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

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Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by Fretless »

WAV files have no id3 tag information, which FLAC does have
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CN211276 (Mon Mar 20, 2023 8:35 pm)

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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