Well
I shouldn't have to, and it does not work on OSX either btw- which is what I really wanted. I imagine I am preaching to the choir, but I am hoping some bad press might help change. Being forced into Linux is rather limiting, placing a wrench in my mix and making me nervous. I know just enough to get into trouble. Regardless of my griping, it sounds better than my Amanero card on DSD128. In the mean time I may use a Sonore-Audiobyte card, but it is a pricey option and back to Windows.
I shouldn't have to, and it does not work on OSX either btw- which is what I really wanted. I imagine I am preaching to the choir, but I am hoping some bad press might help change. Being forced into Linux is rather limiting, placing a wrench in my mix and making me nervous. I know just enough to get into trouble. Regardless of my griping, it sounds better than my Amanero card on DSD128. In the mean time I may use a Sonore-Audiobyte card, but it is a pricey option and back to Windows.
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4est/BavMike. I’m not religious about any OS, I first started playing with FreeBSD back in ’97, have been a Unix (VAX VMS, before that) system administrator for years and work on a Unix and Linux command line on a daily basis, but I still consider myself a beginner. 🙂
I also find it deceptive by JLSounds not to clearly state their board doesn’t support DSD (DoP or Native) under Windows. Normally this kind of false pretext is enough for me to not become a customer out of principle, but I'm already, and I don’t think I’d be able to recover the money/send it back. So water under the bridge... lets move on
My livingroom entertainment system runs Windows because the satellite receive software I use, doesn’t come in any other flavors.
I have two options for this front end part:
I can swap out the Wave IO board of my working PCM based DAC, replace it with the JLSounds board, and continue with this DSD adventure with the Wave IO.
Or, get (another) BBB and configure it as an NAA and stream to it remotely. Which means a further outlay for the BBB. Although I'd rather use I2S but the NAA/Miero's botic driver combination is a nonestarter.
(Or I could convert content off-line, more pros/cons.., play through the BBB/Botic)
I don't see a solution yet, so it's just a proof of concept/learning project for the time being, untill I figure out a practical application.
@Ray, I still think the TVC is a good idea, I like some physical means of controlling the volume. A Tube buffer is obviously also a good idea, why not both? 😉
I also find it deceptive by JLSounds not to clearly state their board doesn’t support DSD (DoP or Native) under Windows. Normally this kind of false pretext is enough for me to not become a customer out of principle, but I'm already, and I don’t think I’d be able to recover the money/send it back. So water under the bridge... lets move on
My livingroom entertainment system runs Windows because the satellite receive software I use, doesn’t come in any other flavors.
I have two options for this front end part:
I can swap out the Wave IO board of my working PCM based DAC, replace it with the JLSounds board, and continue with this DSD adventure with the Wave IO.
Or, get (another) BBB and configure it as an NAA and stream to it remotely. Which means a further outlay for the BBB. Although I'd rather use I2S but the NAA/Miero's botic driver combination is a nonestarter.
(Or I could convert content off-line, more pros/cons.., play through the BBB/Botic)
I don't see a solution yet, so it's just a proof of concept/learning project for the time being, untill I figure out a practical application.
@Ray, I still think the TVC is a good idea, I like some physical means of controlling the volume. A Tube buffer is obviously also a good idea, why not both? 😉
Yeah I agree Linux is better for audio anyways. He doesn't say it supports native DSD under Windows, but he doesn't clearly point it out either.
Personally I wouldn't choose to use a BBB as an NAA unless I could get Botic to work on it as well. I2S output would be excellent but I think BBB is running out of steam at DSD256. So if USB is the only current option I would go for the NUC 3815 that Mike recommended and look to load Debian Stretch core on its eMMC. The Debian install is simple and there's very little Linux knowledge required; my current Debian install on an older Intel Atom board is very much a black box appliance; just turn it on and it's ready in a few seconds, afterwards just turn it off. The NUC has a lot more processing capacity too.
If I find a little time I'll try and document the Debian install for anyone interested.
I think its a good idea too, but I find the simplicity of using HQPlayer's volume control attractive and you remove a layer of hardware/switch contacts etc. by not having a hardware volume control.
Ray
I knew nothing about linux when i bought my JLSounds card. I got it working on Windows10 (DSD128 as DoP) and was really happy with the sound but wanted to experiment with DSD256.
It took me a few weeks faffing about but the truth is definitely out there. Google is your friend. I found a step by step guide to setting up a dual boot PC and instaĺled Ubuntu Studio on my existing PC. I also bought dual licences for HQplayer (Win10 and Linux). Ubuntu doesnt yet support JLSounds card but Juusi (author of HQplayer) provides a custom kernel for ubuntu which supports native DSD256. Or you could just install Debian Stretch as Ray has done.
I already had my OS set up on an SSD drive and all my music is on a separate 4gig HDD and this works well for me. I can boot up either Windows or Linux and access all my music files.
I hate PCs. I have learnt far more about them than i ever wanted to. But the results have made it worthwhile for me. And how do i know? Because i hardly play records anymore. I have a Cary DVDA/ SACD player and it sounds ok but it is still limited by an opamp output stage and it has never replaced my record player (heavily modified Lenco) in my affections. But my no DAC DAC plays everynight and i am very happy with the noise it makes.
JLSounds board does support DSD as DoP under Windows 10. Where are you getting your information from? I have had a very positive experience with my JLSounds and am sorry to hear that you aren't happy - but let's get the facts right.
I got it to play DoP under Windows 7 with DSD128 with the trial driver( so up to 60mins only).
Did you obtain/buy a licensed driver? for Windows (10) ?
The Amanero doens't offer any isolation, which can be added with Acko S03/04 board. The Wave IO card does, so that's why I might concider it.
This is true, but they do say specifically it does native on Mac. They offered a refund if it had not been soldered to, but it was too late.QUOTE=bavmike;4549873]Yeah I agree Linux is better for audio anyways. He doesn't say it supports native DSD under Windows, but he doesn't clearly point it out either.[/QUOTE]
There's an interesting 'conversation' about the latest beta version of HQPlayer over at Computer Audiophile that may be of interest to some here. The beta now has the capability to devolve some of the upsampling processing to the GPU processors on some nVidia video cards.
HQ Player - Page 160
On other matters, the flip-flop PCBs have been fabricated and are 'in the post', the Broskie BCF PCB is also on its way and I've just ordered the parts needed to build the first of the projects I outlined a few posts back; hopefully something to keep me occupied over the festive season!
Ray
HQ Player - Page 160
On other matters, the flip-flop PCBs have been fabricated and are 'in the post', the Broskie BCF PCB is also on its way and I've just ordered the parts needed to build the first of the projects I outlined a few posts back; hopefully something to keep me occupied over the festive season!
Ray
Just noticed this new thread;
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digi...-converter-ak4137eq-evaluation-board-diy.html
Not of interest to me as the magic of HQPlayer's upsampling is absent but might be a DSD upsampling solution that will suit some.
Ray
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digi...-converter-ak4137eq-evaluation-board-diy.html
Not of interest to me as the magic of HQPlayer's upsampling is absent but might be a DSD upsampling solution that will suit some.
Ray
Ray and all,
I continue to watch this thread with curiosity and fascination. In wondering how this entire 'no DAC' initiative might impact my own efforts, I have a very simple (and sincere) question:
What, exactly, IS "the magic" of this up sampling and WHERE in your systems is it manifest?
...kind of good to consider before making what would amount to a quantum leap (of faith)!
Not trolling,
Frank
Frank, I believe the magic is in the filters that Jussi has produced and which are a core part of HQPlayer; the manifestation is in the sound quality delivered.
Even with my cheap and cheerful no-dac project the sound quality is the best I've ever achieved. With my no-dac project using HQPlayer the sound is better than using DSD upsampled with JRiver and Foobar and, with a DSD256 recording ,my no-dac project sounds better than my Buffalo IIIse (with Salas power supplies and fed from a BBB/Botic/AckoSO3.
The downside of HQPlayer is that it is processor demanding; those filters and upsampling take a lot of PC power so with the present state of technology I don't see an upsampling chip being able to deliver similar results.
Ray
Great! So, the HQ player filters massage the digital signal in a way that other software does not. Do you feel that the effect occurs somewhere within the reproduction chain, or only at the ultimate sensor (your ears)? If within the chain, which piece (or pieces) of your gear benefit from this treatment? Or another way of thinking about this is... Are we subtracting something bad, and from where, or are we adding something good that is not directly influencing performance of the analogue equipment?
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When I say "adding something good" I'm thinking about euphonic distortion and not derisively...
Archimago's Musings: MEASUREMENTS: PCM to DSD Upsampling Effects (JRiver MC19 Beta).
PCM-to-DSD Upsampling Effects (Objective & Subjective) | Page 2 | Steve Hoffman Music Forums
Archimago's Musings: MEASUREMENTS: PCM to DSD Upsampling Effects (JRiver MC19 Beta).
PCM-to-DSD Upsampling Effects (Objective & Subjective) | Page 2 | Steve Hoffman Music Forums
I'm very invested in PCM, so ultimately I wonder whether PCM converted using HQ player and sent to the no-dac sounds better than PCM -> BBB/Botic/AckoSO3. I would value your experiences. Other than that, I don't want to send the thread totally OT.
Cheers,
Frank
Cheers,
Frank
Hi Frank. Like you I run BBB->Botic->S03->. I spend a good year refining the DDDAC with almost every mod possible.
Since last week I have a very quick and dirt HQPlayer->JLSounds USBtoI2S-> (Ray’s PCB) setup, it’s still a bit rough but the detail and soundstage are already ridiculously good.
What the no-dac design does is to basically to treat the digital 1bit DSD feed as if it was analogue.
If conversion from PCM to DSD is required, then the algorithm and filters used are obviously going to be critical, HQPlayer happens to do this very well, it was more or less conceived for the no-dac concept, but I believe it has been reported Jriver does this pretty good to.
Sooner or later you’ll make the leap of faith, I promise you that. 😀
Since last week I have a very quick and dirt HQPlayer->JLSounds USBtoI2S-> (Ray’s PCB) setup, it’s still a bit rough but the detail and soundstage are already ridiculously good.
What the no-dac design does is to basically to treat the digital 1bit DSD feed as if it was analogue.
If conversion from PCM to DSD is required, then the algorithm and filters used are obviously going to be critical, HQPlayer happens to do this very well, it was more or less conceived for the no-dac concept, but I believe it has been reported Jriver does this pretty good to.
Sooner or later you’ll make the leap of faith, I promise you that. 😀
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