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Post by John on Dec 24, 2016 18:48:29 GMT
A few friends had updated their computers and after visiting Vic I was impressed enough by the gains he was getting to try for myself. I had been thinking of this upgrade for a few months now. They both went for a fanless PC Build and I decided to do the same. I used the same person as they did. The guy is very professional and will build to your spec at a very reasonable price and great communication throughout. Also, a fast build. www.ebay.co.uk/usr/steffcipI went for the following build Akasa Euler case, CPU i5-6600T, motherboard H110T, 32Gb DDR4, 500Gb SSD, Win 10 I am only going to be either using the machine for streaming (Spotify, Youtube, Kodi and Tidal in the future) and a transport using BugHead, so keeping it very minimal. First start up is super-fast I am keeping everything very minimal on it. The biggest surprise has been using Spotify. The Sound quality has greatly improved and find I am using Spotify a lot more now. In the past I been a reluctant user, just mainly to discover new music but not serious listening, that is now changing. It does the same with YouTube videos too. With BugHead the sound has more depth and refinement. My system still has the same energy as before (perhaps a bit more). kind of like a sledgehammer hitting you in the stomach with its force. But it also has more maturity to it. Using it with this player is where the musical gains come. I am familiar with a fully tricked Raspberry Pi and this is a several steps above this in terms of soundstage detail and dynamics. In fact, it has more in common with some of the best turntables I heard, I actually think it has more depth, detail and dynamics than my Salvation. There are still a few more things I can do with it. 1) Add a Linear power supply 2) Use good isolation feet. I will start off with ElectricBeach RocknRollers and move onto the Black Ravioli 3) At some point get the case changed and add an audio USB board 4) Add a Regan or the PS Audio LanRover (I think John Kenny will be making something along these lines so probably get that when it comes out). The only issue is the case. The USB connections are a bit to close. I can work around this easily enough. I am looking forward to comparing it against other CD players, Transports and Servers to find out where it is truly at. |
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Post by tony on Dec 27, 2016 15:43:39 GMT
John,
Very interesting. Had a look on the e bay listing, the prices are quite reasonable. Im lap top/usb/dac.(i use i tunes ripped lossless and stream spotify premium)
Just wondered how you control the server-is it a phone or tablet with blu tooth?
Is all the music ripped onto the server and held in the internal drive OR do you have an external drive full of pre ripped music?
I know I get improve on what I have but am daunted due to my computer phobia...
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Post by John on Dec 27, 2016 17:25:23 GMT
Hi Tony I control the keyboard via wifi keyboard using a USB input (this controls both the mouse and keyboard), but you could do this via bluetooth or the traditional method www.pcworld.com/article/2687241/5-ways-to-use-your-pc-remotely.html In my case I am ripping music onto my server but easy to connect a external hard drive via USB You have to transfer your music to the new PC for your ITunes account support.apple.com/en-us/HT204318If you not using BugHead no need for the extra ram 8gb is more than enough for most uses Using Spotify via another laptop to control is easy means I can go blank screen on the music server but still control the music on the Laptop and very easy to connect up a connection button close to the volume control in Spotify (just connect the other PC with a click) Sound quality for Spotify is a nice step up with the updated processor |
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Post by Clive on Dec 27, 2016 19:34:55 GMT
Enjoy the new PC....it's a great piece of kit and there's no bloatware as it's a custom build. Btw I use a Regen powered by a linear PS but will move to Detox by John Westlake as soon as it's available.
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Post by tony on Dec 29, 2016 17:31:07 GMT
Thanks John,
The two links are really informative. Think If I went down this route I might re-rip all my CDs which I have retained in the attic and start from scratch. Probably be my next big change...
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Post by John on Dec 29, 2016 18:24:50 GMT
I think that would pay dividends if you rip them onto a solid state drive (less jitter errors) should pay off
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Post by stanleyb on Dec 29, 2016 22:46:15 GMT
Thanks John, The two links are really informative. Think If I went down this route I might re-rip all my CDs which I have retained in the attic and start from scratch. Probably be my next big change... I still prefer to play many of my discs, instead of playing back the ripped files. Some of the audio outputs on laptops and desktops are not at the 2Vrms CD output level as far as the digital signal is concerned. On all my Vaio laptops I get less than 1.5Vrms from the digital output. |
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Post by John on Dec 30, 2016 5:01:53 GMT
Not sure what the output is Stan but it sounds really good. No issues with volume or dynamics if you wish Stan I bring it over to hear sometime
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Post by John on Dec 31, 2016 19:55:48 GMT
Thinking about your post Stan. I would say getting a decent sound from a PC is all about those small marginal gains that take a PC to another level, dedicated power supply, good isolation, removing as much as the Windows background as you can and even good software like All cure any cure and rewrite data (part of BugHead but can be used without having to use BH and you can get for MAC and Linux too) process lasso, fidelizer all help within Windows to a degree. I would now also add a Skylake processor is a nice step up too.
I also use Jitterbg that also helps with sound quality but you can add something like the PS Audio LanRover unit that supposed to be a whole new level in USB playback.
It be good to go around to your place sometime so I can quickly run through it and either you think yes it does make a difference or still have the same view around pc based audio
Right now Listening to Cyles and Stories by Surinder Sandhu and it is sounding so natural I been listening to music nearly all day without a hint of tiredness
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Post by John on Mar 26, 2017 16:47:55 GMT
I am just trying the latest beta version of Process Lasso You can use the trail version. Another marginal gain that simple to use
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Post by speedysteve on Mar 26, 2017 17:19:44 GMT
Oooh! Sounds good John. Is it possible to get a listen to this one?
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Post by John on Mar 26, 2017 18:04:52 GMT
Yes I bring it along
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