Good morning Hans. My audio system consist of NAS , Minidsp SHD and Lyngdorf SDA 2400 power amp. All connected to an Asus router. I want to upgrade the streamer onboard the SHD with the Auralic G1 streaming bridge. You have approximately the same configuration in your reference system one. How can you overrule the SHD builtin streamer and use the Auralic streamer . And is this an sound improvement. Thank you in advance. Jan.(den Haag)
Just connect the SPDIF output of the Auralic to the SPDIF input of the SHD, select SPDIF as input on the SHD and make sure the volume is set to full. For as far as the improvement, I found it worth the € 4450 the Aries G2 costs but please watch ua-cam.com/video/BzLmC4n2DX4/v-deo.html
It would be very interesting to make a video with suggestions of systems, focused on streaming and digital files reproduction, in defferent pricepoints like 600€.-1000€, 1500€ etc. Based on your subjective views. I bet they would be very popular. Anyone else would like that?
Hi Hans. A great and helpful resource. I am replicating fairly closely the digital side of your Setup ultimate version, replacing my Mac-mini direct to DAC. I am in Switzerland, and will use my Rowen modified NAD M51 DAC with Rowen amp and Dali floorstanding speakers. I too have had great experience with Dirac Room correction so will also use the Mini DSP SHD Studio. I did not recall a power supply comment on the Mini DSP SHD Studio review. Any recommendations on a linear power supply for the Mini DSP SHD Studio?
Hans, If at a loss for new topics, could you consider a video on - The necessity for Rf rejection in different parts of the audiosystem? For instance if tube amplifiers are prone to picking up RF because of their lack of internal filtering or the vulnarability of the tubes themselves? And is RF rejection still neccesary if equipment offers state of the art filtering, like the auralic vega G2? - What is your opinion on Farad power supplies? Not for giving the marque a podium, but because I would like to hear your opinion on if a supercap power supply is superior to a good LPS, like Sbooster. Since Naim is using cap-upgrade-power supplies since decades, there is a point here? And to what extend is there truth behind the 'rumour' that non-switching power supplies perform less (soundwise) on switches and routers than a switching one? The rumour states an LPS is too slow to keep up with what for instance a router requires.
To be honest I think that RF rejection should be designed into the devices you buy. I have experimented with the Aries G2 and here the effect of the UpTone Audio EtherRegen was notably smaller than with the SOtM sMS200 Ultra NEO. I have no hands on experience with the Farad PSU's. But I am still working on a way to do better, more useful PSU reviews. As you have heard good LPSU's don't work as good on switches as good SMPSU do.
I'm an old 2 channel, analog guy coming to this channel, and I do not understand any of this.. LOL File based vs streaming.. so are these all streaming sources? I have downloaded high resolution files from HDtracks, would these not be higher resolution audio? Using JRiver, Audioquest Diamond, ifi micro 3, Audioquest Diamond, Ayre Dac - Heaphones... I think my brain just blew up watching this.. :) (maybe Im just too old now)
Hello Hans, thank you for sharing your experience and use case for headphones. As always, you are very thoughtful and thorough explaining your audio journey. Very much appreciated! I would love to hear what you think would improve each reference setup in the coming year(s) the most while adhering to your budget range. Stay safe!
Hans you said that you only used power conditioners for switch mode PS. So all other equipment is plugged directly into the wall I assume. I'm guessing that's because power conditioners degrade SQ in your opinion. I would be very interested to know more about that. Do you just use a normal power board to connect your other (non SMPS) to the wall power outlet? Thanks as always for your knowledge.
A very good power conditioner like the Isotek Titan does improve the sound quality in many cases. But not the units I use with the equipment I use.. Another project I have to do some research in, when I find the time and money.
Hi Hans, If I understood you correctly a device such as Allo DigiOne Signature is equal or better than a Squeezebox Touch. I would have thought that topology would be clearly better, especially when powered by a good linear PSU. If not, there's not much point in moving away from a Touch to a headless device for similar performance. Right?
Very interesting. I also use a Brooklyn in my main system and a Mojo in the other. With the release of the OpticalRendu, has it worked it’s way into one of your systems?
Hello, nice . Interesting : I have same speakers Audio Physic and want test with Audio note Cobra. Do you have some experience: I try to find amplifier with more power with tube sound.
Nice video! The part about the network equipment might justify a more extensive video, since this might be very interesting to a lot of people. My own system resembles system 2 quite a lot with a Bluesound Node 2, Marantz PM KI Pearl Lite and REL Quake subwoofer. DAC is a Metrum Amethyst and speakers are von Schweikert Unifield One.
The first that have the same opinion about sound taste. So this would to others explain that the right audio for you, is not a matter of winning the lottery, but do a listening demo. It can be that you end with an invoice of €1000 or €8000 depends what sound you like. Advice, do not stare blind of the most desirable high end equipment of a company, but listen first whats in your possibilities. We all drive first in a car for a few bucks, and ending up with some betters. First the Seat and than after the experience a BMW X2.
Hans, thanks for your fascinating video, only part of which is clear, the rest being about as clear as mud. This is not your fault, nor mine I think, but there is a bit of a disconnect between your knowledge of streaming file based audio and my knowledge. I've bought, and am still reading your book on file based audio and as an ex electronics engineer, but 73 years old now, I think I stand a reasonable chance of getting the hang of the complexity that is introduced here, but maybe slower than most, hence my listening to your channel and reading your book. But there's a lot I do not understand from the video here, mostly about connectivity. You mention a lot of gear but I'm afraid I am a bit lost as it is all about computer networking more than audio. I'm trying to rise above my simple streaming system using a Cambridge Audio CXN (V1) and Spotify Connect. But, I'll keep working at it by watching your channel and John Darko's channel as the best ways to get educated at my ripe old age. I hope to see a simpler video explaining the network diagram of where all these boxes sit, how they pass data, what language they speak to each other and what on earth Bluesound and Roon is, along with their functions! I'll get there.
I have already covered a number of items you mention. Just shop around in my playlist page: ua-cam.com/channels/R4tuhqPppVp-PD0q17sPEA.htmlplaylists?view=1&sort=dd&shelf_id=0. And age is no excuse, I'm 66 and still learning. Keep using the grey cells for as with muscles, if. you don't use them, they deteriorate.
Hans which do you think overall is a a better product the MniDSP SHD or a NAD C658?I know MiniDSP does not have Phono but other than that the major difference if used with Roon would be (I think) 1) DAC quality 2)Dirac Live might be be more functional on MiniDSP which also can give x-over options - So which would be better?I like the inclusion of NAD Bluesound on NAD but MiniDSP is cheaper and seems to be more flexible.Thanks for everything you do Chazz
Well, it isn't for my. But then again I did a review on the G2. and was spoilt for life😁. But you might find that using DIRAC is the biggest improvement you ever had. Clearly bigger than adding a G2.
Hans you’ve taught me so much through your channel. Thank you for your considered explanations, especially related to MQA. Regarding MQA: I love listening to MQA via Tidal Masters and being on a budget, I listen to them through my Dragonfly Black via my iPhone. Recently I purchased a FiiO BTR5 to use mostly as a more advanced DAC (balanced output, more featured dual DACs, up to 32 bit fp/384 kHz, etcetera ) and it works well when charging is turned off (though in USB mode the iPhone can’t change the volume and the playback buttons on the BTR5 don’t work). I began playing around with digital Music Players on the iPhone, using some of the free high-res music available online, including a few MQA files from the 2L free samples collection (which is available as a master on Tidal as well). I was quite surprised when I played some MQA tracks through the NeutronMP app using my BTR. I realised that the app was reporting a full decode and unfolding, sending 24 bit / 352.8 kHz to the BTR5 DAC, something I thought was impossible outside of hardware. I could see this because the app shows the files encoding bitrate and depth, as well as what it’s sending to the DAC. But I could not find any way to play MQA through the Dragonfly properly. The app only output data at 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz (the max that the Dragonfly can do with non-MQA). The Dragonfly never went magenta, showing that and authenticated MQA stream was being received. I have tested this many times and am convinced there’s no trickery going on. The app is doing something that MQA specifically says can’t be done. Full MQA unfolding in software. Obviously the ‘Authenticated’ is not going to be there. For that a fully certified DAC must perform the unfold. But I can’t tell the difference between playing these 2L tracks through Tidal and my Dragonfly or playing the MQA files through NeutronMP and my BTR5. I have scoured the web and many forums trying to find further details but to no avail. The official NeutronMP information is silent on MQA. The only reference to it that I can find is in the the software update logs. I gather the developers have reverse engineered the MQA unfolding because if they had licensed it they would be advertising it. I wonder if you were aware of this and what your thoughts were in the matter.
I'm 54, and I haven't gotten past my CD player and turntable. However I'm subscribed to this channel because someday I'll have to enter the 21st century. Hans, you might as well be speaking Dutch to my American technophobe ears.
Your reviews are the most thorough of all the reviewers I’ve watched. You cover every aspect of every single item. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, will do!
Hans you are a mad man! As an IT professional I am very impressed with your server, and network setup. Very well thought out!!
🙏🏼
Thank you for you work Hans.
You are very welcome
Great video, and thank you for not only sharing what you use, but how they deployed in your systems.
Glad it was helpful!
A true real-world audio expert.
🙏🏻
You understand so much about this gear. Very very impressive 👍🏼
Thank you sir.
That's a great job of creating multiple systems to test with. We all need to know if sound quality will scale to better systems.
🙏🏼
Good morning Hans. My audio system consist of NAS , Minidsp SHD and Lyngdorf SDA 2400 power amp. All connected to an Asus router. I want to upgrade the streamer onboard the SHD with the Auralic G1 streaming bridge. You have approximately the same configuration in your reference system one. How can you overrule the SHD builtin streamer and use the Auralic streamer . And is this an sound improvement. Thank you in advance. Jan.(den Haag)
Just connect the SPDIF output of the Auralic to the SPDIF input of the SHD, select SPDIF as input on the SHD and make sure the volume is set to full. For as far as the improvement, I found it worth the € 4450 the Aries G2 costs but please watch ua-cam.com/video/BzLmC4n2DX4/v-deo.html
Hi Hans, would it be possible to show more about how you connect all the gear, rather than just showing photos of the gear?
Good idea. See the next video, coming Friday.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Excellent. I'll be waiting 🙂
It would be very interesting to make a video with suggestions of systems, focused on streaming and digital files reproduction, in defferent pricepoints like 600€.-1000€, 1500€ etc. Based on your subjective views. I bet they would be very popular. Anyone else would like that?
👍
Hi Hans. A great and helpful resource. I am replicating fairly closely the digital side of your Setup ultimate version, replacing my Mac-mini direct to DAC. I am in Switzerland, and will use my Rowen modified NAD M51 DAC with Rowen amp and Dali floorstanding speakers. I too have had great experience with Dirac Room correction so will also use the Mini DSP SHD Studio. I did not recall a power supply comment on the Mini DSP SHD Studio review. Any recommendations on a linear power supply for the Mini DSP SHD Studio?
Just use the power supply that came with the unit..
Hans,
If at a loss for new topics, could you consider a video on
- The necessity for Rf rejection in different parts of the audiosystem? For instance if tube amplifiers are prone to picking up RF because of their lack of internal filtering or the vulnarability of the tubes themselves? And is RF rejection still neccesary if equipment offers state of the art filtering, like the auralic vega G2?
- What is your opinion on Farad power supplies? Not for giving the marque a podium, but because I would like to hear your opinion on if a supercap power supply is superior to a good LPS, like Sbooster. Since Naim is using cap-upgrade-power supplies since decades, there is a point here? And to what extend is there truth behind the 'rumour' that non-switching power supplies perform less (soundwise) on switches and routers than a switching one? The rumour states an LPS is too slow to keep up with what for instance a router requires.
To be honest I think that RF rejection should be designed into the devices you buy. I have experimented with the Aries G2 and here the effect of the UpTone Audio EtherRegen was notably smaller than with the SOtM sMS200 Ultra NEO. I have no hands on experience with the Farad PSU's. But I am still working on a way to do better, more useful PSU reviews. As you have heard good LPSU's don't work as good on switches as good SMPSU do.
Where does sending music data over wi-fi fit in quality wise?
I’m working on an answer. Watch this channel....
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel, great, look forward to it. And, I always watch your channel 👍
I'm an old 2 channel, analog guy coming to this channel, and I do not understand any of this.. LOL File based vs streaming.. so are these all streaming sources? I have downloaded high resolution files from HDtracks, would these not be higher resolution audio? Using JRiver, Audioquest Diamond, ifi micro 3, Audioquest Diamond, Ayre Dac - Heaphones... I think my brain just blew up watching this.. :) (maybe Im just too old now)
Perhaps this video will help: ua-cam.com/video/G9EreotBL6c/v-deo.html
I use my own music, Tidal and Qobuz.
Hello Hans, thank you for sharing your experience and use case for headphones. As always, you are very thoughtful and thorough explaining your audio journey. Very much appreciated! I would love to hear what you think would improve each reference setup in the coming year(s) the most while adhering to your budget range. Stay safe!
Whatever comes along that sounds better...
Hans you said that you only used power conditioners for switch mode PS. So all other equipment is plugged directly into the wall I assume. I'm guessing that's because power conditioners degrade SQ in your opinion. I would be very interested to know more about that. Do you just use a normal power board to connect your other (non SMPS) to the wall power outlet? Thanks as always for your knowledge.
A very good power conditioner like the Isotek Titan does improve the sound quality in many cases. But not the units I use with the equipment I use.. Another project I have to do some research in, when I find the time and money.
Hi Hans,
If I understood you correctly a device such as Allo DigiOne Signature is equal or better than a Squeezebox Touch. I would have thought that topology would be clearly better, especially when powered by a good linear PSU. If not, there's not much point in moving away from a Touch to a headless device for similar performance. Right?
If you use the same power supply on the DigiOne and if your stereo is up to better sound quality, yes.
Very interesting. I also use a Brooklyn in my main system and a Mojo in the other. With the release of the OpticalRendu, has it worked it’s way into one of your systems?
Yes. It’s in my setup 1
Bedankt Hans!
👍
Hello, nice . Interesting : I have same speakers Audio Physic and want test with Audio note Cobra. Do you have some experience: I try to find amplifier with more power with tube sound.
The 2 x 13 watts of my Sort SE is sufficient for me.
Nice video! The part about the network equipment might justify a more extensive video, since this might be very interesting to a lot of people. My own system resembles system 2 quite a lot with a Bluesound Node 2, Marantz PM KI Pearl Lite and REL Quake subwoofer. DAC is a Metrum Amethyst and speakers are von Schweikert Unifield One.
Great point!
Hans, Can you give me any feedback on a TEAC UD505? I can't find any reviews in English. Thanks
I have not reviewed it so I can’t. Sorry.
The first that have the same opinion about sound taste. So this would to others explain that the right audio for you, is not a matter of winning the lottery, but do a listening demo. It can be that you end with an invoice of €1000 or €8000 depends what sound you like. Advice, do not stare blind of the most desirable high end equipment of a company, but listen first whats in your possibilities. We all drive first in a car for a few bucks, and ending up with some betters. First the Seat and than after the experience a BMW X2.
I partly agree, but the € 1000 to € 8000 range is a bit stretched, isn't it?
I took it as a quick example.
Great vid!
Small remark, it's REL (not RAL) @ 8.35.
Typo. Sorry 😐
Hans, thanks for your fascinating video, only part of which is clear, the rest being about as clear as mud. This is not your fault, nor mine I think, but there is a bit of a disconnect between your knowledge of streaming file based audio and my knowledge. I've bought, and am still reading your book on file based audio and as an ex electronics engineer, but 73 years old now, I think I stand a reasonable chance of getting the hang of the complexity that is introduced here, but maybe slower than most, hence my listening to your channel and reading your book. But there's a lot I do not understand from the video here, mostly about connectivity. You mention a lot of gear but I'm afraid I am a bit lost as it is all about computer networking more than audio. I'm trying to rise above my simple streaming system using a Cambridge Audio CXN (V1) and Spotify Connect.
But, I'll keep working at it by watching your channel and John Darko's channel as the best ways to get educated at my ripe old age. I hope to see a simpler video explaining the network diagram of where all these boxes sit, how they pass data, what language they speak to each other and what on earth Bluesound and Roon is, along with their functions! I'll get there.
I have already covered a number of items you mention. Just shop around in my playlist page: ua-cam.com/channels/R4tuhqPppVp-PD0q17sPEA.htmlplaylists?view=1&sort=dd&shelf_id=0. And age is no excuse, I'm 66 and still learning. Keep using the grey cells for as with muscles, if. you don't use them, they deteriorate.
Hans which do you think overall is a a better product the MniDSP SHD or a NAD C658?I know MiniDSP does not have Phono but other than that the major difference if used with Roon would be (I think) 1) DAC quality 2)Dirac Live might be be more functional on MiniDSP which also can give x-over options - So which would be better?I like the inclusion of NAD Bluesound on NAD but MiniDSP is cheaper and seems to be more flexible.Thanks for everything you do
Chazz
You have the right arguments. Which ones are the most important to you, I can't say.
Thanks Hans. Would the MiniDSP SHD Studio as a Roon endpoint be good enough for your Setup 1, if it were fed by just the Nuc, and not the Auralic G2?
Well, it isn't for my. But then again I did a review on the G2. and was spoilt for life😁. But you might find that using DIRAC is the biggest improvement you ever had. Clearly bigger than adding a G2.
Hans you’ve taught me so much through your channel. Thank you for your considered explanations, especially related to MQA.
Regarding MQA:
I love listening to MQA via Tidal Masters and being on a budget, I listen to them through my Dragonfly Black via my iPhone.
Recently I purchased a FiiO BTR5 to use mostly as a more advanced DAC (balanced output, more featured dual DACs, up to 32 bit fp/384 kHz, etcetera ) and it works well when charging is turned off (though in USB mode the iPhone can’t change the volume and the playback buttons on the BTR5 don’t work).
I began playing around with digital Music Players on the iPhone, using some of the free high-res music available online, including a few MQA files from the 2L free samples collection (which is available as a master on Tidal as well).
I was quite surprised when I played some MQA tracks through the NeutronMP app using my BTR. I realised that the app was reporting a full decode and unfolding, sending 24 bit / 352.8 kHz to the BTR5 DAC, something I thought was impossible outside of hardware.
I could see this because the app shows the files encoding bitrate and depth, as well as what it’s sending to the DAC.
But I could not find any way to play MQA through the Dragonfly properly. The app only output data at 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz (the max that the Dragonfly can do with non-MQA). The Dragonfly never went magenta, showing that and authenticated MQA stream was being received.
I have tested this many times and am convinced there’s no trickery going on. The app is doing something that MQA specifically says can’t be done. Full MQA unfolding in software.
Obviously the ‘Authenticated’ is not going to be there. For that a fully certified DAC must perform the unfold. But I can’t tell the difference between playing these 2L tracks through Tidal and my Dragonfly or playing the MQA files through NeutronMP and my BTR5.
I have scoured the web and many forums trying to find further details but to no avail. The official NeutronMP information is silent on MQA. The only reference to it that I can find is in the the software update logs.
I gather the developers have reverse engineered the MQA unfolding because if they had licensed it they would be advertising it.
I wonder if you were aware of this and what your thoughts were in the matter.
🙏🏼
thorough, and incredibly well considered. Thank you /\
Glad you enjoyed it!
This has to be the most expensive hobby ever!
Well, I know people that spend more on cars, boats, watches, airplanes or hot air balloons.
I'm 54, and I haven't gotten past my CD player and turntable. However I'm subscribed to this channel because someday I'll have to enter the 21st century. Hans, you might as well be speaking Dutch to my American technophobe ears.
But I was speaking Dutch😂
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel lol
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Ha!
Exclnt !!
🙏🏼