Help me beat my CD Transport

jfrech

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Sep 3, 2012
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jfrech,

Thanks for that. The dealership for DCS products changed hands in my part of the world so I have to go chase the new dealer for an update disc.

I too am a fan of MAP1 but I did not warm up to DSDX2 though. Maybe time to test again.

Do you have a wireless router connected to your Upsampler? You can download it off the internet via the dCS iPad app. In the app go to settings, version, check for updates. Takes about a hour to download and install. I've found upsampling off the transport is better...but the ethernet input is MUCH improved. More quiet, presents things in space better with improved resolution, drive and dementionality.

Let me know if you have any questions...should be pretty easy I hope.
 

joeling

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2014
175
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335
Do you have a wireless router connected to your Upsampler? You can download it off the internet via the dCS iPad app. In the app go to settings, version, check for updates. Takes about a hour to download and install. I've found upsampling off the transport is better...but the ethernet input is MUCH improved. More quiet, presents things in space better with improved resolution, drive and dementionality.

Let me know if you have any questions...should be pretty easy I hope.

Yep. A Velop node. This is great info. Much appreciated. Will get to it when I am back to Malaysia.
 

Empirical Audio

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Oct 12, 2017
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Even the most expensive memory-based transport can usually be beat by a server, however I would not recommend using the S/PDIF or AES output directly from the server. Instead try a USB interface or converter with a very good master clock and design in the USB interface. I recommend using USB with a good 1.5m USB cable from the USB converter to the DAC. This was my go-to choice for many years.

However, the problem I have found with USB is that there are too many variables that affect SQ, even though I have now 6th generation USB interface on my own products. The cabling, the USB port, the power supply for the server, the playback S/W and AC power all have impact. For this reason, I decided to focus on Ethernet instead for the future.

Ethernet is not perfect either. Even though it is packet-based and does not rely on the audio stack in the computer and is fairly immune to the playback software, cabling and power supplies still seem to have an effect. However, the difference compared to USB is that: even with the cheapest cables and wall-warts for the router, Ethernet still sounds as good as the best USB. When the power and cabling are optimized, Ethernet actually pulls WAY ahead of the best USB IME. Simply the best SQ I have ever heard. Ethernet is not usually something you can drive with one of these servers. It's usually a computer running Jriver or the like. If you decide to try Ethernet, try it wired first and use a short CAT7 cable to a "black-box" isolator and then a longer CAT7 cable to your equipment.

If you must stay with the server, I would recommend to try a Berkeley USB converter because it is XMOS based and galvanically isolated.

Other things to consider:

1) format for best results should be .wav files
2) rip CD's with either DBPoweramp on Windows or XLD on Mac
3) You may be better off with a good S/PDIF cable rather than AES/EBU. AES requires higher voltage, which often leads to more stages and thus more jitter.
4) If you must use the feed directly from the server to your DAC, maybe consider a reclocker like the Synchro-Mesh in-between to reduce jitter
5) always use a good treatment like Utrabit platinum plus on the CD before you rip it
6) try a Plasmatron AC regulator from VHAudio - most manufacturers that have tried it swear by it as the best power for digital. I love mine.

BTW, I have heard the Vivaldi system in rooms next to my system at shows.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/absolute-top-tier-dac-for-standard-res-redbook-cd?page=73
 

Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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Even the most expensive memory-based transport can usually be beat by a server, however I would not recommend using the S/PDIF or AES output directly from the server. Instead try a USB interface or converter with a very good master clock and design in the USB interface. I recommend using USB with a good 1.5m USB cable from the USB converter to the DAC. This was my go-to choice for many years.

However, the problem I have found with USB is that there are too many variables that affect SQ, even though I have now 6th generation USB interface on my own products. The cabling, the USB port, the power supply for the server, the playback S/W and AC power all have impact. For this reason, I decided to focus on Ethernet instead for the future.

Ethernet is not perfect either. Even though it is packet-based and does not rely on the audio stack in the computer and is fairly immune to the playback software, cabling and power supplies still seem to have an effect. However, the difference compared to USB is that: even with the cheapest cables and wall-warts for the router, Ethernet still sounds as good as the best USB. When the power and cabling are optimized, Ethernet actually pulls WAY ahead of the best USB IME. Simply the best SQ I have ever heard. Ethernet is not usually something you can drive with one of these servers. It's usually a computer running Jriver or the like.

If you must stay with the server, I would recommend to try a Berkeley USB converter because it is XMOS based and galvanically isolated.

Other things to consider:

1) format for best results should be .wav files
2) rip CD's with either DBPoweramp on Windows or XLD on Mac
3) You may be better off with a good S/PDIF cable rather than AES/EBU. AES requires higher voltage, which often leads to more stages and thus more jitter.
4) If you must use the feed directly from the server to your DAC, maybe consider a reclocker like the Synchro-Mesh in-between to reduce jitter
5) always use a good treatment like Utrabit platinum plus on the CD before you rip it
6) try a Plasmatron AC regulator from VHAudio - most manufacturers that have tried it swear by it as the best power for digital. I love mine.

BTW, I have heard the Vivaldi system in rooms next to my system at shows.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/absolute-top-tier-dac-for-standard-res-redbook-cd?page=73

hello Steve, and welcome to What's Best Forum.

looking forward to your participation here.

agree on the USB overall based on my experience, but my experience with the current crop of transports is limited.
 

joeling

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2014
175
51
335
Hi Steve,

Been a while.



An Overdrive sits in one of my offices.

If u can still recall, u helped me shunt a M-Audio Transit USB convertor into an Apogee Clock thingy back in 2007 / 2008. That was the start of my journey on file as source. If u are developing a network playback device, please do share some information. Very curious.

Tried the USB on the Aurender - the AES / EBU output is better. The Aurender is synced with wordclock from the Vivaldi.

Most of my music is ripped using dBpower amp

All source connected via Purepower regenerator. Prefer this over PS Audio P5 or P10.

Most of the music files are FLAC though.
 

joeling

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2014
175
51
335
Network isolator looks something like this ?



This is the description of the product : Baaske Medical Ethernet Network Isolator 5kV
 

Elberoth

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Dec 15, 2012
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Elberoth

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Dec 15, 2012
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1) format for best results should be .wav files
2) rip CD's with either DBPoweramp on Windows or XLD on Mac
3) You may be better off with a good S/PDIF cable rather than AES/EBU. AES requires higher voltage, which often leads to more stages and thus more jitter.
4) If you must use the feed directly from the server to your DAC, maybe consider a reclocker like the Synchro-Mesh in-between to reduce jitter
5) always use a good treatment like Utrabit platinum plus on the CD before you rip it
6) try a Plasmatron AC regulator from VHAudio - most manufacturers that have tried it swear by it as the best power for digital. I love mine.

And how it is supposed to influence the CD-ripping process ? Either it is bit perfect (which dBpoweramp confirms looking up in the AccurateRip database) or it is not.
 

joeling

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2014
175
51
335

microstrip

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May 30, 2010
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And how it is supposed to influence the CD-ripping process ? Either it is bit perfect (which dBpoweramp confirms looking up in the AccurateRip database) or it is not.

Do you know of a similar database for SACD? Or even for HiRez - it would be great to have a place to confirm our music files are really what we think!
 

microstrip

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May 30, 2010
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Empirical Audio

Industry Expert
Oct 12, 2017
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Network isolator looks something like this ?



This is the description of the product : Baaske Medical Ethernet Network Isolator 5kV

Yes, this is one of them. I have one similar to this on order, but I'm using this one right now with good results:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FWDE36/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Very important to keep the cable from router to this device about 1-2 feet because it is powered from the Ethernet power.

BTW, I am currently upgrading the Overdrive SE you have to Overdrive SX. Takes it to a whole new level, competing with the best DAC's, and I can put an Ethernet interface on it as well. This is my current reference. I use Jriver to play with Ethernet. Going out for review soon.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
 

Empirical Audio

Industry Expert
Oct 12, 2017
1,169
207
150
Great Pacific Northwest
www.empiricalaudio.com
And how it is supposed to influence the CD-ripping process ? Either it is bit perfect (which dBpoweramp confirms looking up in the AccurateRip database) or it is not.

It eliminates error correction.

Steve N.
 

Empirical Audio

Industry Expert
Oct 12, 2017
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207
150
Great Pacific Northwest
www.empiricalaudio.com
Hi Steve,

Been a while.



An Overdrive sits in one of my offices.

If u can still recall, u helped me shunt a M-Audio Transit USB convertor into an Apogee Clock thingy back in 2007 / 2008. That was the start of my journey on file as source. If u are developing a network playback device, please do share some information. Very curious..

I have developed a new product, the Interchange, which is just like the Off-Ramp, but has Ethernet input rather than USB. The Ethernet is DLNA-based. I can also install the Ethernet module inside the Overdrive DAC. I have to relocate some devices to the heatsink or it gets too hot. Inside the DAC gives the best performance.

Steve N.
 

Sa683s

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2017
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You just cannot beat DCS's transport, it has upsampler inside. It's the most expensive piece for a reason.
 

Empirical Audio

Industry Expert
Oct 12, 2017
1,169
207
150
Great Pacific Northwest
www.empiricalaudio.com
You just cannot beat DCS's transport, it has upsampler inside. It's the most expensive piece for a reason.

I'll bet I can come pretty close with a cheap transport driving a Synchro-Mesh upsampler powered from a Hynes-based Dynamo LPS.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
 

sbo6

VIP/Donor
May 18, 2014
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Round Rock, TX
You just cannot beat DCS's transport, it has upsampler inside. It's the most expensive piece for a reason.

You can upsample via a computer running HQplayer also.


Also, aren't DCS transports from Esoteric?
 

Empirical Audio

Industry Expert
Oct 12, 2017
1,169
207
150
Great Pacific Northwest
www.empiricalaudio.com

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