raspberry pi 2 as media player
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regeHA
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In wireless mode (which is how I use the Pi and how the Aries should also perform better per even Auralic) I could not perceive any difference. Honestly and I spent a lot of time with my testing tracks trying to listen to "minutiae" difference like the singer's breath, the gasp of air, soft cymbals, etc. I could not perceive any difference. Maybe my hearing is limited or my system is not resolving enough.
In terms of USB the Auralic for sure and by a long shot. The Pi has too much noise with USB. The Pi does not have coaxial so I've not heard that to compare. The Aries (not the mini) also has AES/EBU output and that was even better (caveat: DAC implementation), but that was in a more pro setting with JBL studio monitors (JBL Waveguides could have influenced what I heard too).
PS: Limited to redbook. Not sure how well the Pi will perform with upsampling or even DSD... probably not too well since the likes of HQPlayer and BHE need powerful processors.
Just curious as my experience differs. What was the source? The only 'possible contention' against using USB seems to be the common USB/Ethernet implementation on Pi; when source accessed over Ethernet and USB output to a DAC - however many folks on CA confirmed this to work fine too!
In my case, I use a USB HDD as source and output to a USB DAC - I don't find any noise what so ever or my system is not resolving / ears not realizing enough
regeHA
Well-Known Member
Hard to say without hearing it.
But do keep in mind that the microRendu will need an additional server device, either a PC running some soft of software or a NAS running a media server. Simply plugging in a HDD, even via ethernet will not do. In other words it works as a Network Audio Adapter, and will need a 2 PC setup, NAS, or a smart router running a media server (I'm thinking the last option will work too).
Most folks would have something like it (at least a smart router), but that makes it an entirely different kind of device when compared to the Aries which functions as a media server/streamer and takes USB input from an external HDD with media. In this case the Aries Mini makes more sense, it has USB, ethernet, and WiFi for inputs.
SQ though cannot comment.
regeHA
Well-Known Member
Just curious as my experience differs. What was the source? The only 'possible contention' against using USB seems to be the common USB/Ethernet implementation on Pi; when source accessed over Ethernet and USB output to a DAC - however many folks on CA confirmed this to work fine too!
In my case, I use a USB HDD as source and output to a USB DAC - I don't find any noise what so ever or my system is not resolving / ears not realizing enough
For starters when I cite all of the improvement with the Pi, I'm leaning more towards galvanic isolation, lower floor noise, etc. That is even with digital output like HDMI, USB, etc.
I wouldn't venture to say the Pi improves dynamic range, detail, etc. It does all of that, but those benefits are the result of galvanic isolation and lowered noise floor.
Hopefully, I'm making the distinction clear enough here. I usually don't because that's beyond what most music lovers even care about.
So the improvement is more subtle than something humongous or earth shattering. Like put the audio on pause and increase the volume in the AVR or amp to full. Dead silence is what I get with wireless streaming. With USB, while I will not say there is noise or hum, I will venture to say its not as black or as clean as using wireless. Maybe it had to do with the power supply of the Pi, or maybe the external HDD (I used externally powered HDD).
But the distinction I want to make is about decreased noise floor... or less noise being added to the music stream. My searching has led me to the conclusion its galvanic isolation achieved by both wireless and also by Toslink where "data" again is in light and again achieving isolation. Could be one or the other, and that's why I tell folks to use both the Pi in wireless and also use Toslink to something like Chromecast Audio.
I've not tested with anything else, as once the Pi is in wireless mode, I don't have other equipment like a wireless DAC. I'm right now limited to Chromecast Audio or AVR with WiFi.
Hopefully I came through clearly on where I hear the actual difference when using the Pi via wireless.
PS: I'm sold on the Pi and actually myself believe the shared USB/ethernet BUS is not a limitation in anyway. My Pi (being a 2) is always on ethernet and though I've a couple of WiFi dongles I've never used them with the Pi. The main SQ benefit has been with going wireless vs HDMI and USB.
rikhav
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@regeha
I got a dlink 150 mbps wifi adapter but raspberry pi doss not accept it
My old dlink 56 mbps wifi adapter works fine but muisc stutters a lot due to limited bandwidth
So I might shift to ethernet with cat6 cable as cat 7 not available locally
I got a dlink 150 mbps wifi adapter but raspberry pi doss not accept it
My old dlink 56 mbps wifi adapter works fine but muisc stutters a lot due to limited bandwidth
So I might shift to ethernet with cat6 cable as cat 7 not available locally
saikatbiswas82
Well-Known Member
Wireless and HDMI has its limitations in pi. Both of them downsample the signal. If you follow CA threads regarding Pi, the difference will be visible. Many claimed - though optical provides complete electrical isolation, digital s/pdif sounds better to them. I don't have enough time or money for an A/B comparison. I'm quite settled with digital s/pdif and happy with it. IMHO.
Thanks @rishav for your BGT experience. Will try it out.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Thanks @rishav for your BGT experience. Will try it out.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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regeHA
Well-Known Member
Just curious as my experience differs. What was the source? The only 'possible contention' against using USB seems to be the common USB/Ethernet implementation on Pi; when source accessed over Ethernet and USB output to a DAC - however many folks on CA confirmed this to work fine too!
In my case, I use a USB HDD as source and output to a USB DAC - I don't find any noise what so ever or my system is not resolving / ears not realizing enough
I thought I could word it better.
I moved to PC playback a few years ago and since then its always been about tweaking and finding the best s/w or h/w to improve things.
I got the Pi and used it in a similar way. Try various s/w - Moode, Rune, Volumio, etc. and see what works best.
Chromecast Audio came on the market and I immediately had a couple sent over from the US. With the CCA "I had to find" another way of getting audio to it from both the Pi and/or the PC. CCA is 100% wireless so needs a media server that's also wireless and that led me to the discovery of MinimServer.
Now here is another attempt to word things better.
With Pi + MinimServer + CCA it's not as much about I heard things different or even heard things better, but it's about "unhearing" things. In other words the lower noise floor eliminated a lot of the PC noise that was a part of the audio stream. Its not something you can hear, but more of unhearing.
A better way to describe it is "a veil has been lifted". Its like you can hear things more clearly.
There is no way to explain or put it in words unless one hears the difference and honestly none of us have really heard what lower noise floor does unless one has already achieved galvanic isolation in their setup or one has gone wireless. Electrical noise is always part of the audio stream and we've just not heard a system that eliminated it, most of us don't even own something like that. The Pi however lets you achieve that.
So it's not really about hearing things more clearly or more detail and dynamics. All of that is achieved, but because of elimination of electrical noise.
In simpler terms here are the benefits I've observed.
1. My speakers disappeared. Seriously they cannot be placed. Its like sound comes from everywhere or the band is playing live.
2. It has raised the bar on my existing system. I've been auditioning, but now I need to go 4-5 times the price to really perceive an improvement over my existing system. Obviously all upgraditis on hold, and enjoying the music for now or till when I can allocate $12000 or $15000 for upgraditis.
3. I'm rediscovering my music. I constantly hear new things - even in music I've heard for years. Its as if something that was covering all of that detail has been removed. Again its not about more detail - it actually is more detail - but think of it as removing a heavy blanket that has been covering your speakers. That's a different type of improvement than from hearing $100,000 speakers.
I know a lot of folks diss wireless, but one really needs to hear without electrical noise to really hear how much better their existing systems and speakers perform. That typically involves a lot of cost with the likes of power conditioners, cleaners, LPS, etc.
The USB Regen is a similar device. Folks using it will be hard pressed to actually describe what it does. In reality it does not add anything, it actually eliminates noise from the music stream and that gives the benefit of listening to music without the electrical noise we've been hearing for all of these years. It also puts folks in a hard place as everyone actually hears music with electrical noise so how can one even describe the elimination of something as improving SQ by leaps and bounds.
A veil lifted is a better description. I still know I'm not doing a good job... but its hard to explain something that needs to be "unheard". It would be easier to describe hearing additional detail or dynamic range, but eliminating electrical noise and achieving galvanic isolation is not hearing more, its actually hearing less and that's hard to describe or the benefits of achieving it.
regeHA
Well-Known Member
I read that thread... way too much technical knowledge for my brain to comprehend and even start with.
I use with ethernet. It's also located next to my NAS. I use MinimServer to stream to CCAs.
Guys I am clearly struggling with the power supply for Pi 3, which I am using for music. Despite using 5V 3.1A adapter (bought from Crazy Pi) I still get the flickering small rainbow box. If anyone using Pi 3 can recommend a PSU I would be grateful.
The mention here of Auralic made me check out the website and I got keen on Auralic Altair. You guys know where Auralic products can be bought?
The mention here of Auralic made me check out the website and I got keen on Auralic Altair. You guys know where Auralic products can be bought?
regeHA
Well-Known Member
Yeah, obviously whatever floats your boat.
I'm sure folks having better/tweaked PCs or sources will not perceive much difference.
Mine was an expensive PC, nearly $2500, but it was also a gaming PC. Nothing optimized for audio or galvanic isolation. It was all for gaming in 4K and as such an i7 with more RAM and a powerful GPU and also a powerful PSU. Probably why (in my case) wireless made so much of a difference.
I'm pretty certain there is no downsampling with MinimServer or the Pi. All my DACs and AVRs show the correct resolution the data is being streamed in, mostly 16/44.1 or 24/96. I've only one DAC with no LED panel that does not display resolution (the new SMSL), but all others do so I'm pretty certain the Pi and MinimServer are not downsampling anything in my instance.
Regarding folks on CA, well they are more esoteric. They prefer to listen to some flute music from Denmark or some piano from Netherlands only because its in DSD. I don't believe any of them even listen to Michael Jackson, A. R. Rahman, or Ilayaraja. I'm not the kind who will change my taste in music for the sake of format, but some of those folks on CA will be sure to. And on top they play with DACs in the range of $15,000 to $35,000, I'm sure revealing equipment that has already achieved all of the benefits of electrical isolation.
My take is achieving the benefits of galvanic isolation (and that is a huge benefit) for $70 (Pi and CCA).
Obviously the BGT tweak works too... for the nerds among us. Sadly I don't have any DIY skills... or I'd be doing that for all my DACs and routers/extenders too.
sam9s
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Youtube is a hit or miss on Rpi. atleast 1 n 2 (no idea about 3), that too on OpenELEC. On rasbian it even more mess. I never recommend Rpi for any video intensive tasks, even Kodi is OK in Rapi2. It plays yes but not every thing is honky Dory, one realises this when one starts to use Rpi/Kodi combi for long.
On the other hand Rpi with a proper DAC is heaven when it comes to Audio Quality, assuming you providing the Rpi/DAC combi some decent speaker set as well. I have always prefered Rpi for all audio experimentation. For anything video oriented, get a decent Media player or build an HTPC.
regeHA
Well-Known Member
You can try this, T6090DV - STONTRONICS - Official 2.5Amp 5.1V Power Supply designed for use with the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, UK / EURO | element14 India.
It says official.
For Auralic nothing in India, AURALiC Store Locator.
You could mail the 3 dealers in Honk Kong, I'm sure they will ship it. There is also one in Singapore, easy to ship too.
Well, these guys only supply to companies hence require TIN or PIN number as well a VAT registration. They in fact are yet to refund my money.
Would anyone be able to point me to what competes with Auralic Altair? Just trying to see if I am spending on the best in that price bracket.
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regeHA
Well-Known Member
Ok. How about contacting the seller you bought the Pi 3 from? I'm sure they would have the power supply.
You can find 5V 3A chargers in the market, but I'm thinking they would all be USB C.
Power banks are another option, but again might be limited to USB C as that's what all the new smartphones are using. Its a pain, I've a Nexus for the wife and not exactly easy to connect to the PC.
regeHA
Well-Known Member
@terrible - I've been thinking of this... just not sure I want to spend $50 on a power supply for the $35 Pi.
But its 5V and 3A in case you might want to check it out.
Accessory iPower.
Available in India - Sales | iFi Audio. But might cost more and totally not worth it... but it also addresses the clean power we've been talking about for the Pi.
But its 5V and 3A in case you might want to check it out.
Accessory iPower.
Available in India - Sales | iFi Audio. But might cost more and totally not worth it... but it also addresses the clean power we've been talking about for the Pi.
Perfect @regeHA. Many thanks for the detailed responses.
This was a simple exercise I tried just now - paused my music and raised the volume on the amp to MAX - indeed dead silence. I don't know if the galvanic isolation of my Chord 2qute DAC is playing here - anyways am happy as it passed the test :clapping:
Am using a simple setup - with the supplied Strontronics 2.5A adapter and USB HDD (non powered) directly connected. No fancy LPS or regens!
As usual, YMMV though.
This was a simple exercise I tried just now - paused my music and raised the volume on the amp to MAX - indeed dead silence. I don't know if the galvanic isolation of my Chord 2qute DAC is playing here - anyways am happy as it passed the test
:clapping:Am using a simple setup - with the supplied Strontronics 2.5A adapter and USB HDD (non powered) directly connected. No fancy LPS or regens!
As usual, YMMV though.
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