AudioLinux + HQPlayer: Ultimate Optimization for Pure High-End Sound
After deep system tuning, Iโve achieved a significant leap in sound quality. My entire audio chain runs on an ASUS WS C246M PRO/SE motherboard with an Intel i9-9900 CPU, 64 GB RAM, a Mytek Brooklyn DAC, and GPU acceleration via NVIDIA Quadro P4000.
The system is based on AudioLinux with a real-time kernel, carefully tailored for flawless, low-latency audio playback using HQPlayer.
Music Source โ Dedicated Roon Server
All audio is streamed from a dedicated Mac Pro 6.1 (โtrash canโ) running Roon ROCK.
Server specs:
- 12-core Xeon processor
- 64 GB RAM
- 512 GB SSD system drive
- Connected 2TB external drive containing the music library
โ The server runs 24/7 and provides an ultra-stable Roon Core connection to the HQPlayer endpoint.
AudioLinux HQPlayer Endpoint Configuration:
RAMROOT Mode Enabled
โ The entire system runs from RAM โ zero disk I/O, resulting in ultra-low jitter
Isolated CPU Cores
โ 8 threads (cores 4โ7 + HT 12โ15) dedicated solely to HQPlayer
โ System processes confined to separate cores (0โ3 + 8โ11)
Manual IRQ Affinity
โ USB controller (Mytek DAC) interrupts assigned exclusively to isolated cores
CUDA Offload Enabled (GPU: NVIDIA Quadro P4000)
โ Filters and sigma-delta modulation handled by GPU
โ Light CPU load, smooth playback even at DSD256
Minimal Operating System
โ Disabled unnecessary services: irqbalance, cups, cron, dbus, etc.
โ Streamlined systemd, logging minimized or completely disabled
HQPlayer Configuration:
- Input: 44.1 kHz / 16-bit from Roon
- Filter:
poly-sinc-gauss-long - Shaper:
DSD5v2 256+fs - Output: DSD256 @ 11.2896 MHz
Performance:
Very low system load, with GPU doing the heavy lifting
Absolutely black background, with incredible spatial detail and microdynamics
Natural, open, and relaxed sound, no digital glare
CPU temps: ~35โ40 ยฐC during playback
Final thoughts?
The combination of AudioLinux + HQPlayer + CUDA offload + isolated cores + RAMROOT, paired with a dedicated Mac Pro Roon server, delivers uncompromising audio performance. Clean, deep, spacious, and effortlessly musical.