In my use case - HQPlayer Server is in the separate room away from listening place. So I need at least a NAA as an end point to play to my DAC (an output NAA that would be).
I tried HQPlayer Server in fanless form-factor connected to my DAC directly - here I can only speak for my self - I don’t see any difference in SQ between NAA connected to the DAC or HQPlayer Embedded connected directly to the DAC.
I also have Qobuz subscription. But I predominantly use Roon for all my library/Qobuz playback. Some members here reported that Qobuz directly from HQPlayer Client sounds better to them than Qobuz from Roon. My ears/brain do not pickup such difference.
I have always used NAAs (in fact 4 output NAAs to 4 different rooms/systems/dacs). It would have been a no brainer to go with Embedded if NAA 5 was not launched that supports input.
With NAA 5 launched, I started using 1 input NAA as UPNP renderer and loopback Qobuz and local content to input NAA and sent to HQP desktop and route to 4 output NAAs and it really has been rock solid.
Now the decision between Embedded and Desktop is much less of a clear cut…
Unfortunately on this step HQPe shows Stopped instead of Playing and it’s impossible to start playing even if I push the Play button on the HQPe main page … it doesn’t matter if the NAA is set to host or peripheral
@IgorSki I found the “issue” … the dac I was using is a DSD/DoP only dac, changed to a DSD dac (Topping E30 II) and all finally worked!
… and it works setting the NAA to host too
Finally I was able to get it work, the “issue” is in the selected filter:
poly-sinc-xtr-short-lp isn’t accepted as a valid filter
I changed it to poly-sinc-gauss-long and all works file
Finally it all makes sense now. Thank you for sharing this, also a good reassurance that DoP is not an obsticle for this scenario with “Input/Output NAA”
But indeed, switching between different set-ups in HQPlayer requires a bit of attention and memory. I currently have a couple of set-ups “powered” by HQPlayer, one is with MAY and floor-standing speakers and another one with good ol’ TEAC-501 for headphones. And yeah, TEAC is less flexible, I always need to remind me about some of its limitations.
All is clear now … when I tried the simultaneous I/O setup the ASDM7EC-super 512+fs modulator was “accidentally” selected, but it doesn’t work at dsd128 (only down to dsd256), and my DoP only dac cannot do more than dsd128.
ASDM7EC-super works fine.
Therefore all is solved now and DoP only was only a … “false” path
Hi Igor, Jussi,
I was looking for this scenario if it’s possible to run:
CD coax → [Input] Holo Red Coax → HQplayer → [Output] Holo Red (USB/IIS) → Holo Cyan 2.
However I’m running HQplayer Desktop (Ubuntu) and couldnt get Input setup from the Coax on Red NAA.
Any ideas if it’s doable?
Regards,
Hristo.
Holo Red has only outputs. But you can connect suitable input devices to the USB, if you are using the internal DDC as output.
It may also work with two USB devices by adding a USB hub. But this in particular is untested scenario.
Regular Raspberry Pi4 is easier for such setup, since you can add for example HifiBerry Digi+I/O hat for S/PDIF inputs (no automatic rate switching). Or use it for USB inputs (automatic rate switching) as well as for outputs.
Hi Hristo, I don’t have RED, but from its specs it looks like its 1xCoax is only an output. Preserving the benefits of RED as “Output” NAA connected to your DAC, you may use RPi4 + “HIFIBERRY DIGI+ I/O” device only as an Input NAA. Thus: CD (coax/toslink) → Input NAA → HQPlayer → RED (usb/iis) → DAC
PS (EDIT): checking stock, still available (not always the case), case+digi+delivery ~100EUR // rpi4+power adapter+delivery ~60EUR
Thanks for the fast reply Igor and Jussi, my bad, didn’t saw Red has only USB input.
To Jussi, do you know if there is any other away to get this scenario for listening CD’s with transport and HQplayer for signal processing feeding an external DAC? Is there a CD transport with NAA build in
To Igor, any Idea which DIGI version is more suitable for this scenario? I guess simple one is fine as it’s redbook 44.1 at 16bit. Also any recomendation for PSU?
Thanks a million for the assistance folks!
Since CD is fixed format, no automatic rate switching etc is needed. So it is easy. But best option is to just use a CD/DVD/BD drive on HQPlayer server to play straight from the disc.
If you want to use some external spinner, then RPi4 with HifiBerry Digi+I/O for input and USB output to DAC can serve both input and output NAA at the same time. And a nice steel box is available for such from HifiBerry.
Easiest to get started with is the official Raspberry Pi PSU (different model for Pi4 and Pi5). But of course this is not the lowest noise one, so depending on a DAC you may either like to use Intona isolator or alternatively a better PSU. Pi4 is much easier to power this way (just plain 5VDC) compared to Pi5 which uses USB Type-C PD.
I was looking for living room CD transport that can be used as transport, any idea if Shanling ET3 USB output to Red USB input will do the trick similar to RPI with hat? Also Schiit URD has USB output but way to pricey, guess will do the same job as ET3 USB output?
Hristo.
Red’s USB input doesn’t go to the internal CM4, but instead it will just switch connection of the DDC from CM4 to the external USB input. So Red cannot be used as a USB input NAA.
if you are OK with two NAA scenario, meaning to keep RED as your “output” to the DAC and Digi as “input” NAA from the transport, the stock RPI4 power adapter is probably the best choice. (It certainly does not introduce noise into the digital stream produced by Digi NAA, and if your mains are generally allright it should not influence other equipment)
if you want to have “one box” solution, i.e. Digi as an “Input/Output” NAA, I would say it depends on your DAC USB implementation. I have HoloAudio May in my set up and I use “stock” RPi4 Power Supply. My personal PSU second choice, would be this model " ALLO SHANTI Dual Regulated Linear Power Supply 5V 3A / 5V 1A" but in my chain I doubt it will bring difference, so not a priority for me.
