These older modulators also lack some of the optimizations I’ve done for the latest ones. This means it is relatively more demanding regarding computing resources.
Yes, these AHM modulators are solely for DSD1024 or higher rates.
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I picked up a base M3 Ultra Mac Studio today. I’ve gotten it mostly setup as my Roon server, and HQ Player is installed. I’m still learning HQ Player, but so far, it seems I can’t really push any further on DSD with the M3 Ultra than I could with the M4 Max version. If I’m correctly understanding what I’m seeing, HQP also seems to be really saturating the efficiency cores, especially core 1.
macOS rarely puts HQPlayer things on Efficiency cores, so those are likely executing something else than HQPlayer.
What specifically were you expecting to achieve more on Ultra?
I was hoping the Ultra would allow me to use modulators that were too much for the Max. But honestly, it seems like the Max may be better for HQP. I dunno. I’m still figuring out HQP, and I’m sure the computer is doing a bunch of indexing and new computer stuff. Will see how it performs tomorrow.
Thanks @jussi_laako - any recommendations for updated modulators for the DAC 200 for a Mac mini M2Pro? Your past recommendations have been amazing as always!
I’m going to guess…
DSD 256x48 max with adaptive rate checked, try default filters… gauss-long for 1x and gauss-hires-lp for Nx with ASDM7EC-fast and try enabling DAC corrections.
Also check here…
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Yes, that is a good set. Those filters are good for wide variety of source content. The filter table in manual can be helpful choosing filters for personal preferences and source content genre.
AHM7EC8B modulator may be also worth checking at DSD1024.
I recommend trying with the DAC’s 60 kHz LP choice. Please note that a DAC correction matching the DAC settings needs to be selected.
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I would be interested to hear examples. But M4 architecture is likely closing the gap between M3 Ultra and M4 Max a bit. Now the M4 Pro seems to be close to same performance as my M1 Max.
Biggest benefit of Ultra is likely on multichannel output. But for example combination of heavier filters and digital room correction, or digital room correction DSD sources are some examples where I’d expect to be difference.
This is likely the load on Efficiency cores. macOS tends to keep such things there. Although it is not obvious, since the OS doesn’t really tell about details.
I’m going to be spending a bunch of time today and tomorrow sorting out which Mac Studio variant to keep, trying different settings combinations in HQP. I’m happy to attempt anything you’re curious about. Just let me know. I’ll likely benefit myself from learning a bit more about the many options.
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If you are buying a Mac M4 to just run as a Roon server, your money would be better spent on a Roon Nucleus One. I had an i3 NUC that ran Roon 1.8 without issue, when Roon 2.1 came out it because problematic, so i looked at the cost of a new mini PC/MAC, and the Nucleus one proved the best value, installed a 4Tb SSD, and now it is running very nicely.
I’m not buying just to run Roon. But FYI… I tried the Nucleus One right after it was released, and it couldn’t handle my library, despite my library counts being well under the requirements. It kept freezing and not loading artwork. Roon support could do nothing to resolve the issue and suggested I return it. Nucleus One is way underbaked in my experience. I had a first gen Nucleus, and it operated without issue until a lightning strike took it out. I was flummoxed by a new version performing worse than the model it replaced.
My Roon Server is running on an old Intel NUC i5 model with 16 GB of RAM (maybe 5th Gen or similar, so 5i5, or maybe 7th Gen, but nothing newer). I have a minimal Debian 12 “bookworm” installation there with Roon Server. This manages my library perfectly fine
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Yep. Mine ran on the OG Nucleus from many years ago without issue, until a lightning strike killed it. I could not get the Nucleus One to perform reliably. There’s a thread from 2024 with folks helping me troubleshoot. At the end, all I could do was return it. I’ve only had issues running my library on that Nucleus One. Nothing else has ever given me any trouble.
The new AHM7EC8B at DSD 1024 (albeit at 44.1) does sound pretty darn good….! LP60 & associated DAC direction are a perfect synergy.
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AHM7EC8B at DSD1024 is currently my favorite. My M4 Max Mac Studio has no issues when starting with a 44.1 file. The issue I’m having is when Roon radio or one of my playlist tracks is originally recorded at 96/24 or higher it won’t play reliably.
What Nx filter uses the least amount of processing power? I want to try to enable that to see if it will work.
Most recommended general purpose Nx filter is the default poly-sinc-gauss-hires-lp. It is not particularly heavy, and in my opinion provides most general purpose highest quality solution for most hires material.
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So what did your mac testing reveal? Which is better, the m4 max or m3 ultra?
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Sorry, everyone. In the middle of this, we had some unexpected health issues with our youngest daughter. We’ve spent some time in hospitals, but I think we’re out of the woods. Because I lost the rest of my experimentation time, I went with my gut, returned the M4 Max and kept the M3 Ultra. I still haven’t had much time to experiment, other than what’s outlined in this thread already, but if anyone has requests, I’m happy to try whatever you’re curious about.
Rob
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