Roon SQ Discussion Thread (Abandon hope all Ye who enter ...)

[orgel (David Orgel)]

@miguelito

One more thing… I’ve been bugging @jussi_laako for some time now to create a “plug-in” for HQP to allow it to simulate a sound output device and use it as its input, much like it take Roon’s stream as input. On the mac, there is Soundflower and now Loopback that do this kind of thing.

That would be very useful, so put me down as a +1.

[orgel (David Orgel)]

@miguelito

Jussi’s next frontier for upsampling:

engadget.com

D-Wave has its first customer for a $15 million quantum computer

Chump change, right?

I barely have room for the crates my speakers came in, so I don’t think that solution is going to work for me.

[miguelito (Miguel Barrio)]

BTW… To the moderator who titled this thread… It wasn’t so bad right?

[Latchezar_Hristov]

@miguelito

However, in my particular case, I have found HQP’s upsampling of redbook to 4x PCM sounds better than to DSD64. I gather this might be because my DAC upsamples internally to DSD128, but does not offer that input rate. However, when I play a DSD64 file (I’ve set HQP to not touch this stream) the sound is magical.

So I am not sure what the deal is with my redbook to DSD64 upsampling in HQP, but I can tell you in that case upsampling to 4x PCM sounds more natural to my ears, in my system. I have tried DSD5v2, DSD7, ASDM7 upsampling algos. It is a bit of a mystery to me, but whatever, I play what sounds best.

My experience exactly, especially playing the DSD64 direct: I can’t really tell the difference between A+ and HQP. However, with all HQP filters and dithering I tried it is not as good… the best so far to my ears is poly-sinc-short + ASDM7 @ DSD256.
Honestly, if I wasn’t a tinkerer, I would have abandoned all these experiments… but no, I’m getting a new CUDA card to get DSD512 reliably solid.

And I have the cheap iDSD Micro BL… Mystery.

[Christoph]

Hi Miguel

Wonderful system in a beautiful room.
Have you ever considered changing your DAC? In my humble opinion, your DAC is by far the weakest link in your system.
A Lampizator Golden Gate with silver faceplate would even visually be a wonderful match with your legendary Ongaku.
Apart from the glorious sound the GG delivers

[miguelito (Miguel Barrio)]

@Christoph

Have you ever considered changing your DAC?

Yes I have. I have a few on my list, but I don’t think I will purchase anything I cannot audition in my system. At first sight this leaves Lampizators out. We shall see, I am not in a hurry.

[miguelito (Miguel Barrio)]

However, let me say that you’re underestimating my DAC. Have you listened to it?

[miguelito (Miguel Barrio)]

“Everybody Digs Bill Evans” - rip from the japanese XRCD - magic.

[Benjamin_Gold]

Yes, great recording!

[erich6]

@miguelito

Yes, understood. However, in my particular case, I have found HQP’s upsampling of redbook to 4x PCM sounds better than to DSD64. I gather this might be because my DAC upsamples internally to DSD128, but does not offer that input rate. However, when I play a DSD64 file (I’ve set HQP to not touch this stream) the sound is magical.

So I am not sure what the deal is with my redbook to DSD64 upsampling in HQP, but I can tell you in that case upsampling to 4x PCM sounds more natural to my ears, in my system. I have tried DSD5v2, DSD7, ASDM7 upsampling algos. It is a bit of a mystery to me, but whatever, I play what sounds best.

I was having the same results using an Oppo HA-2SE. I then unchecked “DirectSDM” option in the DSD settings and lowered the volume to -7 dB. Now, while I’m getting an improved PCM upsampling to DSD, I’m not quite sure if the PCM to PCM upsampling isn’t still better.

If I play DSD material then I check “DirectSDM” so I can get passthrough of DSD and it sounds great.

[miguelito (Miguel Barrio)]

DirectSDM checked means that when your input is DSD, it will be untouched. It does nothing when the input is PCM. See the manual.

[andybob (Andrew Cox)]

@miguelito

BTW… To the moderator who titled this thread… It wasn’t so bad right?

cautiously nods
But you never know …

[evand]

Only reason is because there’s been very little discussion of sq, but a lot re upsampling preferences. Where BS has been sprouted counter is fruitless.

[Christoph]

What are your contenders?
You are located in NYC, correct?
I bet there are dozens of GG owners who could be tempted into visiting you. How often will there be a chance to listen to the Ongaku
And I think there is a Lampi distributor for North America who would gladly send you a unit.

Isn’t your Meitner a DAC2 with additional internal CD-SACD-Transport?
Then we do have compared it to my Resolution Audio Cantata MC and all 4 of us liked the Cantata MC better by quite a margin.
But already the Lampi Atlantic Plus (with tube recti) was so far and beyond better than the Cantata, that my friend who wanted to buy my Cantata said after 5 minutes that he is sorry and that I should order an Atlantic for him
So my trusted Cantata remains with me and will source a second system.

[Christoph]

@evand

Only reason is because there’s been very little discussion of sq, but a lot re upsampling preferences. Where ■■ has been sprouted counter is fruitless.

Is it really necessary to post so provocative after this thread has been extremely peaceful and cuddly so far?

[pl_svn (paolo)]

@miguelito

Ongaku

since you are in NY and have 106db sensitive speakers… may I suggest you call Don Garber and go have a listen to his Fi 2b preamplifier and 45 (and/or 2A3) mono pair?

[evand]

Nothing provocative posted or implied.

[miguelito (Miguel Barrio)]

@Christoph

What are your contenders?[/quote]
EmmLabs DA2
dCS Rossini
TotalDac-d1-twelve
MSB (which?)
a few others…

You are located in NYC, correct? I bet there are dozens of GG owners who could be tempted into visiting you. How often will there be a chance to listen to the Ongaku And I think there is a Lampi distributor for North America who would gladly send you a unit.

I have contacted Lampizator already. We’ll see.

[quote]Isn’t your Meitner a DAC2 with additional internal CD-SACD-Transport?Then we do have compared it to my Resolution Audio Cantata MC and all 4 of us liked the Cantata MC better by quite a margin. But already the Lampi Atlantic Plus (with tube recti) was so far and beyond better than the Cantata, that my friend who wanted to buy my Cantata said after 5 minutes that he is sorry and that I should order an Atlantic for him So my trusted Cantata remains with me and will source a second system.

The XDS1v2 is a Dac2x with an esoteric transport. Depending on when and with which version you did your comparison, it would vary. I think you get a good idea of the differences in the review of the DA2 on Dagogo. At this level of resolution, some of it is sound signature preference and system matching. My reservation about the GG is that it might be too tubey sounding - I have enough tubes as it is.

How about GG reliability? I’ve read here and there that Lampi’s are not the most reliable around, but the numbers are small obvioulsy, so it’s hard to assess.

[miguelito (Miguel Barrio)]

@pl_svn

since you are in NY and have 106db sensitive speakers… may I suggest you call Don Garber and go have a listen to his Fi 2b preamplifier and 45 (and/or 2A3) mono pair?

A buddy of mine who’s a reviewer brought in a tiny little flea watt thing and the volume we got out of the AG’s was impressive. I think the flea fling is interesting, but when you have an Ongaku right there it’s just more funny than it is interesting.

[evand]

[quote=“miguelito, post:78, topic:18846”]
How about GG reliability? I’ve read here and there that Lampi’s are not the most reliable around[/quote]

Based on my experience I’d concur with that sentiment.