Which HQP Filter are you using? [2015-2023]

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

@Roasty

I’ve been using HQPlayer for so long now, I guess I was conditioned/expecting it to be the best possible option to use it rather than not. But recently I tried using the Roon endpoint in the sotm rather than the hqplayer naa option.

Remember that if you want to compare endpoints, you need to send exactly the same data… Otherwise you are not really comparing endpoints but something else…

Endpoints are just data transfer pipes.

@Roasty

For reference was sending upsampled pcm 384, sincM, LNS15 and Dsd128, ext2, asdm7ec.

For what you describe about your preferences, you certainly shouldn’t be using sinc-M. Maybe try poly-sinc-short-mp or poly-sinc-mqa (lp or mp) for comparison, either PCM or SDM output.

Or if you like the style of NOS “filters” or super-short, try polynomial-1 or polynomial-2 with PCM output.

@Roasty

the highs are less stringent, edgy, glaring, and there is more body and weight to the upper registry. Super sweet vocals now. There is also a more enjoyable mid and midbass section. I can play music louder without it sounding shouty.

Sending music from the sotm to txusbultra, singxer su-6, then i2s to a Rockna Wavelight Dac on NOS and sometimes hybrid filter.

With NOS at 44.1/48k rates you get 3 dB of treble roll-off between 10 kHz and 20 kHz which certainly explains “smoother” highs.

Of course there’s a wash of ultrasonic images too which tends to cause plenty intermodulation products in the audio band as well.