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Thread: Dedicated HQ player computer

  1. #11
    Hibster_2000 Guest

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    My thought are that the water cooling pump and fans could add noise to the signal, especially if using PWM.
    When I built my cheap audio PC, I did it with no moving parts in the build. It is air cooled, but has no fans.

  2. #12
    Join Date: Nov 2016

    Location: South Central Birmingham

    Posts: 150
    I'm Greg.

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    kev i think i have that covered 2nd small pico 80w, (I had lying around) dc psu to power pump / fans no mechanical drives will be fitted .

    Main psu will be a HDplex 400w Hifi Dc - powered by Linear power supply

    Best

    G

  3. #13
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

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    I tried a few different Linux builds for my Roon Core pc, including stripped back Server builds (no UI), and it came down to this one as the best sounding OS.
    AP Linux.
    https://www.ap-linux.com/

    Bit trickier to set up than Ubuntu, but the website has a easy to follow install guide.
    What is really good is that once it’s installed it just works with no issue, no faffing around.
    Has a file manager and a browser too, and can access remotely from IPad or whatever.

    Best solution I’ve found, had a play with a lot of the others.
    I’d discount anything Windows right off the bat.

    Hope this helps a bit, try it see what you think.
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  4. #14
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Good shout on not using mechanical drives, unless your storing your music in the server SSD drive cost doesn’t need to be too great.
    A 256GB for a Linux OS install is overkill.

    I’d lose the fans if possible, found they were detrimental.
    Passive cooling is the way to go, I always used Streamcom cases in my Server builds, and it’s what I would use if I was going down this route again.

    https://www.quietpc.com/st-fc10-alpha?product=3756
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  5. #15
    Hibster_2000 Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gazjam View Post
    I tried a few different Linux builds for my Roon Core pc, including stripped back Server builds (no UI), and it came down to this one as the best sounding OS.
    AP Linux.
    https://www.ap-linux.com/

    Bit trickier to set up than Ubuntu, but the website has a easy to follow install guide.
    What is really good is that once it’s installed it just works with no issue, no faffing around.
    Has a file manager and a browser too, and can access remotely from IPad or whatever.

    Best solution I’ve found, had a play with a lot of the others.
    I’d discount anything Windows right off the bat.

    Hope this helps a bit, try it see what you think.
    I will have to give that a try.

  6. #16
    Join Date: Nov 2016

    Location: South Central Birmingham

    Posts: 150
    I'm Greg.

    Default

    Thanks for the suggestion - the fans noted i thought about streacom maybe next build ! I wanted to give this a whirl first
    with parts i had lying around , minimal cost being the mantra for this build .

    The two Dc PSu's route should hopefully isolate any issues.

    Heard some good things about server 2019 datacore edition , may have to give that whirl aswell

    Best

    G

  7. #17
    Join Date: Nov 2019

    Location: Italy

    Posts: 5
    I'm Stefano.

    Default

    I suggest you have a look at https://www.audio-linux.com/ as well.

    As a non linux expert I find it unbeatable. Through a simple system menu you can easily control all system settings and parameters that can influence sound quality, even to the very extreme, such as IRQ priorities, assign single CPU threads to specific applications, etc.. It also has an headless version, and can be fully managed remotely.

    It comes with a little cost (which sounds really strange in the open SW league) but that covers for support and maintenance; Piero, the developer, is constantly working on its finetuning and update, and always replies in minutes to any support request.

    PS: just to make it clear, I have no personal connection and/or interest in the software above. I'm just a very happy user.

  8. #18
    Join Date: Nov 2016

    Location: South Central Birmingham

    Posts: 150
    I'm Greg.

    Default

    stefano thankyoi i have Audiolinux and euphony on the ' to check' out list

    G

  9. #19
    Join Date: Nov 2019

    Location: Italy

    Posts: 5
    I'm Stefano.

    Default

    Will you use a separate NAA for HQPlayer playback? I found it way better than directly connecting my DAC to the PC

  10. #20
    Join Date: Nov 2016

    Location: South Central Birmingham

    Posts: 150
    I'm Greg.

    Default

    NAA which is a ultrarendu + LPS , does sound particularly good in my system

    I will keep this chain

    G

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