'Analog Dinosaur' succumbs to the joys of FBA : enter Raspberry Pi 2/IQ-Audio DAC+!!

[Marco]

It's a glorified graphic equaliser, dude!

Marco.

[The Barbarian]

[NRG]

Ah! yes gotcha, indeed you can Marco, there are several filters to choose from to suit your tastes...

[Marco]

So how does one access and use these filters?

Btw, I've discovered that altering the 'PCM' level in Alsamixer (master volume control) achieves the same result as increasing the playback volume in the Volumio web interface, playback section.

Therefore, if you're using Alsamixer, only the last two bars, controlling playback and playback boost, are really relevant, if you're already using the Volumio web interface for accessing your music library, and can thus control the 'master volume' from the playback section there.

Marco.

[Marco]

Yeah, time to sling the HRT!



Marco.

[Marco]

So how does one access and use these filters?

Anyone?

Marco.

[NRG]

Hi Marco, can you select the blue 'DSP Prog' box and change the setting with the up/dwn arrow keys? If not you can select different filters from Volumio in the Playback menu AFAIR....

[Marco]

Yes I can. I thought it was that, but I didn't want to bugger about with anything until someone confirmed it. I have to be very careful, as if I get out of my depth, I wouldn't know how to fix it!

Anyway, I've tried the various DSP settings (adjusted whilst listening to music), but it doesn't seem to make any difference.... I'll have a closer listen later and report back. However, the biggest improvement for me has been having the ability to 'max-out' the Playback and Playback Boost settings, using Alsamixer, and thus fine-tune the gain structure of the IQ-Audio DAC, in conjunction with my preamp.

That has resulted in a notable improvement in SQ, together with overall 'musicality', somewhat like the effect of moving from using a phonostage that doesn't quite have enough gain to optimise the performance of an ultra-low output MC cartridge, to one that has the requisite gain to allow optimum playback quality.

In short, very well worth doing! Therefore, my thanks go to all who've helped in that process

Marco.

[ReggieB]

altering the 'PCM' level in Alsamixer (master volume control) achieves the same result as increasing the playback volume in the Volumio web interface, playback section.

Therefore, if you're using Alsamixer, only the last two bars, controlling playback and playback boost, are really relevant, if you're already using the Volumio web interface for accessing your music library, and can thus control the 'master volume' from the playback section there.

That's right. You only need Alsamixer to change the playback and playback boost levels.

I find the filters only make a subtle change to the sound, but it is there. My mother-in-law is staying, so first thing this morning I was listening via my headphone amp and AKG 701s. With them a different filter sounded better. (can't remember which one at the moment).

[Marco]

Hi Rob

Yes, there are *very* subtle differences effected by the various DSP settings, which aren't obvious on first listening, rather like the 'Sound Quality Tweaks', available in the System settings section in Volumio, where you have the choice of ACX, Buscia, etc (and where I have chosen ACX).

Having listened a little more intently now to the various DSP settings in Alsamixer, I've settled on 'Ringing-less Low Latency FIR', which to my ears, marginally seems to produce the most natural sound. I've also settled on using Playback and Playback Boost settings at max, with level 96 on the PCM 'master volume', although that it somewhat recording dependent.

This has now matched the output level of my Sony DAC and is producing a truly STUNNING (AND MASSIVE) SOUND, in conjunction with my Croft preamp, significantly better than I had before - and what I had before was bloody good!!!

Marco.