New photos of Randy's system ...

**Randy Myers** · December 30, 2017, 04:52 PM

Yea, a gentleman who is a Quicksilver collector and they were a model he had been looking for. He was thrilled.

**Randy Myers** · February 10, 2018, 04:49 PM

Ok, I think maybe finally reaching satisfaction (at least for a little while

)... Here are some new photos...

**Mike** · February 10, 2018, 04:57 PM

Looking great Randy!!

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**crwilli** · February 10, 2018, 06:13 PM

Randy,
You have been on a fun journey to watch. Thanks for sharing the latest update. Looks great!
Craig

**Randy Myers** · February 10, 2018, 07:09 PM

Thank you gentlemen. I think I am ready to settle down for a while

. It has definitely been a journey of discovery!

**UltraFast69** · February 10, 2018, 08:41 PM

It’s good to break and enjoy what you put together, a logical statement, except a lot of us don’t seem to do it

Anyway, enjoy!

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**Sean** · February 10, 2018, 08:51 PM

Sweet pictures of an awesome-looking system. Congrats Randy!

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**audio.bill** · February 10, 2018, 10:35 PM

Randy - It's indeed been quite a journey for you, glad that you're so pleased with your current setup! Now you can sit back and enjoy the tunes, that's really what it's all about.

**Devg** · February 11, 2018, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Ok, I think maybe finally reaching satisfaction (at least for a little while

)... Here are some new photos...

Excellent system pics - very neat and elegant organization.

Instead of the component's plastic feet resting on the Gingko arch, try resting the component's metal body on the arch itself - it might disseminate the vibrations from the body more effectively.

**Randy Myers** · February 11, 2018, 02:15 AM

I am surprised you recognized the Gingko Arch. The owner of Gingko gave them to me so I felt obligated to use them.

**Jack** · February 11, 2018, 02:25 AM

Randy

Dev's correct about the Ginko's. Try taking the .25 rubber feet off of the ARC and the Stellar and use the Ginko's. You should only need three in a triangle pattern under each. Or if you don't want to take the feet off go to the middle of the front and either just inside or in front of the rear feet.

**Randy Myers** · February 11, 2018, 10:01 AM

Thanks Jack... you actually just answered my next question. I definitely wanted a set under the amp, but having a second set was wondering which would be the best to use them with. I stuck them under the conditioner but was thinking of moving them to a different unit. You are thinking the preamp? That makes complete sense actually

...

**Randy Myers** · March 31, 2018, 09:57 AM

Good Morning... I think I am finally reaching a serious point of satisfaction... the new DAC in place, Roon and HQ Player handling the software duties... here are some new photos...

**RDSChicago** · March 31, 2018, 10:06 AM

Congrats Randy! Hope you have found your audio nirvana!!

**Mrppv** · March 31, 2018, 10:56 AM

Looks good! How does the T+A dac sound compared to the W4S?

**Randy Myers** · March 31, 2018, 02:42 PM

The Wyred was a great DAC, maybe one of the best using the ESS chip. With what I am doing now the T+A is a bit better. DSD is very important to me and recently discovering HQ Player I wanted the best up-sampling that I can afford. The DAC8 DSD can not only do DSD512, it can also do DSD512 with a 48 base clock. Also, I really like that T+A make their own 1 bit converters. Definitely a DSD specialist in my view!

**pdub** · April 2, 2018, 11:23 PM

Nicely dressed system, Randy. Mine look like drunk cyber-spider cobwebs.

What's feeding the dsd512 to the DAC?

Parker

**Randy Myers** · April 3, 2018, 08:19 AM

I use a custom built music server running Roon and HQ Player. After getting it configured and experimenting a bit with various settings it is working very well!

**pdub** · April 3, 2018, 02:49 PM

I've been trying to figure out how to stream some dsd512 Tidal into my TA. Does your server have everything or is there an endpoint like a microrendu hidden on the rack? (I don't know if this question makes it sound like I know what I'm talking about or obvious I don't, but it's the latter ...)
thanks
Parker

edit: the roon-ready Oppo? Is that where your server sends the stream?

**Randy Myers** · April 3, 2018, 06:02 PM

Hey Parker. I do not stream, therefore I do not use Tidal. But, if I did it would be as simply as using Tidal through Roon (Roon allows adding Tidal service within Roon). I have all of my files on my music server which is directly connected to the Recovery and then the DAC.

I also have HQ Player running on the server. Roon processes, controls, etc., and then hands off to HQ Player to actually play the file (and up-sample, etc.). HQ Player is setup as a zone within Roon...

**pdub** · April 3, 2018, 10:14 PM

Thanks for the explanation, Randy. I start reading threads about this on CA, etc., and I'm over my head pretty quick. If you don't mind me dragging you into the baby pool, looking at SGC's i7/hqplayer model here https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/c...nt=35324041615 your W4S serves pretty much the same function as the Sonore in SGC's diagram? Do you think SGC's specs are adequate to run HQP full tilt? I'm not interested in DSP, I just want the best dsd512 upconversion of the Tidal stream, though I'll probably mess around with some of my stored flac files out of curiosity as well. The SGC only has 8gb of ram and doesn't seem to have the CUDA capabilities others seem to advocate.

edit: whoops, after a little more exploration I see that the W4S is strictly USB so pretty much a different animal from the Sonore.

**Randy Myers** · April 3, 2018, 11:28 PM

Hello,

No this will not work. First of all, these pre-built servers, such as the Small Green Computer and Wyred 4 Sound for that matter, usually come with a built in set of software packages. None of them are equipped to be able to control the software separately like you can with a computer. Also, these type of servers almost always run a version of Linux. Macintosh and Linux computers are capped at DSD128. They both use DoP as the transport to the DAC. DSD256 or DSD512 requires Native DSD drivers... which means they require a computer running Windows.

I use Windows 10 Professional on my server so that I can Remote Desktop which means I do not need a monitor, keyboard, and mouse attached. I also highly recommend 16 GB of RAM. To run HQ Player requires some real heavy duty computer power. I do not have CUDA processors running now. One of our son's has my video card but will be returning it shortly.

Oh, the servers you were mentioning do not have separate video cards, not expecting you to ever hook a monitor to them. CUDA Core is what is used on Nvidia graphic cards. Therefore one of those is required to use the CUDA capability. I have heard for them to really be able to help requires a powerful one, like a GTX1070 or higher. The one I am getting back is a GTX980. I will see if it helps.

Bottom line, if you seriously want to use HQ Player to up-sample to DSD512 you will need a powerful computer; a solid i7 CPU in a separate Windows box. 16 GB RAM or more, high end power supply, High level Nvidia graphics card, highly recommend SSD drives for internal storage. Roon works great as the controller and will also allow you to use your Tidal. And I would run Windows 10 Professional unless you are looking to have a monitor and keyboard, etc., attached to the computer.

Hopefully this makes sense...

**pdub** · April 4, 2018, 12:03 AM

Thanks for all that. Makes sense --while the SGC is a Windows machine the specs just seemed a little light. I pretty much maxed out my skill set putting ram and ssd into a nuc then loading Windows for a kitchen pc ... Really hoping TA shows up at Munich with a magic box that feeds dsd 512 through Roon into their dacs. Roon's site is showing TA as having something Roon-ready in the works.
Glad your system is settling in. Hope you get the kinks worked out on an easier fw upgrade.

**CPP** · April 4, 2018, 10:33 AM

Awesome Randy, I have really enjoyed your journey throughout these years

, but as in everything audio

**Randy Myers** · April 4, 2018, 10:43 AM

Hehe... thanks Chris. As you probably recall then, since my system has become pretty much digital only, my journey through DACs has been fairly extensive. I think at last count I have tried 13 or 14 various machines, both dedicated DACs or multi-function units. I can honestly say the T+A DAC8 DSD in conjunction with Roon/HQ Player is the best I have tried!

I am going to try the Headphone section in the T+A soon. I have an adapter cable coming in the next day or two to allow this (4-pin balanced to 1/4" headphone adapter... I simply do not want to buy another $250 DUM cable from Mr.Speakers). If it does as good as I am hoping then I may be selling the Bryston headphone amp.

Functionally this would really work nicely. I would only turn on the Pre and amps when listening through the speakers. With headphones it would only require the server and the DAC. This would also allow me to trigger the amps on from the Audio Research. I just have to listen and see if the DAC8 DSD can power my Mr.Speakers and sound almost as good as the Bryston. If so this configuration would certainly be much more functional.

**mep** · April 4, 2018, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Hehe... thanks Chris. As you probably recall then, since my system has become pretty much digital only, my journey through DACs has been fairly extensive. I think at last count I have tried 13 or 14 various machines, both dedicated DACs or multi-function units. I can honestly say the T+A DAC8 DSD in conjunction with Roon/HQ Player is the best I have tried!

I am going to try the Headphone section in the T+A soon. I have an adapter cable coming in the next day or two to allow this (4-pin balanced to 1/4" headphone adapter... I simply do not want to buy another $250 DUM cable from Mr.Speakers). If it does as good as I am hoping then I may be selling the Bryston headphone amp.

Functionally this would really work nicely. I would only turn on the Pre and amps when listening through the speakers. With headphones it would only require the server and the DAC. This would also allow me to trigger the amps on from the Audio Research. I just have to listen and see if the DAC8 DSD can power my Mr.Speakers and sound almost as good as the Bryston. If so this configuration would certainly be much more functional.

What part of your system contains analog?

**Randy Myers** · April 4, 2018, 11:01 AM

Well, since I recently got rid of my McIntosh tuner, pretty much nothing

.... currently all music comes from my Music Server. I could spin disks, but I really don't. I rip all CDs/SACDs that I buy an put them on the server and keep the silver disks as an archive

....

**bikeman71** · April 4, 2018, 11:53 PM

Randy-
So glad you are enjoying the T+A DAC8dsd...it's a special piece.

As a heads up, for those that want to stop short of HQ Player but want DSD512...Roon now offers their very own DSP engine with a nice set of filters. I was interested in a one stop shop and am doing it all in Roon. Sounds awesome!

**Randy Myers** · April 5, 2018, 12:00 AM

Nice... love Roon.... for those who want to up-sample without the complexity of HQ Player you can't beat Roon.

**Randy Myers** · April 27, 2018, 07:42 PM

Using HQ Player with Roon is a bit more involved then Roon alone, but with the T+A DAC8 DSD, it is something beyond amazing. I would recommend considering this DAC and software combo, no matter your budget.

**CPP** · April 28, 2018, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Using HQ Player with Roon is a bit more involved then Roon alone, but with the T+A DAC8 DSD, it is something beyond amazing. I would recommend considering this DAC and software combo, no matter your budget.

Randy isn't the Roon DSD upsampling limit at DSD 256 where HQP goes to 512

**Dr Tone** · April 28, 2018, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by CPP

Randy isn't the Roon DSD upsampling limit at DSD 256 where HQP goes to 512

No. Roon can do DSD 512 as well.

**CPP** · April 28, 2018, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Dr Tone

No. Roon can do DSD 512 as well.

nice , thanks

**Randy Myers** · April 28, 2018, 12:15 PM

Not sure how high Roon goes, however I do know that HQ Player sounds better. I had tried upsampling with Roon and it was good, but not a big improvement. HQ Player has blown me away!

**aKnyght** · May 4, 2018, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by bikeman71

Randy-
So glad you are enjoying the T+A DAC8dsd...it's a special piece.

As a heads up, for those that want to stop short of HQ Player but want DSD512...Roon now offers their very own DSP engine with a nice set of filters. I was interested in a one stop shop and am doing it all in Roon. Sounds awesome!

i assume mac users are still limited to dsd128 because of DoP -- or has that now somehow changed?

**bikeman71** · May 4, 2018, 11:39 AM

Yes, mac/Linux users are still capped at dsd256.

**Dr Tone** · May 4, 2018, 12:28 PM

There is no max DSD rate based on OS. DOP is completely dependent on the maximum PCM input a DAC can do. You need double the equivalent PCM to deliver DSD DOP.

DSD64 PCM equivalent is 88.2 so PCM 176.4 at least is required to deliver it DOP.
DSD128 PCM equivalent is 176.4 so PCM 352.8 at least is required to deliver it DOP.
DSD256 PCM equivalent is 352.8 so PCM 705.6 at least is required to deliver it DOP.
DSD512 PCM equivalent is 705.6 so PCM 1411.2 at least would be required to deliver it DOP. Of course this doesn't exist in any DAC that I know of so you can't do DSD512 DOP.

**aKnyght** · May 4, 2018, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Dr Tone

There is no max DSD rate based on OS. DOP is completely dependent on the maximum PCM input a DAC can do. You need double the equivalent PCM to deliver DSD DOP.

DSD64 PCM equivalent is 88.2 so PCM 176.4 at least is required to deliver it DOP.
DSD128 PCM equivalent is 176.4 so PCM 352.8 at least is required to deliver it DOP.
DSD256 PCM equivalent is 352.8 so PCM 705.6 at least is required to deliver it DOP.
DSD512 PCM equivalent is 705.6 so PCM 1411.2 at least would be required to deliver it DOP. Of course this doesn't exist in any DAC that I know of so you can't do DSD512 DOP.

thanks for this explanation. given my dac8 dsd maxes out at pcm 384, dsd128 is the most i can do with a mac and this correlates with the owners manual on this issue.

...looks like a diy NUC w/ ROCK or a nucleus+

**wisnon** · May 5, 2018, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by bikeman71

Yes, mac/Linux users are still capped at dsd256.

Linux is not limited to 128. Its the firmware in the amanero in the Dac8 that is limited. The Amanero in the Lampi is flashable and can do 512. T+8 would need to do a hardware change to allow for the firmware update. Not sure you can have both Windows and Linux at 512 at the same time.

**Randy Myers** · May 6, 2018, 09:00 AM

So latest update to my system.... I am trading the Bryston Headphone Amp to my buddy... I don't use it much and the headphone amp built into the T+A DAC9 DSD seems to do all that I need for occasional headphone listening. I am getting a couple nice cable additions to my system. Getting the AQ Earth XLR interconnects which I have been using. Excellent improvement in the system. Also getting another set of Kimber Kables and will do true bi-wiring on my KEF's (the PS Audio amps also have this capability). We are also gonna include what I still owe him for power cables. All in all a nice deal for both of us and adding some refinement to my system.

I also added a classic Technics tuner that I got for cheap. It is the same one I had back in the day and always felt it was one of the better tuners ever. In pretty decent shape for how old it is and it sounds a ton better than the McIntosh tuner I recently moved during other gear change outs

....

**Randy Myers** · May 16, 2018, 08:34 PM

I have had a few people ask me about my HQPlayer settings and how I get it to up-sample all my music to DSD512. The following screen shots are my settings. I have Roon and HQPlayer both running on my computer/custom built Windows 10 Pro Server. Roon is the controller and user interface, HQPlayer handels up-sampling and is the playback engine. Everything I have is up-sampled to 24.6! This is DSD512 with a base clock of 48.... I am hoping that these screenies make since and give the answers to your questions...

**Randy Myers** · May 16, 2018, 08:54 PM

The end result....

**nc42acc** · May 17, 2018, 08:48 AM

Thanks Randy!

**Randy Myers** · May 17, 2018, 10:01 AM

Hey Marty,

You are very welcome. Hopefully this helps!

**bikeman71** · May 19, 2018, 12:52 PM

Randy...thank you for the screen shots...super helpful. Is there a way to disable the volume knob on the main HQ player screen? Or do you just keep it on max?

**Randy Myers** · May 19, 2018, 03:49 PM

Not sure on that one. I never use the HQPlayer GUI. I only change the settings; filters, etc... All controls and interfacing are done through Roon. By setting the Min and Max output to the same number I have effectively defeated HQPlayers volume control. I set both a bit negative which gives my pre-amp more range of control for lower level listening.

**Randy Myers** · June 29, 2018, 10:33 PM

A new photo on the new setup with T+A Amplifier!

**Mike** · June 29, 2018, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

A new photo on the new setup with T+A Amplifier!

Love it! Great looking system Randy. Beautiful.

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**Randy Myers** · June 30, 2018, 12:05 AM

Thank you my friend. Very happy with how the system is coming along!

**Sean** · June 30, 2018, 12:28 AM

Looks sweet, Randy! The new T+A amp fits in great with the DAC and the rest of the system.

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