Flac2Dac

Oh, true dat! I probably should have mentioned, I am a recovering and modest audiophile. Meaning…for 10-15 years; I probably tried 30 pairs of speakers (or more), 20 amps (and pre-amps, and/or IAs…or more). And, as I was and am, a longtime digital-only ‘phile; TONS of DACs. At its “height”…I guess I had, around $25-30k in my set-up. Point is…I am quite familiar, with Innuos. And while I never needed their approach to ripping; the new Pulse Mini, would be at the very TOP of my wish-list streaming solutions. Were it not, for its $1250 price tag…and my more cost-effective approach to the hobby these days.

OMGoodness! I haven't been here...since it was called that other name (Computer Audiophile), lol. I got tired, of the endless chasing...and thought I had my digital sh*t, pretty dialed-in. But...now I'm back in a conundrum. Let me talk about, where I'm at; and where I'm looking to go. See if someone, will graciously point me to the right threads. I've had my Auralic Aries Mini (AAM), since...well; it was actually a product, and again...this forum had a different name. There's a reason; it's been a solid work-horse. For the most part...plug & play. Used, for a spell...as a ROON end-point; and when I stopped, the Lightning DS...isn't the worst, free UI in the world (though it's not supported on Android...so I have to drag my iPad into the Listening room). I recently picked up, an ALLO USBridge Signature (w/Shanti LPS); w/Volumio OS. IDK; I guess it's just me...certainly compared to ROON, but even against LDS. But I think Volumio, uh...sucks. I read about how the Allo USB Sig, can use RoPieee...to run as a ROON end-point. Have tried it. Didn't take, right out of the gate (even though I'm a fairly experienced...if, admittedly, a little rusty...streamer/configurer). So...IDK; I might move on from ALL of it. I'll have questions, about the ROON Core, ROCK, MOCK, etc; but for now...I'm thinking of a front-end. How's the Prisma NP5 (mk2)? It's been a l o n g time (noticing a theme here), since I used s/pdif; and I always get kinda confused, about things like DoP...and how that plays in, if ROON is doing the heavy lifting, etc. I'll update my profile/signature; but FTR...my DAC is an Denafrips ARES II.

Thanks Red Dog. I suspect that’s the issue. I’ve posted, at the PSA board; surprised someone didn’t mention that.

Wow; haven’t posted over here...in quite some time (used to be Computer Audiophile LOL) The reason I haven’t posted in so long; is I gave up, all that computer-based player tweaking...and have had an Auralic Aries Mini for that some time. Ive been steadily, reducing my system footprint; and as such...I just picked up, a PS Audio Stellar Gain DAC to try. Having some trouble, getting AAM to work with the SGDs USB input. After some futzing...the AAM sees the PSA option for output; but then bombs out on playback. I’ve posted threads, in both the PSA and Auralic forums; but so far...no one seems to able to say for SURE, YES this will work or NO it won’t. Question 1) Can anyone here...weigh-in, on this combo? FTR...I put a Win netbook on it; did not work without a driver...did with. i think I want to keep the SGD. I have an NAD C658, sitting on the bench; but that’s actually more bells & whistles that my new approach requires. So...I’ve started thinking, about AAM alternatives. i still have a “low-level” C.A.P.S. (don’t remember which iteration...except that it has the DN2800MT board). I could always put that back in play...go back to ROON...and use it as a new endpoint (just found out, my media server OS...now has a docker app, that will host ROON Server!). Or...would a Pi build, which might be fun; actually smoke that “old” C.A.P.S.? Thanks,

Sorry to fire up this old topic. I tried to show good net-iquette, and post in a thread...already started for the DsJ. However...I'm searching for UPnP help; so if I'd be better served elsewhere (no pun intended)...please forgive, and point the way. OK...here's the sitch: Recently acquired the DsJ...with the sole purpose, of doing 3 in one; stream, DAC, and pre-amp. I know, I know; ROON, ROON, ROON...but I'm not quite ready, to fork over $120/year (and no offense...but the lifetime subscription, seems like a sucker's bet to me). I've been using Aurender and Auralic, and the such; but needed a media server for the Bridge...so I went back to my CAPS days, and JRiver. Gotta say...after the likes of Conductor and Lightning DS; JRiver 24, left me a bit wanting. Someone suggested, I try mConnect (HD). I have to say...it's not as slick as some; but...it integrates TIDAL and Internet Radio nicely, which is a must. And...I like the fact, that you don't need to install a server anywhere; the app on your iPad, pushes everything. (and it's free) Everything that is, except your own library of files. So...I just need, a low-overhead, UPnP...for that. I use a file-server, running unRAID; and it can support Dockers...and there are a number of music servers, that will keep an install off my PC. Just don't want, to throw a dart at a board. Is there anyone, among the very technical experts here; who understands my situation enough...to guide me a bit? Thanks,

I've have had more costly transports...but see no reason to spend more, than the $500...for the Auralic Aries Mini (AAM), I currently have in my Main system (feeding a Mytek Brooklyn, and Backert Rhumba 1.2, which are going nowhere!) I'm setting up an Office system; with 8wpc Eastern Electric Minimax IA, and Omega Super 3i. I could, just get a 2nd AAM as the source; but I thought...this might be an opportunity, to move the AAM to the Office...and play a bit, in the Main. Sub $1k...I guess the Sonore UltraRendu, looks like the unit to beat? I'm not sure, I want to go ROON; but I do still have a licensed JRemote app...from an old CAPS set-up. Thoughts; about a unit, or otherwise? Thanks -CD

Question; and my apologies, and it's probably been discussed elsewhere...but to search through 41 pages... OK; so first of all...HAL-LE-LU-JAY! That the new Lightning DS app...has the separate Masters category!! Two...it is NOT, limited to 24/192, as I had previously thought. I played the 2L title...just to "test"; and to my wonderment...my Brooklyn showed 24/358.2! Now...here's the "weird" thing: I tried LZ IV; my Brooklyn, showed 24/96, which made sense to me...because we all know the "recent" hi-res re-masters, were 24/96. But TIDAL, showed 24/48. So I went back to the 2L; to see what it displayed in TIDAL? 22/44.1. I think this is just a TIDAL or LDS issue, that will soon get fixed; but I have NO (little) doubt...the AAM is passing, the higher resolution? IMO, this is a GAME-CHANGER AFAIC! I know some guys don't stream much, so the development might seem m'eh. But I know, some of us...stream a LOT! And this isn't 16th Century, Hungarian Lutes! These are real-world, current, popular titles...in hi, high resolution. I was thinking about changing my front-end recently; probably most likely, to a PS Audio DSJ...and trying ROON on the control side. NO LONGER! AFAIC...with this development; this combo, can't be beat at the price (and did read somewhere, about how ROON does not pass full, hi resolution (at least yet); and may never?)

Wow; well I guess that answers that...for now anyway. The first title I streamed, was 24/44.1; I thought that was going to be it...which was fine. But then I started seeing titles, that were 24/96, and 24/192; and I about p*ssed meeself!

Wow; really. That surprises me...since I thought Roon, was wayyy ahead of everyone else; as far as TIDAL "integration". Hmmmm :-S

OK...so; I currently have an AAM, into my Brooklyn. Right now...temporarily; it is handling volume duty, while I decide on pre direction. I'm sure this has been discussed ad nauseam, all over the boards; but I love, love, LOVE...TIDAL's recent Masters implementation, and the fact that we can now stream anywhere between 24/44.1 and 192(!)...with the help, of MQA! So...I'm pretty damn happy these days; with the AAM/Brooklyn front-end. And I'd really like to give, the much-hyped Backert Labs Rhumba 1.1 a try. The other option...is the PSA DSJ. Now...if I went that direction; I assume the "best" way to run it...would be with ROON, as the controller. And I'm really curious about Roon, as all I hear...are TERRIFIC things (though I wonder if the experience translates, on like an iPad Mini...as opposed to a BIG touchscreen?) My question(s) are this: How is the TIDAL/MQA integration, on Roon? Even better, than with the AAM/Lightning DS? (for example...at least as of now, AFAIK; you can't browse the Masters titles, on LDS. You can save them, and then play them from your Favorites). Two...I hear good things, about the DSJ; as an all-in-one, and its pre-amp capabilities. But is it really likely, to outclass a unit...like the Backert Rhumba? Thanks, -CD

So...what I think I'm hearing is: a) Mytek has not had smooth sailing, with its FW implementation thus far, and b) this issue, is likely FW related? But then...why would my unit, not have the issue?

So...here's a "weird" one; that's probably just going to result in the conclusion "it's broke"! lol, but I'm curious anyway. Not my Brooklyn, but my friend sent me his...because a) we have the same set-up; AAM into Brooklyn, so A/B and troubleshooting would be easy. And b) my vocation, makes me a good and meticulous troubleshooter. He said, in his set-up: he heard "garbled music"; "like muffled...then sped up, or slowed down". Sometimes "screechy". When I got the unit, the first thing I did...was compare ALL the settings, against mine; since I NEVER had an issue. He was on 2.07; I was on 2.05...so we were both, wayyy behind the latest 2.20/21. I upgraded both our firmware, and then made sure my unit was still solid. Then I put his unit, into the loop...leaving everything else unchanged. At first, I thought he was "fixed"...because everything played and sounded fine. I left the unit to run, but when I checked back...after about an hour; there was no output. The DAC was getting a signal...because I could see the meters moving; just not outputting to my pre-amp. I took a quick look at all the settings...and played with some; but it turned out, the MQA was the culprit. It was enabled, as it certainly should/could be; but as soon as I disabled it...the output kicked right back in. Re-enable it; output stopped. I tested the same scenario, with my Brooklyn; no such issues. So then I did a "hard-flash" of his firmware, and a "clean" re-load of 2.21. Again I put it back in the loop, where my unit had been running issue-free; and let it sing. This time...I stopped by the room, about every 15 minutes; to try and pinpoint when it dropped out. The first time, I was checking every so often...but I would say it was about an hour, when I noticed the silence. So this time...when it was still good, close to 4 hours in; I was optimistic. But it dropped out again, shortly after that; and again...enable/disable, fixed and broke the output. The display would read "no word clock", or like 352.8...when the input was 44.1. I should also mention...this was using, USB (I am now testing, with coax s/pdif...to see if the issue persists). To this point...with an admittedly, small sample size; it never starts off like this. So...my guess is, after heating up a bit; there's a malfunction of the USB word clock?? Thoughts? Thanks!

Hey...is it just me: or is mytekdigital.com , coming up "unsecure" all of a sudden? CD

I got it working...without issue; on another machine, running Win7 Pro. Weird; but I'll take it.

^^ Right fellas; that's what I'm trying to do. Update my FW, from 2.05 to 2.21. But you need to do that, through MCP...yes? Hence my post.