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longinc

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  1. I have the Merging +NADAC and +Power. About a month or so back I was delighted to learn about the @AfterDark.Giesemann ocxo clock for the NADAC (since it only accepts a word clock that can provide a 625 Khz clock signal which is not common). The Merging clocks are pretty pricey (~$20K USD for the "L" version, and ~$40K USD for the "UL" version). I decided to give the Afterdark clock a try. I went with the "double emperor crown" grade clock version (comparable to the Merging +Clock UL in phase noise performance specs). As indicated by @AfterDark. it does take a fews days (up to 35 days) of the clock being turned on (24/7) to sound its best. I was blown away after a week. With the clock, it takes the NADAC to another sonic level. If you have a NADAC, you have to give the Afterdark clock a try. For $3K, it is probably the best (most aural return per dollar) audio upgrade I have ever made to my system. "Natural", "analog digital", "aurally satisfying", "coherent", "life-like presence", "musical gestalt", "hear more into the music" all come to mind. Prior to adding the clock, I was thinking of taking a vinyl deep dive and getting a serious vinyl set-up because my digital setup was still missing something that I only hear in nice vinyl rigs. But with the addition of this clock into my digital system, I am happy now, perhaps finally satisfied (it is giving me pause on my vinyl aspirations). I am now contemplating having @AfterDark. upgrade my clock grade to the "EVA" grade - definitely much lower cost than buying a nice vinyl rig. To be clear, I am in no way suggesting the Merging clocks are any lesser (in performance). I don't have the opportunity to A/B between the Afterdark clock and the Merging clocks. I am sure the Merging clocks are uber fantastic (well, better be at those prices). But for the (relative much lower) price, it's a no brainer to drop an Afterdark clock into your NADAC setup to see how a nice clock can propel your digital rig (esp if you are not ready to drop that much dough on a Merging clock.) Also, using the AFTERDARK. PROJECT CLAYX BLACK RIVER GIESEMANN EVA REFERENCE 75 OHM BNC CLOCK CABLE and the AFTERDARK. BLACK RIVER SERIES CONSTELLATION NETWORK CABLE make a significant difference. I don't suggest going cheap on the cabling (but the Afterdark cable prices are a steal IMHO). So if you are going to spend on the clock, I highly encourage you get the Afterdark cables too. @bodiebillif you are contemplating the Afterdark clock, I can't recommend it highly enough. Thank you @AfterDark. (Adrian) for answering my many questions prior to purchase and steering me in the right direction. (Note: I have no financial interest in Afterdark. Just a very happy customer.)
  2. longinc

    HQ Player

    Thanks @El Guapo! I have made those setting changes but still get the same ticking sound. @The Computer Audiophilesuggested i try the https://www.sonnettech.com/product/thunderbolt-avb-adapter/overview.html because the newer MacOs's (I am on Mac OS 12.5) drives up memory usage when using some of the lesser optimized thunderbolt-ethernet converters. I was going to get a better converter anyways and so will give this adaptor a try (which Merging also recommends)
  3. longinc

    HQ Player

    @luisma my settings are attached (see pics). thanks!
  4. Thanks @cjf. I reached out to Merging and yes, using VAD would require my configuring some routing settings in ANEMAN. I am not very networking savvy - fortunately, they sent me the latest version (still beta) of Core Audio to use so I don't have to deal with the routing configuration issues. So that part is all sorted out. However I am still experiencing the "ticking" sound when playing DSD and DXD files on both HQplayer and Audirvana. And the ticking sound goes on for 5-10 seconds even after i pause the music. Things were fine when I was on MacOs 12.3. Currently I am on 12.5, and am wondering whether its an OS and Core Audio driver issue. Another issue to go hunt down :(
  5. longinc

    HQ Player

    @MiskaI am trialing HQplayer desktop and playing it directly from my Macbook Air (MacOs 12.5) via ethernet cable into my Merging NADAC. No issues when playing local PCM music files, but when I play DSD or DXD files, i get a static ticking sound. And even when i pause the player, the ticking sound continues for 5-10 seconds. I've configured HQplayer per the Merging HQplayer configuration guide. Any insight into what issue I might be experiencing? Thank you.
  6. @El Guapo Core Audio version is 3.2.1 Build 1403 (it was a beta version that Merging sent me because the public version apparently doesn't work with M1 and MacOS Monterey) VAD version is 3.2.1 Build 52061 I have both installed on my laptop. Thank you.
  7. HI @El Guapo I recently bought the Afterdark clock for NADAC (https://www.adark.co/products/afterdark-project-clayx-giesemann-word-clock-x-10m-master-clock-for-merging-nadac). They actually make the clock work at the 625K frequency needed by the NADAC. Clock performance spec wise, it's actually slightly better than the Merging UL clock. It does sound amazing - i must say. Anyways, the issue I am experiencing is as follows: 1. Connecting my Macbook air M1 directly to the nadac via ethernet cable works perfect and sounds great 2. Connecting my Macbook air M1 into a network switch (cisco 2960) and from the switch into the NADAC, my laptop is not able to connect with the NADAC , and I am getting the error in my CoreAudio driver "No ptp master or unrecognized domain". Prior to the introduction of the external clock, I was able to get this setup (with the switch) to work. Any thoughts you might have on what is causing this error? I can't imagine the introduction of the external clock is causing this issue since on the NADAC it's showing that the NADAC is syncing with the external Word clock. I wonder whether with an external clock, it is expecting certain changes to my network switch configuration. Tried searching the merging confluence site but can't seem to find an explanation for this error. Also, now when I play DSD files i get this static like ticking sound. HIgh res PCM and DXD are fine though. This didn't happen before. Again, can't imagine it's a clock issue. FYI , I do have both Core Audio and VAD installed on my laptop (the VAD installation is a recent introduction) Any thoughts or insights you might have? Thank you!
  8. Thanks @El Guapo ! for pointing me in right direction. Very much appreciated! One quick question, what is the difference between Core Audio and the Virtual Audio Device. Are they essentially the same thing? I tried both and seems like they both provide the necessary driver for my Mac to talk to my NADAC.
  9. Thanks @El Guapo! This is super helpful. I will give the Sonnentech AVB a try. And, I didn't realize the (HQplayer) NAA is available for the MacOS. Which Cat6 cable are you using? Given I have a much simpler setup, does inserting a network switch (like one of the Merging qualified Cisco switches) between the MAC and the NADAC improve sound quality vs directly connecting the mac to the NADAC? Also, can you elaborate on "Ravenna is one of the best AoIP protocol if you treat it correctly." - what is it sensitive to? or rather what are the key elements of getting great sound from Ravenna? For context, i am only do 2 channel stereo.
  10. @One and a halfI finally got the DX filters. Wow! night and day change for the better. Players and instruments were better defined, darker background, and things just sounded fuller/more natural. This is the cheapest tweak that made such an improvement. Still shy of the sound quality I am getting from my CD transport (but close), and more importantly, now I know how much "noise" my source is giving off and clearly tells me where I need to improve (spend $'s on) to make further progress to sound quality. Thank you!
  11. Thanks @AudioDoctorthat would be great (more options). Let's see if @Miska has any further thoughts on this possibility....
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