Build a dedicated Audio PC

Anything to do with computer audio, hardware, software etc.
nige2000
Posts: 4253
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:47 am
Location: meath

Re: Build a dedicated Audio PC

Post by nige2000 »

Ok just couldn't see hyper x blus in so dimms
I thought ye may have ordered the wrong ones
sd card player, modded soekris dac, class a lifepo4 amp or gb class a/b amp, diy open baffle speakers based on project audio mundorf trio 10's
jkeny
Posts: 2387
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:37 pm

Re: Build a dedicated Audio PC

Post by jkeny »

nige2000 wrote:Ok just couldn't see hyper x blus in so dimms
I thought ye may have ordered the wrong ones
Oops, you are correct I believe, it's not SO - never do orders late at night
Anybody want 8GB of good PC memory for cheap?
www.Ciunas.biz
For Digital Audio playback that delivers WHERE the performers are on stage but more importantly WHY they are there.
tony
Posts: 3144
Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 2:36 pm

Re: Build a dedicated Audio PC

Post by tony »

Just on the 2 to 3 dacs now i dont want to control the test but if possible can we just use the ciunas? I would hope it would be possible to connect up 4 single pcs to one amp and use 4 ciunas dacs to facilitate easy switching. After that test is complete you can do as many changes as possible .I would suggest trying to use the same interconnects also to ensure a level playing field. I have 2 pairs of Van den hul Name interconnects maybe there are 2 more pairs out there?
GroupBuySD DAC/First Watt AlephJ/NigeAmp/Audio PC's/Lampi L4.5 Dac/ Groupbuy AD1862 DHT Dac /Quad ESL63's.Tannoy Legacy Cheviots.
nige2000
Posts: 4253
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:47 am
Location: meath

Re: Build a dedicated Audio PC

Post by nige2000 »

jkeny wrote:
nige2000 wrote:Ok just couldn't see hyper x blus in so dimms
I thought ye may have ordered the wrong ones
Oops, you are correct I believe, it's not SO - never do orders late at night
Anybody want 8GB of good PC memory for cheap?

can happen easily

if its a single 8gb ddr3 240 pin stick and you cant get your order changed, ill take it
sd card player, modded soekris dac, class a lifepo4 amp or gb class a/b amp, diy open baffle speakers based on project audio mundorf trio 10's
jkeny
Posts: 2387
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:37 pm

Re: Build a dedicated Audio PC

Post by jkeny »

tony wrote:Just on the 2 to 3 dacs now i dont want to control the test but if possible can we just use the ciunas? I would hope it would be possible to connect up 4 single pcs to one amp and use 4 ciunas dacs to facilitate easy switching. After that test is complete you can do as many changes as possible .I would suggest trying to use the same interconnects also to ensure a level playing field. I have 2 pairs of Van den hul Name interconnects maybe there are 2 more pairs out there?
I might be able to supply a couple of DACs, don't know about 4. I can certainly supply 4 identical short USB cables. I don't have 4 interconnects.
www.Ciunas.biz
For Digital Audio playback that delivers WHERE the performers are on stage but more importantly WHY they are there.
nige2000
Posts: 4253
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:47 am
Location: meath

Re: Build a dedicated Audio PC

Post by nige2000 »

tony wrote:Just on the 2 to 3 dacs now i dont want to control the test but if possible can we just use the ciunas? I would hope it would be possible to connect up 4 single pcs to one amp and use 4 ciunas dacs to facilitate easy switching. After that test is complete you can do as many changes as possible .I would suggest trying to use the same interconnects also to ensure a level playing field. I have 2 pairs of Van den hul Name interconnects maybe there are 2 more pairs out there?
see your point

i was curious about the dacs and their drivers as Josef says they have a strong bearing on performance maybe if we had something that uses the TheSycon driver as well in case we cant get the ciunas to us=20.

it will be quite funny if we get us=20 and none of us like it!!
sd card player, modded soekris dac, class a lifepo4 amp or gb class a/b amp, diy open baffle speakers based on project audio mundorf trio 10's
jkeny
Posts: 2387
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:37 pm

Re: Build a dedicated Audio PC

Post by jkeny »

nige2000 wrote: can happen easily

if its a single 8gb ddr3 240 pin stick and you cant get your order changed, ill take it
No, it's 2 X 4GB pieces too :(
www.Ciunas.biz
For Digital Audio playback that delivers WHERE the performers are on stage but more importantly WHY they are there.
User avatar
Fran
Site Admin
Posts: 4126
Joined: Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:03 pm

Re: Build a dedicated Audio PC

Post by Fran »

Guys,


We will set up the test in a rigourous way - and control it as tight as possible. If we follow it as an experiment out to the end and then after we can flute about trying other things.... if time allows!!


But lets just wait until the builds are done and stable? I'm hoping my processor will be here mon/tues, (DPD in the UK at the moment) but it could be later. After that I still need to fit all the parts, update drivers etc etc etc etc. I also suspect that a week or so extra will be no harm and will serve to sort out some of the jplay settings for everybody too. So it might well be into next week before all that is ready for everyone, if its sooner all the better.

So a reasonable way to go might be:

1. All use single PC to start with, using just 1 dac. I have my jkDAC32 here, and also the ciunas. I think we should probably stick to just one, say the ciunas for now.

2. All of us transfer the same test track to the HDD on each single PC

3. All of us start by using the same jplay settings in registry and splash panel. For max integration that might mean using xtream first.

4. Same USB cable, interconnects etc etc

5. Play say, 2 mins of the song twice before changing

6. Before any serious testing is done, each PC is hooked up one after another and tested to make sure it all works, ie the bugs are worked out before we start doing a listening test?


That should tell us which "build" sounds best, and the results (which should be written down!) should help elucidate what is and isn't important.


After that, we can try other things, like streamerPC, ultrastream & US sizes etc etc.

My router settings are easy enough - auto ip and auto DNS.


What do yis all think?


Fran
Do or do not, there is no try
Sligolad
Posts: 1089
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:52 pm

Re: Build a dedicated Audio PC

Post by Sligolad »

I will take the 2 x 4 chips off you John if they are still available.

I will bring along the Meitner in case people want to try an XMos DAC with Thesycon driver.

Think I have a pair of the Van Den Huls as well so that should be three pairs.
___________________________________________
SD Card DAC, Gryphon Essence Mono's & Pre Amp, Wilson Alexia 2 Speakers,VPI Scout 2 & Supatrac arm, Studer A812 R2R.
jkeny
Posts: 2387
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:37 pm

Re: Build a dedicated Audio PC

Post by jkeny »

Sligolad wrote:I will take the 2 x 4 chips off you John if they are still available.
OK, Pearse, I give wery good price, sir!

I'll bring them along to Fran's
www.Ciunas.biz
For Digital Audio playback that delivers WHERE the performers are on stage but more importantly WHY they are there.
Post Reply