24-Feb-2016, 19:09
(24-Feb-2016, 14:55)GuillaumeB Wrote:(24-Feb-2016, 14:39)Hifi_swlon Wrote: I'm really hopeful from everything that I've read everywhere, () that the 'tiny' computer's the way to go - people seem to be saying they have amazing setups from a cubox running custom software, and a decent power supply, with the ethernet providing most of the isolation. I can see the logic to this and Ive read some nice posts on how the final connection is really the only bit that matters (unless data is actually being lost/dropped somewhere), otherwise on streaming services, you'd have to worry about the jitter-trail all the way back to hard drives in their data-servers for example.
Hmm... logic and hifi don't always go hand in hand!
I'm also not sure that ethernet provides most of the isolation. If anything I think ethernet can often be the problem. Hence the reported success of using an optical bridge - I haven't tried this myself but know of many that swear by this. Myself I have had great success using Entreq to "ground" (oh oh I can hear you all tutting!) NAS and routers...
Don't forget that Vincent at totaldac who is your ultimate measurements engineer has created an ethernet cable with a massive (ferrite) choke - this acts as a low pass filter effectively absorbing all the high frequency noise that allegedly travels down the ethernet cable. He recommends that this is used to connect switch to d1 server.
I think possibly one of the reasons that the Melco works so well is that it effectively replaces your network. All those computers/NAS/switches with their cheap SMPS...
So for me - at least - I worry about the whole chain from source to DAC and want to optimise every stage of this. It's certainly not scientific but it floats my boat and seemingly a few others.
Guillaume
Well, I certainly couldn't disagree, not least since I don't have the answers and you've clearly been through the process far more than I have....
I guess I was more getting at the jitter/clocking aspect for the final connection, but I had read Ethernet was essentially a galvanic isolator, but I too have read optical isolation helps so there must still be noise coming through.
I suppose like you say the Melco approach - remove everything and replace it with a special purpose box - does seem to make sense if there are unknowns at play. Seems to be working for them anyway!
It's not for this thread really I suppose, I'll start a new one, but this whole thing reminds me of professional imaging post production a decade ago..... Thankfully things moved on, albeit the oversized cables with giant wooden connectors etc never seemed to appear there. I guess we're just a lot more susceptible/influenced by sound. I know I am.
>>> 1st Place Award: Devialet, last decades most disappointing technology purchase. <<<