(15-May-2016, 04:35)baddog Wrote: [ -> ]@mdconnelly - Ok so I have been using AIR3 non stop for many hours now. The sound is wonderful. I have done some comparisons with the microRendu. To be honest, I am not hearing much if any in differences in sound between the two. I have gone back and forth between difference tracks comparing the two, even picking out things that don't sound right on AIR3 and comparing them to microRendu, where they also don't sound right. After this many hours my ears are "tired" so going to take a break for a while.
Just so you understand what I am comparing.
1. RoonServer running on Synology 1812+ NAS in a separate room connected via ethernet to cheap switch / microRendu connected via ethernet to cheap switch ( btw cheap does not mean it isn't a good gigabit switch ) / Devialet 400
microRendu powered by Uptone Audio JS-2
Music on the Synology NAS or Tidal
2. RoonServer running on 2012 Mac Mini (16GB memory, i7 quad core, SSD drive, Uptone Audio MMK kit, powered by Uptone Audio JS-2) connected via ethernet to cheap switch / microRendu connected via ethernet to cheap switch / Devialet 400
microRendu powered by Uptone Audio JS-2
Music on the Synology NAS or Tidal
3. RoonServer running on 2012 Mac Mini (16GB memory, i7 quad core, SSD drive, Uptone Audio MMK kit, powered by Uptone Audio JS-2) connected via ethernet to cheap switch / Devialet 400 connected via ethernet to cheap switch
Music on the Synology NAS or Tidal
So those are the things I have compared. Music sounds great with any of the three systems. As noted when using AIR3 I am converting DSD to PCM. I have listened to Redbook, 24/96, 24/192 and DSD64/DSD128 tracks.
I am not discerning any advantage on the part of the microRendu in my setup compared to AIR3. Other than as mentioned more configuration options and capability to send DSD64 to D400 without conversion first to PCM.
Next update tomorrow, need to go rest my ears.
Thank you for that! There have been many times where I've tried one thing or another over the years trying to hear if it improved SQ. Tends to drive me nuts.
But your findings are great news for Expert owners. For me, the uRendu has set the bar on sound quality. It is clearly an improvement over AIR2 and even moreso over streaming to a SB Touch to the Devialet. Now it's just a matter of getting the Win 10 version of AIR 3 (or actually, for a formal release of AIR 3 regardless of platform).
I'm reading some excellent things here regarding SQ and honestly, I'm very surprised by it. It does seem to warrant Devialet naming this version 3.0. Reading all this I think I will probably test the Windows version when it becomes available. The idea of me being able to get rid of all the expensive clutter is an attractive one I must say!
Enjoy guys! Let's hope they'll be able to iron out the last issues so that this finally becomes the thing they promised several years back.
Hello, everybody. I myself cannot test AIR3 due to computer issue. Nevertheless, for those of you who had compared SQ of USB vs AIR3, would you please confirm you have used the 'audiophile-grade' USB cables? If yes and AIR3 is as good in SQ as USB, if not better, WOW it is something to go 'less cable more AIR'.
(15-May-2016, 14:53)G51 Wrote: [ -> ]Hello, everybody. I myself cannot test AIR3 due to computer issue. Nevertheless, for those of you who had compared SQ of USB vs AIR3, would you please confirm you have used the 'audiophile-grade' USB cables? If yes and AIR3 is as good in SQ as USB, if not better, WOW it is something to go 'less cable more AIR'.
Well it's worth than that
In my case it sounds better than Oyaide USB + Mutec. When it works
While many found AIR 3.0 SQ better than USB/other options. In my system I personally found both options seem to be same. However the convenience of using AIR is simply outstanding.
USB cable: AQ jitter-bug > AQ cable > Dev
Thanks, Jnan. One step closer to ' less cable if possible'.
(14-May-2016, 13:55)RFla7a Wrote: [ -> ]Since there are some Melco users here, can someone (maybe Rufus?) compare the SQ of AIR3 vs. Melco N1A (via USB)?
Thanks and best regards,
Franz
Very close. It is hard to tell a difference.
Both ways are very satisfying.
Pro Melco: a little better dynamic replay and a little bit more colourful replay of voices.
But I am a Melco owner so I could be not 100 percent neutral.
Tested with an iMac (build 2011, 2,7 GHz Intel Core i5, 16 GB Ram), El Capitan 10.11.4, files are stored on a Western Digital McBook connected with Standard USB cable (!), Roon, AIR 3.0 beta WiFi, D200.
Melco is connected with an Aqvox USB cable to D200.
Files were identical Aiff on WD McBook and Melco, ripped with db poweramp.
I used two very audiophile recordings: Patricia Barber, Café Blue, Ode to Billy Joe and Dee Dee Bridgewater, Live At Yoshi's, Slowboat to China.
OK on Guillaume's advise I have tried AIR3. Just to show how complicated my stream is I am using Roon and its a bit of a hash up to use AIR as its only on Mac.
My Roonserver is running on a Linux server as a virtual machine on my QNAP NAS upstairs connected to a Vigor 2860ac router. The only Mac I have is my wife's MacBook Air which is downstairs and connected wirelessly. My D800 is upstairs in the lounge connected with standard rj45 to the Vigor via a TP link switch.
So at present the stream goes NAS to vigor then wireless to Mac and back, then through the Vigor and TP link and on to the D800.
So what do I think - its incredible the sound is amazingly clear, 3 dimensional and organic. Huge levels of micro detail and rock solid. Just been out for 3 hours and left Radio Paradise running and came back to ........... Radio Paradise still playing and perfect. Now to stress test with Hi Def stuff and some Tidal.
Has anyone been trying Air3 through Roon with HQPlayer? I have and it sounds real nice, but I get a little dropout/buzz every now and then - lasting only a second or so - at random intervals - could be every 15 minutes or every 2-3 hours - but definitely a buzz kill. When using HQP in Roon I don't have access to (at least I don't think so) the check list of items people have talked about (integer/exclusive/etc) Am I missing something? AM using a MacBook Air (i7/8g) to Dev 120.