13-Sep-2021, 11:34
@Delija - As I was getting some stability issues with CI Board RAAT at 24/192, I decided then try the Roon integrated AIR, also at 24/192. This worked for a while, then made a strange buzz noise, then worked for a bit with the odd stutter. Because of this, I gave up after two tracks. From what I heard from there two tracks, I would not say that the sound was much different to RAAT, I think my comments in my earlier post would stand. I also did a CI Board Roon RAAT vs Roon integrated AIR comparison a while ago, I did not think there was much difference. UPnP might be better of course, but I did not try that, something for another day.
@ismarketing - It is interesting that you have tried two things that I have not, the Zen via USB and DSD64. These are both things I intend to try in the fullness of time. I would also note that my comments above are for use with a Devialet Pro, the results of the comparison would likely be very different with an Expert model. As an example, I found that using a microRendu + Mutec MC3+USB provided a nice step up in sound quality on my old Expert D800. With the 1000Pro, using the microRendu + Mutec MC3+USB provided pretty much identical sound quality when compared to AIR. So in other words, I think it is much easier for an external device such as the Zen to offer an improvement on an Expert than it is for a Pro. It looks like this is what you are experiencing now. Obviously I cannot try this as I no longer have my D800.
When you say that you prefer the Zen via USB, I presume you mean in comparison to the Zen via S/PDIF?.
I note that you are using the Zen with Roon. If you ever have the time and inclination, I suggest that you try using Roon with HQplayer, and feed the Zen in HQPlayer mode. Roon works exactly the same with HQPlayer as it does with any other device, you simply select HQPlayer as a Roon zone. Also, you can try HQPlayer as a free trial. You get full functionality of HQPlayer in trial mode, it just stops working after 30 minutes and you have to re-load it if you want to keep listening. For me this is a great combination, you get the functionality of Roon with the sound quality benefits of HQPlayer. From what my ears detected yesterday, the Zen sounded a lot nicer in HQPlayer NAA mode. (and I have been using this mode for a few weeks now, with 100% stability, zero issues) Just a thought, if you ever fancy trying it.
@ismarketing - It is interesting that you have tried two things that I have not, the Zen via USB and DSD64. These are both things I intend to try in the fullness of time. I would also note that my comments above are for use with a Devialet Pro, the results of the comparison would likely be very different with an Expert model. As an example, I found that using a microRendu + Mutec MC3+USB provided a nice step up in sound quality on my old Expert D800. With the 1000Pro, using the microRendu + Mutec MC3+USB provided pretty much identical sound quality when compared to AIR. So in other words, I think it is much easier for an external device such as the Zen to offer an improvement on an Expert than it is for a Pro. It looks like this is what you are experiencing now. Obviously I cannot try this as I no longer have my D800.
When you say that you prefer the Zen via USB, I presume you mean in comparison to the Zen via S/PDIF?.
I note that you are using the Zen with Roon. If you ever have the time and inclination, I suggest that you try using Roon with HQplayer, and feed the Zen in HQPlayer mode. Roon works exactly the same with HQPlayer as it does with any other device, you simply select HQPlayer as a Roon zone. Also, you can try HQPlayer as a free trial. You get full functionality of HQPlayer in trial mode, it just stops working after 30 minutes and you have to re-load it if you want to keep listening. For me this is a great combination, you get the functionality of Roon with the sound quality benefits of HQPlayer. From what my ears detected yesterday, the Zen sounded a lot nicer in HQPlayer NAA mode. (and I have been using this mode for a few weeks now, with 100% stability, zero issues) Just a thought, if you ever fancy trying it.
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
