Hdd Regenerator Linux
Jennifer Curtis
Curious if anyone has compared Linux versus Windows using the same software players on the same machine? I have been using Server + Audiophile Optimizer + Fidelizer for a while now. Recently, I made the switch to HQPlayer running on Lubuntu. Since I can dual boot into Server, I plan to compare HQPlayer running on these two OS's.
UpTone Audio LPS1.2/IsoRegen, Fiber Switch and FMC, Windows Server 2016 OS, Audiophile Optimizer 3.0, Fidelizer Pro 6, HQ Player, Roonserver, PS Audio P3 AC regenerator, HDPlex 400W ATX & 200W Linear PSU, Light Harmonic Lightspeed Split USB cable, Synergistic Research Tungsten AC power cords, Tara Labs The One speaker cables, Tara Labs The Two Extended with HFX Station IC, Oyaide R1 outlets, Stillpoints Ultra Mini footers, Hi-Fi Tuning fuses, Vicoustic/RealTraps/GIK room treatments
How a Digital Audio file sounds, or a Digital Video file looks, is governed to a large extent by the Power Supply area. All that Identical Checksums gives is the possibility of REGENERATING the file to close to that of the original file.
We take human ability/memory for granted in so many fields - wine tasting, tea tasting, I even saw a program on Discovery where Aston Martin had a guy who could see dents and slight variations in color/paint... and nobody else including the camera crew could pick up on, yet the guy was paid handsomely to pick up defective cars before they were put on sale.
But for the most part folks should be familiar with their equipment and how it sounds. I can clearly pick up the difference between Foobar and JRiver, even the likes of CPlay and Bug and all in Windows. Change in OS also comes with its own set of audible changes.
If folks are really having their resident auditory memory wiped clean or reset on autopilot, they should really be in a lot more trouble in life as in when driving, carrying on conversations, answering the door or the phone, etc.
tboooe - In some like Foobar and JRiver, Windows for sure, and mostly without system optimization. I've not heard HQP though, but some Linux distros like Daphile certainly beat Windows s/w and media players hands down.
Haven't done proper A/B listening tests, but have used JRiver and HQP NAA in both Linux and Windows forms, some of the time on same machine and my very subjective impression is that Linux is preferable. Certainly NAA with Windows 10 "out of the box" sounded pretty poor compared to NAA with a Debian command line install, using same PC and DAC. So I wouldn't be surprised if you found no perceptible difference between Linux and optimised Windows, I would be surprised though if you found Windows to be superior.
I think the way the OS is set up is more important than which OS it is. When trying AP Linux v2 a while ago I had a very quiet and pure treble (ie no noise) on the stripped down window manager, but after switching into Cinnamon (iirc) the treble was a mess. It was the same OS, with the minimum window manager for audio and the full-fat for general purpose use. My knowledge of Linux is limited and I couldn't live with the audio UI, but the difference was profound.
Thanks guys. I have 2 SSDs (unfortunately not the same brand so I am not sure if there is any sonic differences). I have already loaded one up with Lubuntu, HQP, and Roon and have been playing it for the past few weeks. The sound is very very nice but this could just be the differences between HQP and what I was using before, Jplay. I will load up HQP and Roon on my Server SSD. I will also be able to compare HQP outputting to the Mutec ASIO or through JPLAY. Should be interesting!
I'd agree (in theory), but experience tells me otherwise. However, that may also be down to the programmer and how much it has been tweaked for a particular OS, and not necessarily down to the OS itself or the h/w.
I did a shootout a few years ago where I recorded samples at 24 bit with a laptop running audacity capturing the analog output of my dac which was driven by a CAPS. That way I could playback the files for quicker comparison. I chose Windows 8.1 over 8.0,7, W12 and several versions of Linux. I ran them all stock as they install. Each OS was put on the freshly formated SSD in my CAPS Topanga clone before a recording was made. The linux versions didn't seem to matter as they all sounded very dull and lifeless compared to Windows. I ultimately went with 8.1 and ran Fidelizer with it for the best sound on that CAPS machine. While I definitely could hear a difference in OS it was not as great as the difference between software players or machines (netbook was significantly worse than CAPS). These day's devices such as the ifi USB 3.0 or other regenerators there is probably far less difference to be heard. That's a guess, I haven't done another shootout. I currently use a MBP with Roon feeding a ifi usb 3.0 then to my dac and it's much better than that old CAPS ever was. I highly doubt this is because of OSX based on my previous findings. It's either the machine, software or more likely the cleaner signal from the 3.0
All people who experienced my mod were all surprised. Some are 'bits are bits' believer and they were converted saying they couldn't believe I could make such improvements from FW alone. Some paid for $100 for my modded FW alone or more for HW mods too like I did recently with Calyx M and iBasso DX80/90.
I'll say this as a person who works on both Linux and Windows side. Linux has a few limitations where it can't do as well as Windows. You can't configure Linux kernel to fetch resource in 100ns time interval. All I/O optimizations needs to be done manually and I believe I've tried all possible optimizations since few years ago. Still, I prefer Windows for audio performance alone with my own customization and optimizations.
So, Linux is good for its worth in entry and mid levels but when you compare it to highend Esoteric CD transport, the only platform where I can listen to without feeling troubled after switching source is Windows platform with good optimizations.
Several years ago (August 2009) C.A. member "silverlight" from N.Y.C and myself ripped the same song "Feelin' the Same Way- Norah Jones" from the CD layer of the hybrid disc and exchanged copies via uploads. Geoff was using a Mac ,and I was using a Windows P.C.
But CD and an audio file with identical sum may have different sound on computer/ripper and hardware CD player. Subjectively and objectively (measurable). May be nobody expect such words by me, but it so
I currently use ROON Server running from a Ubuntu Desktop which then feeds a mRendu NAA. I don't believe this configuration runs from RAM. My previous setup was Voyage Linux which on the other hand did run from RAM.
I have also used several flavors of Windows boxes on various hardware. Windows certainly works, no doubt about it but to these ears Linux works and sounds better. Besides that, with the Linux boxes I totally forget they even exist or are apart of my playback system. I turned mine on sometime about 2 years ago and it stayed that way, running happily in silence, needing no drivers, no care and feeding, nuthin; until I shut it off recently to move on to try ROON instead.
Over at Tirnahifi there's been quite a bit of praise for a free Linux-based player, "WTFPlayer," with many people saying it's surpassed any player they've heard so far in sound quality, including jPlay, HQPlayer, MQN, etc., here's the link:
A ripped copy on a well implemented PC will always sound better than that from most affordable CD players when played from System Memory. That is why players like the P.W.T. and Naim UnitiServe are so highly regarded.
hundreds (Really!) of comparison files over the last 6 years or so, to members of both C.A. and another U.K. based forum. In fact, I did extensive testing too with not only Silverlight, elcorso and Teresa from C.A. , but a series of tests with the guys from jPlay and John Kenny.
e59dfda104