CAS 請教

cwtim01

Hi CHing, I started trying CAS for just couple months, with the following setup:

MOC/Audacious under Ubuntu realtime kernel (just a common PC with dual boot, without too much optimization either hardware or OS) -> Async USB to SPDIF transport -> (AES) DAC -> (XLR) Headphone Amp -> (XLR) Headphone

I am quite happy with my DAC and Amp but would like to have another step up to the sound, so want to seek comments on which of the below options would give better result:

1) Replace the Async USB to SPDIF with a high quality sound card like those from RME or Lynx;
2) Build a fanless Atom PC with SSD harddrive, feed it with linear power and keep using the Async USB transport (Stello U3);
3) Buy a NAS and feed it with linear power, using SSD harddrive in the NAS and disable the fan, run MPD and connect Stello U3 to the NAS;

In case of 1) & 2), I'll continue to optimize the OS but it'll take some time to recall my UNIX skills from years ago. Other recommendations are welcomed, but the improvement budget is below 10K.

DrugsAudio

I would highly recommend you to try

1.) SOtM's USB-SPDIF interface,
2.) the SATA filter for your SSD.
3.) it is one of the way to improve your System, but the budget is not cheap when changing a linear supply.

1+2 is within your budget.

check this out
http://sotm-audio.com/english/

obee

Item 1 is a MUST for serious CAS. Install win7 (mod) or linux (e.g. mpd)
Should use a DAC to connect to item 1.

CKKeung

cwtim01 hing,

Option 1 + 2 are my choices.

MOC/Audacious under Ubuntu realtime kernel will KO NAS CAS and all Win & Mac CAS easily!
However, Lynx soundcards are usually not compatible with Linux.
RME is better but the top AES is also not totally Linux-compatible.

obee

CKKeung 發表於 2012-8-1 09:26
cwtim01 hing,

Option 1 + 2 are my choices.

What a pity.

obee

Today's best tier sound card can't work well with today's best tier OS.

DrugsAudio

obee 發表於 2012-8-1 09:32
Today's best tier sound card can't work well with today's best tier OS.

100% agree......software always falls behind the hardware field for a full decade.......what a pity again.....  

cwtim01

DrugsAudio 發表於 2012-8-1 09:01
I would highly recommend you to try

1.) SOtM's USB-SPDIF interface,

Thanks CHing, the SATA filter is interesting. I'm not poisoned enough to DIY and feed linear power to the SSD harddisk as yet, so this SATA filter do come in handy.

Could you PM me where I could get this in HK.

cwtim01

CKKeung 發表於 2012-8-1 09:26
cwtim01 hing,

Option 1 + 2 are my choices.

CKKeung Hing, thanks very much for your comment, it answered one of my key question - the sound quality of NAS based CAS. I knew Ubuntu rt wins WIN/MAC hands down, but wasn't quite sure how it compares with NAS based CAS (and many CHing in this forum do post very positive feedbacks about NAS based CAS).

Option 1+2 is very attractive, and my target sound card is RME AIO. I've done some web searching and apparently some people managed to make it work under Linux, but I can't find the procedure to do so (seems will need to recompile ALSA and the kernel, and I can't find the source).

Anyone who can point me to a link on how to make RME AIO works under Linux? (I don't need all the features, I just need to make the digital out work and be able to control the sampling rate)

willip

How does 1) compares to M2Tech Hiface Evo?

I am currently using a Hiface2.

DrugsAudio

willip 發表於 2012-8-2 08:58
How does 1) compares to M2Tech Hiface Evo?

I am currently using a Hiface2.

you can test in our show room, we have both of them for your audition.