Melco Audiophile NAS

[Martin H]

(16-01-2015 20:16)simoncn Wrote:  

(16-01-2015 18:41)Martin H Wrote:  So I will update further but keen to hear any other experiences in the meantime.

Thanks very much for sharing this. Were you listening to the N1A or N1Z?

I don't think the difference with the Melco is caused by "closeness" or by any difference in the 1s and 0s. The player port on the Melco provides full optical isolation for the LAN connection to the player and I think this is the main reason for the difference.

My setup is considerably different from yours:
1) I have a KDS/1, not any kind of DSM
2) I don't have Exakt
3) I am still on Davaar 4.1.10 firmware
4) I am using MinimStreamer to transcode FLAC to WAV with padding to 24 bits
5) Nearly all my listening is to classical music

Any or all of these could make a difference to the "Melco effect". My guess is that the most significant difference is that you have Exakt, which means the Melco isolated output isn't connected directly to the the box containing the DAC, as it is in my system.

Simon,

I will do some more reading I think to make sure that I really understand what the benefits of the box are as I am not sure I totally understand your points but I have probably misunderstood the box's rationale.

Re the kit we were using was 350As and an upgraded DS (whatever it is) up to Exakt. With up to date firmware and the system 'tuned' to the room. We rarely listen to classical but have a selection. So primarily any music from 60's to today with an increasing smattering of nostalgia from my childhood plus a fledgling Jazz interest.

Intrigued as to why you do point 4. Doesn't the streamer convert it anyway or does this bring a benefit? If so I better sort that out as it has passed me by.

Re your points

- I think the first key one is that you are saying there is an optical break that must mean it is engineered in 2 halves and bridged with 'light' so that no electrical 'interference' from the network can be passed through it? Bit dumb but I think probably read that but missed the point. Thank you. If this is the nub of the improvement aren't there optical switches or something that allow you to do the same thing? I guess not.

- the last point is the one that has me bemused at first but I think I get it. In your setup the Melco is into the DS1 which houses the DACS but in Exakt the DACS are in the speakers, which they reach over a further length of ethernet cable albeit not using TCP etc. but instead a LINN bespoke version (I think).

The separation from the main network is the same but there might some difference due to that extra cable etc. which replaces a 'internal cable or circuit within your DS1.

Although the latter is a difference that 'split' is engineered by Linn to improve the sound and we definitely 'heard' that difference before the upgrade and we are getting the uplift today. So I can't imagine that would negate the Melco benefit of separation. But as you can probably tell I am scrambling to get my head around it still only hearing of it on the phone a week ago.

I appreciate the helpful responses - as ever. I will keep the faith for now and pursue the demo as I believe there is something here.

I do love minimserver and would miss it terribly and so that is another reason not to pursue full implementation of this too hard.