Melco Audiophile NAS

[simoncn]

(17-01-2015 01:39)Martin H Wrote:  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.

Many MinimServer users have found that doing this conversion in the server instead of the player improves the sound. There is not yet a complete technical understanding of what causes this. One theory is that offloading this processing from the player's CPU is beneficial for sound quality.

Quote:- 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.

I have not been able to find any switches with internal optical isolation between two copper RJ45 ports. It would be possible to use an optical switch with fibre ports connected to fibre to RJ45 converters.

Another point to consider is that the Melco N1Z has a dedicated high-quality power supply for the network connection as well as an optically isolated port. The N1A has an isolated port but not the special power supply. Did you listen to the N1Z or the N1A?

Quote:- 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.

Yes, that's what I am saying. Isolating an intermediate cable might not provide the same improvement as isolating the final cable.

Quote: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 am not quite clear which "difference" and which "upgrade" you are referring to. I think you probably mean the "difference" between non-Exakt and Exakt and the "upgrade" of adding the Melco, but I am not sure.

If this is what you mean, I would expect the Exakt difference to be equally audible with the Melco as it is without the Melco. My point is that the Melco difference might not be as audible with Exakt as it is without Exakt.

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

I am in discussion with Melco about this. If there is any news, I will let you know.