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Peter@57m · 15-04-2015, 07:50

(14-04-2015 21:59)simoncn Wrote: I think I have solved the mystery of why you prefer 2) to 1) and I prefer 1) to 2). My preference is based on using a Cisco switch to connect MinimServer (running on QNAP or Synology) with the KDS/1. I also have a NETGEAR GS108Tv2 and I tried the comparison again using the NETGEAR switch in place of the Cisco. This reversed the order of preference, with the RLI-1 now having a positive effect. For this comparison, I wasn't using the N1A.

It seems the effect of the RLI-1 depends on which switch is being used.

I also tried putting the RLI-1 inline into the connection between the N1A and the KDS/1. This made the sound worse.

The best combination for me is 5) using the NETGEAR switch to connect the N1A to my LAN. This is slightly better than 5) using the Cisco switch to connect the N1A to my LAN.

The LAN switch connection to the N1A does matter because it appears that audio packets sent by MinimServer[N1A] to the KDS/1 are routed via the LAN switch even when the player port of the N1A is connected directly to the KDS/1. If the cable from the N1A to the LAN switch is removed while audio is playing, the audio stops. I will do some further investigation to try to find out why this is happening.

Well we seem to have reached the same conclusion.

I had tried removing the cable from the LAN socket to see if that improved the sound but, like you, found it stopped playback. I am wondering whether this is the Melco or KDSM losing its IP address and getting upset (technical term). You can run the Melco in disconnected mode, it will then provide IP address to the KDSM, but with a Linn player you then have no way to select the playlist as the KDSM is not visible on the network to Kinsky etc.. Some players have controls on the front which would allow you to use this mode.

So given that the LAN socket needed to be connected, I tried using the RLI-1 on the N1A end of the cable from my NetGear switch and found this beneficial.

So I am currently using GS108 - cat7 - RLI-1 - Melco N1A LAN socket - MinimServer - Melco Ethernet cable from player socket - KDSM/1

simoncn · 15-04-2015, 09:02

(15-04-2015 07:50)Peter@57m Wrote: So given that the LAN socket needed to be connected, I tried using the RLI-1 on the N1A end of the cable from my NetGear switch and found this beneficial.

If I connect the RLI-1 between the switch and the N1A (at either end), it breaks the connection and nothing works. This is because the RLI-1 can only handle 100 Mb connections, not 1 Gb connections. Did you reconfigure the port on your GS108 to 100 Mb, or does your GS108 have 100 Mb ports?

Cebolla · (This post was last modified: 15-04-2015 11:56 by Cebolla.)

Very interesting discussions on this thread so far.

Has anyone made sound quality comparisons with the various combinations of network kit mentioned, swapping out the N1A for a minimalist small low powered/noise computer like the Raspberry Pi 2 running MinimServer? It may be worth comparing using the Pi plus MinimServer, with the music files on various storage devices, eg externally and USB powered regular USB HDDs, externally and USB powered USB SSDs, USB memory sticks, no USB drive so just using music files stored on the Pi's microSD, etc. Also, the quality of the Pi's own power supply may be significant.

Mihaylov · (This post was last modified: 15-04-2015 22:32 by Mihaylov.)

(14-04-2015 21:59)simoncn Wrote: The LAN switch connection to the N1A does matter because it appears that audio packets sent by MinimServer[N1A] to the KDS/1 are routed via the LAN switch even when the player port of the N1A is connected directly to the KDS/1. If the cable from the N1A to the LAN switch is removed while audio is playing, the audio stops.

I believe that both of your statements are incorrect.
I do not remember exactly how it was with Melco N1, but when I unplug the patch cord from LAN port of my NAS DIY (it have two LAN ports as Melco http://forums.linn.co.uk/bb/showthread.p...#pid328246) playback lasts for about 30 seconds - I believe it's access time intervals of NAS and Klimax to the router or vice versa to confirm network parameters. If to shut down the DHCP client service and to set static network parameters of NAS DIY, playback does not stop.

Mihaylov · 15-04-2015, 12:25

(15-04-2015 07:50)Peter@57m Wrote:
(14-04-2015 21:59)simoncn Wrote: I think I have solved the mystery of why you prefer 2) to 1) and I prefer 1) to 2). My preference is based on using a Cisco switch to connect MinimServer (running on QNAP or Synology) with the KDS/1. I also have a NETGEAR GS108Tv2 and I tried the comparison again using the NETGEAR switch in place of the Cisco. This reversed the order of preference, with the RLI-1 now having a positive effect. For this comparison, I wasn't using the N1A.

It seems the effect of the RLI-1 depends on which switch is being used.

I also tried putting the RLI-1 inline into the connection between the N1A and the KDS/1. This made the sound worse.

The best combination for me is 5) using the NETGEAR switch to connect the N1A to my LAN. This is slightly better than 5) using the Cisco switch to connect the N1A to my LAN.

The LAN switch connection to the N1A does matter because it appears that audio packets sent by MinimServer[N1A] to the KDS/1 are routed via the LAN switch even when the player port of the N1A is connected directly to the KDS/1. If the cable from the N1A to the LAN switch is removed while audio is playing, the audio stops. I will do some further investigation to try to find out why this is happening.

Well we seem to have reached the same conclusion.

I had tried removing the cable from the LAN socket to see if that improved the sound but, like you, found it stopped playback. I am wondering whether this is the Melco or KDSM losing its IP address and getting upset (technical term).

Try to turn off the DHCP in Melco N1.

Quote:You can run the Melco in disconnected mode, it will then provide IP address to the KDSM, but with a Linn player you then have no way to select the playlist as the KDSM is not visible on the network to Kinsky etc.. Some players have controls on the front which would allow you to use this mode.

That's right.

Peter@57m · 15-04-2015, 19:16

(15-04-2015 12:25)Mihaylov Wrote:
(15-04-2015 07:50)Peter@57m Wrote: I had tried removing the cable from the LAN socket to see if that improved the sound but, like you, found it stopped playback. I am wondering whether this is the Melco or KDSM losing its IP address and getting upset (technical term).
Try to turn off the DHCP in Melco N1.

Quote:You can run the Melco in disconnected mode, it will then provide IP address to the KDSM, but with a Linn player you then have no way to select the playlist as the KDSM is not visible on the network to Kinsky etc.. Some players have controls on the front which would allow you to use this mode.
That's right.

From the Melco manual:

Using Direct Mode
Set the HA-N1 to direct mode if it is directly connected to the Network Audio Player with an Ethernet cable and no other devices are connected to the network. By default, network mode is configured. To configure direct mode, follow the procedure below.
Notes:
• Direct mode is not suitable if your Network Audio Player is operated only via a remote control app on mobile devices.
• In direct mode, the HA-N1 will be the DHCP server that assigns an IP address to the Network Audio Player. Routers cannot be used.

So DHCP is off when its in Network mode which is how I run it.

(15-04-2015 09:02)simoncn Wrote:
(15-04-2015 07:50)Peter@57m Wrote: So given that the LAN socket needed to be connected, I tried using the RLI-1 on the N1A end of the cable from my NetGear switch and found this beneficial.

If I connect the RLI-1 between the switch and the N1A (at either end), it breaks the connection and nothing works. This is because the RLI-1 can only handle 100 Mb connections, not 1 Gb connections. Did you reconfigure the port on your GS108 to 100 Mb, or does your GS108 have 100 Mb ports?

My switch is a Netgear ProSafe 8 Port Gigabit Switch Model GS108 v3

As far as I know you cannot configure this, so it could only be working at 100Mb (but its name would very much imply otherwise), or what I think is happening is that the switch is auto-sensing the RLI-1 can only handle 100 Mb. The port lights for the cable that run to the RLI-1 is only flashing one light whereas most other ports, to QNAP etc., have two lights flashing.

Mihaylov · 15-04-2015, 21:05

Peter, I meant to set LAN in the Manual mode (see attached screenshot from Melco's user manual).

Mihaylov · 15-04-2015, 21:32

(15-04-2015 11:49)Cebolla Wrote: Very interesting discussions on this thread so far.

Has anyone made sound quality comparisons with the various combinations of network kit mentioned, swapping out the N1A for a minimalist small low powered/noise computer like the Raspberry Pi 2 running MinimServer?

Such computer shall have two ethernet ports in the bridge mode ("the built-in switch"). In it big advantage of Melco N1. My NAS DIY is made so.

Peter@57m · 15-04-2015, 22:05

(15-04-2015 21:05)Mihaylov Wrote: Peter, I meant to set LAN in the Manual mode (see attached screenshot from Melco's user manual).

Thank you Mihaylov. Now keeps playing with LAN cable unplugged. Will do some listening tomorrow and report back but first take is its better with the cable unplugged.

Will be like a CD player again, getting up to plug and unplug the cable for each album....

Mihaylov · 15-04-2015, 22:33

(15-04-2015 22:05)Peter@57m Wrote:
(15-04-2015 21:05)Mihaylov Wrote: Peter, I meant to set LAN in the Manual mode (see attached screenshot from Melco's user manual).

Will be like a CD player again, getting up to plug and unplug the cable for each album....

Yes!