[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] NAS > Transporter > Amp which final connection?

Discussion:

terryd

2017-10-02 22:03:20 UTC

Having overloaded on reading up and trying to work out the answer, could
one of you knowledgeable chaps (and chappeses) point me in the right
direction for the final decisions that I need to make please.

I have the music stored on a NAS which is no problem, I feed the
Transporter via the ethernet network, again no problem as far as I can
tell and the Transporter appears to be doing a great job. I have been
using LMS for years, but I am currently trialling Roon.

So the Transporter DAC has done its job, and my question is: do I feed
my Yamaha amp with a digital feed from the Transporter and use STRAIGHT
(through) mode on the Amp, or do I use the analogue feed from the
Transporter and also select STRAIGHT mode?

I am guessing that the first option has to have some digital to analogue
conversion which will affect what the Transporter has already done(?)
and therefore feeding the amp with analogue signal will be best? Or do I
set up both on different inputs?

The Yamaha Amp is the RX-A3060.

Thanks in advance - Terry

------------------------------------------------------------------------
terryd's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=66110
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

garym

2017-10-02 22:30:36 UTC

Permalink

Post by terryd
Having overloaded on reading up and trying to work out the answer, could
one of you knowledgeable chaps (and chappeses) point me in the right
direction for the final decisions that I need to make please.
I have the music stored on a NAS which is no problem, I feed the
Transporter via the ethernet network, again no problem as far as I can
tell and the Transporter appears to be doing a great job. I have been
using LMS for years, but I am currently trialling Roon.
So the Transporter DAC has done its job, and my question is: do I feed
my Yamaha amp with a digital feed from the Transporter and use STRAIGHT
(through) mode on the Amp, or do I use the analogue feed from the
Transporter and also select STRAIGHT mode?
I am guessing that the first option has to have some digital to analogue
conversion which will affect what the Transporter has already done(?)
and therefore feeding the amp with analogue signal will be best? Or do I
set up both on different inputs?
The Yamaha Amp is the RX-A3060.
Thanks in advance - Terry

I'd connect Analog out from Transporter to the Yamaha, assuming the
yamaha has a way of bypassing it's own DAC (is that the Straight mode?)

*Home:* VortexBox 4TB (2.4) > LMS 7.9.1 > Transporter, Touch, Boom,
Radio (all ethernet)
*Cottage:* VBA 3TB (2.4) > LMS 7.9.1 > Touch > Benchmark DAC I, Boom,
Radio w/Battery (all ethernet except Radio)
*Office:* Win8(64) > LMS 7.9.1 > Squeezelite
*Spares:* Transporter, Touch(3), Radio(3), Boom, SB3, CONTROLLER
*Controllers:* iPhone6 & iPadAir2 (iPeng & Squeezepad), CONTROLLER, or
SqueezePlay 7.8 on Win10(64) laptop
*Files:* ripping: dbpoweramp > FLAC; post-rip: mp3tag, PerfectTunes;
Streaming: Spotify
------------------------------------------------------------------------
garym's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17325
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

terryd

2017-10-03 06:21:53 UTC

Permalink

Post by garym
I'd connect Analog out from Transporter to the Yamaha, assuming the
yamaha has a way of bypassing it's own DAC (is that the Straight mode?)

Thanks Gary.

I am thinking that the answer is "yes" and I will pull the cabinet out
and take a look coupled with trying to read through the mammoth manual.

Thanks again for the prompt reply - Terry

p.s. it sounds pretty good at the moment, but you know what it is like,
you want every last drop of performance before you can settle down and
enjoy it...

------------------------------------------------------------------------
terryd's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=66110
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

cliveb

2017-10-03 14:33:37 UTC

Permalink

Post by terryd
Thanks Gary.
I am thinking that the answer is "yes" and I will pull the cabinet out
and take a look coupled with trying to read through the mammoth manual.
Thanks again for the prompt reply - Terry
p.s. it sounds pretty good at the moment, but you know what it is like,
you want every last drop of performance before you can settle down and
enjoy it...

It doesn't matter whether or not your Yamaha amp re-digitises an
analogue signal.
Nor does it matter what anyone here says about which is better.
All that matters is what sounds good to you - and only you can figure
that out.
Try it both ways and pick the one you like best. End Of.

Transporter -> ATC SCM100A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cliveb's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=348
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

terryd

2017-10-03 18:58:19 UTC

Permalink

Post by cliveb
It doesn't matter whether or not your Yamaha amp re-digitises an
analogue signal.
Nor does it matter what anyone here says about which is better.
All that matters is what sounds good to you - and only you can figure
that out.
Try it both ways and pick the one you like best. End Of.

Now I like and know that theory, and it works well until you think that
you can get another few bhp with a slight mod. It is knowing that there
is the possibility of even slightly better sound that spurs us on to
spend time and money in the pursuit of happiness!

I think that my problem is that the Yamaha has so many inputs and
configurations I just want to strip it back and get the best I can
coming out of the speakers.

OK seriously, I take your point and I am happily listening to the set up
this evening with great music playing.

Thanks again - Terry

Now to spend a couple of days converting all my FLAC files into AIFF...

------------------------------------------------------------------------
terryd's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=66110
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

garym

2017-10-03 19:02:09 UTC

Permalink

Post by terryd
Now to spend a couple of days converting all my FLAC files into AIFF...

Why? That certainly has no impact on sound quality, and you lose the
built in CRC in FLAC files (to be able to batch check for file
corruption in the future), good tagging, among other benefits of FLAC.

*Home:* VortexBox 4TB (2.4) > LMS 7.9.1 > Transporter, Touch, Boom,
Radio (all ethernet)
*Cottage:* VBA 3TB (2.4) > LMS 7.9.1 > Touch > Benchmark DAC I, Boom,
Radio w/Battery (all ethernet except Radio)
*Office:* Win8(64) > LMS 7.9.1 > Squeezelite
*Spares:* Transporter, Touch(3), Radio(3), Boom, SB3, CONTROLLER
*Controllers:* iPhone6 & iPadAir2 (iPeng & Squeezepad), CONTROLLER, or
SqueezePlay 7.8 on Win10(64) laptop
*Files:* ripping: dbpoweramp > FLAC; post-rip: mp3tag, PerfectTunes;
Streaming: Spotify
------------------------------------------------------------------------
garym's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17325
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

terryd

2017-10-03 19:05:16 UTC

Permalink

Post by garym
Why? That certainly has no impact on sound quality, and you lose the
built in CRC in FLAC files (to be able to batch check for file
corruption in the future), good tagging, among other benefits of FLAC.

Sorry, I should have put a smiley face at the end of that sentence Gary.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
terryd's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=66110
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

garym

2017-10-03 19:06:19 UTC

Permalink

Post by terryd
Sorry, I should have put a smiley face at the end of that sentence Gary.

:cool: You had me worried for a minute.

*Home:* VortexBox 4TB (2.4) > LMS 7.9.1 > Transporter, Touch, Boom,
Radio (all ethernet)
*Cottage:* VBA 3TB (2.4) > LMS 7.9.1 > Touch > Benchmark DAC I, Boom,
Radio w/Battery (all ethernet except Radio)
*Office:* Win8(64) > LMS 7.9.1 > Squeezelite
*Spares:* Transporter, Touch(3), Radio(3), Boom, SB3, CONTROLLER
*Controllers:* iPhone6 & iPadAir2 (iPeng & Squeezepad), CONTROLLER, or
SqueezePlay 7.8 on Win10(64) laptop
*Files:* ripping: dbpoweramp > FLAC; post-rip: mp3tag, PerfectTunes;
Streaming: Spotify
------------------------------------------------------------------------
garym's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17325
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

MichaelJ

2017-10-04 15:37:44 UTC

Permalink

Post by terryd
Sorry, I should have put a smiley face at the end of that sentence Gary.

Oh my gosh...levity in the audiophile forum. Shouldnt that be reported
to a moderator?:)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
MichaelJ's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=43215
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

terryd

2017-10-04 18:04:29 UTC

Permalink

Post by MichaelJ
Oh my gosh...levity in the audiophile forum. Shouldnt that be reported
to a moderator?:)

Aw come on guys, I did do it WITHOUT a smiley [ ] <- I can't
tell you what I wanted to put in there.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
terryd's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=66110
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

garym

2017-10-04 19:43:17 UTC

Permalink

Post by MichaelJ
Oh my gosh...levity in the audiophile forum. Shouldnt that be reported
to a moderator?:)

may even require a ban of the member! :p

*Home:* VortexBox 4TB (2.4) > LMS 7.9.1 > Transporter, Touch, Boom,
Radio (all ethernet)
*Cottage:* VBA 3TB (2.4) > LMS 7.9.1 > Touch > Benchmark DAC I, Boom,
Radio w/Battery (all ethernet except Radio)
*Office:* Win8(64) > LMS 7.9.1 > Squeezelite
*Spares:* Transporter, Touch(3), Radio(3), Boom, SB3, CONTROLLER
*Controllers:* iPhone6 & iPadAir2 (iPeng & Squeezepad), CONTROLLER, or
SqueezePlay 7.8 on Win10(64) laptop
*Files:* ripping: dbpoweramp > FLAC; post-rip: mp3tag, PerfectTunes;
Streaming: Spotify
------------------------------------------------------------------------
garym's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17325
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

terryd

2017-10-04 20:44:13 UTC

Permalink

Post by garym
may even require a ban of the member! :p
(the problem is that I see so much amazingly funny stuff posted by
people who are actually serious, that my "detector" is no longer working
properly.)

Just to establish my credibility [ ] to all [ ]: I have two Squeezebox
Booms, a Touch and a Transporter at home, plus a Squeezebox Boom in the
office.

And no smileys.

As an update to my original question, the PURE DIRECT setting of the
Yamaha amp appears to be the best for the output from the Transporter,
and this is with the digital output from the Transporter, and as
mentioned by Clive, I am leaving it at that.

Thanks again all - Terry

------------------------------------------------------------------------
terryd's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=66110
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

terryd

2018-01-13 11:55:50 UTC

Permalink

Just by way of the follow up to last October's thread.

I have connected the Transporter to a fibre optic input on the Yamaha
and it sounds great in PURE mode. STRAIGHT is OK but switching to PURE
makes the sound more acceptable to our ears (which is what counts in the
end).

I have also added Roon software onto my PC and have now built myself a
NUC (same spec as the Nucleus+) and that feeds through the Transporter
and that has made such a difference. The ability to control my sprawling
audio collection is the biggest bonus but also as Roon software
recognises the DAC in the Transporter the sound appears to have got
better as well. Subjective as it may be, and maybe (positively) affected
by Tidal and FLAC recordings the sound coming out of the speakers is
very pleasing.

I am going to link a Meridian Explorer2 to the USB of the NUC and then
in to the Yamaha on analogue and compare them "side by side".

Once again, thanks to all who added helpful comments.

Terry

------------------------------------------------------------------------
terryd's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=66110
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

tcutting

2017-10-02 22:54:32 UTC

Permalink

First off, I don't claim to be "audiophile" so take my post with grain
of salt...

Your Yamaha appears to have significant DSP capabilities - it's billed
as a "9.1" system. How do you plan to use this for "normal" stereo
listening? Do you make use of a subwoofer? Are your "main" Left and
Right speakers capable of full-range performance? Why I ask this is
that, I believe, if you use ANY of the x.1 (or x.2?) modes (including
2.1, which means the AV receiver performs the crossover to create the L,
R and SUB signals), then the AV receiver is in fact performing DSP - so
if the input is analog (i.e., from the Transporter's DAC), then it will
re-digitize, process, and then run through its own DAC's to create the
final analog outputs.
I believe if you operate the AV Receiver in "straight" mode, you will
only get L + R outputs. For this reason, you may be better served
providing a digital input to your AV amplifier (which means, however,
you're not taking advantage of the Transporter's own DACs).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
tcutting's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17402
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091

garym

2017-10-02 23:00:04 UTC

Permalink

Post by tcutting
First off, I don't claim to be "audiophile" so take my post with grain
of salt...
Your Yamaha appears to have significant DSP capabilities - it's billed
as a "9.1" system. How do you plan to use this for "normal" stereo
listening? Do you make use of a subwoofer? Are your "main" Left and
Right speakers capable of full-range performance? Why I ask this is
that, I believe, if you use ANY of the x.1 (or x.2?) modes (including
2.1, which means the AV receiver performs the crossover to create the L,
R and SUB signals), then the AV receiver is in fact performing DSP - so
if the input is analog (i.e., from the Transporter's DAC), then it will
re-digitize, process, and then run through its own DAC's to create the
final analog outputs.
I believe if you operate the AV Receiver in "straight" mode, you will
only get L + R outputs. For this reason, you may be better served
providing a digital input to your AV amplifier (which means, however,
you're not taking advantage of the Transporter's own DACs).

agree. I wouldn't use analog out from Transporter unless I was sure
there was a yamaha BYPASS option that did not use the yamaha DSP at all.

*Home:* VortexBox 4TB (2.4) > LMS 7.9.1 > Transporter, Touch, Boom,
Radio (all ethernet)
*Cottage:* VBA 3TB (2.4) > LMS 7.9.1 > Touch > Benchmark DAC I, Boom,
Radio w/Battery (all ethernet except Radio)
*Office:* Win8(64) > LMS 7.9.1 > Squeezelite
*Spares:* Transporter, Touch(3), Radio(3), Boom, SB3, CONTROLLER
*Controllers:* iPhone6 & iPadAir2 (iPeng & Squeezepad), CONTROLLER, or
SqueezePlay 7.8 on Win10(64) laptop
*Files:* ripping: dbpoweramp > FLAC; post-rip: mp3tag, PerfectTunes;
Streaming: Spotify
------------------------------------------------------------------------
garym's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17325
View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108091