It's definitely not for everyone (still a faffy solution), and there are people (including Jussi (HQPlayer developer) and Rob Watts) who think it is pointless or wrong, but it is really just taking Shannon-Whitaker to the extreme and is fundamentally in line with Rob's approach. In order to connect to a HQPlayer 4 server (Desktop or Embedded), there's a server address selection in top-left corner of the client main/playback view. This includes playback from input sources and library. Interceptor now has my MScaler and I have my own little datacentre running to store my library (PGGB files for Dave are big). HQPlayer Client allows various control operations on HQPlayer 4 Desktop and HQPlayer 4 Embedded servers.
Fifteen years of constant faffing about with every format, replay software and USB gadget I could get my hands on. Certainly the best I've managed to achieve in what must now be fifteen years without a cd player or turntable. In a well sorted, resolving system PGGB+SRC.DX+Dave is capable of delivering wonderfully relaxed, engaging and insightful music from a computer setup.
if you're considering Dave without the Mscaler, this would be a good alternative to look at. So far I really like both systems and I haven't missed the MScaler at all. there is a UK online retailer that will no doubt be able to help you out aim for 32gb as a minimum if you intend to convert a lot of albums.įor both PGGB and HQP, I'd recommend using SRC.DX for converting the USB feed into dual BNC.
I have a second Mac mini (2018) that is an Intel based i7 4.3ghz with 64gb of ram plus an eGPU (PowerColor Red Dragon Radeon RX Vega 56 8gb). The Mac mini M1 16gb is an excellent headless network HQPlayer server but, for converting files to PGGB it isn't the fastest. Either way this setup looks like a great way to greatly enhance performance from a cheap DAC, using the beefy Pi CPUs and a bit of buffering to crunch the data. Results may depend on the specific filter settings, take these as a starting point only. HQPlayer - PCM / 24bit 768 / poly-sync-gauss-xla / LNS15 / Multicore DSP & Quick Pause The Pi4 seem to be able to convert from PCM to DSD 128 without problems. PGGB settings - 24bit 705/768 / Transparency - Natural / Presentation - Transparent / HF Noise Filter - Moderate