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Product Support => HiMedia Q10 Pro, Q5 Pro => Topic started by: m-i-c-k-e-y on April 19, 2016, 08:13:05 PM

Title: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: m-i-c-k-e-y on April 19, 2016, 08:13:05 PM
Would like to confirm that I could play TRUE (not downsampled) DXD and DSD (DSD64/DSD128) music thru a DAC on the USB port.

USB DAC: Geek Out 1K

Player: Neutron (newest version)

Other players I could not play because I could not access the program settings.
Apps tried: UAPP and ONKYO HF.

If others could help me on those Apps cited above would be welcome.

Next to try: Geek Pulse Infinity (w/ DSD256 firmware upgrade)
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: m-i-c-k-e-y on April 20, 2016, 08:49:00 AM
Update:

Well Geek Pulse Infinity (MSRP $2500) Works!

Well like the Geek Out 1K works only on Neutron MP. But that's ok I like the sound of Neutron also. Too bad could not make it work on UAPP or Onkyo HF (could not access settings due to interface problems / Q10 pro will not show settings).

RECOMMENDATION: Proper Android tablet view suppport. Tablet/Smartphone view toggle switch.

Could not pass thru sound either while playing videos. Will try it out with Toslink later. But what a Beast!  Plays 2160p 60Hz files smoother than my PC with a GTX970!

 Obligatory Pic:

Himedia Q10 Pro playing DSD128  from usb thru an audiophile quality DAC

(https://i.imgur.com/67aca99h.jpg)
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: m-i-c-k-e-y on April 20, 2016, 03:32:24 PM
Update 2:

SPDIF Toslink Works!

Now I can hear Video/Youtube thru my DAC/Amp (a bit of let down though it wasn't native supported by the OS).

So with my Geek Pulse Infinity this how it goes:

Thru USB if I want to listen to HIFI Audio playing DSD/DXD.
Thru SPDIF Toslink for Videos and Net surfing. 
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: m-i-c-k-e-y on June 29, 2016, 08:22:14 AM
Update 3

- I could listen to audio thru my DAC/Amp on Apps not having a USB driver. But  I am limited to 16/48K since they are using ASL for output. 
What does this mean.  By using normal, non audiophile specific Apps (like Kodi, MX Player, Poweramp, Google Music etc.),  I can listen audio thru my DAC/Amp using USB.  But can listen to them only to a max of 16/48K resolution regardless of source.

- Installed a AUDIOPHONICS Linear Power Supply double 2x 12V 2A (http://www.audiophonics.fr/en/hi-fi-power-supply/linear-power-supply-double-2x-12v-2a-p-10252.html (http://www.audiophonics.fr/en/hi-fi-power-supply/linear-power-supply-double-2x-12v-2a-p-10252.html)) and there was increase in resolution, definition, blacker soundstage in Audio. Video increased a bit in definition/clarity, vvidness/saturation .

- Installed Light Harmonic Revive and it works! (http://lightharmonic.com/revive/ (http://lightharmonic.com/revive/))

- Installed a WD Red 8tb WD80EFZX and it works! Quite HDD...

Current Setup:

(https://i.imgur.com/qvXitobh.jpg)
 
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: manley on June 29, 2016, 11:29:03 AM
I also  have ditched the original Himedia smps plug power supply in favour of a linear (proper transformer) regulated power supply with excellent results
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: aznblood on July 13, 2016, 03:27:09 AM
how do you use the linear power supply with the himedia box ? benefit ?
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: Transit266 on July 13, 2016, 08:12:35 AM
Could anyone confirm that the new firmware 1.0.5 can pass through FLAC ( decoded as PCM but unchanged sample rate) with any sample rate (i.e. under 48kHz)?
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: m-i-c-k-e-y on July 13, 2016, 08:26:31 AM
how do you use the linear power supply with the himedia box ? benefit ?

As your power supply replacement but with very low noise. Benefit? See my last post.  ;D 
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: Nice Monkey on July 13, 2016, 08:45:56 AM
how do you use the linear power supply with the himedia box ? benefit ?

As your power supply replacement but with very low noise. Benefit? See my last post.  ;D

Using an earthed switched mode PSU of 12V 4A myself. This also gives good results.

People overlook the need for an earth connection on a Media Center setup. Switched mode PSU's have a floating output which can cause all kinds of nasty side effects. You may even see sparks when interconnecting equipment via HDMI as this interface is connected to the ground of the chassis at both ends. If both are fed by a switched mode PSU without an earth connection for each it will level out DC voltages when making the connection. Specifically connecting a desktop/tower PC which is not earthed (as it should be) correctly via HDMI may produce nasty results and potentially even damage your equipment.
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: aznblood on July 13, 2016, 12:53:19 PM
what i mean is how do you connect the power supply to the himedia player  ?.....what is required (cable...etc).  The one mention in your post is quite expensive...any alternative less expensive unit ?
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: m-i-c-k-e-y on July 13, 2016, 07:21:54 PM
This LPS is very similar to mine...

Front

(https://d1jesv1uvhg9i4.cloudfront.net/a/a3/900x900px-LL-a3675251_DSC00322.jpeg)

Back

(https://d1jesv1uvhg9i4.cloudfront.net/3/34/900x900px-LL-3488a21b_DSC00323.jpeg)

With DC Cables

(https://d1jesv1uvhg9i4.cloudfront.net/6/65/900x900px-LL-65d10350_DSC00325.jpeg)

Procedure:
1. Attach AC plug to LPS
2. Attach DC (w/ barrel) plug to LPS
3. Connect  DC plug to Q10 Pro
4. Connect AC plug to outlet
5. Turn on LPS
6. Turn on Q10 Pro

All cables (on my case) are provided when I bought my LPS.

On ebay you could find around $40-$80 but all comes from China. I don't know other sources (Amazon?). Teradak is a reputable make but cost more.  Internet is your friend. When searching for a  linear power supply be sure to have at least 12V 2A (Amperes).
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: Djinn on July 22, 2016, 08:48:27 PM
m-i-c-k-e-y, which app from Play Store do you recommend in order to play 24-bit/96kHz FLAC files with a Q10 Pro connected to an AV receiver through coaxial cable? Logically, I'm not going to use any USB DAC, just the internal DAC of SoC.

Thanks
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: m-i-c-k-e-y on July 23, 2016, 01:42:17 PM
HibyMusic,  it's free and supports DSD and SACD iso.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hiby.music&hl=en (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hiby.music&hl=en)

** You can access settings from swiping the main screen from left to right. And player by swiping mainscreen from right to left
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: the wade on August 02, 2016, 08:41:14 AM
Also works with Arcam rPac USB DAC directly.

Please not that SPDIF sound is not usable when usb dac is plugged.
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: manley on August 02, 2016, 01:55:23 PM
Also works with a Stello U3 connected via USB, up to 192KHz and DSD ISO with PCM 88.2KHz down sampled as the U3 is not DSD capable.
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: the wade on August 08, 2016, 11:23:55 AM
Is it possible to USB Dac and HDMI output TOGETHER?

When I plug the USB DAC, I can not have sound from HDMI/SPDIF.
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: m-i-c-k-e-y on August 08, 2016, 05:30:39 PM
Nice to know that there are other DACs that functions. USB Audio in Android is a HIT OR MISS...

Is it possible to USB Dac and HDMI output TOGETHER?

When I plug the USB DAC, I can not have sound from HDMI/SPDIF.

Its Android limitation (i think -> playing one device at a time, my experience correct me if i am wrong, haven't been able to play audio in multiple output devices thru a single android source ). It is possible however to connect a multichannel device (ie audio interface) using an app: USB Audio Recorder Pro https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbaudiorecorderpro&hl=en (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbaudiorecorderpro&hl=en)

Even on PCs its difficult to play thru multiple output devices if without the right software.
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: m-i-c-k-e-y on August 20, 2016, 05:10:02 PM
Now with the 1.07 I finally able to run and configure  UAPP....

(https://i.imgur.com/Z6oPa8fl.jpg)

Nice Isn't it??

And my keybaord as well. I can type as intended it to do...Not those mumbo jumbo. And its built in functions (home, volume up, volume down, browser etc.)works too!

(https://i.imgur.com/7rOKQZgl.jpg)

But the best thing came this afternoon........drums rolling...

UAPP released an update to support Native DSD.

So now...TADA!!

Now Plays DSD256!!
(https://i.imgur.com/7zBXvtyl.jpg)
Title: Re: Playing HD music (DXD and DSD) thru an External DAC
Post by: m-i-c-k-e-y on September 26, 2016, 10:11:19 PM
Tried the SPDIF Coax/RCA and SPDIF/Toslink (Opt.) connections of the Q10 Pro to my DAC.

Brief: The same! Music apps played or did not played the same types of format. With SPDIF Coax/RCA gave a bit edge on SQ.

Long form:

Both SPDIF Coax and Toslink played/not played the same type of music formats on the music apps tested.

Kodi 16.1 - DXD(24/352.8 ), Flac (24/192 and lower), WAV (24/192 and lower), MP3, and DSD64. DSD128 and 256 stutters.

Himedia Music App:  Flac (24/192 and lower), WAV (24/192 and lower), MP3. Can't / Did not play DXD nor DSD files.

HibyMusic - Flac (24/192 and lower), WAV (24/192 and lower), MP3. DSD64 and DSD64 iso files. Can't / Did not play DXD or DSD128 and higher files.

UAPP (using Android Sound Layer) - Same behavior as Kodi 16.1.

Comments:

1. Is Kodi 16.1 using the ASL to play files in their music app? Since it has the same behavior compared to UAPP using ASL. Because Kodi played DXD and DSD128 files (even it stutters) the SPDIF and Toslink connections on my DAC could support only upto 24/192.

2. HibyMusic played as to specs of Himedia (24/192, DSD64).  IMO better SQ than UAPP and Kodi ON THIS setup. Does it do passthrough? Because DSD64 using DoP is 24/176.4 PCM signal (w/in bounds of my DAC's SPDIF/TOSLINK signal). With DSD128 it needs 24/352.8 thru DoP. Well IDK.

3. SPDIF Coax/RCA IMO has a slight/bit of edge in SQ as compared to Toslink. Need further listening on this matter...

Side note:

UAPP has new feature: BITPERFECT!  Now I hear what I should hear. Thanks to the developer!