Is network streaming possible with XXHighEnd ?

[amiglick]

New to this forum and apologize for this basic question.

I use a dedicated audio PC, windows server 2012 R1 and NETWORK streaming to my PS AUDIO PerfectWave DAC + Bridge. (bridge is the network input accessory).

I don't use USB output because I found the network streaming with better SQ in my System.

I use very high quality cables, electrical, IC's, and network cables. (Audioquest VODKA).

Can I get the benefits of XXHighEnd in my computer, streaming to network ?

Thanks

[PeterSt]

Hi there and welcome !

Very short answer : Yes, but only me will be able to get it running. So say you could be streaming a file from my server (over the internet) and that would work. But this more dedicated peer to peer solution is not general enough to really answer this with a Yes and so I should say No.
This doesn't mean I can't make it happen for real. So all is in there to let that work with the best SQ (this is fairly explicit and really not different from how I use it myself with 2 PC's all the time) which is also related to ethernet (which in the end is how you connect to Internet) isolation.

The other reality - for most at least - is that it needs a high enough download bandwidth (and upload at the other side) to really let it work. I mean, we could be streaming MP3's but that would not be my personal idea about the best SQ. So although it isn't sheer reality, think of you streaming from another's server Redbook CD (which is allowed to be FLAC compressed) then it might work if you are the only one doing that. But this soon stops because of lack of upload bandwidth.
In the end this counts for every such "provider" which of course is the reason why that's done with MP3.

All 'n all : It will be there. But what I most probably will make of it is some kind of peer to peer streaming with "load balancing". That requires a certain amount of people to join this gag.

Regards,
Peter

[Tore]

WIMP HIFI, LOSSLESS MUSIC STREAMING (flac & alac files)

Take a look here: http://wimpmusic.com/wweb/index/


Peter, if you can get Wimp running with XXHighEnd it is fantastic.


Tore

[PeterSt]

Could be a good idea Tore. However, a first glance makes me wonder a little :

A lossless file in 44.1 kHz/16-bit is theoretically 1411 kbps (the formula is (sample rate) x (bit rate) x (number of channels) = kbps, so CD-quality is 44 100 x 16 x 2 = 1411kbps). But since PCM has a variable bit rate by nature, our experience from our testing is that a lot of repertoire is in the region of 700-900 kbps.

This is on this page : http://magazine.wimp.no/2013/09/wimp-hifi-lossless-music-streaming/
and what it says all together is a bit(rate) beyond me. Maybe I don't trust this. So ...

https://wimp.zendesk.com/forums/21809523-PC-Mac?locale=8

That I can read (German) but you will be able to find that page through the Norwegian link. This, among others, leads to this Q&A page :

https://wimp.zendesk.com/entries/23237466-In-welcher-Qualit%C3%A4t-wird-Musik-bei-WiMP-gestreamt-
In welcher Qualität wird Musik bei WiMP gestreamt?
 

WiMP Support [MB]
erstellte dies am 25. Februar 2013 12:31
Normale Audio-Aualität:96 kbit/s AAC+

Hohe Audio-Qualität:320 kbit/s AAC

Wo kann ich die Audio-Qualität einstellen?Klick rechts oben in der Anwendung auf "Einstellungen". Dort kannst du die Audio-Qualität auswählen. Ab dem nächsten Song, der abgespielt wird, gilt deine neue Auswahl.

So now the full text of the first quote :

A lossless file in 44.1 kHz/16-bit is theoretically 1411 kbps (the formula is (sample rate) x (bit rate) x (number of channels) = kbps, so CD-quality is 44 100 x 16 x 2 = 1411kbps). But since PCM has a variable bit rate by nature, our experience from our testing is that a lot of repertoire is in the region of 700-900 kbps. So if you are using the AAC 320 option today, you are looking at doubling plus some. But remember that if bandwidth is not an issue, decoding a lossless file is much easier – so the general experience is actually quicker than with AAC.

So I don't get it but maybe it's me ?
Regards,
Peter

[amiglick]

Thanks for the complicated answer.

My understanding is that at this point of time the answer is no.

As of now I use Windows Server 2012 R2 in Core mode with a software called "AO" (Audiophile Optimizer) and the player is PS Audio Elyric Music Server.

Sounds good but I thought to give a try to XXHighEnd, I will probably will have to wait.

Thanks for the answers guys.

[PeterSt]

But are you hooked to that streaming ? I mean, is it only about that ? Don't you play normally (local stored files) as well ?

[CoenP]

Thanks for the complicated answer.

Welcome to the forum!

No simple answers here, but a lot to learn  !

@Peter,

If you replace PCM for MP3 I think the mumbo jumbo makes a little more sense.

Regards, Coen

[Tore]

Wimp HiFi : For full lossless experience we use FLAC on everything apart from on iOS, where we use ALAC (Apple Lossless). It is all in 44.1 kHz / 16 bit, which is exactly same files as on CDs.


Tore

[Tore]

Peter, i hope you will give us a opportunity to use Wimp HiFi / Tidal HiFi

It is a new world, we can discover new artists every day instead of plying old stuff


http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/600-wimp-tidal-headquarters-oslo-norway/
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/607-tidal-hifi-revolution-starts-today/

http://hifipig.com/tidal-announces-integration-with-16-brands/

http://tidalhifi.com/no
https://wimp.de/wweb/specials/hifi_lossless/


Tore

[PeterSt]

Hi Tore,

Yes, and I sure have been looking into it. But where is the Dutch version ? I don't think I can do much without that ...
Or can I ?

Regards,
Peter

[michaeljeger]

I just signed up to TIDAL yesterday.
Very cool service.
Playing the songs even in lossless works quite good so far. No dropouts.

Signing up is possilbe if you use a VPN service.
Once signed up with VPN, it is not needed anymore (Tidal does not check where you are from anymore once you have signed up.)

Regards, Michael

[PeterSt]

OK, cool. Thank you Michael.

Now I thought I knew what "VPN" is, but this seems not at all what can be utilized here. Or is this something which pops up during the process of signing up ?

Thanks,
Peter

[CoenP]

Its an encrypted connection to a server.

That server can be your home internet connected server or a server in another country.
Your internet traffic over the VPN will use a "local" IP address. This means that you can use a United States IP address with surfing over a US VPN service. Since many services check on the origin of the IP range for access (services that are legally bound to nations) you can with this US VPN present yourself as a "US resident". IP-wise that is of course but enough to pass the test and enjoy stuff that is not available in your country yet.

Apparently TIDAL only checks the IP address origin on sign up.

The internet is full of these paid VPN services.

regards, Coen