2. pc-audio
  3. 162500-153106

Why do I "need" Audirvana, Roon or the like versus just Tidal App?

Hi, I stream Tidal MQA and their hifi via my Macbook Pro. I use the Tidal app on the MBpro which unpacks MQA, contains my playlists etc. In the future, I may also stream ripped cds on very rare occasion from a connected hard drive, as well as any hi res audio files I may purchase. However, 99.9% is an is likely to continue to be Tidal streaming. Maybe, just maybe adding Quboz or Amazon in the future...


I feed this from my MAC via USB out to my integrated amp and DAC (Peachtree Nova 300). I have no plans to have a separate server etc in the short term, …but may do so in the future.


I cannot understand what, if anything, Audirvana (or Roon and the like) would bring to.the table in my scenario. Perhaps better MQA unpacking? Slicker interface? Better sound quality?

I would greatly appreciate you all's thoughts on this! Thank you very much.


bogbeat
braccio69
11 posts
 
The musicians you speak of who are making pennies on a dollar for their music have a "choice" of whether to have their material on Tidal at all in the first place. So begrudging a streaming service for their contractual deals with artists is silly. As they don't have to be part of it if they choose not to. Copyrights.....
phcollie's avatar
phcollie
342 posts
 
Dug up this old thread.  Today I tested the Qobuz application again, playing Ben Harpers "Winter is for Lovers". Did side by side comparison with Audirvana playing the same high res tracks. 24/96 to my stand alone DAC.  There is no comparison, Audirvana player of same song has much more detail, Shimmer on all of the high notes, and even more reveal of his fingers sliding on the frets. Harlem is a good one to tell all the differences. Audirvana removes a "veil" that exists and I suspect the same reason I like this clarity better than with the Roon test of same. 
bogbeat OP
47 posts
 
Hi phcollie,

I tried to like Audirvana.  I downloaded the latest demo (Mac) and it was a frequent source of random noise, distortion and hiss.  It didn't matter if I was streaming Tidal or Qobuz through it.  Same result.   Damien had me send him logs, etc.  But no solution for me.  So, I bought into the ROON thing.. Sonore Optical Rendu Lite and Small Green Computer Sonic Transport.   So far I am happy. 
phcollie's avatar
phcollie
342 posts
 
I understand.....I have the legacy 3.5 paid version.  On a Mac, that version functions differently as I recall but can not remember the details. The older macs had a usb conflict and some issues with "integer mode".
Works flawlessly on Windows 10 64bit.  The old website detailed some of this but not the new studio site they have up.  Not being judgmental at all but Apple can just be a general pain in the ass.  Some guys had great luck with the post 2008 Macbooks but it still had to fudge the stream a bit compared to the absolute bit perfect with the Windows boxes.  
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