Updating Blodgett Family Room Sound ~ New Onkyo AVR & JRMC Streamer 29Jan25

The 20 year old Yamaha receiver I brought from PHX for the Blodgett Family Room (BFR) gave up the ghost on its Zone 2 outputs. It was so old that it was only delivering derived multi-channel with Dolby PLIIx anyway, which was OK, but has long since been eclipsed with discrete mutli-channel formats. This is most important for movies and TV video. I didn't want to spend much (typical behavior) and found a low end Onkyo TX-NR6100; it's recent but not totally current, yet supports 8K/HDR10 and all the keen Dolby and DTX sound variants. I installed the new AVR and readily removed a lot of cabling... it's notable how clean modern consumer electronics can be aided by HDMI cabling. The prior install used quite a bit of optical & COAX digital as well as even some analog RCA cables. Little beyond HDMI 2.3 runs were required with the Onkyo and newish LG TV. The new install uses a Roku Ultra for most stuff but also sports a BluRay/DVD/CD carousel for nostalgia I guess. The new receiver and it's capability to decode discrete Dobly and DTX stuff sounds great and the video switching is strong too.

The BFR uses old bass reflex Paradigms and is a 5.1 setup in which I've replaced the sub and even drivers in the speakers previously. I used the Onkyo's own measurement mic and integrated EQ system initially to re-measure and set up the sound ~ ultimately I tweaked it manually to a more THX-like configuration. The panel below the monitor holds the center channel and an SVS subwoofer. The Paradigm speakers are just OK and a smidge oddly placed.

I also added a new JRiver MC streamer to the BFR kit. I really like the tiny inexpensive fanless mele PCs rebuilt into Linux boxes (especially when augmented with Flirc adapters to allow remote control from my normal Harmony control system). Even it is connected via just HDMI which carries the 2 channel 24bit/192Khz PCM or even DSD (.dsf) SACD files fine to the Onkyo for decoding and amplification, and for computer display on the LG. As usual, the JRMC displays lots of stuff about the current band or track.

Zone 2 works fine too; I use the optical back from the TV to assure 2 channel PCM (that's the only format accepted for Z2) is used to drive Zone 2. I can send music basically anywhere in the house using an Adcom selector and power amp driven by the Onkyo's Z2 line level output. We have in-ceiling speakers in many rooms, and even nicer stuff on the rear deck with the spa ~ that's where Zone 2 is most often used, sometimes to the chagrin of neighbors.

I guess I can next upgrade the BFR sound with some custom DRC speakers. The new NanoOnkens would be great replacing the Paradigms, though I'd want to add a new Mark Audio Pluvia 7.2HD center channel too. Hmmm...

Signal Processing For BDS Correction & Sub Integration ~ miniDSP Installed In EleNanoKit System 19Jan25

The 8200R is great with the modern Russian Tung Sol 6550 power tubes and the 1960 NOS Valvo 12AU7 valves from Germany for the pre-amp, and the wireless connections with the DS200Pro are very good using BT/aptX, and the NanoOnkens with Mark Audio Pluvia 7.2HD drivers are nice full range speakers. Yet I still hear and see anomalies from my desired house curve response in the SPL frequency measurement sweeps I made. So, I re-installed my miniDSP 2x4 HD using Toslink to lash it between the BT receiver and the amp and I went to work on finding signal processing adjustments that would improve the sound further. BTW, using the optical connection of the miniDSP into the system eliminated prior issues I was having measuring the EleNanoKit with it installed. Purists don't approve but miniDSP boxes are simply amazing for this kind of work... and correcting stuff in the digital domain is very effective. Here's the experimenting underway using macOS on a Macbook Pro for both miniDSP control and REW measurements. Plus, even purists often use crossover circuits; they are basically the same in the analog realm, but not as flexibly manipulated in real time.

Eliminating Baffle Diffraction Step Loss In The NanoOnkens... I manually built a number of PEQ filters in the miniDSP to correct the NanoOnkens for some BDS loss and to account for the acoustics of the Blodgett living room "free space" placement of them. I also let REW itself automatically generate a set of PEQ filters from an analysis of the raw SPL sweep. The SPL sweeps are the last measurements shown immediately below with my filtering as well as the auto-generated filtering when applied. Both are decent compared to the raw but I think I prefer the auto-generated biquads. These sweeps are without the NanoSub active. The last pic here shows the final install... I may yet decommission the AirPort Express (not shown);  I prefer the Bluetooth wireless, even from macOS; unfortunately iOS doesn't support aptX and my workaround is to always have macOS stream the music while iOS serves as a remote control.

Line Level Subwoofer Integration... With the 2x4 HD back in the system I can also use it to deliver a line level signal to the sub, eliminating the sloppier high level connection I have been using. Though it has been nice for volume adjustments. The 2x4 HD has 4 outputs and I'm using #1 and #2 for the main full range L & R NanoOnkens; I'm using #3 and #4 to send just the L & R low frequencies (~ <110Hz) to the NanoSub line-in RCAs on the plate amp. Sub integration is pretty simple but I'll fiddle with the cutoff and gain on the plate amp to ensure balance.

The entire EleNanoKit now sounds even better, neh killer now, and with the high def wireless audio additions to the system, it's very convenient and is still very small: "nano." I swapped out the Tung Sol 6550s for the Mullard EL34s for a listen again, this time with the preferred Valvo driver tubes. The EL34s sure had thump at the low end so I did have to attenuate the subwoofer down 4dB to avoid clipping. That too was easy to do in the miniDSP gear. I may want to make a permanent adjustment on the sub actually, independent of power tube ~ work for tomorrow. The listen actually confirmed my preference for the Tung Sols.

Update 21Jan25 ~ Filter Mods & Subwoofer Integration...  With the 6550s back in for power, I tried some more passes on correction filters and subwoofer gain and cutoff and decided on my A5 version... shown here on the sub and full kit, against the raw sweep with everything flat. Sweet. But, look how dominant the room is ~ both the NanoOnkens on their own, and the NanoSub on it's own, resonate similarly and throw basically the same SPL curves from 20Hz-80Hz. It's great sounding anyway and I'm surely not gonna make any room traps or acoustic mods in my living room, as it's probably a temporary location for the EleNanoKit. Interesting though.

Update 25Jan25 ~ Adding Hardwired Full HD Digital To EleNanoKit... Ultimately I really wanted even more from the EleNanoKit and so I added a fanless, headless, mele Linux PC to run JRiver MC local to the DAC/Amp. I also wanted the DSP applied to this source, like the others, so I connected the NanoPC to the miniDSP using USB. I also added this MC32 streamer as a server in my JRemote app so I don't have to add a monitor or keyboard to the tiny PC. Now I have full 24bit/192KHz streaming to the miniDSP DAC/DSP. Woohoo. Works great.

In order to funnel all  three sources through the miniDSP for signal processing (that is local JRiver MC on USB, BT/aptX stream on optical, and AirPlay stream on analog/RCA), I need to be able to switch the miniDSP input source conveniently without connecting a PC to the USB port ~ it's in use now. I got a $7 miniDSP remote v2. I can also use it to switch among 4 different filter & routing systems if I ever need, but right now have an optimal setting in #1, as described above. Per initial system objectives, the whole kit still remains "nano."

Here's a tease of the JRemote metadata and player; it's cool enough IMO; lyrics can be displayed and it even displays JRivers calc of the dynamic range of the track.

Update 27Jan25 ~ Added ST Power Control To EleNanoKit... I was leaving all the wireless receivers, DACs, and streamer PCs powered while just turning the TU-8200R on/off manually. The subwoofer is auto-sensing so goes quiescent when there's no signal. I didn't prefer leaving all this stuff on so I added a SmartThings power outlet switch in front of all the digital gear. When I hard deliver or drop power to the kit, all seems to turn off and reboot fine... with all settings and connections as expected. I also added a secure shell server to the Linux-based streamer so I could remotely manage it without having to use a local keyboard or monitor there.

Wireless Audio Streaming For The EleNanoKit ~ Bluetooth aptX and WiFi AirPlay 16Jan25

I'm interested in being able to wirelessly stream HD audio from a source like my mac, my iPhone or my Onkyo DP-X1 to an amp unequipped with wireless receivers. Adding wireless to the new EleNanoKit is "needed" so I do not have to get up to "change the album." And, comparing implementations is about getting continuous high def audio (at least CD quality: ≥ 16bit/44.1KHz) from my sources to the amp.

This wireless HiFi analysis is also relevant for streaming from a receiver or TV to modern wireless headphones or wireless speakers ~ the fidelity of using wireless anyway; it'd need to be in transmit mode of course... like receiving on the Sony WH-1000M4/M5 kind of headphones when your source doesn't already have wireless.

Wireless Audio Background... Digital wireless audio has come a long way in the last 5-10 years and there are many codecs and schemes built into audio gear now to connect to headphones and wireless speakers especially. Sony's LDAC and Qualcomm's aptX & aptX HD, and LC3 are codecs for use on top of Bluetooth connections. Apple would never adopt these schemes whole hog as licenses to others would need to be paid. There are also plenty of companies using WiFi for wireless audio streaming; Sonus built a company on it, and Apple AirPlay is the scheme most relevant to me as I'm an iPhone and mac owner. So, the requirement is to get the sources below (files spit by the Onkyo Music app on Android on the DP-X1 or the FlacBox app on iOS on iPhone or the JRiver MC32 app or FlacBox app on macOS on MacStudio) to stream high resolution flac files, wirelessly, to my 8200R.

Receiver Hardware... The TU-8200R does not have any wireless receiving capability. There are no products supporting both aptX and AirPlay (except new AVR receivers). My DP-X1 has Bluetooth aptX transmit capability as it's highest performing wireless audio connection. But, there is no consumer gear which receives Bluetooth aptX and converts that to USB (to allow staying in the digital domain prior to connecting to the DAC inboard on the 8200R). So, I needed to find a Bluetooth aptX HD (might as well get the latest) receiver with an audiophile DAC to receive an HD (high definition) stream and deliver quality analog to the line-in on the TU-8200R. I bought a relatively inexpensive 1Mii DS200Pro BT receiver supporting LDAC & aptX HD which employs a good 32bit/384KHz ESS Saber delta sigma DAC.

From my iPhone or mac I can send lossy, and highly variable, SBR or AAC over BT to the receiver above but that would not meet my high def streaming spec. So, researching the best wireless streaming scheme for iOS & macOS I concluded AirPlay over WiFi was the best way to go. Modern Apple gear is expensive, and even 3rd party AirPlay "receivers" are over $100. I discovered fine audio streaming performance exists in the now defunct 12 yr old Apple AirPort Express and there are lots of these Gen 2 boxes on eBay ~ I bought an A1392 for $20. I verified operation upon receipt; it's simple to use the AirPort Utility on macOS or iOS to configure it.

 I set up both receivers on top of the 8200R and it all remains "nano."

Relative Performance Of Streaming Audio Schemes, On Paper... We know I have aptX/Bluetooth and AirPlay 2/WiFi for wireless now but what is the performance of those and other current wireless audio streaming schemes? And what are the pros & cons of using these? How do they compare to hardwired connections for these same devices/sources.

Wireless Scheme	BT/SBR	BT/aptX	BT/aptX HD	BT/LDAC	BT/AAC	WiFi/AirPlay
My Application	NA	DP-X1	NA	NA	iPhone	iPhone
Range	~10m	~10m	~10m	~10m	~10m	~45m
Audio (bit depth/sample rate)	16bit/48KHz	16bit/44KHz	24bit/48KHz	24bit/96KBps	16bit/96Kbps	16bit/44Kbps
Variability	Very	No	No	Selectable	Yes	Yes
Real Max Bit Rate	328Kbps	352Kbps	576Kbps	990Kbps	264Kbps	1,411Kbps

Wired Scheme	USB/ALAC	USB/FLAC	Analog
My Application	iPhone w/ Ext DAC	DP-X1 w/ Ext DAC	DP-X1 w/ Int DAC
Range	1m	1m	1m
Audio (bit depth/sample rate)	16bit/48KHz	24bit/192KHz	2x24bit/384KHz
Variability	No	No	No
Real Max Bit Rate	384Kbps	~5Mbps	~10Mbps

Bit depth and sample rate are not the only determinants of audio sound quality over wireless of course, and many would argue humans can't tell the difference between a reasonable bit rate MP3 (say ~256Kbps) and a 32bit/384KHz flac file, if the original recording and encoding are good. But audiophiles, even low end guys like me, wouldn't agree. We don't really like the psycho-acoustic codecs which compress some content out of the material. I would agree that CBR (constant bit rate) 16bit/44.1KHz is good enough for wireless ~ though I have heard clear improvements in higher resolution versions of files to 24bit/96KHz streamed on wires and wireless, and buy them when I can. Using VBR (variable bit rate) or adaptive is sometimes needed in wireless due to varying conditions; it is why some schemes have lower bit rates than theory; constant bit rates at or above 16bit/44.1KHz (using FLAC these are compress but lossless) are how audiophiles claim "to hear everything the engineer & artist intended" when listening to digital material. *Note - the WiFi/AirPlay max bit rate here is very theoretical and never achieved in practice; in fact, since 2018 with the advent of AirPlay 2, most AirPlay is variable bit rate and lossy, without any way to force ALAC or FLAC full resolution streaming. Notable on paper is the significant advantage wired connections have in delivering higher resolution files effectively ~ hard copper baby... but, copper comes with a tether and basically limits the source to being within a meter of the amp/dac, and not in your hand... one trades quality for convenience.

Listening Experience... Specs are good to narrow choices but the acid test is in production; how does it sound and how does it measure, and how convenient is the wireless use model? I installed the new wireless receiver gear with BT/aptX on source #1 (RCA) on the 8200R and WiFi/AirPlay on source #2 (3.5mm jack). So, I can quickly and directly make A-B listening and measuring comparisons. I streamed both from FlacBox/iOS and FlacBox/macOS using AirPlay through the AirPort and, as expected, they sounded the same, and very good with 16bit/44.1KHz sampling, but VBR. Comparing BT/aptX from DP-X1 and WiFi/AirPlay from iPhone, while again similar, the BT/aptX sounded better to me ~ it was just more lively and full.

The difference is that aptX streams at a constant rate of 352Kbps and the AirPlay is variable. I also tried BT/AAC and BT/SBR from my iPhone for completeness sake, but AirPlay was just better, though BT/AAC was close. I could get the Bluetooth variants to stutter if I hid the transmitter (iPhone or DP-X1) in towards my body (a big bag of water)... AirPlay streamed OK once initiated but did stutter too.

Measuring Wireless Audio... Measurement strapping was a bit of an issue... for WiFi/AirPlay and BT/AAC measurements I used REW on my old MacBook Pro and tied outputs to AirPlay or Bluetooth on the mac as required. For BT/aptX I'd hoped to lash my DP-X1 to a Win10 laptop via USB and then stream the sweep over aptX, but that function wasn't supported by the my DAP (digital audio player). So, I dove on materials from the macOS bluetooth development community and found a scheme to enable aptX on it! Then I could do as I wished and measured from REW choosing BT as the output. As expected the SPL sweeps of all the wireless schemes were basically equivalent but the Elekit DAC wired USB sweep was smoother. All this indicates that the speakers and the room dominate freq response measurements. Good news is that total harmonic distortion was generally less than 1% with the wireless schemes, and even lower on the wired alternatives. I do have a little concern now that I see possible baffle diffraction step "loss" from the NanoOnkens that I should probably correct with DSP or a circuit.

Wired vs Wireless Listening... I did A-B listening of BT/aptX vs Wired/Analog of the very same high rez 24bit/96KHz files streamed from my DP-X1 DAP (digital audio player). While I wish my DAP supported aptX HD for the extra bit depth, I could readily tell the difference between wired & wireless; on display was the DP-X1's killer dual 24bit/384KHz DACs streaming 24bit/96Khz on wired and a 16bit/44.1KHz downrez on wireless. I'll likely again allocate the DAP to portable use with my stellar balanced wired buds, but it's served sources well on the EleNanoKit. I can't really measure stuff wired through the DP-X1 however so I have to trust my ears.

I even did A-B listening of the same files streamed from the iPhone via AirPlay and via a Lightning-USB camera dongle to the PS-3249R 16bit/48Khz DAC inside the Elekit amp. The iPhone couldn't drive the DAC with it's limited power so I had to use a $10 powered USB hub to power the DAC. Wired is again smoother and more dynamic to my ear.

Finally, I disconnected all the wireless stuff, and connected my DP-X1 analog to source #1 and my iPhone via Lightning-USB to the Elekit DAC (which was strapped to source #2), and listened to Sarah Jarosz's latest and lots of Molly Tuttle. Here I heard the better definition of the DP-X1's dual DACs shine through again. Hard to beat hardwired for the best consumer sound.

Wireless Audio Conclusions... Wireless is "OK" if casting at 16bit/44.1KHz (CD quality) or better. It is in fact good when using Bluetooth/aptX or better. The fidelity of wireless with BT/aptX is better than WiFi/AirPlay; LDAC or aptX HD would likely be better yet. I don't know if these newer high fidelity wireless schemes could compete with the better wired schemes and good DACs ~ I doubt it. AirPlay stutters much more often than aptX now. The liveliness and dynamics I hear in the music with non-VBR, higher bit depths & sampling rates, and better DACs is real and matters (to me).

Update 19Jan24 ~ Remote Control Of JRiver MC32 From Listening Position... Since iOS doesn't support aptX, my best scheme for "changing the album" from my listening chair is now to remotely control the JRiver Media Center running on my Mac Studio in the study, which is casting high def streams through the DS200Pro using Bluetooth/aptX. The remote control is a $10 app for iOS called JRemote from JRiver themselves. The JRiver MC32 running on the Studio is actually getting all it's music files from an ArchLinux server with many TBs of storage... MC is really just a library and aggregator of media stuff for me (images, lyrics, metadata, etc). I can use the JRemote with any JRiver MC Library Server... I happen to have several with the 2nd being in Silverthorne, and the 3rd on the theater in COS. Sure, I could use Wireguard to actually get at the same music files stored here in COS on my main file server to Summit Co but when used in this config, I've been bummed at the latency of "head seeks" remotely. So, I copy and sync a local set of music on a big flash drive at the Nest instead... much faster. I could do something similar on the EleNanoKit here but why if the JRemote is fine. Well, because maybe were I to add a nanoPC to the kit it'd be hardwired and I'd get even better quality ~ I'd use the 16bit/48KHz DAC inside the 8200R. I think my HD wireless audio is all set here now with full & quick access to my entire music library and an opportunity to allow guests to AirPlay their stuff. So, while it's not quite as visceral or straightforward as dropping a needle onto rotating vinyl, it is much more convenient and the tough stuff happens behind the curtains:

• JRemote on my iPhone talks over my WLAN to control my Media Center running on macOS, which
• uses the LAN to get the music files I request from my ArchLinux server, and
• pull in metadata from the Internet regarding the album, track, band, lyrics, images, etc, and
  
• stream the music high def over Bluetooth/aptX to my DS200Pro receiver, which
  
• delivers the digital 2 channel PCM stream over optical to a miniDSP 2x4 HD for signal processing and subwoofer signal creation, then
• the 8200R drives the NanoOnkens and the integrated plate amp drives the NanoSub, while
• I get lyrics, bios, and track data to peruse right back on my iPhone simultaneously.

Here's a JRemote screenshot and the current electronics setup; I'm trying out some Mullard EL34s for power.

Slick.

January Music Appreciation ~ Random Thoughts From My YouTube History 13Jan25

If Google knows, and parses and uses my inclinations, so should you. I spend some time on YouTube listening to mostly live recordings of new and favored bands ~ yeah, on one of my audiophile kits of course.

Shallow Alcove ~ Breakthrough Alert! I knew they were from the northeast from the get-go; go Philly sounds.

Shallow Alcove Various  In Chicago on Audiotree Live 08Aug24 (release only last week)
Shallow Alcove Various on WXPN 29Oct24
Shallow Alcove “Dream Song” in Somebody’s Bedroom 20Mar24

I’m With Her ~ Wow, back in the studio together for keen harmonies on covers.

I’m With Her cover Sabrina Carpenter “Espresso” OA 09Jan25
I’m With Her cover Vampire Weekend “Hannah Hunt” OA 09May24

Jade Bird ~ finally found a performance after the breakup; she's awesome but needs new material.

Jade Bird @ XPonential Music Fest Various 30Oct24

Christina Vane ~ Includes Official Vids ‘cause resonator, songs, country, blues; total rockstar.

Christina Vane OV “You Ain’t Special” 07Jun24
Christina Vane OV Everything Is Fine 02Aug24
Christina Vane OV “Getting High In Hotel Rooms” 24Oct24
Christina Vane “Travelin’ Blues” @ Santa Cruz Guitar Company 28Oct24
Christa Vane, Hannah Juanita & Brennen Leigh ~ Atlantic City Bruce Springsteen cover on Western AF 31Dec24

Postmodern Jukebox ~ Just cool retro stylings with fun guest vocalists.

PMJ w/  Sweet Megg ~ Runnin’ Up That Hill 29Dec22
PMJ w/ Veronica Swift - Rag Doll ~ Aerosmith 14Nov24

AJ Lee ~ Cool cover of a fav song from a fav collaboration.

Brothers Comatose ft AJ Lee - “These Days” Jackson Browne cover 13Aug24

Deep Sea Diver ~ New album alert, but Moroccan Lounge is live (not great sound), but a keen collab!

Deep Sea Diver “Lights Out” @ Moroccan Lounge” 23May24
Deep Sea Diver “Secrets” @ Moroccan Lounge 23May24
Deep Sea Diver “Shattering The Hourglass” @ Moroccan Lounge 23May24
Deep Sea Diver (with Madison Cunningham) “Let Me Go” @ Moroccan Lounge 23May24