We can safely say that 2022 is (has been) an eventful year. Both for brands and retailers as well as media. And, of course, the consumer. An – sort of – end to Covid, a war in Ukraine, gas and electricity prices going through the roof … let’s hope 2023 will bring a little more peace and quiet. We look back on 2022 from the Alpha Audio perspective as well as looking forward…!
We did a lot of research in 2022. For that, the measurement arsenal has expanded quite a bit. Where we started in late 2021 with a Prism dScope III and a scope, there is now a good amount of equipment to look a little deeper into devices and signal paths. Think a spectrum analyzer, a digital multimeter, lab power supply, electronic load (for power supply tests), a function generator, an LCR meter (for cable tests), a serious RF current probe with calibration device, and one more device is coming. The “Master of Clocks”: a Wavecrest SIA-3000.
The Wavecrest allows us to measure digital signals, including clock signals, at ultra-deep and unprecedented precision. And when we say ultra-precise, we mean it. We’re talking about 200 fs… internal resolution. Right: femtoseconds. And that’s necessary with modern devices.
Why are we investing in this? Simple: we want to figure out the “why“. Why do we hear a difference in switches? Why do we hear differences in digital cables? Why do we hear differences in master clocks? So on and so forth.
Digital audio isn’t finished yet
What is in fact the case is that in 2022, we Alpha-Audio editors have found that – we think – digital audio is not really finished yet. (Check out the livestream Analog VS Digital here).
Reaching audio heaven is not a given in the digital realm. Not even with components that come with a serious price tag. Digital audio, and especially streaming, can be much better at a lot of points in the chain. Let’s go through the chain. Then you will understand better why we do so much research.
Power
The power supply of your streamer, your network switch has a very big impact on performance. We already knew that clean power improves performance; the effect on network audio is nothing short of spectacular. We’ve already done some measurements on switches. You can see these in the latest, great article on network switches.
You can read there that each switch has its own “noise pattern”. That noise enters the streamer and then continues its way through the rest of the chain. How this affects the digital chain is something we will explore further in 2023. And that is the reason we purchased the Wavecrest….
Energy filtering helps with noise suppression. However, it differs per filter what is filtered, to what extent it is filtered and what impact it has on dynamics, for example. We will investigate this further, although we must confess: it is incredibly difficult to measure this – speed and phase. The question is whether our equipment can do it. In this case, they remain ears indispensable and prove acutely accurate in determining certain sound properties….
Network
Your author Jaap has been experimenting with network tweaks for years. Think about the impact of Quality of Service, shielding and of course: the “fiber tweak. This tweak came out of his skepticism about the impact of Ethernet cables on sound. “If there’s a difference, then fiber connections should totally make a difference…!” Well: there was.
The reason is that light achieves complete, electrical decoupling, which ensures that all noise is blocked. It was such a big improvement over a standard setup that Alpha Audio played with fiber in its streaming setup for years. Until recently, because now a tweaked and slightly modified Zyxel GS2200-10HP managed switch is the center for streaming audio.
It happened that way by accident. Jaap wanted to write an article about the impact of Quality of Service on audio(here’s one and here’ s another one with samples). And during that story, it turned out that the Zyxel in “high priority mode” played better than the fiber setup. It was airier, faster and more pleasant across the entire audio band.
- Why networking matters for streaming audio
- Measuring an audiophile switch – Trial 1
- Measuring an audiophile switch – Trial 2
- Live Stream test switches – With measurements and blind test
- How to make a great network for audio
Clocking
Then the subject of master clocks. Until recently, these central “super clocks” were almost exclusively found in professional studios where multiple digital devices were kept in line by the master clock. Especially in analog-to-digital conversion, a master clock in a studio is crucial.
But more and more digital devices can also be found in the home situation. Devices that are interconnected and need to work together. Think dacs with streaming bridges. And so it may be that even at home a master clock does offer advantages. However, we also see “upgrades” in the form of a masterclock. There it is the slightly tighter timing that brings the sound improvement.
We have not yet done much research on masterclocks. Partly because it is an extreme niche and more knowledge and research is needed in that area. However, there is no doubt that it can bring a serious sound improvement.
Cables
Yes… a hot topic. Because: do cables do something in terms of sound? For us, it’s pretty clear: yes … cables do something in terms of sound. And the better the system, the more audible it gests. And no: more expensive is not always better.
What is it that makes us hear differences? There are countless reasons: shielding, material, geometry, plugs, method of mounting…. and so on. A.J Van den Hul gave a nice talk on the various elements involved. You can see his lecture here (Dutch).
We have done a lot of livestreams around cables. Also blind. And that gives interesting insights. Especially in combination with the measurements we can now make on the Sourcetronic LCR meter as well as the Prism dScope. The biggest test we have done in this way is that of the speaker cables. And there was a nice overlap between measuring and listening. Not 100%… but hey: some things are still a matter of taste.
Streaming applications
Then an extremely tricky subject: software. Because if we talk about a “black box,” then software is the biggest and blackest black box there is. What all goes on in that code? Resampling? Equalizing? You name it…
What makes it even more complex is that there are many layers. Both in the software itself and in the chain: from recording to playback and even distribution: it’s all software. After all: in the studio they use a certain DAW – digital audio workstation – with software and plugins, the files are streamed by a certain party who also uses software for that and on the playback side software is also used … all links that all do something. To a greater or lesser extent…
We looked at the playback side and it turns out that there are audible differences. Audirvana in particular stood out positively in terms of sound. On the Alpha Audio editorial staff Audirvana is now also used intensively as a player.
(Blind) listening and measuring
Regular readers of Alpha Audio have probably noticed that the “new” setup for livestreams is a combination of measuring and listening. This will not be possible in all cases, but in subjects where it is possible, it will be. The reason is that we always try to establish a relationship between measurement and listening. This is interesting because it shows what is measurable and where ears are just needed.
The fact is: not everything is measurable AND ears can sometimes be deceptive. Or at least: humans can be influenced. Think of a preference for certain brands, products, techniques…. etc. As long as we do not know what is going on, we are more open to what is going on and – in many cases – we will listen without prejudice.
Alpha Audio always wants to test as objectively as possible so that you are presented with the most complete results. And that’s the reason we’ve been working on this new method. And it’s the reason we’ve invested so heavily in new measurement equipment. The combination of the two is interesting. It gives insight and direction. Insight into what is important. And direction on where to look for sound improvements.
Conclusion
A nice DAC or streamer will not get you there. It’s a harsh observation. And although the new generation of streamers and dacs are (very) good; we’re not there yet. Digital technology simply isn’t perfect yet. Neither is analog, for that matter, but the issues are different. And errors in the analog domain sound in many cases more natural and thus more pleasant to our brain.
We can also say: if you want a digital chain to perform optimally, you will have to invest in (extremely) good power supplies an optimal network and perhaps even an external master clock that acts like a tight, stoic metronome or conductor.
Funnily enough, the promise made when digital audio was introduced to consumers (the CD in 1982) still rings true today. Digital is better. With this promise, the useful, necessary and fundamental innovation of the digital audio chain has actually been pushed into the background. After all: it’s better? Right? What can go wrong with a 1 and a 0?
Our tests this year have shown that there is indeed much to improve…. And fortunately, the serious brands feel the same. But the mainstream producers don’t, or barely. And that’s a shame and almost harmful. Because it is precisely in the “mainstream” that a large group of potential enthusiasts can be convinced! But know: at least Alpha Audio will not stop researching the ‘why’!
Patreon
First of all, we would like to thank all our Patreon supporters for supporting us in 2022! Thanks in part to you, we are able to do what we do: produce independent content.
Alpha Audio considers independence extremely important. That’s why we work the way we do: completely transparent, lots of research, measurements and blind tests. This way of working is intensive and expensive. Support through Patreon makes it possible for us to keep this up.
Note: Patreon members already get access to certain unique background content. We will continue this in 2023.
