Aqua LinQ Network Interface – Part 3 – HQP Core + NAA
Listening
With the CH Precision C1, the Antipodes K50, and the Aqua LinQ, my system offers multiple options for listening to streaming audio. Although all three methods have their relative advantages, the LinQ provides the tightest, most articulate, and most neutral delivery. This was already the case when I used the HQPlayer server software component on the Antipodes with the LinQ’s HQPlayer NAA Renderer module.
After adding the Core module, which embeds both the HQPlayer server and player components internally in the LinQ, the difference is immediately noticeable. “Wow!” I noted mentally. This is undoubtedly even better. I know, given that I was already raving about the LinQ, this sounds a bit like washing detergent now washing even whiter and ever whiter, right? But please hear me out.
In my first LinQ review, I mentioned that I preferred UPnP to Roon because the latter sounded a little rounded and smoothed. With the HQPlayer NAA Renderer module, that difference was made significantly smaller but it was not eradicated. With the HQPlayer Core module, there’s still a difference between the two sources (given different server hardware, there will always be) but it’s become so very small as to render the matter academic.
Moreover, although I already noticed the LinQ’s remarkable crispness and “cleaning” properties, meaning that it made differences in upstream networked gear less evident, the Core module has further upped this aspect. For instance, the K50 has a rich, relaxed, and smooth sound when used as an all-in-one server but even when used as a Roon server and streaming to the LinQ, some of its character remained audible, most notably its voluptuous bass. Amazingly, with the Core module, I would swear that the resolution and transparency have improved, as has the bass. Now, it is easily as tight, articulate, and incisive as when using UPnP.
As it happens, I currently have the Grimm Audio MU1 server available for comparison. Being something of a competitor for the Antipodes K50, the MU1 is an all-in-one solution that works only with Roon. It offers a sound that different from, but more or less on par with, the LinQ’s. Being a bass fetishist, most important to me is that the bass is to my liking, and the MU1 gets this absolutely right, especially with its oversampling switched off. But so does the LinQ, even with only the HQPlayer NAA Renderer module. With the Core module, however, and still served by the K50, the LinQ has even more powerful and incisive bass than the MU1, along with astounding presence and dynamics.
It’s worth noting that with greater precision, along comes a more critical setup. That’s just the way it works. Compared to the smooth K50, and to some extent also compared to the MU1, and when not using an analog preamp, one might find the LinQ to sound a little dry. But that’s only after having listened to the smoother sources for a while. And to put this into perspective, the same situation occurs when comparing Roon on the Antipodes to UPnP.
Also, before the first track has ended, the brain has already adjusted and I honestly feel that the LinQ simply provides the more accurate rendition. It provides the truth. But for those who prefer some more sweetening or rounding, there is plenty of opportunity to tweak the sound by using the HQPlayer filtering and upsampling parameters. I have yet to feel the need to go there. I think the LinQ sounds just perfect using the factory settings.
Finally, along with the improvements in Sound Quality, the operation has also gotten snappier. Due to the necessary HQP buffering that benefits the sound quality, it’s not quite as fast as with native Roon but still plenty fast. Play from pause is instant, pause from play is near-instant, and resuming after seeking (scrubbing) within a track takes 2,5 seconds.
Conclusion
Regular readers will already know I am a big fan of Aqua products. There’s not a single product in their portfolio that I have not liked, which speaks volumes about the consistency with which the company goes about its business. I greatly respect Cristian Anelli and his design team for consistently delivering high-quality products.
With the LinQ, Aqua has created a class-leading and maybe even market-leading Network Interface. It was already superb in its initial incarnation, but with every addition issued for the LinQ, its supremacy is further confirmed. The new Core module is a must for those who wish to obtain the absolute best sound quality and a great option for those who desire zero-config, true Plug & Play functionality.
Update 30-10-2022
Now that I have owned the LinQ for over a year, I can report that its performance and sound quality are entirely stable. Even if Roon’s sonic signature tends to change with every software update, the sound quality from the LinQ using HQPlayer on the Roon server (in my case, either the Antipodes K50 or the Grimm MU1) retains its headstart. It is as crisp and expressive with Roon Build 2.0 as with Roon Build 1.8. As a reviewer, this is something that I value enormously!
Try out Roon for yourself
External Links
Distributor for the NL/Belgium: Hexagon Audio
Manufacturer’s website: aquahifi.com
Signalyst website: signalyst.com
Read Also
Aqua LinQ review part 1 (Initial LinQ review)
Aqua LinQ review part 2 (HQ Player NAA Renderer Module)
Aqua LinQ review part 3 (HQ Player Core + NAA module)
Aqua LinQ review part 4 (Squeezelite module)
Hi Christiaan,
nice review, thank you.
I need some more clarification. As the new HQP Core module is like a server it should be possible for LinQ to work on its own and independent from Roon. Would this be possible for users who do not have local stored files but want only do streaming from streaming services?
Thanks
Matt
Hi Matt, the Core module is not exactly like a server. It is tailored to running HQPlayer Embedded only. As such, it will work with any source that outputs an NAA stream. AFAIK, you can’t use this particular module with streaming services directly. However, you can actually do this with the UPnP module using any app that supports it. So, if you don’t have any local files and only use online sources, the LinQ can indeed work standalone.
Thanks Christiaan,
IIUC, the HQP Core module does nor work without the NAA module.
So when using Roon what is exactly the advantage to use the Core module plus the NAA module and not the NAA module only?
Thanks again
Matt
The advantages of the Core module are faster response times, zero hassle (the NAA Renderer board requires the setting up of HQP software part on a computer using the confusing and visually messy Sygnalyst interface), and perhaps most importantly, even better sound quality.
If I understand your review correctly the UPnP module stays (from a SQ POV) on top and has a small edge over the HQP Core plus NAA combo with Roon.
Am I right?
Matt
In my view, HQP Core + NAA with Roon is now on par with UPnP. There are subtle remaining differences but I wouldn’t qualify these as better or worse. These remaining differences stem from the server hardware. In other words, using a different server to run Roon (or UPnP) will also affect the sound, thus making this a relative matter.
Hi Christiaan,
a forum member who owns a LinQ claims he uses it with Roon but only with the HQP Core module and not with the additional NAA module. Is this possible?
Thanks
Matt
Hi Matt, just to be sure I double-checked with Aqua and it was confirmed that the NAA (as renderer) is absolutely necessary. Perhaps this person you speak of was not aware that the Core + NAA module as it is referred to actually requires the installing of not only the aforementioned cascaded Core module but also the NAA module?
There’sa lot of hype about the Taiko Extreme. Do you plan to review it? Would love to have your opinion. And they’re Dutch too!
I’ve been aware of the Taiko Extreme and have a feeling that it might be special indeed. It certainly should be, given its “Extreme” price:-). I may review it one day but as of yet, there are no plans for this.