{"id":25848,"date":"2020-11-05T20:27:59","date_gmt":"2020-11-05T18:27:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=25848"},"modified":"2024-08-13T08:43:31","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T06:43:31","slug":"aqua-linq-part2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/network-player-reviews\/aqua-linq-part2\/","title":{"rendered":"Aqua LinQ Network Interface – Part 2 – HQPlayer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review sample supplied by Aqua<\/a>
\nRetail prices in the NL including 21% VAT:
\nLinQ including one UPnP\/DLNA or HQPlayer module: 5.680 euro
\nExtra module: 1.280 euro
\nAQlink I2S cable with Ethercon (for La Scala and Formula DAC): 365 euro
\nAQlink new G2 I2S cable with Ethercon (for La Scala and Formula DAC): 385 euro
\nAQlink I2S cable with RJ45 (for La Voce DAC): 335 euro
\nAQlink new G2 2S cable with RJ45 (for La Voce DAC): TBA<\/h4>\n

Roon-compatible using HQPlayer<\/h3>\n

Not too long after having published the world premiere Aqua LinQ review, Roon announced that it would stop supporting hardware that is not certified or has not completed the certification process after 21 September. Prior to this, the zone would simply show a banner that said: “not certified” but, otherwise, the device would work as normal.<\/p>\n

And, indeed, the LinQ sample that I reviewed<\/a> had worked absolutely perfectly. It’s not my style to get into politics but for those who are interested in the details, there’s written plenty about it in the Roon forums. Suffice to say that the LinQ had been in the certification process for some time but due to delays, the matter was put under pressure and, consequently, decisions were made.<\/p>\n

Aqua has chosen to retain full control over their implementations to allow them to always choose the path that best represents the core values that Aqua stands for. Further, not adhering to Roon certification allows them to release new modules or updates as soon as they are available without the need for renewed certification.<\/p>\n

To be honest, my initial response was one of disappointment, thinking that the greatest Streaming Endpoint that I have heard would no longer work with the most user-friendly music software in existence. But fortunately, soon thereafter, I learned that Aqua was about to release a Roon-compatible HQPlayer NAA module.<\/p>\n

The Network Audio Adaptor (NAA) is an embedded version of HQPlayer, running on a dedicated Aqua module just like the Roon and UPnP\/DLNA modules. The beauty of this solution is that the software not only allows for a higher quality of streaming audio, it is also compatible with Roon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Besides the existing UPnP\/DLNA module and the new HQPlayer module, Aqua has more modules on the roadmap. For instance, SqueezeLite support has just been added to the R&D agenda and the company is also working on a proprietary Audio Network Protocol along with a user-friendly Aqua web mask UI (user interface) with the default values.<\/p>\n

This perfectly illustrates the benefits of the modularity of all Aqua products in generic and the LinQ in particular.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Activating HQPlayer<\/h3>\n

As a first step, the HQPlayer output option needs to be activated by clicking “Add HQPlayer” in Roon Settings – Setup. In my case, Roon runs on the Antipodes CX<\/a> and so the HQPlayer Server software needs to be installed there. This is done via the Antipodes web interface, selecting the component in the “Add Software” section, and clicking “install”. This automatically installs the required software without any further user input.<\/p>\n

With the basic installation now covered, HQPlayer needs to be told where to source its input stream (the Roon output), and where to send its output stream (for the LinQ to pick up). This is done via the HQPlayer configuration web interface. Upon first laying eyes on the config screen, when used to Roon simplicity, one may be overwhelmed by all the options that are available. I will admit that the HQPlayer Configuration interface is not very intuitive and not particularly pretty either. But it’s precisely the absolute level of control that can be asserted by the user that makes this software so powerful. The web interface also offers a help section that explains all the options and provides suggestions.<\/p>\n

I’ll explain more about the features further below but for those who don’t want to bother experimenting and just want to get on with it, Aqua provides recommended default settings that you can enter once and then forget all about.<\/p>\n

Under the hood, the Roon server’s output will now be redirected to the HQPlayer software which (after optional super-high-resolution upsampling, conversion and filtering) does not use Roon’s RAAT protocol but builds its own stream using a proprietary protocol for the Aqua LinQ’s HQPlayer module to pick up.<\/p>\n

The final step is to simply select HQPlayer as the streaming endpoint in the Roon Zone section.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

For this review, the LinQ was used with the Formula xHD with V2 output board and the Audio-GD Master 1 preamp<\/em><\/p>\n

Caveats<\/h3>\n

Due to the re-routing of the audio stream and the HQPlayer FIFO audio buffer, there is a 3-second delay after starting, scrubbing, skipping or stopping the music from the Roon interface. HQPlayer Embedded operates without a license key in trial mode for 30 minutes at a time and then needs to be restarted to continue. The license costs 240 euros.<\/p>\n

The delay is not ideal and 240 euros is not pocket change. I’m with you so far. However, there is one major<\/em> upside: better sound quality!<\/p>\n

I should note that the latest HQPlayer Desktop 4.7.1 release has the following new options: Quick pause and short buffer option to use half-size FIFOs for reduced delay. The same is true for version 4.19 of the embedded software while embedded version 4.20.0 reportedly has a delay near to zero. Lastly, for the custom Network Protocol that Aqua is working on, they will try to further reduce the delay.<\/p>\n

Update 22-11-2020 – Quick Pause and Short Buffer<\/h3>\n

At the time of review, my Antipodes CX was running version 4.18.1 and a later version was not yet available. But version 2.8 of the Antipodes system software is now available for the EX and CX and it includes LSM 8.0 as well as HQ Player embedded Server version 4.20.0.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

With my CX freshly updated and having enabled Quick Pause and Short Buffer as above and also having entered 20ms as the Buffer time instead of the default 100ms, the response time is improved so much as to no longer being a factor. Pause is instant, play is near-instant and resuming after seeking (scrubbing) within a track takes 2 seconds.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Using HQPlayer’s stream output without any adjustments<\/h3>\n

Although Signalist<\/a>, the maker of HQPlayer, has not intended the software to be used as such, if you do not want to make use of its extensive processing capabilities, it can be used with all settings in bypass, meaning that the sound is still obtained from Roon and delivered via the HQPlayer protocol but not upsampled or filtered or otherwise changed. This is how I listened to it for the purpose of this review. If you are not interested in exploring the advanced HQPlayer options you can skip to the Listening section.<\/p>\n

Advanced HQPlayer options<\/h3>\n

HQPlayer offers an advanced DSP pipeline for audio processing. As Jussi of Signalyst claims, the HQPlayer software offers “a much more powerful and accurate upsampling engine than Chord’s M-Scaler or dCS or Esoteric hardware, at a much more reasonable price”.<\/p>\n

The software can operate as a digital-in-digital-out upsampler processor and convolution engine. Selectable convolution algorithms are included for digital room correction and other equalization purposes. The Convolution engine supports RIFF (WAV) format FIR impulse responses, which can be produced with suitable software, such as Acourate, Room EQ Wizard, Audiolense, or DRC.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Above: the HQPlayer main Configuration screen<\/em><\/p>\n

The list of features is so very extensive that I will list only the highlights. These include Software upsampling \/ downsampling with selectable algorithm up to 32-bit 3.072 MHz or down to 16-bit 32 kHz PCM, Delta-Sigma modulators for upsampling PCM content up to 98.304 MHz 1-bit SDM, Direct DSD up \/ down rate conversions, Selectable dithering\/noise shaping algorithm, Selectable convolution algorithm (FIR) for equalization, such as digital room correction for PCM\/DSD content, Software-based digital volume control for PCM and SDM (DSD), Playback of DSF\/DSDIFF files through any supported audio interface (with PCM conversion and DSD rate conversion), Selectable algorithm and noise filters for DSF\/DSDIFF PCM playback and Native\/direct playback of DSF\/DSDIFF files (native DSD, DoP v1.1 with both 0x05\/0xFA and 0x06\/0xF9 markers).<\/p>\n

That’s quite the mouthful, right? Those who want to go crazy can do so to their heart’s content. Those who simply want to get on with it can simply set the parameters once and never give it a second thought.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Listening<\/h3>\n

For a refresher of how the LinQ performs, please read part 1 of my LinQ review<\/a>. In short, I think it is the very best streaming endpoint that I have come across and that’s why I have added it to the HFA inventory for permanent use as THE reference.<\/p>\n

For this review, I will use the LinQ with the Formula xHD<\/a> DAC with V2 output board<\/a> and the Audio-GD Master 1<\/a> preamp.<\/p>\n

UPnP, SqueezeLite, HQPlayer<\/h3>\n

For control of a generic UPnP server implementation, I recommend mConnect HD for iPad and BubbleUPnP or Hi-Fi Cast for Android. If you have jRiver Media Center and use it for UPnP then I highly recommend jRemote.<\/p>\n

When using Qobuz or Tidal services, the app is just a controller for the UPnP module of the LinQ. The streams do not travel through the iPad or iOS but are managed directly between the Qobuz or Tidal web provider and the LinQ.<\/p>\n

For Squeeze, I recommend iPeng for iPad. It’s a great app with a lot of functionality while remaining non-cluttered and easy to use. For Android, there are Squeezer and Squeeze Controller but these are a lot more utilitarian than iPeng. The resulting sound quality is extremely good, in some cases pretty much indistinguishable from the ripped CD and in some cases, such as with modern, hi-bitrate\/sample rate productions, better than CD.<\/p>\n

HQPlayer is available as a full desktop version for Windows, Linux and MacOS. HQPlayer Embedded, finally, is available as an add-on option for most music servers and this is what I use for this review.<\/p>\n

The matter of Roon certification, and Aqua’s decision to move forward without it, comes at a point in time when recent experiments that I carried out have pointed out that UPnP and SqueezeLite both yield a tighter and more articulate sound that RoonReady, or Roon in general. UPnP is not compatible with Roon and thus must be used with another server component, such as jRiver Media Center, which is what I use, as well as a UPnP or DLNA-compliant endpoint. Likewise, for SqueezeLite, an LMS server must be used but Roon does<\/em> offer compatibility as a streaming endpoint.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Above: comparing jRiver UPnP to Roon with HQPlayer, both streaming simultaneously to the respective modules in the Aqua LinQ.<\/em><\/p>\n

While I found that using Roon Server with SqueezeLite as a Zone in Roon sounds slightly cleaner than Roon Server with RoonReady, a pure UPnP or LMS+SqueezeLite solution provides the tightest, cleanest, most accurate sound. Between these two there are very subtle differences but these are negligible. Between these two and Roon, however, I hear a significant<\/em> difference, Roon sounding fuller, heavier and darker and less articulate. Now, these differences may be open to interpretation and, depending on the circumstances, one may well prefer the smoother Roon sound, I’m just pointing out that these differences exist and that they should be taken into consideration.<\/p>\n

I first heard these differences when comparing the LinQ’s UPnP and Roon modules but have since carried out several more experiments that all yield the same relative differences, also when the LinQ is not at all involved, indicating that there is a universal difference.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After reviewing the LinQ in July, I was divided between using Roon and its fantastic interface (not to mention Qobuz and Tidal integration) or UPnP and the more basic jRemote interface for jRiver or even iPeng for Squeeze. But now, there’s also HQPlayer!<\/p>\n

Besides functioning as a bridge between Roon and an HQPlayer-compatible endpoint and offering a wealth of processing potential along the way, when comparing two simultaneous streams and switching between them using the LinQ input selectors, I found that Roon with HQPlayer sounds damn near almost as good as jRiver with UPnP. The latter method still sounds a smidgeon more articulate but, as with UPnP versus LMS+SqueezeLite, the difference is negligible.<\/p>\n

This is big news because now we can make use of all of Roon’s advantages while having absolutely fantastic sound quality!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

G2 AQlink I2S cable<\/h3>\n

In the original LinQ review<\/a>, I already discovered that AQlink (First Gen) is the best way to connect two Aqua devices. Now, Aqua has issued a new G2 version of the AQlink. I have one for review as well as an original “G1” version for comparison. Also, I\u00a0now have the excellent Jorma AES\/EBU digital interlink<\/a>\u00a0for further comparison.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Whereas the Jorma showed every other regular digital cable that I tried against it who’s the boss, there is no arguing with the I2S interface’s inherent superiority. In all honesty, the differences with the G1 cable are not huge, certainly smaller than those between the streaming formats. But the AQlink cable does<\/em> provide a slightly tighter and more articulate sound, along with a slightly more expansive soundstage depth with more distinct placement of the sounds within it. This, in turn, benefits the wrap-around effect and in turn, the emotional involvement.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

On top: G2 AQlink (with beefier connector and thicker, stiffer cable), on bottom: G1 AQlink<\/em><\/p>\n

Stepping up to the G2 AQlink cable, the upside of the I2S format is made even clearer. This cable retains all the qualities of the G1 but sounds even more authoritative, incisive and robust. Even though the G1 cable already improved on the Jorma which itself made all other cables sound a little softened and filtered, the G2 cable, in turn, makes the G1 cable sound soft. Go figure.<\/p>\n

We’re still talking about nuances here but I strongly feel that they are significant enough to make the AQlink the preferred connection for connecting two Aqua products.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

At 365 euros for the original (G1) cable or 385 euros for the new G2 cable, the AQlink is absolutely decently priced, especially when you consider that it will cost many multiples to come close using an AES\/EBU connection.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Update 16-03-2021 – HQPlayer Core + NAA<\/h3>\n

Now shipping: the HQPlayer Core Module for Aqua LinQ. This concerns a slot-in module just like the one for UPnP and NAA. Now, rather than running HQPlayer on the computer that runs the server application (in my case Roon), the new module provides the functionality to stream directly to it from Roon using RoonReady. This way, there are three separate computing devices, each dedicated to a part of the process: the core\/server, the HQPlayer software, and the renderer. The new Core is zero-configuration (Plug and Play), the HQPlayer license key is pre-installed and the LinQ is ready for\u00a0use.<\/p>\n

The focus for this new module was to create an Audio Engine for Roon with zero-setup and to combine this with even better Sound Quality. The Core exploits the new i.MX8 micro (ARM 64bit), with low\u2011latency and revolutionary power efficiency using a customized (UNIX-based) lightweight kernel.<\/p>\n

Roon can be configured to implement HQPlayer into a Zone. HQPlayer owns the final connection to the Audio Engine, and Roon is just passing along a stream of bits from media files or Streaming services such as Qobuz and Tidal.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The addition of the HQPlayer module allows using Roon and all of its benefits along with even better sound than was possible using the now-discontinued RoonReady module. Additionally, Aqua’s modularity ensures that the product remains up to date. I fully stand by my original conclusion that the Aqua LinQ is nothing less than a milestone product. It is the very best network endpoint that I have heard and I enthusiastically recommend an audition!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Associated Equipment<\/a><\/p>\n

Videos on the Hifi-Advice YouTube Channel<\/h3>\n

How Sooloos became Roon<\/a>
\nHFA Front Page<\/a><\/p>\n

Try out Roon for yourself<\/h3>\n

Get Roon 1 month for free<\/a><\/p>\n

External Links<\/h3>\n

Distributor for the NL\/Belgium: Hexagon Audio<\/a>
\nManufacturer’s website: aquahifi.com<\/a>
\nSignalyst website: signalyst.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Read Also<\/h3>\n

Aqua LinQ part 1 (Initial LinQ review)<\/a>
\nAqua LinQ part 3 (HQ Player Core + NAA module)<\/a><\/p>\n

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