Pi2AES Mercury Streamer

ilikebananafudge_ · Nov 12, 2024

purr1n said: ↑

I got the Mercury 3 DAC / Streamer and finally set it up. The built-in noise nuke is a super nice enhancement. I assume that the case is a bit taller because of the noise nuke built into it. The sound is very much like my ET-3 CD transport - fluid, stately, controlled - to the point where I feel that I wouldn't need it purely for sound (I like the sound of certain kinds of transports). However, I like physical media, so there.

The surprise is that when comparing to Holo Audio Red apples-to-apple (using wired Ethernet, no special protocols, just Roon), I preferred the sound of the Mercury 3. This was with either Gungnir A2 -> EC 45 Custom -> HD800 or Gungnir A2 -> Saga 6SN7 -> Aegir - STAX X9000. The Holo Audio Red's presentation was a smidge warmer with more energetic upper mids and grainier highs. I didn't feel there was an loss in technicalities in the Mercury 3 compared to the Holo Audio Red.

I would be curious so try the Pi2AES Mercury 3 via WiFi to see if any changes in sound - keeping in mind that the two products are somewhat different, with the Mercury 3 having both WiFi and hard-wired options, and the Holo Red (hardwired only), but with Red OS offering hardcore tweaker offerings such as HQPlayer NAA

I would also be curious to try other DACs, namely the the more mellow Gungnir 2 (or Rockna Wavedream). I suspect I am liking the pi2AES Mercury 3 more because of component synergies and preference.

The rest of y'all, feel free to suggest ideas, stuff for me to try, questions, etc. I will likely cover my thoughts in a YT video. I find that it's easier for me to express in spoken words.
Click to expand...

How does the built-in DAC sound?

JK47 · Nov 12, 2024

purr1n said: ↑

I got the Mercury 3 DAC / Streamer and finally set it up. The built-in noise nuke is a super nice enhancement. I assume that the case is a bit taller because of the noise nuke built into it. The sound is very much like my ET-3 CD transport - fluid, stately, controlled - to the point where I feel that I wouldn't need it purely for sound (I like the sound of certain kinds of transports). However, I like physical media, so there.

The surprise is that when comparing to Holo Audio Red apples-to-apple (using wired Ethernet, no special protocols, just Roon), I preferred the sound of the Mercury 3. This was with either Gungnir A2 -> EC 45 Custom -> HD800 or Gungnir A2 -> Saga 6SN7 -> Aegir - STAX X9000. The Holo Audio Red's presentation was a smidge warmer with more energetic upper mids and grainier highs. I didn't feel there was an loss in technicalities in the Mercury 3 compared to the Holo Audio Red.

I would be curious so try the Pi2AES Mercury 3 via WiFi to see if any changes in sound - keeping in mind that the two products are somewhat different, with the Mercury 3 having both WiFi and hard-wired options, and the Holo Red (hardwired only), but with Red OS offering hardcore tweaker offerings such as HQPlayer NAA

I would also be curious to try other DACs, namely the the more mellow Gungnir 2 (or Rockna Wavedream). I suspect I am liking the pi2AES Mercury 3 more because of component synergies and preference.

The rest of y'all, feel free to suggest ideas, stuff for me to try, questions, etc. I will likely cover my thoughts in a YT video. I find that it's easier for me to express in spoken words.
Click to expand...

Have you tried any of the Ethernet to fiber converters with Pi2AES or Red/Mercury?

Ash1412 · Nov 12, 2024

Michael Kelly said: ↑

it is my understanding that HQ player will run just fine on mercury. Since underneath it is a raspberry pi 4. The digital audio circuitry is fully compatible with the pi2aes and I have seen several mentions of HQ player with that set up.

If someone would point me in the right direction, I would be happy to test it out and then offer an image? Not really sure how HQ player manages their business model.
Click to expand...

If just needing to run as an HQPlayer NAA endpoint then I would say RopieeeXL is the easiest path on the PI2AES by far and completely reliable. I don't think the Holo Red runs NAA OS whatever either, it's just another service in their RedOS. The only cost is with PC HQPlayer (where the decoding and algorithms run) turning off after 30 minutes unless you pay for the software license.

Michael Kelly · Nov 12, 2024

Ash1412 said: ↑

If just needing to run as an HQPlayer NAA endpoint then I would say RopieeeXL is the easiest path on the PI2AES by far and completely reliable. I don't think the Holo Red runs NAA OS whatever either, it's just another service in their RedOS. The only cost is with PC HQPlayer (where the decoding and algorithms run) turning off after 30 minutes unless you pay for the software license.
Click to expand...

thanks very much for the information. We already offer a ropieee image that can be ordered with the unit, and then of course, easily upgraded to XL if desired.

Michael Kelly · Nov 29, 2024 at 5:57 AM

Michael Kelly said: ↑

thanks very much for the information. We already offer a ropieee image that can be ordered with the unit, and then of course, easily upgraded to XL if desired.
Click to expand...

I have configured a new Ropieee image (2024.10.2) that enables all services (including HQPlayer NAA) by default. It is on the website now. There is no longer a separate RopieeeXL option as support for all services is now included in the download image.

Note that SSH was officially removed from Ropieee by the developer (who is an awesome guy BTW).

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