krebetman Posted October 6, 2024 Posted October 6, 2024 A few days ago I rebuilt my mini pc audio end point which had been running Ubuntu with the low latency kernel and squeezelite. I thought I would try the latest Ubuntu server version and enable the realtime kernel (https://ubuntu.com/real-time ) and have noticed a nice uptick in sound quality, even with the intervening denafrips iris, which then feeds bits to my Pontus II dac over i2s. so interesting to me that player software and kernel still affect sound even when a ddc is in place. anyone else had a go with the recent Linux kernel and realtime option?
Guest Posted October 6, 2024 Posted October 6, 2024 SnakeOil has been using Ubuntu 22.04 Server LTS as the base. Users have reported a SQ improvement with the Ubuntu real time kernel. I can confirm an even bigger SQ gain with my own real time kernel, but it is customised to suit my needs.
aussievintage Posted October 6, 2024 Posted October 6, 2024 You may already know, but the real-time kernel will be slower than the generic. Also, the kernel of choice for Ubuntu Studio (audio and video processing) is the low-latency kernel. Perhaps worth trying that one.
krebetman Posted October 6, 2024 Author Posted October 6, 2024 Speed is hardly a concern in my setup as it is a headless player that literally only runs squeezelite, with no GUI- and the Lyrion server is elsewhere in a VM on another machine. Good observation that the low latency kernel is a good middle ground and it was what I was using recently. Still I am pretty convinced that the realtime one brought better definition and image depth .
Guest Posted October 6, 2024 Posted October 6, 2024 Speed of kernel is not relevant. The combination of a real time kernel, the allocation of CPU (using CPUSets) to music player and the low latency response of the overall system are the things which improve the SQ. Have used both the low latency and real time kennels, and the SQ of the real time kernel is better.
frednork Posted October 6, 2024 Posted October 6, 2024 Yes real time preferred here also. there are other things you can try if you are capable . Some ideas here https://rigtorp.se/low-latency-guide/
krebetman Posted October 6, 2024 Author Posted October 6, 2024 5 minutes ago, frednork said: Yes real time preferred here also. there are other things you can try if you are capable . Some ideas here https://rigtorp.se/low-latency-guide/ Thanks for the link - there are some great tips there. 1
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