Hi Michael:I'm the designer of the Argon Audio SOLO. Feel free to ask if you have any tech related questions.
-Michael
Hi. Any chance of sending a Solo for @amirm to test?I'm the designer of the Argon Audio SOLO. Feel free to ask if you have any tech related questions.
-Michael
Hi,I'm the designer of the Argon Audio SOLO. Feel free to ask if you have any tech related questions.
-Michael
Yes, we will be happy to send a unit for review. We are working on a new firmware and I think it best to wait until this is ready.Hi. Any chance of sending a Solo for @amirm to test?
What’s the max audio resolution it is capable of receiving via Chromecast?
Based on what I have read online I think that may not be strictly true. It appears that 96khz/24 is the limitation of Google’s implementation and what's stated in their documents. But there are vendors whose Chromecast Builtin can go beyond this and achieve 192/24. Two such examples are Naim NDX 2, and Technics SL-G700. For a source look at here:I believe 96Khz/24bit is the maximum resolution of any Chromecast implementation.
Chromecast is a streaming protocol from Google, which, in contrast to Apple's Airplay, also supports high resolution: on most devices up to 24/96, on some, such as Naim or Technics, up to 24/192
Two such examples are Naim NDX 2, and Technics SL-G700.
When using Chromecast the stream is bit perfect and native upto 192kHz/24bit. The downside of Chromecast + Qobuz is that it’s not really designed to run at such high sample rates. The buffer sizes are far too small (hence prone to drop outs) and the Chromecast stack is very inefficient so uses nearly all the CPU time in the streamer. Not only is this bad for unit response times, but not also great for sound quality as the electric noise floor of the product increases as everything works harder.
Roon 192/24Hi,
I am curious about the Chromecast built in the Argon Solo. What’s the max audio resolution it is capable of receiving via Chromecast? In particular, if I play 192/24 on Qobuz and cast on Solo, will I read 192/24 on my DAC connected to it via SPDIF?
Does it support gapless playback via Chromecast? How about via DLNA?
Also can the Toslink output 192/24?
I want to use Solo as a network bridge, so the question is:Feel free to ask if you have any tech related questions.
Bluetooth streaming profile is active only when paired. DAC can't be disabled, but power consumption is low. FYI. Mains power consumption for Solo streaming high-res is <2.5W.I want to use Solo as a network bridge, so the question is:
1. Is it possible to completely disconnect power from the internal DAC?
2. Is it possible to completely disconnect the power from the bluetooth module?
For best performance in bridged mode, it is common to disable anything that can be disabled. Maybe this improvement will be implemented in the next firmware?DAC can't be disabled
Digital output have separated power supply and clock lines. There's minimal benefit disabling the DAC. However a bigger concern is data related jitter modulating power lines because of current draw is related to the audio data. In SOLO we made a digital audio "phantom" signal 180 deg. out of phase to cancel out this noise. See attached. Also Coax is transformer couped to minimize common-mode noise causing jitter even when analog out is used in parallel.For best performance in bridged mode, it is common to disable anything that can be disabled. Maybe this improvement will be implemented in the next firmware?
Is the device always ready to pair? If so, the bluetooth module is non-disconnectable (always emitting) - did I understand correctly?Bluetooth streaming profile is active only when paired.
You have to manually bring the device in pairing mode by pressing the rear switch. Note that BT is part of the SoC and not a separate module. Normally if any RF problems it will show up in the analog signals. Attached FFT of the analog output in idle state but not muted and WiFi 2.4G running at x10 the transmit power of BT and on the same antenna as BT.Is the device always ready to pair? If so, the bluetooth module is non-disconnectable (always emitting) - did I understand correctly?
Is it possible to add the "network bridge" mode (power off the DAC) by updating the firmware? I will immediately order the unit if there is such a possibility and you promise that you will implement it in the next firmware update.There's minimal benefit disabling the DAC.