Difference in quality with hifiberry dec+ moode vs. rune

moshel

Hi,

Before everyone starts shouting at me not to bring other players into the rune forum, please be aware that I have spent some time thinking about this and I think that it is a legitimate question and the rune project might benefit from it.

As I had a feature I was looking for that does not exist in rune (it does not exist in any other player as well, unfortunately) I have installed some of the "competition" to check it. While none of them provided the feature, I have noticed that moode played with more details and clarity. Moode was installed out of the box, no tweaks. Rune is an old install but the hifiberry dac+ was installed according to the instructions i found on the forums (is2=on and hifiberry-dacplus lines uncommented in config.txt.

It is the same system, pi2 and I have switched between the two couple of times to eliminate random feel good feeling or unblocked ears. volume was also carefully equalled.

I was wondering if I was missing on something here in my configuration of if there is something to be learned from moode here?

Moshe

Discovery

Hi moshel,

I don't think anyone's shouted yet about mentioning a competitor product...

Out of curiosity I tried Moode a long time ago. I have two Pi's and I compared it back-to-back with RuneAudio. If I had thought there was any significant difference in the sound I might have questioned my use of RuneAudio but I continue to use RA so it didn't happen for me.

You mention more details and clarity with Moode. When I get some time, I might try it again and offer a second opinion.

Regards,

Trevor

hondagx35

Hi moshel,

did you use hardware oder software volume?

Frank

moshel

I used both (on the moode) as i thought this might be the problem. The hardware was slightly better but no where near as substantial difference as just the player itself. I tried moode before (when it just came out) and was not impressed.

Discovery

... but have you tried this?

#430146

moshel

Nope, but its rpi2. I think most of the mods are rpi3 specific. At least it doesn't say which are not.
The upscaler is disabled by default on moode so it is not the difference (tried it as well later on moode. Still haven't decided if i like it or not. Its different). Also installed (later) the audio kernel on moode. Its even better. But, i was mainly asking about the basic operation, out of the box.
Just for reference, the setup (rpi2+ hifiberry dac+) is connected to m-audio m3-8 monitors, so differences are very clear. Some tweaks result is minor improvements but this was a major difference. This is why I was wondering if it is a setup thing.

Discovery

It's intriguing. If RuneAudio is running well it sounds great. I once did a blind test with my RPi2 against an Auralic Aries Mini - the owner heard the better sound and declared that it had to be his source, only to be disappointed when it was revealed to be the Pi...

The mods mentioned work on the RPi2 - i swapped the SD card from my 3 to my 2 recently to answer that question for myself.

I guess that if you're happier with your Moode build, it's probably best to stay with it. ☺️

BTW, I listen to mine with Quad 2905s. Nothing reveals more.

moshel

I'll try the mods, just out of curiosity. The rune has better ui, thats for sure so I'll be happy to stay with it. If you could try moode as well i would be greatful, just so i won't think i am hearing things now...
Oh yes! These quads! Your kung fu is stronger than mine!

It should be 100% apparent for you if i am not hallucinating, as the amount of details our speakers are capable of producing far exceed normal speakers.

Surson

I had the same feeling regarding the sound quality. (un)fortunately Moode have a worse UI than Rune.

ianhaynes

The other factor not mentioned above (unless I missed it) is the RA Sound Signature profiles. These make a significant difference so I'm not sure if testing RA vs Moode is going to be at all straight forward.

I tried the custom sound signature mentioned elsewhere in the forum for a long time but recently went back to the Orion V3 (for IQAudio which I use) and it seemed far more satisfying, with firmer low frequencies and a better sound stage. As I recall Moode doesn't have the same adjustability.

I'd definitely recommend trying the different signatures when comparing players.

moshel

This is not about sound signature but about details and clarity. True, sound signature can effect these to a degree but not too much. I agree, btw, that moodes ui leaves much to be desired but I am not using it much, mostly shuffling through my library. I have managed to destroy my RA tf card during the tests of the tweaks and didn't have the stamina to retry. So, currently it's moode for me.