Recommended control points

[matthias]

Sorry, misunderstanding. Late Friday night after having completed Källa 012!

Källa has fixed IP address during all comparisons of control points. The control points do not, as it doesn't matter to Källa or its sound quality.

Thanks for the clarification.

John,
I asked Fredrik this question here, he explained in detail:

Fredrik,
does setting a fixed IP for the CP also improve musicality?
Thanks

Matt

[John]

Sorry, misunderstanding. Late Friday night after having completed Källa 012!

Källa has fixed IP address during all comparisons of control points. The control points do not, as it doesn't matter to Källa or its sound quality.

Thanks for the clarification.

John,
I asked Fredrik this question here, he explained in detail:

Fredrik,
does setting a fixed IP for the CP also improve musicality?
Thanks

Matt

And the short answer is no.

[teatime]

[
One advantage of fixed IP addresses from this source:

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/advantage ... static-ip/

I think this falls under "don't believe everything you read on the internet" - and nothing off of that page. It's pretty much all bullshit.

[John]

[
One advantage of fixed IP addresses from this source:

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/advantage ... static-ip/

I think this falls under "don't believe everything you read on the internet" - and nothing off of that page. It's pretty much all bullshit.

Well I tried it for myself and noticed a significant speed of response difference to all my music streaming. My Sonos devices grouped together faster, the system began playing source material sooner and selected songs began playing sooner with less lag. That is why I included that particular item mentioned in the article.

[lejonklou]

John,
I asked Fredrik this question here, he explained in detail:

Fredrik,
does setting a fixed IP for the CP also improve musicality?
Thanks

Matt

And the short answer is no.

I'm not entirely ruling out that small differences can be obtained by setting various units on the network to fixed IP. There are a lot of details that can have a tiny impact. But these are minor, can vary between different networks and in my opinion are rarely worth the effort.

Things that make a major musical difference are often the same for all networks. We report everything we find in this department. Setting Källa to fixed IP is a major difference.

[matthias]

Now I am more interested in testing the new iPad mini 6 and will likely get around to it soon. I just think the size is perfect, as it can be held in one hand and the screen is big enough to read about the artist I'm listening to etc.

Agree Fredrik,
from the specs this could be the perfect CP for Källa.
Like iPhone 11 it offers WiFi 6, the chip is superior to iPhone 11 and it is a little bit less expensive.
Please share your impressions.
Thanks

Matt

[lejonklou]

Good news!

We have a new control point at the top of our list: IPad mini 6. Just a tad better than the iPhone 11.

Here's the updated list:
https://www.lejonklou.com/forum/viewtop ... 423#p56423

[matthias]

We have a new control point at the top of our list: IPad mini 6. Just a tad better than the iPhone 11.

GREAT :-)

Matt

[tokenbrit]

Good news!

We have a new control point at the top of our list: IPad mini 6...

That is good news. That's the 64Gb version presumably?

Is there any musical reason to consider the 256Gb version, such as storing select music on the iPad rather than a NAS for playback performance? (yes, I know: Spotify is better ;)

[lejonklou]

That is good news. That's the 64Gb version presumably?

Is there any musical reason to consider the 256Gb version, such as storing select music on the iPad rather than a NAS for playback performance? (yes, I know: Spotify is better ;)

Yes, 64GB. I don’t think the memory size matters.

We haven’t evaluted playback of music stored on the control point, so I don’t really know how it compares to playing files on a NAS. Perhaps someone can try it and report?

[tokenbrit]

Yes, 64GB. I don’t think the memory size matters.

We haven’t evaluted playback of music stored on the control point, so I don’t really know how it compares to playing files on a NAS. Perhaps someone can try it and report?

Thanks Fredrik. Yes, it would be helpful if someone could do that evaluation... Please :)

For those of us in the US, it's definitely good news on the iPad mini 6 since there's at least some availability in Apple stores, atm... Just need to know/decide between 64 & 256Gb ;)

[Azazello]

What about Apple TV as a control point for Spotify?

EDIT:

Wouldn't that be an ideal solution for those who want to use Källa för the TV as well? In that case you could always choose Apple TV as the "target" for Spotify from the phone, and the connection Apple TV-Källa would never have to be restarted. Apple TV would also be the most affordable control point :) Or am I missing something here?

EDIT 2:

Another option would of course be to use the Spotify app on the Apple TV directly.

[tokenbrit]

Good news!

We have a new control point at the top of our list: IPad mini 6. Just a tad better than the iPhone 11.

Hi Fredrik, (or Jajo) - it shouldn't, but asking just 'in case': do (folio) cases affect control point performance - is it musically safe to protect an investment in a new iPhone or iPad, or should they be left uncovered?

[lejonklou]

Good news!

We have a new control point at the top of our list: IPad mini 6. Just a tad better than the iPhone 11.

Hi Fredrik, (or Jajo) - it shouldn't, but asking just 'in case': do (folio) cases affect control point performance - is it musically safe to protect an investment in a new iPhone or iPad, or should they be left uncovered?

The case has absolutely zero effect on performance.

I have also never detected any difference in where the control point is (within wifi distance of course) or what it's resting on.

[tokenbrit]

Good news!

We have a new control point at the top of our list: IPad mini 6. Just a tad better than the iPhone 11.

Hi Fredrik, (or Jajo) - it shouldn't, but asking just 'in case': do (folio) cases affect control point performance - is it musically safe to protect an investment in a new iPhone or iPad, or should they be left uncovered?

The case has absolutely zero effect on performance.

I have also never detected any difference in where the control point is (within wifi distance of course) or what it's resting on.

That was easy - thanks.

[ThomasOK]

For those in the US I should note that B&H Photo has good stock on both 64Gb and 256Gb iPad mini 6 in all colors except pink where they noted there were limited deliveries but didn't indicate if they actually had any. That is as of this morning. I ordered a purple 256Gb one which should be here tomorrow or Thursday. Quick shipping is free.

[tokenbrit]

Good news!

We have a new control point at the top of our list: IPad mini 6

For those in the US .. B&H Photo has good stock on both 64Gb and 256Gb iPad mini 6...

Is it ok to upgrade from ios 15.0 to 15.1 ?

[ThomasOK]

If I remember correctly Fredrik told me it wasn't until he upgraded to 15.1 that it performed at the top.

[jajo]

15.1 is great. No issues whatsoever.

[matthias]

If I remember correctly Fredrik told me it wasn't until he upgraded to 15.1 that it performed at the top.

Would be interesting to evaluate if hardware or software has the greater impact on musicality of the CP.

Matt

[tokenbrit]

To those using iPad Mini control point: do you leave it plugged in for power all the time or cycle the battery and only charge it as necessary? Curious especially if the Mini is left Airplaying to Källa as that limits the iPad’s use for browsing while listening to music in case of visiting a website with auto play audio content, doesn’t it, so better to leave the Mini dedicated to Källa… and plugged in?

[David Neel]

I'm cycling the battery rather than leaving it plugged in, because the nearest power socket isn't very close. Currently in use with Hakai. I have an android tablet for other uses.

[springwood64]

I'm cycling the battery rather than leaving it plugged in, because the nearest power socket isn't very close. Currently in use with Hakai. I have an android tablet for other uses.

David are you using airplay on the Hakai?

[David Neel]

David are you using airplay on the Hakai?

No, it hasn't got the capability. Using Spotify client controlled from the ipad, and Kazoo to play from the LSNAS.

[mbabst]

Has anyone tried Roon > HQ Player > Källa?

HQ Player can be configured in Roon as the output device and you can choose CoreAudio in HQ Player as Backend and Default as Device. If you then change your global output settings on your Mac to Airplay/Källa, Roon/HQ Player will then play to Källa. I've always found HQ Player to be very musical.

I've only tried it with my old Airport Express and it works. It's free for 30 minutes, so try it with your Källa!