You have too much network bandwidth!!

@ted_b

Incidentally, HQ Player integrates the GPU with the CPU for sharing the load of upsampling/shaping/filtering algorithms, but only later NVIDIA processors support this feature

Interesting.   I looked on their site, what parts and pieces did you put together for HQ player (there are several levels).  I’m using an Intel A770 GPU right now, I guess I’d need to ask them if they support it.

As to the using the GPU, there is some argument that the time the CPU uses to pass the data to the GPU (being limited by the Front Side bus) would effectively negate the advantages of the GPU.  But I’m not aware of someone actually trying it.

@tomrk I’m using HQP for Windows 11, the streamer being a powerful handheld gaming device - ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme. It does not have a supported GPU, so I am unable to select the GPU offload option. Where applicable, GPU offload is managed by HQP for best performance, but there are user definable parameters. With my current setup, I am nevertheless able to comfortably upsample PCM to 1.5 MHz or convert PCM to DSD128 using any of the available shapers and filter algorithms, so this functions like a software based Chord M-Scaler with a vast selection of user definable options. The included Client app has Qobuz integrated, so it is a seamless streaming/upsampling platform, and there are real-time indicators that show the streaming bitrate and how the web connection and your CPU are performing at any given moment. The UI leaves a little bit to be desired, but the audio performance is worth it.

You can download a free trial version for the appropriate OS. It has complete functionality, but it shuts down after 30 minutes and you’ll need to restart it. 

@ted_b 

Thanks much for the explanation.  Sounds interesting. I’ll download the application and see how it works.

Oh, and one last question would this be able to convert DSD to something like a PCM stream without affecting audio quality?

I have 14 4K TVs and I can stream them all at the same time with my 1Gig streaming service. Audio takes nothing compared to video we’ll be fine.

@tomrk Be sure to consult these HQP discussion groups for help and guidance:

HQ Player - Head-Fi

HQ Player - Audiophile Style

EDIT: Yes, HQP can convert DSD to PCM, although I've not have a reason to do it, so I cannot comment.