SQ difference - Raspberry Pi vs x86_64?

[hkphantomgtr]

NUC is slightly ahead of the Pi5 but had to look for it; in other words, the SQ difference is not night and day,

Was not expecting this, but SO 1.4.3 has opened up a gap between the NUC and Pi5.  The NUC has more heft and warmth.

Both are using Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu real time kernel with the same CPUset and IRQ tweaks and powered by Gieseler linear power supplies. Running LMS 9.0.2, with Squeezelite V2 on separate NUC.

FYI, just an objective finding sharing.  In past, I always found NUC makes better sound than Pi4B (with TCXO clock), by a little bit.  In recent month I've acquired a 1) Pi5 and a 2) Pi5 with 10M OCXO clock.  Thru the USB output, my 2 Pi 5 gives totally different sound.  In my comparison, stock Pi 5 << NUC << 10M clocked Pi 5.  (the 10M clock hat is right above the capacitor filter hat)




The setup in that pic is without NVMe hat (music storage), I just didn't take a pic when with NVMe hat.  I've powered the Pi5 by batteries or LPS, with or without clock (ie. 2 Pi5, as the clock can't be detached).  The sound of Pi5 with 10M clock is totally different.  Of course, I believe that's the power of 10M clock.

Just my 2 cents.