Hi Peter,

Thanks for your response. It makes sense that the Q1 is buffer relevant. I realize that I let the numbers fool me (I knew that it could go under "0", but at this point I still am in learning mode).

I followed your recommendation as for the buffer (1024) with engine #4. Alas, I do not have any information as for the DAC buffer. I will try to get that info from the manufacturer...

As for the USB to SPDIF, when I asked if it was affected, I was in fact asking if it was antagonist...

By the way, sorry if sometimes my writing can be kind of cryptic... I do not always read myself before sending my message.

Regards,

Alain

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the suggestion about the signature. I added a "few" notes - maybe too much, but...

I am not sure about the differences in sound between Engine #3 and engine #4. The 2 of them are appealing, but the #4 seems to allow more fine tuning. I experienced some problems at first with it looks stable now with the indications in my signature. As for engine #3, all is simpler but I insist on engine #4 (I am curious). Engine #4 use is recent. I still have to check if I will get that error message that prevent some songs to play. I will keep you posted.

I am aware that my CPU is not powerful enough... It will eventually be a silent desktop or another more powerful laptop.

Question: When I use engine #4 I absolutely have to increase the Q1 at a certain level... I understand that it has to do with jitter management, but why do I have to increase it instead of leaving it at zero (as with engine #3) ? And what about the fact that I have a USB to SPDIF reclocker between the laptop and the DAC... Does it affect its work ?

And you are saying that the next update will be different ? I already feel impatient :-)

Thanks again !

Alain

Hi Peter,

After a few weeks of listening to XXHE, I am stunned by the musicality and the "organic" feeling of it ! I have never heard anything that is near what I am hearing now !

I am not very good in adjustments and the few times I tried to play with the "Q"s did not bring much differences, but maybe this is because of the USB to SPDIF reclocker that I use (Audiophilleo 2) ? I admit I did not try for long though.

But the subtleties, the presence, the warmth... It really surprised me. I was a JRiver user before, I still use it sometimes when I intend to switch a lot between songs (I like the "fade out" "fade in" thing, because it is softer on the speakers). Sometimes also, for reasons that elude me, a song will not start (it has something to do with the headers of the song all in WAV, I should post the log ?). As for the interface, I don't use anything related to the cover art, so an important part of the screen is not used.

The most user-friendly screen (IMHO of course) would be foobar. With a "plain" screen I am happy because I don't need the "arts" other than the music. Like I said previously, I am a minimalist :-)

Still, the sound is awesome with XXHE and I will keep on following all you will put in it !

I am very surprised that there are not more publicity about your product... In my opinion, it is the best I have ever heard !

Thanks for the fantastic work Peter. It reminds me of a sentence I heard very often: "Everything comes from the source". Since it comes from a computer, its weaknesses have to be taken care of.

Regards,

Alain

Hi Peter,

I am a newbie with XXHIGHEND, but I think I will have a lot of good listenings with it :-)

Thanks for your dedication and time. You usually write long answers ;-) but I can grab my part of it from time to time. Thanks also for your patience against the "quite agressive" answers that some can throw at you in a few forums. Despite this, you keep on going with your beliefs, dedication and persistence !

I am a minimalist that like to keep things simple. I used JRIVER for the last year and to tell the truth, if there are things I can hear, there are others I can't.

I was not using DSPs except for the "fade out" thing (JRiver) that I like when I switch from the middle of a song to another. The cut is less harsh on the speakers...

All the components with switching power supplies are on one AC circuit and the rest on another. I change the process priority to "real time" for the program when running on the laptop. 

I have put a USB to SPDIF (Audiophilleo 2) between my laptop and my DAC (after trying the M2Tech HiFace first). I am happy with my sound system (Bryston Dac, Meitner preamp and amp, Tannoy System 15 DMT speakers). Part of what I have is not new (Meitner are not built anymore and the big Tannoy are from the nineties).

About XXHIGHEND. I have put all the Qs at 0 to get used to the software. I am not sure either about buffers and clock resolution. The Audiphilleo seems to do a very good job at controlling jitter with a very precise clock, but I will experiment with time (and read from the experience of other XXHIGHEND users).

The memory thing itself has made its way to me and I am also interested with the "ringing" thing (I still have to read about this to better understand it)

I have a question about Qs... Are they alterating the jitter (plus or minus) ? This is my first question, but a lot more should be on their way ;-)

Thanks and Regards,

Alain Gregoire
St-colomban, Qc
Canada