I read Jim's "Get Better Sound" newsletter too and it got me thinking about better PSUs for PCs.

Has anyone investigated this please?

I have a Hush Technologies PC which I believe is actually based on a laptop - it has an external PSU which is generic looking and feeds a thin cable into a 3-4mm dia. plug in the back of the case.

Is it possible to (and would there be any sonic advantage in) improving it?

regards
Andy

I use a Gyration Mouse + Keyboard with 3 of my PCs, had them for a few years.

http://www.gyration.com/index.php/us/home.html

It comes with software to programme the buttons - Once I set it up so that a 'right flick' of the wrist would go to the next track etc, but to be honest, you can simply click on the appropriate button in the software.  Works well and has a long range - at least 4m.  They do a pro version too which will go to 10m+

I also have the Logitech 1000 and a Nevo Q50 (http://www.mynevo.com/html.php?page_id=345) Both work fine after a fair time spent setting them up

regards
Andy 

Hi manisandher

(Re experience with the 6000's)  To be honest, I dont really know! Sounds a bit daft, but I've had them for so long (18+ years?  Not sure now) that I dont have a separate reference point. 

I cant say I notice them being slow vs the Quads - its all quite lifelike (well, as lifelike as audio systems can be).  I suppose since I run them below 40hz it doesnt really make that much difference, they just 'sit' sonically under the Quads filling in the last bit of the spectrum.

BTW, I know this is criminal but the SL600i's have been relegated to satellite duties from the Home Theatre system when I'm playing music in the lounge off that PC - one on the balcony and one in the dining room (on the original Foundation stands too!). I couldn't bring myself to part with them.

In my office I use a NuForce Icon amp into a pair of little KEF 3001's (I think) that sit on the desk on either side of my monitors (3 x 30" Dell) and one of their matching do-nut style subs near my feet, works quite well!   

regards
Andy
     

All this talk of Cantatis/Xonar/HD2SE, any views on whether they (or any other card for that matter) would make a significant improvement in SQ vs my current L22 please?

regards
Andy

Hi manisandher

I use a pair of Quad 2905s and I supplement the bass with some (very old) Celestion 6000 subs.  Since the workload of the low frequencies is managed by the subs, the system can go pretty loud; despite the Quads being relatively inefficient.  It also means it's quite difficult to short the panels out.

regards
Andy

Hi Peter,

I know nothing about coding so I really dint know the practical difficulties of such things - but my thought would be to leave most of XX as it is and add a very simple 'front page' which shows only the very basic controls, art, volume, track position and listing.  As you can see from this, I'm no artist! but something easy to see/control with an air mouse (I use a Gyration) would be great!

http://www.gyration.com/index.php/us/products/in-air-micekeyboards.html

regards
Andy 

Hi Peter

FLAC files with no setup changes - simply replaced all of the files I had before with the new download.  Yes it takes 20s for one track to start.

System is Core2 T5500 1.66 GHz, 2Gb RAM, 256Gb, SSD, W7 Lynx L22 card.  FLAC stored on the SSD in own folder on C:, XX installed in its own folder on C: I only used this machine for music, although its connected to my home network.

Settings are:
KS: Lynx L22 01+02 >> #wave1
#4 Engine
KS Mode: Normal
Device Buffer size: 32

No Appointment
Prios: Nothing and Nothing
DAC is 24 bits at 192
> 16 bits = "32"
Allow Format = "Tick"
Crack detect = " "

Quality = no ticks
No upsampling
V=0 (top)
Q=15 (middle?)

regards
Andy
Lynx buffer

Yes Peter, very feasible - but my memory is fading fast! ;-)

I can actually see the details - but sometimes (after a few beers normally) I have to lean forwards to see better.  Having said that, I cannot be the only person who has a 'sweet spot' and a screen on the wall??  It would be both cool and practical to have a skin that is more in tune (excuse the pun!) with this kind of usage. 

The Windows '97 look and feel of XX has a geeky kind of charm to it when friends venture into my listening room - "never mind what it looks like, listen to the sound quality" is what I tell them - but they wont rush home and download it vs WMP or iTunes (sadly).

And I should know, my system is definitely a case of form over function!   The blades are 8 x Mana Acoustic Sound Stages with one of their 3 tier racks on top and with a Reference top supporting the ML 31.5 CD transport.  Mana is sadly no more, but they had a bit of a cult following:

http://www.malcolmsteward.co.uk/?page_id=205

Below the ML is a Hush PC with a Lynx22 and a 256Gb SSD & W7, then there is a Lyngdorf TDA2200 amp with Room Perfect (this is a 'power DAC' i.e. its a DAC with enough output to drive the speakers directly to 200W, it also does room correction, pre/power and crossover for the sub amp) below that is the PS power plant and then a Lyngdorf SDA2175 to power the subs.  The main speakers are Quad 2905 crossed over at 40hz to the Celestion 6000 dipole subs you can see poking out at the back.  And you are correct, the wooden trellises and plants are to calm the room down a little, before applying the room correction!

regards
Andy     

Hi Peter,

Hopefully this photo helps to explain - sorry the screen itself is a bit blown out but you should be just able to make out the album art.  That is ~600m diag. on the screen which is ~1170mm diag.  I sit about 3m+ away since this is my sweet spot.  Now PC/XX is an integral part of my system it would be great to be a couch potato!   

As you can imagine (not see!) the controls and the track listing are very small from this distance, even on this screen.  Having set the artwork to max, it still only takes up <50% of the screen, leaving the potential for larger controls and listing text perhaps?   

regards
Andy

Hi Peter

"Crime of the Century by Supertramp"  (showing my age!) 8 tracks approx 5 mins each "Unattended" without tick - taking about 20 seconds to play from start and to switch track

I tried "Unattended" with tick - woudnt play at all and I had to close XX and clear lots of error messages
regards
Andy

Hi Peter,

I think the 09-y8 version sounds fantastic; its now overtaken my Mark Levinson 31.5 transport in SQ as opposed to being just 'equal but different'

One request I would like to make though is on improving the interface.  I really like the way you can get full size artwork.  I can get an artwork image of around 450x450mm on my 47" screen and when you get a high quality graphic it looks fantastic, better than any other player I have used.  The Library function with thumbnails works pretty well too.

My issue is that the overall control interface is difficult to see from a distance - I sit approx 3-4m from the screen and I use a Gyration Mouse.  If the buttons and tabs had a 'large' option it would be a great help.  A secondary request would be for the overall aesthetic - the standard windows grey buttons are perfectly functional, but they stop there!  Any chance of a makeover please?   

Now you are really nailing the sound quality, I believe an improved interface would get XX the recognition and take-up it deserves.

regards
Andy

Works in W7 x64 too!

Hi Peter,

I installed the latest version and I have to say there has been a big step-change for the better in sound quality.  Well done!

That said, it is taking ages to load tracks - e.g. if I hit NT it takes about as long as it would to stand up and change a CD, any tips on how to fix this please?

regards
Andy

Yes. 

I use a PS audio Power Plant Premier on each of my Audio and Video systems, before that I had a PSA P600.

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/description/power-plant-premier_copy?cat=power

NB these units are not filters - they convert the mains to DC then regenerate AC.  Since I live in a tower block in Hong Kong and I also use my mains for network distribution, its an essential and very effective bit of kit.  I guess if you live in the middle of a field, you may not need it ;-)