Greg and Juan, thanks for thinking along. I have enough ideas now to target the mouse usb thing.
This looks like a tough one. And, forget about the burn-in (indeed).
I think we have these options :
1. The load on the Atom caused a pleasing result (SQ).
2. In the new PC something is wrong.
3. Something is wrong all over, which is why #1 applies.
Although possible I think, I don't think #2 will be in order. So, no matter how logical you may think that is for a cause, it would be the first time I'd hear someting like that. Still possible of course ...
Well, for one thing the atom has peak power in the order of 10 watts, the i5 probably 50 (ex heavy load on gpu) or even more. This makes the peaks on the i5 a seriously heavier load on the psu. Furthermore the powersupply to the processor is more complex (3x4pin connector extra) with more supply and ground path. Good to get the power to the proc but we would never build an audio component that way. I don't consider this as a better way to do things
.
Just to tease you I can reverse the reasoning that I never read anywhere that the Atom is bad for sq....
Number 1) certainly applies. If this is due to something wrong might be the case. Bottom line is that it played music the way I like it but it is too impaired for full XX handling (no gapless playback, slow response to any control, limited in its settings like no 'real time', max sfs 140).
As a sidenote I want to remark that it is the sum of things that I feel needs adressing. Sq wise the new setup does excel in some areas but does not deliver the 'magic'.
What I would do as the first option :
Think back on your XX settings with the Atom. Was the SFS only 30 ? set that again. And the other stuff.
This is more apples and apples now.
The problem will be that all will still be uncomparable, and e.g. looking at those near to continuous peaks on the CPU you had, you won't be able to copy that with the i5. And it will be this what influencED your sound ...
At the same settings the peaks occur in the same rythm on the i5 albeit with varying peak height. Maybe something is wrong on my setup afterall? It does not sound the same as the Atom -as expected-, but some settings helped in taking off the edginess. Both going from 'real time' to ' high' and increasing the nos1 driver buffer smooth out and enrich the sound somewhat. Increasing the sfs from 140 to 430 again helps also in gaining naturalness.
When you understood the above to some degree, I'd like to talk you into the fact (???) that the remainder of your chain is wrong. For me, the logic drips from it. But now how to solve *that* ... (and what will be wrong ??).
I can pass the tvc, since I reinstalled it to adress the slow volume response on the Atom. The i5 is fast enough. I have an old gainclone somewhere that needs a box and powersupply, maybe with the nos it can outperform my tubeamp, maybe. (it is in a box for a reason)
Adressing the full system will take to much time and money, besides I wouldn't know in what other direction to go (the best systems I heard allways used tube amps and horns).
Assuming that you don't feel the need to improve on a chain which a few days back was 100% OK to your idea, go back to the Atom. Period.
Have fun again.
If I am correct, you only hopped over the i5 because I noticed the behavior of the Atom being "off" for the XX situation. Ok, nice that you followed me, but now it doesn't work out for you.
Go back.
Handling was the first reason, getting on par with the 'reference' settings another. The Atom is plugging a few connectors away from reuse
, but I am not finishet yet. I allow the mobo to get some real milage and there is still a lot of stuff that i have not taken care off.
PS: But of course everybody is ready to help when you want to continue this route; it is just that now you think about tweaking things which didn't need tweaking before, and so it will be worse and worse, because you don't work on the real cause. This is how sound in audio shops end up so badly ...
Maybe it is about the Atom board being simpler and less tweaks were necessary to get it to perform. I am playing with more or less the same things but with more options.
This is an excellent forum with good ideas and knowledgable people so I still have hope that it will be sorted out one day!
Regards, Coen