Sorry, what I wanted to say is that I only can use the USB 3.0 port with a USB 2.0 cable because if I put a USB 3.0 cable in place the USB 2.0 cable
(in the same USB 3.0 port)  the sound device (Phasure dac) disappears and it is impossible to install the driver again, unless I return to the USB 2.0 cable. So now I´m listening music with a USB 2.0 cable in a USB 3.0 port.

And it wasn´t a problem of the USB 3.0 cable or the adapter because I changed both for another new ones. I´d like to know is if someone else have the same problem. Repeat: No way to install the Phasure driver if I use a USB 3.0 cable in the USB 3.0 port connected with an adapter to the NOS 1.

Best regards,
Juan

Today I´ve tried again to install the Phasure drivers with a new USB 3.0 cable and adaptor in an USB 3.0 port and it was impossible. However the USB 2.0 cable in the USB 3.0 port works perfectly. I wait for some others experiences to see if they can install the driver with an USB 3.0 cable.

I´ve disabled the USB 2.0 ports in the bios as Nick said and all I can say is that the sound is fantastic, yes, relaxed and full.

Best regards,
Juan

This evening I went to a specialized cable store near my home and bought an USB 3.0 cable and an adaptor like the one Scroobius said.

First the good news: before I put the USB 3.0 cable I tested the USB 2.0 cable in the USB 3.0 port and yes, the sound is better than the other way. It seems smoother or at least as smooth as using the USB 2.0 port, but for sure the sound is fuller, it is like if the sound is filling up the room in a fuller way.

The bad news is that I was unable to install the driver with the USB 3.0 cable/adapter in. I´ve tried it more than 10 times in all the different ways, turning off the dac and the PC and plugging the USB cable later etc. No way. Ok, could be the cable or the adaptor that are defective, I don´t know, tomorrow morning I´ll go back to the store to change it to see what happens.

At least, it seems that the USB 3.0 port sounds better and that´s a nice discovery. So, thanks to you Nick

Regards,
Juan

Maybe something like this: http://hiperusb.com/Adaptador-USB-3-0-a-USB-2-0-MicroUSB-AB-Hembra-a-B-Macho?keyword=UY43

Or like this:
http://hiperusb.com/Adaptadores-USB/Adaptador-USB-3.0-a-2.0/Adaptador-USB-3-0-a-USB-2-0-B-Hembra-a-B-Macho

Here there is a huge collection of USB adapters: http://hiperusb.com/Adaptadores-USB/Adaptador-USB-3.0-a-2.0

What I wonder is if there isn´t a bottleneck in the adapter itself or in the NOS1 because the USB 3.0 port in the mb and the USB 3.0 cable transmits data that are later received by the USB 3.0/USB 2.0 adapter and by the USB 2.0 port in the NOS 1.

Regards,
Juan

A good album to test how your system reproduces the bass notes. The bass is specially musical, not just deep but also rich. In general a great album with very good harmonics, the piano and drums are very well recorded. Fantastic rhythm and dynamics, excellent music all around. Of course this is Bach but played in a way that it seems a totally diferent work.
http://www.amazon.com/Jacques-Loussier-Plays-Johann-Sebastian/dp/B000003D5Q/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1330863300&sr=8-3-fkmr0

Hi Coen,

No, I don´t have any extra software installed, just the gp drivers, but to tell you the truth now I don´t remember if I installed the drivers from the cd that came in the box or if I downloaded it. As I never had a problem I wasn´t worried about it. Maybe some other people with both gpi and dedicated cards installed can help. Anyway, I don´t think the problem is due to if the gp is passive or not, could you try with other gp to see what happens?. Try also with the most recent drivers of your passive gp.

Best regards,
Juan

Hi Coen,

I use also a passive graphic card and never had a problem. No pops at all and great sound. So maybe the problem is not in the graphic card but in the way both cards, the integrated one and the GA-Z68X-UD3H relate each other.

I can´t help you directly because I don´t use an integrated card but reading the specification of your Gigabyte mb it says:

Expansion slots: 
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.

1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8 (PCIEX8)
* The PCIEX8 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16 slot. When the PCIEX8 slot is populated with a PCI Express graphics card, the PCIEX16 slot will operate at up to x8 mode.

Maybe all of that has something to do with the problem you have.

Btw, this is my graphic card: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3584#ov.

and here also a new interesting silent card: http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1159&pid=1471&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

Best regards,
Juan

Congratulations Peter and thanks for your continous effort of making XXHighEnd easier to use and more enjoyable. This remote is a great step ahead.

Best regards,
Juan

I work with one computer while I´m listening music with the music PC, which is a dedicated music computer. Now due to professional reasons I had to buy another computer and it has a big Dell monitor. This monitor has a DisplayPort (besides HDMI and DVI) like the GPU in my music computer and like the GPU in the new computer.
I´ve been thinking about using this Dell monitor for both computers and also the same keyboard and mouse. To do it I could use a KVM (Keyboard Video and Mouse) switch like this one: http://eu.startech.com/Server-Management/KVM-Switches/2-Port-DisplayPort-KVM-Switch-with-USB-Peripheral-Sharing~SV231DPU
Of course there are different KVM switches for other kind of connections like VGA, HDMI or DVI but DisplayPort seems to produces less RF interferences besides other advantages: http://fireuser.com/blog/display_port_part_2_of_3/

Wouldn´t it be a good solution for cutting the usb signal from the keyboard and mouse?
I´m not sure however if the KVM switch cuts totally the "inactive" signal.

Regards,
Juan

Hi Paul,

If you already bought the Get Better Sound book I suggest you to contact Jim Smith by mail and send him the sketch. I´m sure he will give you some good ideas. Keep us informed if he does it.

Best regards,
Juan

Hi Paul,

I guess you´ve tried also the opposite distribution, I mean placing the speakers where the seat is now and the seat where the word "Lounge" is situated in the sketch. If not, please try it. In my opinion now the seat is very far away from the speakers taking into consideration the speakers separation. Also probably the speakers against a solid wall the way I say will offer a more even response, place them around 1m from the rear wall and move it forward and backward at little increments to see what happens with the bass and soundstage, try also a distance from the lateral walls of around 0.50-0.60m to give the speakers around 2m in between them, place your seat around 3m or 3,5m from the speakers. The cathedral ceiling where the speakers are now could make a booming bass. Nor is a good idea to have your head close to the wall.

Best regards,
Juan

Hi pedal,


GREAT! That way to use the PC is in my opinion what XX/NOS1 deserves. On the other hand if you only use Internet to download XX updates why don´t you connect to Internet just to do it?


Again, if you only use internet to connect to the XX web site why don´t you forget about antivirus and uninstall it.


I agree, but I´d say that it is even better if you shut off totally the PC for a while. I do it every two or three days and the sound seems cleaner. That´s at least my experience.

Best regards,
Juan

Hi,

Almost from the start of building my computer I have 24Gb of memory although I haven´t updated the post until today, so I can´t tell you what´s the difference in between 12Gb or 24Gb, most of the people have 12Gb or less memory and are very happy. What I can say is that my computer is lightning fast and that I have not time enough to read the window that appears when Minimize OS that says "Wait for Service..." I have not time enough to read any other word. If this kind of things depends on the amount of memory I´m not sure, all I can say is that the computer works fantastically well.

Best regards,
Juan

I´ve made a few updates in my post HOW I´VE BUILT MY NEW PC FOR XXHIGHEND AND WHY I´VE CHOSEN THE COMPONENTS and I´d like to share it to you all.

I post it also again here to help some people that are new in the forum and ask how to build a PC for music.

Please take a look here: http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=1673.msg16893#msg16893

Best regards,
Juan

Hi Chris,

Power cords: Grover Huffman http://www.groverhuffman.com/home and Foundation Research LS1 and LS2, the latter (F.R.) I´m not sure if they are discontinued but can be found once in a while second hand for around $300

Interconnection cables: Grover Huffman

Speaker cables: Clear Day Cables http://www.cleardaycables.com/ and other ones without name made by a friend.

Best regards,
Juan