Is Windows 8 and the new version of XXHighEnd (09-z9) the best combination so far between the OS and XXHighEnd?. The answer is, in my opinion YES.
Naturally certain conditions are required, for example, it also requires of a proper hardware configuration in the Music PC (as Peter has suggested in another post
http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=2421.msg26705 # msg26705 ), and to find solutions to some problems of W8. Also the other system components require special care. As for example in some aspects as the vibration isolation or having power lines for the sound system separated from the rest of the house.
For the changes implemented in the hardware of my Music Pc I have faithfully followed the recommendations of Peter. I took out from inside the computer the hard drives with music and I left in the computer the hard drive with OS/XXHighEnd as well as the hard drive I use as Playback Drive both with SATA III connection.
The hdd with music, at this moment 2 x 2TB each, are connected to a self-powered USB 3.0 hub and this hub to an USB 3.0 port in the motherboard. I tested the differences in SQ of the two mb USB 3.0 ports and the remaining free port in the TeckNet USB 3.0 PCIe card until finally I chose the one I think sounded better, that is one in the mb.
With respect to software, I have not touched anything in the W8 BIOS, so it is installed as is (Windows 8 Pro). No updates installed and no virtual memory. That's it.
I've tried almost all the possible combinations of W7 and W8 with previous versions of XXHE and with the latest version. I tested also some combinations of settings in 09-z9 as Phase Alignment on/off, different values for Q5, iPhase off or +/- ON, clock resolution etc. and in the end I used the Peter settings for 09-z9, which for me also sound the best.
As I say W8 and 09-z9 it is in my opinion the best OS/XXHE combination so far. The main differences in SQ I detected with respect to other combinations of OS/XXHE are:
- Detail. The sound is the most detailed I've heard. I used, as always, a few albums I've listened literally hundreds of times. I have discovered new sounds that were hidden and it was an unbelievable surprise. Never before, in any case, I had heard certain sounds that are now perfectly audible.
- Density. The sound is dense and I wish I could explain, dense as I mean is not equal to thick, but a fuller sound with more information, I could define it, for lack of better words, like a more mature sound, more complete.
- Bass. The bass deserves a special comment. At first it seems too large, even a little fuzzy, but if you get used to it you´ll be hearing a bass that seems to be more faithful to the recording than previously. That is, if the bass is exaggerated it appears so, however in well made recordings the bass appears with an almost perfect intonation and depth. In my opinion, if the bass has the right size and it is correctly reproduced, as it is the case in the 09-z9 version, it becomes an essential factor to give the sound that density to which I referred.
- Palpability. The combination of the three previous sections gives the sound a palpability even greater than at other times. It seems as if the sound had a physical embodiment, as if it could be touched.
- Volume. With regard to the volume level I'm not sure if in other versions it is as important as it is now. I think that the richness of the sound is volume level dependent, and I guess that it will happen in each system (including the listening room), in my case with the 09-z9 version the better setting is -33db/-31.5db, that's the equivalent to 30db/-28.5db when PeakExtend was active in the other versions which is the volume that was using before most of the time.
Finally, I would like to comment on other important issues such as the control of vibration and the separate power lines for the rig that also contribute to some extent to the excellent sound of W8/09-z9.
With regard to vibration, if anyone has seen the photos of my system it may have called attention to a number of discs I've placed on the amplifiers and the NOS1. Both have the boxes without sufficient isolation for the vibration (sorry Peter) and if you hit with the fingers on the external plates you can feel that the boxes are not tight. So I put the discs above and also looking for the correct placement that avoids these vibrations, once I placed the discs hitting with the fingers give a deaf sound. I think it increases the sharpness. The same applies to the foot of NOS1 and amplifiers. In this case it seems that Peter used a Magic Feet or something like that, I use some cones I retained from a Wadia cd player and have placed them, in the case of the NOS1 beneath the four corners and in the center, 5 in total. What I can say at the end is that all these changes contribute to the best sound. To complete the issue of vibrations the external hard drives are suspended by rubber bands, one being a special case Sharkoon and another a wood box with ther rubber bands that I made myself. The computer case has also some pressed rubber feet that I´ve found at a very cheap price. I'll put some pictures in the post HOW I'VE BUILT MY NEW PC FOR XXHIGHEND AND ...
The separate power lines, as it is well known also contribute to the SQ. I have it in my home although in my case I can not have a ground different from that of the building in which I live, I can switch off from the electrical box almost the whole home except the sound system. With respect to the part that concerns the Music PC what I did was take out from the audio circuit (again thanks Peter) the hard drives with music and I have connected it to other independent power breakers of the house and the sound equipment. These hdd are also are connected to a power conditioner.
The combination of all what I have said here makes a sound that IMHO is the best so far. I guess that to the extent that Peter will delve into Windows 8 will appear better XXHE versions, which, although it seems difficult, we all know from experience that it is possible.
Thanks Peter.
Best regards,
Juan
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