Hi Peter,

Reading Brian's report, I wonder if beyond a certain point, what is "too much" with a component (or an accessory) will be tamed or emphasized with other components (and accessories)... It seems logical to me to assess that some cables (or components) may "filter" in a way or another and that determines the different results that each of us hear...

I know I am writing the "obvious" but just to be sure: are you saying that Arc Prediction may not be the best when you compare it with the other filters you have worked on with 1.186i and the next version ?

Thanks.

Alain

I forgot to mention that XXHighEnd is on a SSD (with the OS) and that all my music is in WAV... So no copy done in the XXHighEnd path...

Alain

You're funny Peter I see your smile from here

No problem Brian I was joking about it I have misspelled names a lot more than that through time, even typing my first name "Alian" ha ha !

I sure hope that your situation will turn well with the changing of the XXHighEnd ramdisk size.

(to Peter...)
Is the XXHighEnd absolutely necessary for the ramdrive ? By this I mean if someone would like to have a bigger play drive, not using the 2-3GB for XXHighEnd may allow for this ?

Thanks.

Alain

Hi Brian,

I use the ramdisk all the time, but I must admit that I do not put many tunes in the playlist at a time. I can't say if that is the reason why I do not experience this... I am using 1.186a for the time being.

If there are such differences between the ramdisk and the hard drive, maybe having your ramdrive "script" joined with a post would help to verify if there is something special about it ?

Alain (or Alaine - this is when I am in a parallel universe

I don't understand the details that are at work from your explanations, but I hope I have grabbed enough to understand that each part has its importance and fiddling with them will trigger changes that are not for the better.

I suppose that dacs that use the USB 5V to function could benefit from an accessory like a iFi iUSB, but for the NOS1 this would NOT be the same.

What I am less sure of is these "Y" shaped USB cables that separate the power from the signal (I mean "Are they beneficial"), but to my ears the Clairixa is the most accurate cable I have and that the impedance is a perfect match.

Regards,

Alain

How to explain this result when the power is removed ? Logically it should induce less chance for power to "pollute" the data wires ?

Unless the electrical field that the power cable emits is "kind of" protecting the signal wires from something more harmful ?

Alain

Could it be related to hibernate ?

Alain

Hi Peter,

Though this situation never occured to me, I was checking for ways to put an end to these stops.

There is something on Microsoft website about USB  stopping at times with Windows 8.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2821819

I don't know if this can be of some help. It seems to be related to USB 3...

Alain

Hi Robert,

Thanks for pointing the CA thread about this.

I do use X-windows from time to time, but not for playing music (this on my "all purpose" PC, but just to quiet it when transfering music files from one hard drive to another, or downloading paid music...

Knowing Peter, I am sure that the next stop to quiet the OS would be to turn the switch off

Regards,

Alain

Hi Peter,

When I started changing my old ICs with better ones, at the time I was not really concerned about the differences in SQ because some components just came in my system so I would not have been able to distinguish which did what (too many updates at the same time).

When I changed my standard AC cables, I experienced a problem with some female voices (this "halo" I mentionned then). It disappeared in about a few months.

So I do believe that something was in order with these cables. Not that I can explain what phenomenon was at work, but the "burn in" could be a part of the explanation.

Since then I tend to believe that a cable needs to "sit" with use. The Clairixa is "clear" (I forgot to mention it), but I expect that it will soften a little.

Anyway, it is too early to comment further...

Alain

About the Clairixa...

I have been using a special USB cable for the last 2-3 years and I was quite happy with it (Clearlink Plus USB 2.0 Cable). But when Peter announced that he was making his own cable, I could not let that occasion pass.

First: I still haven't upgraded my NOS1 for the "a" version. I will ask Peter when I feel I can send it.

Here are the observations that I made (and they are to be taken with a grain of salt since I do not have trained ears):
- I had trouble connecting the cable to the NOS1 because it is stiff, as are my ICs, so I am a little concerned about the pressure applied on the USB port that the crossing cables generate. I may ask if my USB port can be moved to the rear of the NOS1 to prevent this in the future.
- The Clairixa allows more bass to flow. My speakers are bass shy (or my acoustics do not allow me to perceive them well), but they have always been tight. With the Clairixa, I get more tight bass and it generates more "power".
- There is at least as many, maybe more details than with my Clearlink Plus, but this should be compared when I will have enough hours done on the Clairixa.
- The Clairixa lets the music play already !

These comments come from early listenings. I should come back with more information as time passes.

This to conclude that I am an happy early Clairixa adopter and... Well Peter, you get the best of me, even when I write too many emails

Alain

Do you mean that the signal could arrive at the other end before it is sent ?

Alain

Hi Peter,

I did not see this post until today...

I certainly am unable to relate you and the word "stealing" in the same sentence. After all that you have conceived and wil all the qualifiers that we can think positively...

For me, PeterSt and St-Peter are quite the same

Kind regards,

Alain

Hi Esau. Yes of course, I have full trust in Peter. It is not about this...

I do understand that it is not a good idea, as it would put more work on Peter's shoulders, so I guess you are right.

Alain