Yes been an interesting year. Audio web sites have slowed except perhaps ASR which is inhabited by some characters.

Power cords gosh another minefield but they do have influence.

Have to say I have tried some new Xxhighend settings but always arrive back at the settings we have had for some time.

It seems Dac/amplifier development has plateaued for now.

My single biggest update this year was changing active crossover from analogue to a Minidsp Flex using REW. What a learning curve but have a good improvement in sound with dual subwoofers. Taming the room or speaker to better integrate with room and furnishings. This is worth a try. I was also better able to tame a treble brightness with the minidsp. Not sure this isn't a symptom of the Elac ribbon tweeter. Also playing with crossover frequencies now at 167hz.

My other yearning is to try the Dutch and Dutch 8c's perhaps next year.

Dutch audio enthusiasts still in the hunt for better sound!!!!

Happy New Year 2024

Robert

Gosh no idea but after reading again see what's happened.

My music lies on W10 pro I5 server now and all is faster.  

Music Server > Xxhighend Mach III> Dac > Pre > MinidspFlex > Monitors and subs. Best sound ever with minidsp as active crossover.

I agree "acg" gave up on Tidal last year. Qobuz definitely better than Tidal.

Mind you I'm not listening to any streaming for serious listening now. Only to find new music which is getting harder these days with DR going down to 3 and 4 on some new electronic music. How low can you go!!!

Hi Muni I use a keyboard and mouse on my music server, rarely use remote Ipad.

I see you have played with settings. I'm not sure if you are aware but Peter has changed his settings a little way back but has not updated his signature. Mind you these settings are always evolving may be old now.

Check my settings certainly soundwise are excellent. Ignore my cracks off setting but numbers are correct.

Robert

I've just read Kal Rubinson's latest review in Stereophile on Dirac Live 3. This software is certainly improving and by all accounts easily audible to ones ears.

Is it time to include the ability with Xxhighend to enable such programs?

Others get good reviews audiolense, Acourate to name two.

The listening room is the most problematic for most listeners. Certainly mine has some serious problems.

Robert

I find the shortcut keys quite sensitive to touch. Short and sharp strokes otherwise it can jump to next track or stop then start.

I tried 2nd fan switch up and running temps as recorded 54c to 58c. About 10 degrees hotter than down.

In comparing audio quality between these fan settings very little in it.
I will leave it down as our ambient room temp grows with summer.

This is with an average room temp of 22 degrees C.

I'd recommend anyone with a Mach computer/or other similar should remove dust at least twice a year and check all ventilation case holes are clear.

Robert

Have to say running Xx with only 2nd fan switch down temp runs at 46c to 50c. This is 17c lower now.

There is one thing I did which was a number of case holes on the top side were powder coated over. I cleaned these out. I think this has made the difference. These case holes are over the top of the CPU cooler. I actually can't believe the difference in temp now. I mean the dust wasn't that bad inside.
I'm trying the 2nd switch at up now.

Robert

Thanks Peter.

Actually after taking the lid off today and giving all inside a good dust off especially normal fan which was covered plus cooler fins, all is running cooler now by about 10 degrees. It has been a year since new and we had a hot dusty summer.

Robert

Hi Peter I'm running your photo of settings didn't make any difference in temp. Anyway here's what I have observed:

Overnight (Idle) temp runs at 56c to 60c with Xx up but not playing with 2nd switch down.

Both switches down temp is 40c no music.

Sound quality is worse with 1st (emergency) switch down during playback but ok with 2nd switch down only.

Temp with Xx playing music 64 to 67c with 2nd switch down.

Tj is 87c according to Temp App.

Is temps of 60 to 67c bad long term for CPU/listening?

 
Robert



 

Should I be alarmed my Mach III since latest Xx settings is running temperature wise at 63 to 65c at idle no music. I have 2nd switch down anyway but now on occasions emergency bright light comes on. CPU can take up to 76c I guess continuous. We are in winter with house heating. Should I have 1st switch down also? I normally leave it on 24/7.

Robert

ACG, Gosh that's all a bit sad not listening for months, I use an old Samsung tablet just as Xx remote nothing else.

Mind you I have an old monitor on my music server and mostly use this, its only in the next room, hardly ever use my tablet.

Can't go a day without listening!!

Robert



 

Well after removing said Red wire and reverting back to Arc Predict filter I did like the new sound.

Upon trying Peters new Xx settings which is where I discovered I was back at Custom filter after an unsaved reboot.

Have to say you have done it again sound wise removing another veil.

I've never tried adjusting Q settings mainly filter and SFS.

What you have achieved is a major change bar the custom filter.

More of everything and can turn volume up higher. Well Done for your endless listening and tweaking. The final frontier is still unexplored!!!

Is anybody out there in Xx land????

Robert

This lifted from audiophilestyle.com, Lush ^3. New setting for Lush ^3.

Original best setting: A:W-Y-R-G, B:W-Y-R.

Quite easy to compare just remove red wire carefully from "B" side during playback.

This new accidental discovery is in fact better for sound I believe.

I found it lifted a glaze/veil from the sound. Violin, banjo and vocals from Leonard Cohen's, Amen, Old Ideas album 24/44 certainly improved. On initial listening I did find treble improved but bass reduced in output. 
Further to this I put Arc Prediction back on. Well I'm going to listen to more music over the next few days to see how filters go. But quite liking Arc Prediction again and new Lush settings.

Robert

I'm worried you might find this better. So better to not unpack it! Time will prevail. Progress can't be beaten in the end. Jet engines over piston aircraft, diesel over steam trains, digital printing over offset.