Yes only have 4 cores, 3/4 sounds the best. I was meaning SFS and balanced settings primarily. Although I should retry the core settings.

Bios settings have a large effect on the sound something I'd forgotten. I have been running Bios update default settings for 3 weeks and didn't notice till Peter's Disable Crack comment. Its interesting how one can get use to a sound quite easily and not realise some things are not optimised.

Yes I'm miles away from the new Stealth MKIII still better than a laptop.

Robert

As a result of a recent Bios update and resetting, disabling Bios settings, more than I have ever been brave to try, the subsequent sound with Peters current XX settings is amazing. I also prefer Disable Cracks off sound wise.

Lush 2 is on the horizon perhaps a Xmas present. 

Robert

I got so annoyed I had disabled Crack detect, since 12 August post. No problems at all.

Today I noticed you have changed balanced rate and nervous from 18/100 to 35/10.

With 35/10 and Crack detect enabled I have a better sound similar to 18/100 with Crack Detect disabled. Crack detect certainly has a major influence on the sound.

I do wonder that your XXhighend software is probably very stable and unlikely to cause cracks. I have re enabled Crack detect and have yet to experience any problems with it. I recognise that some owners may create a situation that could cause cracks.

I've updated my settings and its all sounding excellent.

Robert

This is one intermittent bug that's also come back to haunt me even on the old low SFS settings. Happens on quality rips and downloads. I've tried different SFS settings this doesn't stop it. No stress I just change the music or switch Crack detect off.

Robert

Bert I was interested in this comment you made
Does this mean you don't use XXhighend generally for listening or something else?

Robert

My current settings are SFS 20.19 MAX 140.19, xQ1=40.

I find old settings at SFS 5.19 MAX 120 xQ1=40 have an openness in the treble I like but is brighter, which is subdued with SFS 140.19 MAX 140.19 xQ1=11. I did prefer putting xQ1=11 back to 40 with SFS 140.19 to overcome this. Ran into playback problems at this point.

Due to slowness probably with my PC I've settled at above for now.

I don't know whether MAX SFS has any influence on the sound yet.

Robert

I've run into problems with this setting. Data not arriving in time. I've reduced SFS to 20. I found I preferred Q1 x xQ1 = 30 x 40.

Music was stopping midway through an album.

It has prompted me to try different settings.

Robert

I'm trying these new settings and yes I can hear a difference and so far prefer it. I will run with it for a few days and go back.

Particularly noticeable on minimal good recordings like Jennifer Warnes - Famous Blue Raincoat "Let it be your Will" and Melody Gardot - Live in Europe "Our Love is Easy". The voice/guitar has more depth not as bright, so volume can go up more. Stage bigger, easier to listen.

I have yet to get my guitar/singer wife to give her opinion.

I concur with Fred on his listening reply re the MachIII to these settings. You don't need a MachIII to hear the difference.

Robert

Yes thats correct.

Generally this version operates with the least problems for me with the settings I'm currently using. I have not reversed settings as it all sounds great.

Has anyone tried new settings?

Robert

I know this is an old topic, but I wish to note something.

Since re engaging Garbage Collect which does improve sound this small error has come back but only on fresh boot into Ram OS and first playback audio files. After this the error does not appear again at all, no matter how many files I play.

I'm not sure if at initial turn on computer is lagging but then catches up once OS/xx settles and the problem disappears. 

Robert

This has occured again on the weekend but hasn't been a problem since last noted here.

I stopped XX engine(blue button) and clicked out of XXhighend but kept Ram OS going. I restarted XX and everything has continued normally since.

So guess this has solved it until next time.

Robert

Yes I would dearly love to order one waiting for my fortune to arrive. I suspect this upgrade is massive and logical. In fact one should start at this point, the source has always been critical. I've priced the parts only, not including case, for 14/28 in New Zealand and they come to the price of Peter's completed, tested version. So Peter's pricing is certainly very competitive.

Interesting that progress on DAC technology globally appears to have stalled.

Robert

Peter
       Fresh W10 installation has worked with XXhighend at last. I'd almost swear I have better sound with Netflix and Spotify. Getting Microsoft network to work was a pain to see Music file server. Anyway guess I will register so I can get the most out of it in reduced mode. Have to say Ram Os 2.10 is sounding amazing in contrast we have a long weekend for the Queens birthday. Listening to unplayed files since 2.10 upgrade and settings. Thanks.

Robert

It did trip with same SFS settings. One track was from a Bob Marley remastered ripped CD Kaya. The other from Peter Green The Best of ripped CD not remastered. I didn't think either were that dynamic being older recordings. Anyway I have left Crack Detect on. Thanks

Robert