Yes 5.19 sfs is better than 20.19 in this latest XXh version. All running perfectly.   

Jack, its all about better sound!!!!! Try it, unfortunately it takes time to prove but it works.

In terms of xxh 2.09, SFS 20.19 still rules in my system.

Hi I'm back to my original settings. Found Core 1-3 and sfs 10.19 bland.

Something about sfs 20.19 that is crisp and more life like. Prefer my core 3-4. Anyway back to listening. 

Well who would have thought, I tried Core 1-3 with SFS 10.19 and it does work. I also tried core 1-2, 3-4 and 3-5 but not as good as 1-3.

Tried Q5 from 1 to 3 didn't work for me, in fact didn't work with SFS 20.19, Core 3-4 my original. Q5 at 1 now.

Tried 10.19 but back to 20.19. 10.19 feels less detailed, less bass impact for me. I may be deafer to sharpness from industrial noise over the years. Once again depends on recording. Melody Gardot's latest live release in 24/48 is excellent.

I have finally received this book and Blueray audio files as I was an original sponsor on Kick Starter about two years ago. The only thing I have sponsored so far on this forum.

Its written by Mark Waldrep reasonably well known in Audio circles in the US.

I suppose this is a promotion but I wanted to make people aware of this product as he does promote some very good things that need support. The very least is the low quality of studio productions authorised by Record company people designed to sell the product over the quality.

He has experience from playing instruments, recording and playback. There is some interesting reading here covering all current formats and processes. The demo disc is also interesting with his versions of recordings in stereo and surround for comparison. His recordings are all 24/96 and very good quality. Whether you like the music or not it is a good demonstration he has provided between formats from Audio tape, MP3 to 24/96 also.

Some issues he discusses are not without controversy as are his views on cables, but in general I believe he is on the right track to attempt to get hires 24/48, 24/96, 24/192 promoted and recordings improved.

An interview with Bob Stuart Meridian re MQA which I have not read yet included.

Robert

My suggestions for interesting music I found in 2017:

Nadia Reid - Preservation (NZ music) 16/44 Download from Bandcamp Similar to Lana Del Ray but kiwi version she is outstanding.

Hussy Hicks - Lucky Joe's Wine and other Tales(Australian band) 16/44 Download from Bandcamp. Excellent live these two girls. The guitarist is a superb mix from Country to jazz fusion while playing harmonica and drum box with one foot the other working her guitar pedals. The other some interesting vocal chords. See them if you can they feature in Germany the US as well as Australia.

Melody Gardot - Currency of Man(US artist)16/44 Love all off her music and latest Blueray live in Paris. Great backing players with sax player playing two at once.

Next Phase Records - Various releases on Bandcamp(Holland)A somewhat refresh of early drum and bass music with a mix of styles. Several releases from this camp. Great to hear some quality sounds from this genre not known for quality generally as DJ mixed sounds. Bass on some tracks really moves the house.

The Rolling Stones - Blue & Lonesome 24/48 Love the blues also good to hear a new quality recording off old music.

Pat Metheny Group - Essential Collection Last Train Home. This his most recent is worth a listen. An old boy from way back still has it.

De Phazz - Prankster Bride(Germany) Love all they have produced. Interesting new take on old styles.

Carmen Gomes - Sings The Blues 24/352 Interesting this one comes in DXD and yes at 24/352 I had to try it. Takes a while to download and load into Ram but does sound excellent. Download from Sound Liaison run by two musicians(Dutch and Danish). They are trying to make a difference with quality recordings.

Black Sabbath - Vol4 HDtrack download 24/96 Old favourite sounds excellent. Gave a burst with new XX settings and Lush what a voice old Ossy had and Tony's guitar, what skills. The band really rocked on this I think their best by far.

Doobie Brothers HD Track album downloads 24/96. All an improvement over old recordings, although can be a little bright on some tracks.

Bandcamp is a good source of alternative music downloads available often in 16/44 Wave. A lot of sites now provide Wave file downloads.

HiRes needs support its a mixed bag but when its good its great.

Robert

Well I havn't commented here for a while. I now have the Lush and after a month much prefer it over the Clairixa, difference not being as large as perhaps some felt between the two but definitely more music.

I've played with all settings suggested and currently enjoy settings per my signature. I do prefer Arc filter over custom even changing from Low 705600 to Mid 705600 as per Peter's suggestion. Arc has a clarity over the custom filter settings. Anyway still listening. Running SFS at 20.19 has mean't no problems with running certain Hi Res files.

Music has never sounded better in my hot summer weather.

Spring is coming for those in the North!!!!

Robert

Well its got an open window in the treble which does seem to have a more natural sound. I think I've lost bass but perhaps its not gone but transformed into a better bass. More listening required. Gosh I would never have thought to try those settings. Inspires me to try settings.

As soon as I change to Hires files(24/44/96/192) problems emerge especially ticks. 16/44 no problems. Xx really struggles with some hires files(Early HDTracks) while others cruise through. Recent download hires files seem to be very good(from HD Tracks) even some 24/352 which sound amazing from where the Netherlands, Carmen Gomes sings the blues, Sound Liason Music.

No boot was caused by HDMI cable from audio computer to Oppo. Gosh new Oppo has caused some headaches.

Robert

I have tweaked my HDD for 32GB and you are right it takes a good 5 minutes to boot into Ram. Is it possible for me to transfer easily mine from the HDD to an SSD?

Robert

I have the original 500g Sata drive.

Has anyone compared this with the current 240g SSD drive for sound benefits?

Is there any advantage in using the SSD over the Sata?

Robert

Peter,
        This is the images. The boot is sitting on default Base in this screen but normally I would have the Ram default highlighted.
I just clicked the ram default and its booting into Ram now. I guess it was something in the boot menu. Music played. It was like the boot menu was stuck.

Robert

acg

I turn computer off and DAC now overnight. There is something about digital stuff that is hard to put a finger on but I have noted the same even with different gear to you. All digital seems to benefit from a reboot this includes mobiles, androids etc.

Is your signature up to date? Otherwise you really should try OS14393 with 2.09. Its some way in better sound than what you are running. Also try bypassing the Silverstone card and removing Intona. I have now removed the Intona for good. There was always something about the Intona sound that was wrong although it did some things better. Now I'm use to it out of the circuit I much prefer it.

Robert

Peter,

Always something, now computer will not boot into RamOS14393 2.09v. I've tried this with OS10586 2.06v and the same no Ram boot. I got back to Base14393 and all seems ok, music plays perfectly in min OS. Files are not blocked.

Apart from adding 2.09 patch to 14393 and Xx settings I have not changed any other software. If I leave it trying to boot to Ram it ends up in Base 14393 but XXhigh won't work.

Could this be a hardware fault or ram disc? I did remove the Ram drive from the computer to use another disc, on putting back today no Ram bootup. Day before it took 3 trys to get it to Ram boot which was not normal. I rarely remove Ram disc even for better sound during play. I tested Ram with Memtest86 and no problems.

Robert