I'll add my thoughts here.
Nobody else tried Server 2016? And which build?
Some people in other places *that dont use xxhe* swear by it sounding better than w10.

Since I discovered my cpu is 64 bit, I want to try that too, once I decided what sounds better between my old w7 setup and w10 14393.

Yeah, I know, but i lack cores. Not sure how much the quad will help.

Noname usb3 card with renesas chipset installed.
Belkin usb2 highspeed standard cable plugged and ready to transmit all the cr*p in the world 
Listening tests after weekend

How did you and to 0.90 from there? I'm still missing a step or two...

This i generally a BAD thing IME.

But I'm still reading the long thread, maybe some other setting improved it.

Yeah, that's why I went straight to the 14393
But an update to a bare OS such as the one we use should be trouble-free.

Dammit, i was afraid of such an answer.
If cuda could be used I would avoid a system upgrade since now there are gtx1050 fanless. Oh well. Going to RDC route ASAP.

Oh, yes, what do I need to send you for activation? Can we do it offline?


I'll experiment with everything in time. I have years to catch up
I need to keep my usb mouse/keyboard working for the moment.
I'm still doing everything without lan cable attached. When it's the time to try RDC, i'll study how to connect to my lan only. I dont think will be easy, so I'm posponing it after critical listening in the old setup & usb3 first.

W10 (re)installation, optimization went smooth, and also xxhe 2.09 (which required the cr*ppy .net 3.5).

Next thing is the usb3 card. Then I can start listening.

Thanks. I think I will, as I have found a 65W part for 55$.

I do remember that going from dual to quad core was a big improvement for normal usage/multitasking. I can only guess it will be the same for music playback.
The additional cache may help it too.

Are you gonna tell me?

Hey Peter, have you thought about it?
Yes/no/maybe?

(I'm posting this here instead of opening a new topic, hope it's ok)
I haven't had the time to redo the w10 install with the 64bit one and do optimizations on it yet, but...

Googling around I found out that my mainboard (which I like very much, have I said that? ) supports newer cpus up to 4C/8T core duo or xeons, also with 12MB total cache. Same TDP or a bit higher that should be fine once downclocked.
Would such an upgrade be worth? Note that prices of these old cpu are around 50€ so it's quite trivial.

Does xxhe uses threads or only cores matter? Still, going from 2 to 4 is a noticeable benefit or I just save my time and wait to replace all with a 20+ core cpu later?

Oh, ok.
Then I think i'll just try with a spare usb3 card I have laying around and compare with motherboard usb2.
Theoretically a usb3 port is better and it wouldn't be shared with the usb2 (I have a usb keyboard/mouse).

I have to compare one thing at a time, within the same OS, otherwise is a moot point.

Looks like i got the right image now (and a bigger usb key for the install).
Pro will be, no headaches from getting RDC to work and easier to stop updates (this may regard how xxhe handles that too).