Just a final point to wrap things up for now. The PC worked fine all day yesterday. At the end of the day I went down into the basement to just check on things and I noticed something that I hadn't noticed before (because I'd simply never checked) - the Teradak's heatsinks were very hot. I suspect this has always been the case and that with the PC sitting in the basement, I'd simply never noticed before. It might well be that some components in the Teradak are 'aging' and losing their tolerance. I don't know.

But I just wanted to mention this in case anyone else is thinking of going the linear power supply route. Depending on how you use XX in MinOS mode, your PC might be quite 'highly strung', placing a higher demand on your PSU (speculation on my part). In which case a SMPS might be a better option.

At some point I will try configuring XX to place less stress on the PC. The SQ will no doubt take a hit. I will then have to make a decision as to whether to keep the LPS and have a sub-optimal XX config, or use a SMPS and use an optimal XX config.

There's a lot of speculation in this post on my part, so please bear this in mind.

Mani.

A while ago, I wrote this:


And even earlier, I wrote:


With the new custom filters in 2.02, I think I have a better understanding of what is happening.

My first impression on listening to AP in 2.02 was "wow, there is REAL sparkle now". Perhaps too much sparkle. But really, really nice. But on trying 705600 Mid (as per Peter's sig), it was immediately obvious that what I had described as the 'reverb effect' above was actually HF distortion. With the custom filter, 'an artificial sheen' has been removed from the sound. Everything now sounds so natural.

I'll post more thoughts once I've had a chance to delve further into 2.02. (I haven't even installed the new 1.04 driver for the NOS1a yet.) But for now, I have to say that my early thoughts on 2.02 are as positive as any I've ever had in the last 7 and a 1/2 years of using XX.

Well done Peter!

Mani.

I had my PC on all morning in Normal OS mode. There seemed to be no issues whatsoever. And no issues playing music through XX Attended.

I then took the leap of installing XX2.02, whilst the PC was behaving itself. I've had music playing through XX2.02 MinOS/Unattended for a couple of hours now, and again, no issues whatsoever. (My thoughts on the SQ to come in a separate thread/post.)

So what could have caused the issue in the first place? A few thoughts:

- A slightly loose connection somewhere, as Coen suggested? Maybe, but I haven't touched the PC physically (it sits in the basement), either to cause the issue or to fix it.

- A cooling issue? I'm using a Zalman Reserator 1 v2 water-cooler. It's a totally closed system, so I'd be surprised if there were any clogging. And I've been careful to use the correct quantity of anti-corrosion coolant.

- Something in the air? Well, we had a very mild thunder storm over the weekend. I had to reset my ADSL router, though I didn't associate this at the time with the mild storm, and am really not sure they are connected.

- Just one of those things? Yeah, probably.

Mani.

Thanks for the idea Coen. But it seems the problem is now fixed. (I'll elaborate in the next post.)

Mani.

Thanks Alain. Just for my understanding, when you say "start a session", do you mean whenever you boot up the PC and start XX? If so, then I totally understand.

But what happens if you press 'refresh' and then play music in Unattended? When you press Alt-X and come out of Unattended, does the settings area still show Win8 as 'stable'? For me, it will always say 'use refresh', even though I did this before playing music in Unattended.

Mani.

So, music is now playing in Normal OS and Attended... Let's see how long it lasts.

Another thing: I've noticed that in MinOS and Unattended, I always loose Win8 Stability (in settings) after playing music. In MinOS Attended, Win8 Stability remains 'stable' once set.

(If the PC remains switched on in Normal OS (I have a feeling it will), I will go ahead and download and install XX2.02. Who knows, maybe things will fix themselves?)

Mani.

I don't think I've ever used the on-screen keyboard. But certainly, before my current issues, Attended has worked perfectly. I've been able to change volume or go to next/previous track no problem.

Peter, how much would XTweaks have a part in all of this? My current settings are:

- balanced load = 43
- nervousness rate = 1
- cool when idle = 1 (this always sounded better to me)
- provide stable power = 1
- utilize cores always = 1

I ask because I've had the PC switched on in Normal OS pretty much all morning with no issues. (I'm going to play music in Normal OS and Attended and see what happens.)

Mani.

Thanks Peter, really helpful. I'll try reducing the speed in the BIOS (will have to reinstall the GPU card).

Here's something else that I've lived with a a while (way before the Teradak arrived): Whenever I try any of the shortcut keys in Unattended (e.g. Alt-U, Alt-D, Alt-N, etc) the PC will switch off. (I'm sure I reported this when it first started happening, but it was so long ago that I just learned to live with it - simply coming out of Unattended whenever I want to do something.)

Could there be a connection?

Mani.

PS. PC still working happily.

Hi y'all! Sorry for my 'radio silence' these last few months - the summer has been crazy with lots and lots of work travel. But I'm now more settled and eager to finally find the time to upgrade to XX2.02. However, I have a problem with my PC that I need to solve first...

I've been using a Teradak ATX 275 linear power supply for over 6 months now. For most of this time, the PC has been simply left switched on (it sits in the basement and I've usually forgotten to switch it off even when there's been no one at home for a few weeks). And I've had zero problems... until a few days ago.

Playing music in Unattended, the PC now randomly switches off and reboots. This behaviour really does seem to be random. Sometimes, the PC will switch off during the reboot cycle, and sometimes not for 20-30 minutes of totally normal PC behaviour (including playing music). The PC is currently on right now as I type this post. It's sitting quite happily in Normal OS, doing nothing. It's been on for about an hour or so (just as a test). It seems totally happy. As I said, the switching/rebooting seems random.

When the PC switches off, one of the output LEDs on the Teradak PSU (I think it's the 3.3v output, but could be one of the 12v outputs - I'm not entirely sure) switches off. But I have no idea why the output is switching off. One hypothesis is that something in the PC is drawing too much current.

I have attached the output specs of the Teradak. Here is the hardware configuration of my PC:

- ASRock x79 Extreme4 mobo
- i7-3960X CPU, TDP 130W (running at default 3.3GHz) (water-cooled)
- 4x 4GB DDR3-2400 RAM modules
- 120GB SSD (OS and XX only - no music)
- LAN port (for NAS drive and RDC)
- PCIe Silverstone USB card
- *no GPU card* - RDC only (although PC has booted with GPU card installed no problem, when I've had to access the BIOS in the past)
- *no keyboard* - RDC only

The obvious reason would be that the Teradak is simply too weak to power the PC. If the PC had never ever managed to pass the boot up cycle, I would suspect this too. But the PC has booted up, many times with the Teradak. And everything has worked perfectly for over 6 months. The PC is working right now... but may switch off and reboot at any time.

What do you think might be happening? Let me know...

Cheers, Mani.

Hey Peter, I'd be VERY interested in buying a new Win10 HDD from you. I just haven't had much time to do anything audio related for a few months now and this would be the perfect 'catch-up' solution for me. Oh, and I'd need a licence for XX 2..xx too as I still haven't gotten around to trying it. I totally understand that there is a risk, as my PC isn't a Phasure PC, but mine does use the same mobo and [almost] the same CPU, so I'm hoping all will be good.

I'll be travelling for work for the next few weeks, so no rush in my case. I'll send you a PM and perhaps we can take things from there?

Mani.

I'm very happy with my ATX LPS. It's really hard to attribute exactly what's it's done to the SQ because I made so many other changes at the same time, but my feeling is that the sound softened ever so slightly. I could make a proper comparison by putting the SMPS ATX back in, but I really don't have the inclination to do this as I'm happy with the sound. (I still want to upgrade to XX2.02 and try W10 at some point though.)

So, no other reason to stay silent other than I'm happy with the sound.

Mani.

Absolutely phenomenal post Paul. Bang on the money IMO.

For my part, I haven't been able to spend much time at all on our hobby these last few months, and what's interesting is that I haven't missed it at all. The few occasions I've been at home and had time in the evenings, I've just listened to music for 20-30 minutes without thinking about tweaking at all. It's been almost liberating! I think being in a place where the SQ really is already 'more than good enough' is a big help.

But I'm not totally out of this hobby. I'll always keep a keen eye on what Peter is up to... just to make sure he isn't driving himself completely crazy... and to keep him on the straight and narrow (need to counteract any sycophantic behaviour here).

Oh, and I'm 48 years old...

Mani.

Yes. But not my intention. I suppose I just feel inclined to support someone I know and like.

Ever since Nick posted his "Nick's Tweaks" thread all those years ago, I've considered him as someone who bends over backwards to share with others here what he has discovered through a lot of his own time and effort. But maybe you're right Peter. Maybe the $ signs do start to interfere with things at some point. [And this is one of the reasons I've always tried to stay above board with all my 'suppliers' in this hobby (i.e. I've never asked for any discounts or favours) - and this includes Nick, Bert, and of course you yourself Peter (as you well know).]

But I have one admission, and I will apologise to Nick at the outset. I've never been comfortable with the idea the "Chronos PC" as a 'product' offered by Nick. And I'm sorry to have started a thread that included the name. To me, Nick's services are quite clear - he modifies the mobo with the aim of improving its SQ. If anyone were to ask me whether I have a "Chronos PC", I would categorically deny it. I call my PC 'Le Monster'. I selected all the components and built it myself (with a lot of knowledge gained from this very forum). My PC remains my own 'Le Monster', but it now has some of Nick's mobo mods applied to it. Does this help? Probably not one iota. Oh well.

Right, I'm done with justifying myself or trying to support others. Seems I've failed on both counts anyway. So time to stop digging...

Mani.

A very quick post - just no time...

Rakesh, IMO you are VERY wrong about Nick and his product. Nick makes some fundamental changes to the mobo itself, which in my own experience make a big difference to the SQ.

But I understand your (and Peter's) frustration with the way things are being communicated on this forum. I can't speak for Nick here, but I think he has his reasons for wanting to stay vague about exactly what he does to the mobo. I mean, just ask Peter what happened with M2Tech a few years and you'll understand why Nick might be a bit cautious.

Paul Pang is the only other person I know who is approaching things in a similar (though different) way to Nick.

HTH.

Mani

Hey Peter, you of all people should know the significance of the 'Mexico' name in the world of motorsport, no?

And anyhow, I'm not taking lessons on aesthetics from someone who has a pair of 'Darth Vaders' in his living room.


Thanks Joachim.


Hey Jud, I'm well aware of the new NSX... but still only 2 seats!


Yep, I'm afraid so Todd. From a financial perspective, I should have just hung on to it - it was actually appreciating in value way more than it was costing just sitting in the garage. But I couldn't bear the thought of it just sitting there. It needs to be driven.

Haha... I think the fact that you can use 'NSX' and 'F430' in the same sentence says it all - the NSX is a phenomenal 'driver's car'.

Thanks y'all for your thoughts.

Mani.