VJ,

Very nice machine.  Looking forward to seeing it soon.  I've been traveling (again!).

Owned a number of alphas in the past, spiders, duettos, GTV, nothing like this one.  The big surprise was how extremely reliable the drive train was, even though everything else (handles, tops, knobs, etc.) slowly fell apart.

I've been using W10 on my music server with no issues so far. 

I recently made this switch and can confirm the difference from using storage in the audio PC.  I also recently switched to RDC from music service to audio PC, and running the audio PC headless with no keyboard or mouse, and found further improvements in SQ.

Alain,

I've had problems, as I reported earlier, with the DAC being recognized while using the Intona isolator.  My problem was specifically related to using the short Clairixa cable on the PC side.  I have not had the problem using the long Clairixa cable on the PC side.

In addition to the NOS 1a not being recognized, I also have had problems with the PC suddenly shutting down while using the Intona box with the short Clairixa cable on the PC side.

Ramesh

I have observed three times when after re-boot of the XXHE PC, I got a message saying that the "last USB device connected was not recognized" and the NOS 1a DAC does not show up in the XXHE devices menu.  When investigating if the short Clairixa cable was perhaps not connected properly, I've also had the PC simply shut down when I tried to more firmly connect the short cable to the Intona box (not take it out and reinsert, but just apply some pressure).

To condense a number of (probably useless) things I tried, it seems to me that the Intona box is more stable using the longer Clairixa cable between the PC and the box, and the shorter cable on the DAC side.  At least for me.

I know that some people have experienced less errors doing it this way.  My question is: purely from the standpoint of SQ, does it make a difference which end the short cable goes--PC or DAC.

I have one clarifying question.  I have the NOS 1a.  I do not know if the USB card is isolated since it is an XXHE PC that I got from the previous owner (Joel).  I will open up the PC and check, but my guess is that it is NOT because the XXHE PC does not ship that way and Joel did not do anything.

Is it safe to have Switch #3 UP (disconnect).  I was doing this until one day I had a very loud BANG, music stopped,and when I checked the DC offset the meters were blank.  I had to restart everything to get going again, and assumed that maybe this was related to Switch #3 being UP and the USB card not being isolated. 

But maybe it is not related at all.  It certainly made me nervous though because the BANG was quite loud, and the only time in my life I have heard this before is when DC went straight through to the speakers and fried the drivers.


Ramesh

Can you let me know what I should be checking for?  I have the XXHE as it was configured for the original owner from whom I bought it, along with the NOS 1a.  I do not have the original correspondence with Peter on this. 

Wondering if there are others who have experiences to share with leaving Switch #3 up using the NOS 1a.

I was doing this by default until a couple of days ago.  I'm not sure if this is related, but I suddenly had a very loud "bang".  Music stopped.  I was in unattended mode.  Stopped XXHE.  Looked at the DAC DC offset which was showing -1, essentially like something was not right.

I was certain I had fried something--tweeters, DAC, whatever.  But fortunately not, everything seems to be fine after switching the DAC off/on and also rebooting XXHE.  BUT I am extremely nervous now about keeping Switch #3 on. 

I am not 100% certain that what I experienced was related to Switch #3 being on, but I cannot imagine what else could possible create what appears like an unstable DC offset.

The issue is that SQ seems better with Switch #3 up, so I am wondering if keeping the switch up is safe.

I received the package with RAM-OS disk and short Clairixa cable yesterday.  Spent some time today listening with my standard setup (see signature) and short Clairixa cable between PC and Intona.  No problems, in fact better SQ than using the cheap, longer USB cable I had before.  Not sure this helps anyone, but just some input.

Paul,

I've had this exact problem sporadically even running XXHE without the RAM-OS in unattended mode, so I suspect it is not related to running the OS from RAM. 

One question on using Blaxius cables with adapters (psuedo-Blaxius!).  I been using the Blaxius cable with BNC-RCA adapters on both ends.

Can I try this with BNC to XLR adapters wired with pin 2 as signal, and pin 1 and 3 connected using the XLR outputs on the NOS 1a?

I would like to connect to the XLR inputs in my ASP, which gives me additional gain.  I am still considering doing the full Blaxius upgrade, but in the meanwhile was wondering if this is feasible.

Thank you for all the effort!!!  Looking forward to it.  I saw the shipping notice this morning and can hardly wait.

Trying to understand if the general recommendation is to go as low with SFS as you can with reliable playback?  I'm still on W8 with SFS at 4.00.  I have tried lowering it, and can reliably play with it lower, BUT I have not liked the sound.  Low SFS on my setup sounds smeared (loss of focused imaging) with more reverberation in a bad way.  I'll try again with some testing over the weekend.  Wondering what experiences others still on W8 have.

Dave,

I would be happy to have your friend visit and listen to the LX521's with the XXHE and Phasure NOS 1a front end.  Send me a private message, and  we'll get this set up.

Ramesh

Todd,

Very interesting indeed!  I'd like to chat with you separately if you can spare a moment about the BD Design speakers, as well as the Hypex NC400 amps.  I'm using chip amps at the moment from Audiosector.

I will try some more critical listening with and without the Intona and see if I can detect a difference.

BTW, Siegfried believes the LX521 is considerably better than the Orions (which they are), and the Grands (I've never heard them).

Ramesh