Ok. here are some log files that maybe show the playlist error when navigating in the playlist.
The error happens if I klick around in the playlist, then use some cursor arrow key to the right.
After about 10 seconds of random clicking in playlist with cursor keys it ususally happens.
Now obviously, you might tell me that this is not proper use of the playlist and how the software should be used.


Attached are all the log-files.

Once the Engine-Error occurs, I will post again.

Hello Peter

I will look at the log file next time the Engine4 error occurs.
The strange thing is, once the error occurs, there is no interruption in playback. The playback is fine!
Just at the end of the track it stops. And after that I have to manually restart playback.
Since I do not yet know the root cause and the symptoms are so that playback seems fine and the error occurs randomly, to me it then looks like a software related issue.
If software is not the root cause and I had the problem now with 2 completly different PCs one possible conclusion following your reasoning that the software is ok that something is funny with the NOS1a?

So as I said I will look at the log next time.

Regarding the other error I reported and made a screenshot of:
Can you comment on the other error I have once in a while navigating in the playlist.
It's this super long cryptic error message, from my first screen shot.

Just to clarify again:

The upper screen shot message happens with navigating in the playlist once in a while. It alway occurs when I click on a new song in the playlist. Sometimes more cryptic error messages follow. After that restarting XXHighEnd might be required.

The lower screen shot is the Engine4 playback halts error we were discussing in the last posts, that happens randomly at playback (very rareley, about once a day)

Thanks, Michael

Hi Peter

Your assumption of the disc spinning down is incorrect.

I have a fast USB3 disk directly connected to the XXHIGHEND Computer.
It never spins down. It is a fast disk with more than 100MB/s transfer speeds.

The problem of the Engine4 error seems completly random. Sometimes it happens in the middle of the track when the next one is not loaded yet.

Yesterday, it happened in a 3 minute track at about 1:40 seconds in the track.

The reason I used attended playback is really I like to add tracks to the playlist quite often or jump tracks directly.
I find this easier to do in the player.

Regarding the SQ:
My ears cannot really detect a difference between attended/undattended. For this reason, I do not bother to use it.

Hopes this gives some more background info.

Regards, Michael

The engine 4 thing just happened again. Second time today.
During playback of a track in the middle.

Very strange.

This time another errror message is added as well:

Music file does not exist (2): Unicode Track0001.wav

By the way.... this engine 4 error I have on both XXHighEnd PCs i have used up to this point, both with totally different hardware.

Michael

I mostly use AcrPredict without Peak-Extend.

The only thing i change once in a while is peak-extend on/off.

No other filters are used.

Regarding to the settings those are the ones i use:

This should apply to all forms of playback :

Q1 = 14
xQ1 = 1
Q3 = 0
Q4 = 0
Q5 = 0
Device Buffer Size = 4096
SFS = 4
Clock resolution = 1

No tweaks, no unattended playback, no unattended playback.

regards, Michael

OK here are my most common software problems I have.
I commented in another thread about the robustness of the software that could be improved so here are my major pain points.


One error message is about Engine 4 did not start in time.
No clue what it is about. Basically when it happens i have to restart the program. Happens about 1-2 times per day.

The second error message happens once in a while when navigating in the playlist. No clue of the reason.
Happens also randomly 1-2 times per hour.

See attached screen shots.

I used all the recommended settings of Peter for the NOS1a.
I never use unattended playback.

Regards, Michael

My thinking at the moment is as follows:

As an owner of the NOS1a for 6 months with the latests cables (Blaxius und the new USB Cable), i believe there is really not much upwards potential anymore.
The NOS1a is already so high up there, in my opinion there is not much upward potential.

I understand that Peter needs to continue improvements on a different path also due to the fact that the PCM1704 are running out. So from this perspective totally understandable.

Since the NOS1a is pretty maxed out, the obvious next way is a new DAC. If it is really so much better remains to be seen.

I am enjoying the NOS1a for sure for a long time going forward.

My biggest hope is that the software will become more stable.... still once in a while some hiccups.

Regards, Michael

The sound with the new USB Cable seems now perfect.

I think the mids are also more balanced.

Wider soundstage.

A new level of realism.

I am also sure some mild distortions in the mids are now gone.

WOW, just WOW.

My hunch would be some kind of discrete delta sigma DAC.
Makes a lot of sense to go that route.

So for that reason, Phasure Sigma would make a lot of sense as a name.

Michael

This is going to be a very different review of the Clairixa Cable.

So basically..... hooked it up...... let it run for 4 hours without listening to it.

Well, after the second song I listened to it.... I peed in my pants.....

What a difference to my old cable!!

Listening as I write.....

Hi Peter

Happy to hear that.

I might then be in Phasure Heaven next week, or so I hope.

Best, Michael

HaHa.... I take that as a compliment

My Clarixa should also be on the way.

Having the Blaxius cable now and the new Abyss Headphone, I more and more realize how bad all those other digital sources out there are.

I am really super curious what the impact of the Clarixa cable in my chain will be.

Could it be Nirvana?

We will see.

I volonteer beta tester

Sounds like a upgrade is coming soon?

- Michael