Hi Juan, when I boot up I get a DOS-like screen that gives me the option of which OS I want to use. Also, in my system settings in control panel I can select which OS I want to be the default; so if I don't make a choice at initial startup it will go into Vista after 15 or 20 seconds.

I have never had a problem with this set up.

ps: I'd send a picture of the system setting page but I'm at work on an XP machine. Can do it tonight.

I have a 24/96 version and I just received the SACD, which sounds MUCH better. If you want to give your system a full workout (track 3 is my favorite) you've gotta hear this: Crown Imperial by the Dallas Wind Symphony.

........ yes you are a mind reader......lessons in patience, this week you may refer to me as "St. Brian."

Yes.

I'll give EAC a try as soon as my mother-in- law heads home and I can get back to some serious listening......maybe next weekend.

Thanks Juan.

Happy holidays XX'enders!

Thanks Juan.  I've often thought of doing this same comparison and now find its unnecesary--either dbPoweramp is better or they are identical, I can live with that!

I manage "direct ripping" with a Vista partition that has antivirus and internet enabled (Belkin wireless usb adapter--no internal wireless card.). Music is ripped to a second internal HD that's automatically backed up to an external drive whenever I plug the external drive in, usually in the morning when I'm in Vista, cruzing the internet and listening to my totally not optimised vista version of xxhighend. My W7 partition has no antivirus or internet enabled, just the OS- minimized- and XXhighend.   

Hey Pedal this is a great idea. I just ordered your suggestion: $5 on Amazon! Have you heard Paul's "find": "The Gifted Ones" ( http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=1872.0)? It's recorded as well as Waltzing for Debbie (http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=1753.0 ) and has the best recorded trumpet I've heard. (If we could get Peter to give it a listen, he might change his opinion about horns.  )
Can't think of a better way to find good music than folks here sharing what they are "currently" listening to.

Well, here's some Americana female harmony that I play at least one track from almost every day: 40 Days by the Wailin' Jenny's. They have two other cd's that are also very good (Firecracker and Bright Morning Stars)

One more but its classical: Bach: A Strange Beauty. Its recorded very, very well and makes, for me, Bach's Harpsichord music accessible cause its transcribed for piano. Its really mind blowing.

Okay, not knowing what "X-Feed" is I asked uncle google and got, among other things, this:

http://www.rock-grotto.co.uk/crossproject2.htm

Is this what you are talking about?

I have had my system partitioned since the days of RamDisk. The primary partition is for my signature below, the secondary partition has Vista as the OS. We use it primarily for Netflix downloads, Utube and Windows Media player (used by my wife). Recently, with Vista, I've started listening to XX, 9z-6, with all services left on in attended mode while cruzing the internet, reading the NY Times etc. I am always amazed at just how easy this is and just how great the sound is! After I've had my coffee or whatever, and I really want to do some critical listening I reboot into Windows 7, all services shut down and OS minimized......I am then completely transported by the change in sound quality. It is just stunning.

Just sayin',  with the right settings, XX is really very versitile.

Anyone ever done an analysis of dbpoweramp v EAC? Is one supposed to be better than the other?

Same here. Never had this problem using dbpoweramp.

This is also the time when I was no longer able to play WMP files.

Well, I sure am glad I haven't sent my original NOS1 back yet for the USB tweak; now I assume I'll be getting the latest tweak as well. Hopefully, I'll be getting this done in late January or February when the city of Philadelphia reimburses me for all the days they taxed me and I wasn't working in the city. Pain in the ass, but a nice little savings "account", as the city taxes more than the state of Pennsylvania!

Anyway, speaking of "Quantum" tweaks (for those with more modest systems and with no technical skill in electronics) I recently purchased new speakers and they have revolutionized my listening experience. The company is new and the name is terrible-- Golden Ear Technology, Triton II Speakers, but the sound awesome. Each speaker has a built in subwoofer. They have taken my 17 watt per channel tube amp and completely filled out the mid range and bottom end. They are really amazing and have gotten very good press. http://www.goldenear.com/

The are relatively efficient at 91 db.

The speakers are so good that I got rid of my Odyssee Stratos amp cause it just couldn't compete with the vocal presentation of the tube amp.

Couple of questions: what happens if you minimize the OS and then try mixed contiguous? Also, what is "Console W. Thuneau Arbitrator?" Maybe that has something to do with your problem?

Installed SP1 last night and the sound changed for the better....I think. Hard edges in the high end disappeared but the music felt a little veiled or muddy sounding. May end up lowering SFS but need to do a lot more listening first.

I did not install all the updates after SP1 and am intrigued by Paul's findings......at least we can't say it's boring around here....