XXHighEnd - The Ultra HighEnd Audio Player
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151  Ultimate Audio Playback / Phasure NOS1 DAC / Re: NOS1a and Q5 & W7 vs W8 on: October 20, 2014, 11:00:54 pm
Taking a look at the configuration of your PC I see that you are using a Megahalems passive cooling (no fans running), would you tell me please what Megahalems model are you using and, if possible, could you put some pictures of your PC? I still have three fans in my PC and I would like to try it totally passive.

It's the Prolimatech Megahalems rev.B. I have a big "noiseless" fan attached with rpm controller (turn knob) for the really hot days in summer or when I convert videos with GPU acceleration. Normally the controller is disconnected from the supply.
When in music mode in the summer it gets nicely warm to the touch, its cool this time of year.
Since the memory and Southbridge are not stressed I assumed temperature is no issue, but I never checked that. I know there are south bridge coolers; I used one to make my atom passively cooled. There are cooling fins on the memory and I have the lazy habit of leaving the side of the PC open for easy access.

Sometimes I forgot to remove the fan controller and the sound irritated me enough to stop the music and start looking for the cause. So I consider the absence of PC PSU powered fans quite important. 

Now the PC is hidden and it's dark, I will make a photo on a more convenient time.

Quote
You have also the "Power cable PE not connected, together with nos1 and poweramp in "audio" strip". Does it mean that the PE not connected is only the one in the cable from the power strip to the wall? or the power cables from the NOS1 and power amp have also the PE disconnected?

I have to update: One Siltech octopus power strip (8 outlet) at the mains outlet. This outlet has no PE, PE has to come from a different room but is NOT connected now. Mind you I have both the black wire and the USB PCI card "connected".
The Siltech supports NOS1a, audio PC and a secondary strip. The Secondary strip is old fashioned without PE (flat type) that supports all current and historic power plugs (sometimes 50-60's tube amps get connected). This is where the "power" amp is connected wich plug is the consumer flat type without earthing. What is confusing in my current signature is that I intended to refer to the disconnected PE of the PC cable. It is disconnected at the PC's side (Europlug).  The NOS cable is a stock Euro cable on which I placed a sturdier plug and Euroconnector with PE connected at both sides.

I hope this makes it a little clearer.

regards, Coen
152  Ultimate Audio Playback / Phasure NOS1 DAC / Re: NOS1a and Q5 & W7 vs W8 on: October 20, 2014, 10:17:27 pm
Hi Coen
Thanks for your feedback.
Why would you say that PCs are better for HighEnd Audio?

Is it due to the fact that you can select specific hardware like USB Cards?

Maybe.
At this point in time its not a fair comparison, apples and oranges. My PC is higly tuned towards to what my system is capable of for my listening preferences. That includes hardware, mobo and all software. Mac starts out a a totally different point for all these items. Maybe we will find a way. The low power laptop route sounds promising so far.
FYI my best sound up till now uses settings different form Peter's general recommended ones. And it sounds darn good to me.

I've only begun with the Apple to explore its possibilities, just to get a better understanding of what a different setup means to the sound. The're not much alternatives to A+ and HQ player from a quality perspective. I think expensive Amarra is for the really committed MAC user. It took me some time to get sound out of the HiqPlayer, but I managed. While darker and more rough I still prefer A+. As I understand for maximum SQ HqP is intended to be used with the NAA that runs on Linux (no NOS driver for that).
Played around with settings but no real tweaking so this may change.

I don't know what is possible, but I can imagine something like an OS-X AudioUnit to provide for ArcPrediction/Custom "filter" up to 16x in a Mac environment. That would make a comparison more enlightening...

regards, Coen
153  Ultimate Audio Playback / Phasure NOS1 DAC / Re: NOS1a and Q5 & W7 vs W8 on: October 20, 2014, 04:58:07 pm
I used Windows machines a lot in the past but switched about 6 years ago due to the fact that Mac Hardware is just so much nicer Wink My personal taste obliously.
And my hassle to maintain the system in the MAC is basically zero. Do not get me wrong, i do not want to start a MAC vs PC discussion, just my personal experience.

It just occured to me that when I saw in another thread here the photos of the gear people use, the PC usally had the least apealing look Wink

Hi Michael,

I'm with you here, but I only bought my first Mac recently. 60% of the decision was daily windows frustration and 40% because of the MUCH better look and feel of Mac products. My MBP is the best (& best looking) computer I ever used. I even went BYOD with the Mac in my daily occupation.
 
I still have and use Windows stuff (win7) predominantly for "High End" audio. There's simply no alternative yet. I wouldn't regret leaving the platform altogether but that's not an option today.

regards, Coen
154  Ultimate Audio Playback / Phasure NOS1 DAC / Re: NOS1a and Q5 & W7 vs W8 on: October 19, 2014, 11:06:57 pm
Hi Peter,

Thanks for the effort. There are still hiccups especially when I move the arrow around the screen. That is at certain specific moments, probably when track loading takes place or there is competition over CPU priority. Something like that.

Also a new OS-X version since yesterday that I have not installed. (yet).

..On batteries it is slighly better than on mains not a night and day difference....

FWIW there is a (expected) difference between a charged laptop and a charging one with the power cable connected.

regards, Coen
155  Ultimate Audio Playback / Phasure NOS1 DAC / Re: NOS1a and Q5 & W7 vs W8 on: October 18, 2014, 08:21:03 pm
This might be (is) the reason that the SQ with my laptop is better than with the PC, much better.
The laptop sees the 19Volts only.

Now I have to look for a linear power supply for the laptop.

Hi,

Like the Velleman regulated supply. Cheap and effective? (!)

With my MacbookPro (i5, 2013) laptop I also got excellent sound with the 1a. I play tunes on A+ and a demo version of HiQplayer. On batteries it is slighly better than on mains not a night and day difference. Unfortunately no XXHE on the OS-X platform if it were only for the ArcPrediction filters.
The OS-X NOS driver may need an update since my little iFI nano DAC plays 384 without hickups even when I keep on working on the PC. No such thing with the NOS, i have to put up with an intrruption every now and then.

Regards, Coen
156  Ultimate Audio Playback / Phasure NOS1 DAC / Re: NOS1a and Q5 & W7 vs W8 on: October 18, 2014, 04:41:32 pm
Hi,

This is just about me having changed a highly tweaked  PC before the arrival of the nos 1a.
If you have good sound now, you will definitely have much better sound with the 1a.

Like Peter said, it's much more about PC psu noise than anything else. Contrary to the hardware changes, the software influence is much smaller than I was used to. Still cpu and memory can still pose a signature to the sound via the power consumption patterns of the BIOS and OS/software. Like having another device in the USB port or Ethernet enabled.

I also believe that the PC supply has a dominant role in suppressing this noise (or by not doing that). I am thinking right now about a linear base supply and switching local regulators. These linear supplies are much less tightly coupled to the power line. For an all linear supply I have to get a new system with less power consumption.

Regards, Coen
157  Ultimate Audio Playback / Phasure NOS1 DAC / Progress? on: October 17, 2014, 11:00:37 am
Hi,

In anticipation of my NOS1a this spring, I reconfigured my audio PC for convenience rather than best audio. This was under the assumption the the expected SQ for the 1a -in my setup(!)- would be unaffected by these changes.

Making the DAC sing proved more of a challenge than I expected: it needed extra attention on the powersupply and I've been fiddling with Osses, settings, USB cables, pci cards, powerarrangements, cables, etc.

Only recently I arrived again at excellent sound and guess what: I'm completely back on my pre-1a best sound setup (save for the dysfunctional usb cable).
Unexpectedly the biggest progress was made by removing the second music harddrive, so much so that I consider to get rid of one of the remaining two.
Also the 'best' settings in XX are identical too.

Anyway it is now vey clear that the 1a is vastly superior to the nos, but also that I'm kind of stuck in win7 and 09e. Stuck but statisfied that is!

Again the PC and surroundings is the all determining factor for SQ. It all starts with a sufficiently quiet and stable powersupply. Maybe there has been enough progress on supplies that can do better than the current seasonic...

Regards, Coen
158  Ultimate Audio Playback / Cables (Community induced) / Re: Cables with BNC Connectors/Adapters Are Generating A Superoir SQ on: October 14, 2014, 06:05:08 pm
Irrc the AUDIO spec for XLR is 2x600 ohms, but this is not related to HF reflections, but to standardizing the interface while supporting long length of cable while minimizing capacitive loss of the audio signal. I would guess that no other spec than geometry and durability will be relevant for this application. Otoh all connectors will off course exhibit an impedance yet not by design (with audio in mind).

Like Ethernet, USB also has a balanced signal (stated as 90 ohms impedance) so I guess a 110 ohm balanced standard will be feasible too with different geometry and dielectric, at least for the cable. Give the lousy connectors of the aforementioned two I guess it is not considered very relevant for proper termination. Ok, the 40/100 Gig ETN connector is looking sturdy though.

regards, Coen
159  Ultimate Audio Playback / Phasure NOS1 DAC / Re: Req: any USB cable tips? on: October 14, 2014, 05:49:52 pm
@all,

Thank for the tips! The tech specs of the supra cable looked sound to me so I ordered a 1m length that will arrive in the coming weeks.

I'm rather discouraged by the audibility of the USB cable since it will be another variable in the audio chain making it more difficult to optimize with the aid of others (that have different setups). Hopefully the nice specs will translate into superior sound.

I will also put some more effort in eliminating noise at the computer side. This may provide insight into to the vast differences in sound between usb cables (despite the undoubtedly excellent noise suppression in the NOS1a).
Groundloops aside, I can envision reducing amplitude modulation of the carrier signal bij stabilizing the DC power and frequency modulation by enhancing the clock, which in itself is also for a large part a power supply stability solution. I hope that I catch noise on the USB powerline by these better supplies or maybe even disconnecting it at the USB3 card side.
The design of the SUPRA cable may help here also.

regards, Coen
 
160  Ultimate Audio Playback / Phasure NOS1 DAC / Req: any USB cable tips? on: October 13, 2014, 10:42:54 am
Hi,

My standard USB cable is kind of broken. No matter how I connect it, after 10 minutes or so all error counters go bazerk. Sound collapses into static. Probably some buffer overflow.

No such thing with my cheapo 5 meter USB but unfortunately this cable has no Mojo. Differences between cables and such have become MAJOR since the NOS1a. Tried a more expensive one (35 euros) but the sound became awful.

Any recommendations for a 1.5-2m USB cable that suits the NOS1a?

Thanks,

Regards, Coen
161  Ultimate Audio Playback / Cables (Community induced) / Re: Cables with BNC Connectors/Adapters Are Generating A Superoir SQ on: October 12, 2014, 09:36:34 pm
In the mood for tweaking?

Get those cables off the floor. All cables. There's charge and vibrations there. Empty toilet closet rolls will do. Anyone's got those so there's no excuse!

Regards, Coen
162  Ultimate Audio Playback / Cables (Community induced) / Re: Cables with BNC Connectors/Adapters Are Generating INFERIOR SQ on: September 21, 2014, 12:40:18 am
Hi there,

So how did the 50/50's sound? well when I first connected them they sounded very impressive - coherent good timing etc etc very impressive. But then after extended listening I started to tire of them. They really did not sound right at all. There is grey, dry sound which I find really irritating. They also introduce a harshness to the sound. Maybe they need running in - I have only given them 30 hours or so but I do not hold out much hope that they are going to end up with a permanent place in my system. But anyway IMHO a decent i/c needs virtually no running in.

When I put my usual interconnects back in my system the sound regained its colour and natural warmth - the kind of sound that could keep me up all night (if I was allowed!!).

This could have been my post.

Since my amps were slammed together as an interim experiment,  I had been busy first with regular maintenance and debugging on the power amp. I had to do some noise fighting and component tweaks and the result is worthwhile. Now I wanted to get used to this sound first before trying the 50 ohm cables.

I test drove the BNCs on my regular (low end) CD player and this was just unlistenable. Just like the RG58 cable I had fabricated with RCAs myself a long time ago. They fared a lot better on the NOS1a. Quite a drastic departure from the sound I am used to. There is a certain extra speed and clearness about the sound that is attractive, but the music is robbed from its soul and like Paul I am experiencing listening fatigue (irritation as result of hardness and lack of tone).

I'm afraid the BNC cable is never gonna fly in my system. Nothing lost though it was a too cheap tweak not to try.

regards, Coen
163  Ultimate Audio Playback / Cables (Community induced) / Re: Cables with BNC Connectors/Adapters Are Generating A Superoir SQ on: September 12, 2014, 04:43:17 pm
Quote
With or without the 50 ohm resistor in them?

Hey Coen,

There is no such thing as a resistor in a cable or connector or anywhere. Unless you put such a thing in there yourself. Wink
It is impedance.

Regards,
Peter

It says so in this post, including the mention of loss of gain:http://www.phasure.com/index.php?action=post;quote=32240;topic=3026.0;num_replies=68;sesc=1f48dd3a878ffdfd1e9814fa31887d94

Reference is also made to a Dartzeel audio cable which is designed with a 50 ohm interface between amp and preamp:
- power amp input spec version A:BNC: 50 ±1 ohm, de 1 Hz à 1 MHz,
- preamp output spec: 50 ohms for BNC, < 100 ohms for RCA, 600 ohms for XLR

Now I had the (incorrect) notion the sound improvement was about the merits of this setup.

So this all about adding a 50 ohm (to 75 ohm?) characteristic impedance BNC-RCA adapter to be able to use a standard 50ohm cable?

If so, this adapter is only physically terminating the BNC cable and nothing else. How much further can you go in this case then concluding that it is all about the way the connector makes contact mechanically.

regards, Coen


164  Ultimate Audio Playback / Cables (Community induced) / Re: Cables with BNC Connectors/Adapters Are Generating A Superoir SQ on: September 12, 2014, 02:44:37 pm
Hi Mani,

What Bnc to RCA adapters do you use? With or without the 50 ohm resistor in them? What type is the cable (like Rg 58u)

Thanks,

Regards, Coen
165  Ultimate Audio Playback / Cables (Community induced) / Re: Cables with BNC Connectors/Adapters Are Generating A Superoir SQ on: September 12, 2014, 01:10:51 pm
Peter,

Hmm. Are you referring to a ftz style capacitors at the output? That would complicate it. I'd better start with resistors at the amp's end only. If I can find the proper rf ones in the scr*p box.

Regards, Coen
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