|
211
|
Ultimate Audio Playback / Chatter and forum related stuff / Grounding
|
on: May 26, 2015, 12:01:21 am
|
Hello, a "small" change in my system with an amazing result. I bought from Entreq with other components the “ground box” Tellus due to a strong suggestion by Per-Olof Friberg 5 years ago, but never installed it. http://www.entreq.com/products/ground-boxes-17667704Today the “ground box” was installed by connecting the poweramp earth to the Tellus with a simple PVC isolated copper wire, and the SQ changed dramatically. The position of the instruments are better to locate within the recording space, improvements of the timbre of all instruments and voices, amazing drums and well defined bass. As an unbeliever for proper “grounding ” I lost five years of this amazing improvement of the SQ. The installation of the Tellus “ground box” (not connected to PE acc. to the manual) is a strong recommendation, if you have not installed a similar device or a proper earthing system. Joachim |
|
|
|
|
212
|
Ultimate Audio Playback / Chatter and forum related stuff / Re: Munich High End 2015
|
on: May 22, 2015, 03:45:03 pm
|
PS: Did you meet Joachim or others ?
Hi Peter, no, I was there on the worst day, Friday. It was totally overcrowded and the chances for serious listening was zero. Most rooms (I visited) had the typical "exhibition sound" (of an empty hall), and the brands with (prior) overwhelming reviews did not stand my expectations. Joachim |
|
|
|
|
214
|
Ultimate Audio Playback / XXHighEnd Support / Re: XXHighEnd Model 2.00 - Installation of driver release 1.04
|
on: May 11, 2015, 09:47:52 pm
|
Very very strange, Joachim.
You also have a normal Desktop PC, is that right ?
If so, is it cumbersome for you to test that ?
(it just should work and now I don't understand why)
Thanks ...
Peter
Hi Peter, the installation of 1.04 on a desktop PC was finished without any problems!  Strange, on the laptop it did not work, as mentioned before.  Joachim ******Within the "hardware manager" there is a note about the driver - code 52**** |
|
|
|
|
216
|
Ultimate Audio Playback / XXHighEnd Support / Re: XXHighEnd Model 2.00 - Installation of driver release 1.04
|
on: May 11, 2015, 08:22:09 pm
|
Ok, good find. I assume you did that.  Can you see anything during the driver install that looks like an error ? So I think you can see the log data passing by and when it doesn't install because of for example this Driver Signing you will surely see something which isn't right (I recall the log just ends with that). Peter Hi Peter, The installation ends with the same sequence as with the driver 1.03, "disconnect .... etc." The process looks normal. The notes in the driver panel see the PDF file attached. Joachim |
|
|
|
|
217
|
Ultimate Audio Playback / XXHighEnd Support / Re: XXHighEnd Model 2.00 - Installation of driver release 1.04
|
on: May 11, 2015, 07:14:45 pm
|
Can you show me the state of that button/function which needs to be set ?
General - New / Changed There's a new Driver available for the Phasure NOS1a D/A converter for Windows as well as Mac. Drop us an email when you want it BUT do that only when you really need this (do it for fun is useless). Important (only for NOS1a owners) : - Once this Driver has been installed, the unofficial XXHighEnd 1.186-i version should *not* be used (1.186-a is OK). - When on Windows 8 or above and this Driver is to be used *and* you want to use XXHighEnd, you will *need* XXHighEnd 2.00 (see next topic). - When you use XXHighEnd 2.00 you will *need* this new Driver (1.04) or otherwise you can only play 44.1 based material ( 44.1, 88.2, 176.4, 352.8 ). Phasure NOS1a owners only (important) : In Settings there's a new button in the Output Section tagged "Driver Signing". This button needs to be set to "Drivers need not be signed" when the 1.04 Driver has been installed on Windows 8 (or higher). A necessary reboot wil be the effect. The text on the button itself will at first show "Refresh" and clicking it will show the current state. Next the text on the button will show "Change" and once the button is now clicked again, a reboot is required; not doing so (like clicking the button again) will make the state unreliable until a reboot happens. So always reboot right after an attempt to change. (and change back to the necessity to work with signed drivers is possible just the same; but there's no real reason for this) Do this (set to "Drivers need not be signed" + reboot) before installing the new driver.----------------------- That's what I found Joachim |
|
|
|
|
218
|
Ultimate Audio Playback / XXHighEnd Support / XXHighEnd Model 2.00 - Installation of driver release 1.04
|
on: May 11, 2015, 06:05:46 pm
|
|
Hi Peter,
installed the new driver as per "driver + manual" (on within the normal OS - not minimized) several times (at least 5x) and the driver don't see the DAC. ***(XXH 2.0 not activated until now)***
The driver release 1.03 installation works without any problems and recognizes the DAC immediately.
Any idea?
The W7 shell installation is the same as with the preXXH 2.0 release, right. So I left the previous W7 shell installation untouched.
Thanx
Joachim
|
|
|
|
|
221
|
Ultimate Audio Playback / Your questions about the PC -> DAC route / Re: New NOS1 dedicated PC. I am quite terrified. Help if you can!!
|
on: April 25, 2015, 09:25:22 am
|
|
Hi,
thanks Coen,
Operating XXH in the „minimzed OS“ the active processes (shown in the task manager) are down to appr. 23 (coming from 58), the threads to 243 (coming from 932) and the handles to 5800 (coming from 24729). The only program running is the XXEngine3.exe.
XXH is on a RAM disc and in the “attended mode” during the “switching” of the music tracks the CPU load is constant, except a small dip of some milliseconds.
During all processes the remaining “memory” shows no “activities”, in other words, everything is “running” between the processor and the RAM disc(s), and there is an approach for a tweak. Somebody in CA wrote that the Samsung modules are of the best quality.
The new X99 chipset with the appropriate CPU supports the DDR4 memory modules (with higher speed) and with that hardware another improvement of the SQ should be possible.
Joachim
|
|
|
|
|
222
|
Ultimate Audio Playback / Your questions about the PC -> DAC route / Re: New NOS1 dedicated PC. I am quite terrified. Help if you can!!
|
on: April 24, 2015, 02:13:54 pm
|
It only shouldn't be a from all angles under powered laptop ...
Peter
What? Now we have to specify what are “OUR” priorities during the replay with XXH. SQ or speed, or SQ + SPEED?1) The only advantages of a high powered (multi core) processor is the speed during the FLAC/WAV conversion playing XXH in the “unattended mode”, storing the WAV files into memory and searching for files on a local HDD. 2) As one forum member wrote a couple of weeks ago, I did not hear any differences between the “unattended” and “attended” mode too. (I never play XXH in the “unattended” mode since 2010) 3) The best SQ on my system (and on my audio PC too) I achieve is with 8x AP. 4) Within the “Energy saving options” of W8 I shut down the monitor after one minute, and therefore no UI is ...., and that has the same effect as playing XXH with the “unattended mode”. This “procedure” one “Guy” recommended on CA . 5) During music replay (on a laptop) in the” attended mode” there are no pauses/breaks between 44Khz tracks but during the FLAC/WAV conversions of > 44kHz titles. With the “under powered laptop” I have the best SQ ever heard on my system. My conclusion: Don’t be afraid the to use XXH on a laptop (see my settings) Joachim |
|
|
|
|
225
|
Ultimate Audio Playback / Phasure NOS1 DAC / Re: New NOS1 = ?
|
on: April 05, 2015, 08:11:21 pm
|
I have placed an order for the NOS1, an order for which I have not paid yet, and so it is with some hesitation that I bring myself to share my opinion on this subject. This issue is one which is likely to cause controversy, confusion and some degree of frustration, understandably from current and potential owners of the NOS1a. Whilst ultimately I agree that it would have been nice to have an upgrade path open to NOS1a owners to the latest and greatest invention of Peter’s prodigious and talented mind, I think that commercially there is no need for Peter to do so.
Peter runs a business, one where there are an endless number of competitors at all price points. Most electronic goods have in-built obsolescence and even those which were touted as being upgradeable turned out to be anything but over time. Peter has provided a service where owners have from the very first day been able to enjoy a huge amount of incremental improvements over the course of many years. This is quite unique and shows evidence of an ethos which is very much a cooperative venture where the overriding objective is not the single-headed pursuit of profits but developing a cooperative spirit where customers are treated as stakeholders.
Clearly the greatest enemy of the NOS1a is itself. It seems to be so good that its owners are presumably more than happy to see it upgraded incrementally over time. It is also a victim of its own success. If it is so good that owners are not looking to buy the next unit up, it makes Peter’s business less secure financially and that is not good for anyone if we want to enjoy the fruits of his talents.
Businesses have no obligation to provide an upgrade path (although it would be nice if they did) or an obligation to provide incremental improvements to current products (although owners appreciate it when they do). Peter, quite uniquely, does both and I think this noble approach must actually cost him money. So it should come as no surprise that Phasure brings out products which ultimately provides the company with financial rewards more commensurate with the quality of the product and service it provides to all its customers.
Two more points. All of the above is in many ways a nonsensical debate about an issue which should not even arise. The owner who has bought the NOS1a has by all accounts one of the finest dacs available anywhere. I sort of doubt that it is the weakest link in an audio chain. Should owners not worry about their system as a whole and improve other areas which require improvements? Or take their family out on a nice holiday if they have the funds? Or donate to a village without food, clean water or teachers in Africa. The long and short of it is that we are lucky to be able to afford what we can in this hobby so we should learn to be content with what we have. Many of us will not own the latest Ferrari or Lamborghini but that does not make the (by comparison affordable) BMW or Porsche any lesser and less enjoyable driving machines.
And finally (you will be relieved to hear) my last point. ALL progress is good and eventually technological advances trickle down to a more affordable price point. The success of Peter’s new dac may well mean that the technology behind it comes in a cheaper product over time.
I know, I know, that was supposed to be the last point. It just occurred to me that it should still be possible over time to offer his new dac circuitry in a standalone unit without the additional DSP and amplifier modules which might make it affordable enough to those who must have the absolutely latest dac. Just a thought...
Best regards
Rakesh
 |
|
|
|
|
Show Posts
