I don't see that anywhere on the page. Could you give a direct link to that version? LOL

Looking forward to hear it soon!

Cheers,
Marcin

Last year I got reference NVIDIA's ION nettop for testing. From what I read, the only difference is in number of cores. Asrock is dual core, but still - I don't think it will be able to play @Quad Arc Prediction without dropouts. Mine had troubles with upsampling to 96kHz, only I used Secret Rabbit Code resampler back there, so it's not fair comparison.

Hi ivo,

I personally wouldn't go with Atom as a base for audio server. It's to slow in my opinion. However, if you manage to get it running with Quad Arc Prediction, that would be nice. I wouldn't worry about these fans, Atom's TDP varies from 2.5 to 13W (depending on model). I would disconnect these fans and pay attention to temperatures. If they reach dangerously high level, upgrade heatsink and thermal paste. I currently run quad core Phenom II totally passive and temperature never goes higher than 50*.

I can tell that there is a huge difference between device A connected to system X and device A connected to the same system X, but underclocked, undervolted and highly optimized. I didn't believe until I heard myself and got a jaw drop. 

My system is now running at four cores @ 1GHz and 0.825V (default is three cores, 1.325V), 2x2GB DDR3 (1.5V, CL5), no fans (even in a PSU), SSD for win 2008R2 (leightweight 64bit "server edition" of Windows 7), 2x1.5TB eco drives for data, no optical drive. That plus XXHighEnd and some minor os optims is a good way to start computer playback. It's not enough to buy a fancy DAC or soundcard and forget about everything else. Good power equals ~50% of overall SQ (IMHO).

Stock Hiface. That kind of devices (powered from USB) will play differently with each PC. (PSU, motherboard power section, cpu, overall performance, etc not to mention OS and software...)  I think Chris overlooked this factor, which has great impact on SQ, even when it comes to S/PDIF only.

This is crayz. One track is subjectively better with Scheme-2, another played via Scheme-3 :D I put back my previous statement about Scheme-2 beeing better than Scheme-3. Further comparisons show that they're definately different, however Scheme-3 is more refined - I can set the volume louder and music still plays clear.

Next week I should receive my new soundcard and will be able to do some direct comparisons between PCI and USB-to-SPDIF -> DAC playback.

I've just unlocked forth core and it's the same - Scheme-2 > Scheme-3. Less agressive, better low extension. Also CPU Usage diagram looks different depending on Scheme selecion. Have a look:

Hi,

I read the description of cpu core appointment schemes and I see that it is based on dual core architecture. How does it work with tricores, quads and up? I currently use AMD X3 CPU and am quite sure that Scheme-2 sounds better than Scheme-3. Is there any rule that applies to multicore systems?

Cheers,
Marcin

I believe that there is no one clear recipe for good sound from PC. Everything affects everything - hardware, software, drivers etc It's best to have dedicated audio server just for playback, with absolutely no additional software and drivers (especially those for GPU and network adapter).

Peter, tell me, please, for adaprive mode, if I set buffer size to 64 samples and get sound without distortions, does it mean that my card supports latency at 64 samples? It wasn't possible when I used drivers from M-Audio, but now that I switched to Ploytec, it seems that I can get a clear sound even at 64 samples, but I get the feeling that it's somehow louder (probably due to increased detail).

I've found the culprit, very odd though. It turns out that I had to go back to plain y08, play a song with my settings of choice (adaptive, Q1=1) and then upgrade to 8c. Going to 8c right away results in edgy sound, listening to it makes me sick (or fatigue, to be perfectly clear). Fortunatelly, my ears are happy again

Yeah, regardless of mode (special or adaptive), the sound is sharper, more edgy ;/ Before reinstallation I could sleep while listening to music, now my ears hurt - this is the best description of what I'm experiencing right now.
What power settings are you talking about? My power plan is set to high performance.

Today I installed fresh system - the same configuration, drivers etc and suddenly adaptive mode doesn't sound as good as special mode oO Would someone explain that *magic* to me? I thought I had it figured out, but nooooo, I have to keep on trying [;[;[;

I used to listen @ special mode with Q1 at 2 and Q2/3 at 30. Today I switched to adaptive (Q1=1 other Qs to 0) and this is the best sound so far. Peter, could it be any better than this? I have buffer size set at 32 samples. Lowering Q1 even further results in lowering SQ 

No, I haven't, but now thanks to you it's on my shortlist :D

GerardA,

I told you, that a good quality USB controller matters, especially that your interface uses 5V from USB, no magic.