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Author Topic: HOW I´VE BUILT MY NEW PC FOR XXHIGHEND AND WHY I´VE CHOSEN THE COMPONENTS  (Read 472831 times)
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manisandher
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« Reply #30 on: November 18, 2011, 09:05:33 am »

My Atom PC is based on the 'CAPS' computer: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Computer-Audiophile-Pocket-Server-CAPS-v20

However, I would NOT recommend this PC for use with XX. The maximum SFS that I can set is around 150 (I have it set to 100). Even with this SFS setting, I cannot get gapless playback - the system simply isn't powerful enough. Now for me, sacfricing gapless playback for a smoother, less edgy sound is worth the price. But there's no guarantee that this will be the case for anyone else.

My recommendation would be to wait until ultra-low wattage/TDP designs become as powerful as today's i5/i7 designs - it surely can't be too far away. The other alternative would be to look into a linear supply for a current i5/i7, but I think this would be too crazy... even for us Phasure posters!

Apart from not coping with gapless playback, my Atom works quite nicely with XX, especially in Unattended with OS minimised. It's quite a lot slower than my i7 when playing with the XX GUI, but not painfully so.

Mani.
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Main System:
Phasure Mach III (Win 14393.0 on RAM-OS / controlled by RDC, / connected directly to music server / XXHighEnd 2.11 / Minimize OS / Engine#4 Adaptive / DB=4096 / Q1=10 / xQ1=15 / Q3,4,5=1 / SFS=4.00 / XTweaks = 34, 10, 0, 0, 0 / Straight Contiguous / Clock Resolution = 15ms / Scheme 3-5 (low/realtime) / 8x Arc Prediction / switch #5 'up/off' / Unattended) mobo USB3 port -> Lush^3 -> Phasure NOS1a B75 G3 -> 8m Blaxius^2 -> First Watt F5 mono amps -> Tune Audio Anima horn speakers
Office System:
Phasure Stealth II -> Lush^2 -> RME ADI-2 Pro FS R -> Neurochrome 286 mono amps -> Tune Audio Marvel horn speakers
boleary
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« Reply #31 on: February 11, 2012, 02:33:11 pm »

Hi Juan, just wondering what differences you experienced between 12 and 24 gigs of memory? Thanks for your updates!
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XX2.07/MB: ASRock Extreme 4M , i7-3930K @ 0.5GHz/ RAM-OS W10586/32 Gigs 1600 DDR3/ Clarixa usb cable  /Q1,3,4,5 = *14*/1/1/*1* / *Q1Factor = 1* / Peak Extension: Off/Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = *.5ms* / Straight Contiguous / SFS = *.02,/ Do Nothing With Cover Art / not Invert / *(Phase Alignment Off  / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Real Time / Scheme = 3-5 / UnAttended (Just Start) / *All* Services Off except LAN & RDC/ Persist off/No OSD / No Running Time / Minimize OS / Boost on/XTweaks : Balanced Load = *40* / Nervous Rate = 1/ Cool when Idle = NA / Provide Stable Power = 0 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Best/ Time Stability = On/ No Up-sampling/R-2R DAC
juanpmar
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« Reply #32 on: February 11, 2012, 03:09:44 pm »

Hi,

Almost from the start of building my computer I have 24Gb of memory although I haven´t updated the post until today, so I can´t tell you what´s the difference in between 12Gb or 24Gb, most of the people have 12Gb or less memory and are very happy. What I can say is that my computer is lightning fast and that I have not time enough to read the window that appears when Minimize OS that says "Wait for Service..." I have not time enough to read any other word. If this kind of things depends on the amount of memory I´m not sure, all I can say is that the computer works fantastically well.

Best regards,
Juan
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Audio Pc: Processor i7 970: 3200MHz (reduced to 1668MHz), 6+6 cores/ RAM Corsair DDR3, 24Gb, 1333MHz/ Mb Asus X58 Sabertooth/ OS and XXHE in Peter's RAM-Disk / The CPU fan is the only one in the Audio Pc: NF-S12A (600rpm/6.7db)/ No graphic card/ Power supply: Seasonic SS-400FL2, fanless.

Configuration and Updates in HOW I'VE BUILT MY NEW PC...http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=1673.0. This post is very old but maybe someone still find it useful

XXHighEnd: 2.11a. Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN/ KS:Phasure NOS1 Out 4.0/ #4 Engine/ Adaptive Mode/ Q1=10, Q3,4,5=1, xQ1=15/ Dev.Buffer: 4096/ ClockRes: 15ms/ Straight Contiguous/ SFS: 0.69 (max 0,69)/ Not Invert/ Phase Alignment Off/ Allow format change/ Decode HDCD/ Playerprio: Low/ ThreadPrio: Real Time/ Scheme: Core 3-5/ UnAttended/ Not Switch during Playback Off/ Playback Drive none/ UnAttended/ Include Garbage Collect/ Copy to XX Drive by standard/ Always clear Proxy before Playback/ Stop Desktop Services/ Stop Remaining Services/ Stop All Services: Off/ Keep LAN Services: On - Persist: Off/ Use Remote Desktop/ Minimize OS/ XTweaks : Balanced Load 35/ Nervous Rate 10/ Cool when Idle -/ Provide Stable Power 0/ Utilize Cores always 1/ Time Performance Index: Optimal / Time Stability: Stable / Arc Prediction/ Number of cores in use: 12 (máx. 6-12)

Music Server PC (W10) totally silent with OS (W10) in SSD and music inside in SSDs - RDC > Ethernet Gigabyte cable 3m > Audio Pc > 1m USB Lush cable directly from the USB3.0 in the motherboard > PHASURE NOS1a-75B-G3 (Driver v1.0.4) 16ms > Blaxius BNC interconnects > Genelec 1037B 3-Way Active speakers with BNC inputs
manisandher
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« Reply #33 on: April 18, 2012, 06:35:38 pm »

A short while ago, Nick asked me about the specific component list of 'Le Monster'. I thought other people might be interested also, so here it is. Most of these components are readily available from Amazon, apart from the case.

HTH. But please feel free to ask any questions.

Mani.

• Caselabs W8

• Seasonic P-1000 ATX 12V 1000W Platinum Series Power Supply Unit

• 6x Noctua NF-P12 PWM 120mm Cooling Fan

• Asus P9X79 Workstation Series Motherboard

• Intel Core i7-3960X Processor - 3.3GHz, 15MB Cache, Sandy Bridge, Socket 2011, Intel Turbo Boost Technology

• Noctua D14-2011 Dual Radiator PWM CPU Cooler : NH-D14-2011

• (2x still on pre-order) G Skill Ripjaws Z 4x8GB DDR3 PC17000 2133MHz Kit for Intel X79 Quad Channel Platforms (currently using G Skill Ripjaws Z 16GB DDR3 PC17000 2133MHz Kit instead)

• Dell WD3000BLFS Western Digital 2.5 inch 300GB 15K SATA Raptor Drive with Sharkoon HDD Mounting Frame, 2.5-inch and 3.5-inchHDD Vibe Fixer Pro

• 4x Seagate Barracuda 3.5 inch 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB 6GB/S Internal SATA Drive

• Perixx PERIBOARD-515, Wired Professional Touchpad PS2 Keyboard - 370*138*20mm - 2.0m Long Cable - US Layout

• TeckNet USB 3.0 PCI Express Interface USB 3.0 Dual Expansion Card (Molex Splitter NOT included)

• USB 3.0 Ultra High Speed Cable - 5 Metres - Blue - Male A Plug to A Plug 5m - Indigo Banana Media

• USB A Female to B Male Adapter

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Main System:
Phasure Mach III (Win 14393.0 on RAM-OS / controlled by RDC, / connected directly to music server / XXHighEnd 2.11 / Minimize OS / Engine#4 Adaptive / DB=4096 / Q1=10 / xQ1=15 / Q3,4,5=1 / SFS=4.00 / XTweaks = 34, 10, 0, 0, 0 / Straight Contiguous / Clock Resolution = 15ms / Scheme 3-5 (low/realtime) / 8x Arc Prediction / switch #5 'up/off' / Unattended) mobo USB3 port -> Lush^3 -> Phasure NOS1a B75 G3 -> 8m Blaxius^2 -> First Watt F5 mono amps -> Tune Audio Anima horn speakers
Office System:
Phasure Stealth II -> Lush^2 -> RME ADI-2 Pro FS R -> Neurochrome 286 mono amps -> Tune Audio Marvel horn speakers
Nick
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« Reply #34 on: April 18, 2012, 10:05:58 pm »

Mani hi,

Many thanks for the details of "le monster", that is some build and worthy of the name IMHO.

My "demi monster"  Happy is up and installing W7 just now. We have a lot of components in common the main being the Asus X79 WS motherboard which looks superb. I am still using my existing HDD and see you have sourced some very high performance drives so I may give these a try.

I will post more on the config when I get music playing ok. It may be a few days because the rest of my system is stored away safely whilst the decorators finish the hall  unhappy

Out of interest what graphics card did you go for ?

Thanks again,

Nick
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Audio PC

C621 motherboard, Xeon 40 thread CPU.

 w10 14393 RAM OS => XX V2.10 / adaptive mode / XX buffer 4096 / NOS USB driver v 1.02 buffer 16ms / Q1,2,3,4,5 = 10,-,1,1,1 / xQ1 =15 / unattended / SFS 0.69Mb / memory straight continuous / system clock 15.0ms / Threadprio RealTime / Playerprio Low / CPU scheme 3-5 / 16x Arc Prediction / Peak Extend off / Phase alignment off / Phase off  / XTweaks : Balanced Load 35 / Nervous Rate 10 (or15) / Cool when Idle n/a / Provide Stable Power 0 / Utilize Cores always 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability  On =>  Lush USB cable => modified NOS1 USB DAC => no pre amp => Orelo active horn loudspeakers with modified bass channel DSPs.

Music server: X99, Xeon 28 thread PC.

System power two 3kva balanced tranformers with dedicated earth spur.
PeterSt
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« Reply #35 on: April 19, 2012, 09:46:31 am »

Quote
Out of interest what graphics card did you go for ?

None I bet. grazy
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For the Stealth III LPS PC :
W10-14393.0 - July 17, 2021 (2.11)
XXHighEnd Mach III Stealth LPS PC -> Xeon Scalable 14/28 core with Hyperthreading On (set to 14/28 cores in BIOS and set to 10/20 cores via Boot Menu) @~660MHz, 48GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/0/0/*1*/ Q1Factor = *4* / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = *10ms* / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = *10.13*  (max 10.13) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / Stop Desktop, Remaining, WASAPI and W10 services / Use Remote Desktop / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD Off (!) / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *62* / Nervous Rate = *1* / Cool when Idle = n.a / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability = Stable / Custom Filtering *Low* (16x) / Always Clear Proxy before Playback = On -> USB3 from MoBo -> Lush^3
A: W-Y-R-G, B: *W-G* USB 1m00 -> Phisolator 24/768 Phasure NOS1a/G3 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (16ms) -> B'ASS Current Amplifier -> Blaxius*^2.5* A:B-G, B:B-G Interlink -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers. ET^2 Ethernet from Mach III to Music Server PC (RDC Control).
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere (also from the PC).

For a general PC :
W10-10586.0 - May 2016 (2.05+)
*XXHighEnd PC -> I7 3930k with Hyperthreading On (12 cores)* @~500MHz, 16GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 10586.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/1/1/1 / Q1Factor = 1 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 1ms / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = 0.10  (max 60) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / All Services Off / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD On / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *43* / Nervous Rate = 1 / Cool when Idle = 1 / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = *Optimal* / Time Stability = *Stable* / Custom Filter *Low* 705600 / -> USB3 *from MoBo* -> Clairixa USB 15cm -> Intona Isolator -> Clairixa USB 1m80 -> 24/768 Phasure NOS1a 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (4ms) -> Blaxius BNC interlink *-> B'ASS Current Amplifier /w Level4 -> Blaxius Interlink* -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers.
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere.

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PeterSt
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« Reply #36 on: April 19, 2012, 09:55:24 am »

I really want to make a remark about those PSUs you guys tend to dunk in;

Why in heaven's sake so large ? Do you really think it is needed ? The only reason for needing a larger than 300-350W PSU is when you have a 300W graphics card in there (which coincidentally could use its power). But do we ?

Remember, my system consists of 9 internal HDDs, a low consumprion graphics card and by now a bunch of USB (hdd) connections. And a 350W PSU (couldn't get a 300W one).
But I anticipate there is no way I could be accessing all those HDDs at the same time. Oh, I could, but it won't happen. Normally only one or two will be spinning; often none.

Peter
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For the Stealth III LPS PC :
W10-14393.0 - July 17, 2021 (2.11)
XXHighEnd Mach III Stealth LPS PC -> Xeon Scalable 14/28 core with Hyperthreading On (set to 14/28 cores in BIOS and set to 10/20 cores via Boot Menu) @~660MHz, 48GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/0/0/*1*/ Q1Factor = *4* / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = *10ms* / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = *10.13*  (max 10.13) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / Stop Desktop, Remaining, WASAPI and W10 services / Use Remote Desktop / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD Off (!) / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *62* / Nervous Rate = *1* / Cool when Idle = n.a / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability = Stable / Custom Filtering *Low* (16x) / Always Clear Proxy before Playback = On -> USB3 from MoBo -> Lush^3
A: W-Y-R-G, B: *W-G* USB 1m00 -> Phisolator 24/768 Phasure NOS1a/G3 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (16ms) -> B'ASS Current Amplifier -> Blaxius*^2.5* A:B-G, B:B-G Interlink -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers. ET^2 Ethernet from Mach III to Music Server PC (RDC Control).
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere (also from the PC).

For a general PC :
W10-10586.0 - May 2016 (2.05+)
*XXHighEnd PC -> I7 3930k with Hyperthreading On (12 cores)* @~500MHz, 16GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 10586.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/1/1/1 / Q1Factor = 1 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 1ms / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = 0.10  (max 60) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / All Services Off / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD On / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *43* / Nervous Rate = 1 / Cool when Idle = 1 / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = *Optimal* / Time Stability = *Stable* / Custom Filter *Low* 705600 / -> USB3 *from MoBo* -> Clairixa USB 15cm -> Intona Isolator -> Clairixa USB 1m80 -> 24/768 Phasure NOS1a 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (4ms) -> Blaxius BNC interlink *-> B'ASS Current Amplifier /w Level4 -> Blaxius Interlink* -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers.
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere.

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juanpmar
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« Reply #37 on: April 19, 2012, 12:36:30 pm »

Hi Peter,

I have in my computer a Corsair AX750 power supply and it has some important advantages mostly about running in a silent mode. In this case the size is important because that means that using below the 20% of the load the fan in the power supply is 0 rpm and below 50% of the load the fan is running in quiet mode producing just 16db or less. That means that using 375W this power supply is almost inaudible and it was an important part when I built my pc.
Of course also if for any reason or at any time you need more power you get it but again the most important reason to choose my ps was the almost negligible noise at normal use. There are also some fan-less ps but I don´t trust them as much as a ps with a built in variable speed fan.

Please see the Hybrid Silent Fan Control graphics in Tech Specs : http://www.corsair.com/professional-series-gold-ax750-80-plus-gold-certified-fully-modular-power-supply.html

Best regards,
Juan
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Audio Pc: Processor i7 970: 3200MHz (reduced to 1668MHz), 6+6 cores/ RAM Corsair DDR3, 24Gb, 1333MHz/ Mb Asus X58 Sabertooth/ OS and XXHE in Peter's RAM-Disk / The CPU fan is the only one in the Audio Pc: NF-S12A (600rpm/6.7db)/ No graphic card/ Power supply: Seasonic SS-400FL2, fanless.

Configuration and Updates in HOW I'VE BUILT MY NEW PC...http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=1673.0. This post is very old but maybe someone still find it useful

XXHighEnd: 2.11a. Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN/ KS:Phasure NOS1 Out 4.0/ #4 Engine/ Adaptive Mode/ Q1=10, Q3,4,5=1, xQ1=15/ Dev.Buffer: 4096/ ClockRes: 15ms/ Straight Contiguous/ SFS: 0.69 (max 0,69)/ Not Invert/ Phase Alignment Off/ Allow format change/ Decode HDCD/ Playerprio: Low/ ThreadPrio: Real Time/ Scheme: Core 3-5/ UnAttended/ Not Switch during Playback Off/ Playback Drive none/ UnAttended/ Include Garbage Collect/ Copy to XX Drive by standard/ Always clear Proxy before Playback/ Stop Desktop Services/ Stop Remaining Services/ Stop All Services: Off/ Keep LAN Services: On - Persist: Off/ Use Remote Desktop/ Minimize OS/ XTweaks : Balanced Load 35/ Nervous Rate 10/ Cool when Idle -/ Provide Stable Power 0/ Utilize Cores always 1/ Time Performance Index: Optimal / Time Stability: Stable / Arc Prediction/ Number of cores in use: 12 (máx. 6-12)

Music Server PC (W10) totally silent with OS (W10) in SSD and music inside in SSDs - RDC > Ethernet Gigabyte cable 3m > Audio Pc > 1m USB Lush cable directly from the USB3.0 in the motherboard > PHASURE NOS1a-75B-G3 (Driver v1.0.4) 16ms > Blaxius BNC interconnects > Genelec 1037B 3-Way Active speakers with BNC inputs
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« Reply #38 on: April 21, 2012, 01:30:04 pm »


I will post more on the config when I get music playing ok. It may be a few days because the rest of my system is stored away safely whilst the decorators finish the hall  unhappy


Well I couldn’t wait for the decorating to be finished. I set the system back up this morning, it will have to be moved out again in time for Monday but I’m  so glad I had listen.

I found something out about the old, and not so trusty as it turns out, motherboard in my last PC.
 
I have held off doing a PC upgrade for years and kept using an ASRock G43 chipset mother board. Throughout this time improvements in the system (XXHE releases, using a HiFace, gainclones,  iterations of the NOS1 and USB3) have removed layer after layer of distortion. BUT, still at higher up-sample rates (> 88khz) a veil came over the music making it slightly confused and no matter what I did it just would NOT go away. In addition to this veil there were also strange high frequency overtones present when I tested the system with sweep frequency tracks. Still a superb sound overall to listen to, but bl**dy frustrating  grazy

This morning with the new motherboard (I doubt the problem above was down to the old Quad core CPU) the problems have gone ! Peter will know how desperate I have been to banish this problem and has helped so much with suggestions. Many, many thanks Peter, you were right  very happy
 
The point I wanted to share is that motherboards CAN and DO cause distortion, in my case it has been easly masked with other forms of distortion in systems for years but it was there all the time. It makes this thread very important IMO,  information on good PC builds is clearly so important to sound quality. My PC has components selected from both Juanpmar and Mani’s builds so a BIG thanks guys for posting the details or your builds.

The sound of this new PC Build is quite epic compared to the old, the things that stand out are the substance in the music, the timber of voices / instruments and the smooooothness. And this without much tunning yet of the system and with Z09-7 on the way. I am late to using a really hi spec PC compared to many on the forum so I others will know all about this but I am really pleased the upgrade.

Nick.

Ps Spec details of my build to follow.

Pps the old PC is now going to do punishment as an internet toaster for my daughter, it has no place in a music system
 stop
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Audio PC

C621 motherboard, Xeon 40 thread CPU.

 w10 14393 RAM OS => XX V2.10 / adaptive mode / XX buffer 4096 / NOS USB driver v 1.02 buffer 16ms / Q1,2,3,4,5 = 10,-,1,1,1 / xQ1 =15 / unattended / SFS 0.69Mb / memory straight continuous / system clock 15.0ms / Threadprio RealTime / Playerprio Low / CPU scheme 3-5 / 16x Arc Prediction / Peak Extend off / Phase alignment off / Phase off  / XTweaks : Balanced Load 35 / Nervous Rate 10 (or15) / Cool when Idle n/a / Provide Stable Power 0 / Utilize Cores always 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability  On =>  Lush USB cable => modified NOS1 USB DAC => no pre amp => Orelo active horn loudspeakers with modified bass channel DSPs.

Music server: X99, Xeon 28 thread PC.

System power two 3kva balanced tranformers with dedicated earth spur.
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« Reply #39 on: April 21, 2012, 02:22:48 pm »

NICK, but THAT is good news !!

But no matter I can have been right on something, it is a total mystery to me how this distortion of you can have happened.
For others : Nick (and I too via a recording Nick made) could hear (distorted) music through his system via the NOS1 with only USB connected and the remainder of the DAC being totally out of power. So, something D/A'd there, but whatever we tried we could not find what in heaven's name could do this.

Very glad this is solved Nick !
Peter
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For the Stealth III LPS PC :
W10-14393.0 - July 17, 2021 (2.11)
XXHighEnd Mach III Stealth LPS PC -> Xeon Scalable 14/28 core with Hyperthreading On (set to 14/28 cores in BIOS and set to 10/20 cores via Boot Menu) @~660MHz, 48GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/0/0/*1*/ Q1Factor = *4* / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = *10ms* / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = *10.13*  (max 10.13) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / Stop Desktop, Remaining, WASAPI and W10 services / Use Remote Desktop / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD Off (!) / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *62* / Nervous Rate = *1* / Cool when Idle = n.a / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability = Stable / Custom Filtering *Low* (16x) / Always Clear Proxy before Playback = On -> USB3 from MoBo -> Lush^3
A: W-Y-R-G, B: *W-G* USB 1m00 -> Phisolator 24/768 Phasure NOS1a/G3 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (16ms) -> B'ASS Current Amplifier -> Blaxius*^2.5* A:B-G, B:B-G Interlink -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers. ET^2 Ethernet from Mach III to Music Server PC (RDC Control).
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere (also from the PC).

For a general PC :
W10-10586.0 - May 2016 (2.05+)
*XXHighEnd PC -> I7 3930k with Hyperthreading On (12 cores)* @~500MHz, 16GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 10586.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/1/1/1 / Q1Factor = 1 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 1ms / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = 0.10  (max 60) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / All Services Off / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD On / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *43* / Nervous Rate = 1 / Cool when Idle = 1 / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = *Optimal* / Time Stability = *Stable* / Custom Filter *Low* 705600 / -> USB3 *from MoBo* -> Clairixa USB 15cm -> Intona Isolator -> Clairixa USB 1m80 -> 24/768 Phasure NOS1a 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (4ms) -> Blaxius BNC interlink *-> B'ASS Current Amplifier /w Level4 -> Blaxius Interlink* -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers.
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere.

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manisandher
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« Reply #40 on: April 22, 2012, 10:49:51 am »

I really want to make a remark about those PSUs you guys tend to dunk in;
Why in heaven's sake so large ? Do you really think it is needed ?

Ah well, in my case this was a mistake. I first tried the 460W fanless PS from my previous totally-silent PC in Le Monster. Although the LEDs on the X79 mobo all lit up, the PC would not boot up. So I tried another 460W PS from my other totally-silent PC. And again, Le Monster just wouldn’t boot up. Whenever I’ve had boot-up problems in the past (mainly using linear PSs in Atom PCs with SOtM modules installed) the culprit has always been a too-low-powered PS. So I naturally assumed this was the culprit here and so went ahead and ordered a 1000W PS. And once installed in Le Monster… it still wouldn’t boot up! And you want to know what the issue was? It was the bloody power cord I was using!!! It was rated at 5A, so should have been fine, but it just wasn’t. I replaced the power cord with a 13A one, et voila, everything worked fine. I haven’t reverted back to one of the 460W PSs yet, but am sure they’d work fine. Actually, the CaseLabs W8 allows installation of two PSs – at some point I might try powering the mobo with one PS and all peripherals with another.

Out of interest what graphics card did you go for ?
None I bet. grazy

Yeah, that was the idea. But I can’t figure out how to go ‘headless’ and also use XX in ‘Minimise OS’ and ‘Unattended’ mode. I’m hoping 0.9z-7 might provide a solution… For now, I’m using a cheapo Asus GeForce GTX 560 Ti.

The point I wanted to share is that motherboards CAN and DO cause distortion, in my case it has been easly masked with other forms of distortion in systems for years but it was there all the time. It makes this thread very important IMO,  information on good PC builds is clearly so important to sound quality. My PC has components selected from both Juanpmar and Mani’s builds so a BIG thanks guys for posting the details or your builds.

My pleasure Nick. If you come up with any particular tweaks for the mobo let me know.

Mani.
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Main System:
Phasure Mach III (Win 14393.0 on RAM-OS / controlled by RDC, / connected directly to music server / XXHighEnd 2.11 / Minimize OS / Engine#4 Adaptive / DB=4096 / Q1=10 / xQ1=15 / Q3,4,5=1 / SFS=4.00 / XTweaks = 34, 10, 0, 0, 0 / Straight Contiguous / Clock Resolution = 15ms / Scheme 3-5 (low/realtime) / 8x Arc Prediction / switch #5 'up/off' / Unattended) mobo USB3 port -> Lush^3 -> Phasure NOS1a B75 G3 -> 8m Blaxius^2 -> First Watt F5 mono amps -> Tune Audio Anima horn speakers
Office System:
Phasure Stealth II -> Lush^2 -> RME ADI-2 Pro FS R -> Neurochrome 286 mono amps -> Tune Audio Marvel horn speakers
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« Reply #41 on: April 22, 2012, 11:11:35 am »

Yeah, that was the idea. But I can’t figure out how to go ‘headless’ and also use XX in ‘Minimise OS’ and ‘Unattended’ mode. I’m hoping 0.9z-7 might provide a solution… For now, I’m using a cheapo Asus GeForce GTX 560 Ti.

Mani.

Oh that is interesting , because in my new pc , I am experiencing the same thing and I do not have the video card .
Did some mail excange with Peter , and I did think it was some driver problem , did some restore .  But after a while it wont go to minimized os properly : the wasapi services remains on , the lan services also , and the minimized desktop doesn't work .

s
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May 27 -2013 ,  0.9z-9

W8 pro 64bit, UEFI
sata ahci mode .
i7 (8 cores ) 2600k
RAM : 16Gig
XXHE on OS disk
Music on OS disk
Playback drive on USB3 to 4Gig Pendrive
Mobo USB 3 to Oversampling dac at 2X
KS adaptive , ArcPredict  , dev buffer 1024
Q1=8 , Q5=3 , res 1msec
Minimized OS , stop all services
X-tweaks : 45,100,1,1,1, stable , optimal
Disk Utilization : Split File Size: 120 ,max the same as SFS
Memory Organization : Straight Contiguous
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« Reply #42 on: April 22, 2012, 12:19:45 pm »

Haha, it seems that we are mixing up a few things here;

What I meant with my "none I bet" is that the processor should be able to provide the graphics. If only the MoBo supports it ...

So, nothing about "no video at all", which (I bet ??) wouldn't even allow for some remote thing like RDC etc.

Peter
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For the Stealth III LPS PC :
W10-14393.0 - July 17, 2021 (2.11)
XXHighEnd Mach III Stealth LPS PC -> Xeon Scalable 14/28 core with Hyperthreading On (set to 14/28 cores in BIOS and set to 10/20 cores via Boot Menu) @~660MHz, 48GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/0/0/*1*/ Q1Factor = *4* / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = *10ms* / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = *10.13*  (max 10.13) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / Stop Desktop, Remaining, WASAPI and W10 services / Use Remote Desktop / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD Off (!) / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *62* / Nervous Rate = *1* / Cool when Idle = n.a / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability = Stable / Custom Filtering *Low* (16x) / Always Clear Proxy before Playback = On -> USB3 from MoBo -> Lush^3
A: W-Y-R-G, B: *W-G* USB 1m00 -> Phisolator 24/768 Phasure NOS1a/G3 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (16ms) -> B'ASS Current Amplifier -> Blaxius*^2.5* A:B-G, B:B-G Interlink -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers. ET^2 Ethernet from Mach III to Music Server PC (RDC Control).
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere (also from the PC).

For a general PC :
W10-10586.0 - May 2016 (2.05+)
*XXHighEnd PC -> I7 3930k with Hyperthreading On (12 cores)* @~500MHz, 16GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 10586.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/1/1/1 / Q1Factor = 1 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 1ms / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = 0.10  (max 60) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / All Services Off / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD On / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *43* / Nervous Rate = 1 / Cool when Idle = 1 / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = *Optimal* / Time Stability = *Stable* / Custom Filter *Low* 705600 / -> USB3 *from MoBo* -> Clairixa USB 15cm -> Intona Isolator -> Clairixa USB 1m80 -> 24/768 Phasure NOS1a 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (4ms) -> Blaxius BNC interlink *-> B'ASS Current Amplifier /w Level4 -> Blaxius Interlink* -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers.
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere.

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« Reply #43 on: April 22, 2012, 12:34:01 pm »

Haha, it seems that we are mixing up a few things here;

What I meant with my "none I bet" is that the processor should be able to provide the graphics. If only the MoBo supports it ...

So, nothing about "no video at all", which (I bet ??) wouldn't even allow for some remote thing like RDC etc.

Peter


lol , I change signature by now .

Anyway , can't go to minimized OS properly and can't figure out why for now .
But the system plays music fantastically well , smooth and detailed .

Thanks!
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May 27 -2013 ,  0.9z-9

W8 pro 64bit, UEFI
sata ahci mode .
i7 (8 cores ) 2600k
RAM : 16Gig
XXHE on OS disk
Music on OS disk
Playback drive on USB3 to 4Gig Pendrive
Mobo USB 3 to Oversampling dac at 2X
KS adaptive , ArcPredict  , dev buffer 1024
Q1=8 , Q5=3 , res 1msec
Minimized OS , stop all services
X-tweaks : 45,100,1,1,1, stable , optimal
Disk Utilization : Split File Size: 120 ,max the same as SFS
Memory Organization : Straight Contiguous
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« Reply #44 on: May 03, 2012, 07:47:52 pm »

Quote from: manisandher

My pleasure Nick. If you come up with any particular tweaks for the mobo let me know.

Mani hi,

You asked if I could mention tweeks for the Asus X79 WS mother board. I think I have a package of settings that is REALLY worth taking the time to setup. I am so impressed with the potential of this board, I wish I had upgraded ages ago. Almost all of this is stuff that we all know about but as a package of changes the sound produced it is quite beautiful to listen to. The thing I would stress is that the tweeks seem to work as a PACKAGE, individually you can hear them but put them together and wow  Cool

The set of tweeks defiantly work on the Asus board that Mani and I have but others may find that they work on other boards with fast multi core PCs, I just cannot say that the sound quality is going to be what the Asus X79 WS provides.

Summary of tweeks.

1)   Eliminate ALL fans (CPU fan case fans etc)
2)   Take power off ALL drives but one (OS XX and Music on the single HDD)
3)   Power the one HDD from a linear power supply
4)   Remove power connections from DVD and Floppy Drives etc
5)   Turn off hyper threading
6)   Over Clock the CPU
7)   Disable CPU “Clock Spreading” 
Cool   Turn off Intel Virtualisation
9)   Use PCIe USB 3 (NEC chipset)
10)   XX processor scheme 3, SFS around 350mb,
11)   Hygiene factor tweeks (Old hat stuff but for good measure)
a.   Disable Data Execution support (in Bios)
b.   Disable all Devices not needed for music (extra SATA controllers, USB ports etc etc in Device Manager)
c.   Disable all devices not used for Music in  Bios (Mobo
USB, Sound card, COM ports etc)
(Points 1 to 10 all have an effect individually, but together they really move music to the next level.


Notes


1)   Fans. At first I had to set my new PC up with a CPU fan because the mounting clip to fit my Zalman Reserator water cooler was not available. When the clip arrived I was able to remove the CPU fan and fit water cooling to the CPU and Video card. The water pump is powered by a separate 240v supply. It really makes a difference.

2)   Only ONE Drive with power.
For years every time I have added ANY additional drive (SDD, DVD, FD even just having them powered up in the PC and not using them) it always affects SQ. With the tweeks I have one Sata II HDD powered up (SDD and DVD are fitted but powered down). This is really worth doing and its easy to test, just put the OS, XXHE and some music on the same HDD and pull the power off all the others then listen....

I just reconnect the power on DVDs and other drives if I need them.


3)   Linear Power supply for the single HDD. This is really important.
Most HDDs seem to get by on about 1.5amps on the +12v rail and 0.5amps on the 5v rail. The key is to make sure that the linear supply power rails are directly referenced to the PC’s SMPS earths directly and individually for both the 12v and 5v rails (I found that if you reference the linear supply earths only via the Sata Power connection to the drive the Bass and SQ do improve but not NEARLY as much as with the earth set up mentioned).  I am using a cheap Maplin bench supply and I can explain a little more about how I have the supplies setup if needed.

4)   Take Power off all drives except the one used for Music.
Already mentioned in 2) above

5)   Turn off HyperThreading. This was a funny one. In the past over I found over clocking has helped sound quality a little. With the 3930 CPU I was thinking the choice here is either 12 threads at half the clock speed or 6 threads at full clock speed and full cache for each core. 6 threads at max clock won easily.

6)   Over Clock the CPU. See 5). Use the “Asus Optimal Mode” button on the “EZ Bios” Page to get a stable 4.2Gb clock speed with good memory speeds. No other effort required.

7)   Disable CPU Clock Spreading. CPU clock jitter as far as music is concerned in the ASAS Bios this as called. Bios > Advanced > Ai Tweeker > Spread Spectrum > Disabled

Cool   Turn off “Intel Virtualisation Technology”. Bios > Advanced > CPU Configuration > Intel Virtualisation Technology > Disabled.

9)   USB 3.0.  Well documented on the forum. I am finding a USB 3.0 cable with an adaptor best with these tweeks.

10)   XX processor scheme 3, SFS around 350mb. Not much to say but these give the detail of Scheme 1 together with a rich full presentation with presence and great timber.

Best Nick.
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Audio PC

C621 motherboard, Xeon 40 thread CPU.

 w10 14393 RAM OS => XX V2.10 / adaptive mode / XX buffer 4096 / NOS USB driver v 1.02 buffer 16ms / Q1,2,3,4,5 = 10,-,1,1,1 / xQ1 =15 / unattended / SFS 0.69Mb / memory straight continuous / system clock 15.0ms / Threadprio RealTime / Playerprio Low / CPU scheme 3-5 / 16x Arc Prediction / Peak Extend off / Phase alignment off / Phase off  / XTweaks : Balanced Load 35 / Nervous Rate 10 (or15) / Cool when Idle n/a / Provide Stable Power 0 / Utilize Cores always 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability  On =>  Lush USB cable => modified NOS1 USB DAC => no pre amp => Orelo active horn loudspeakers with modified bass channel DSPs.

Music server: X99, Xeon 28 thread PC.

System power two 3kva balanced tranformers with dedicated earth spur.
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