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Author Topic: PCI soundcards  (Read 177904 times)
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Fidelio
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« Reply #75 on: December 20, 2009, 09:14:03 am »

So where are all the capacitors on the cantatis then?

The yellow ones.
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Fidelio
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« Reply #76 on: December 26, 2009, 11:00:23 pm »

I have ordered a Cantatis Overture,I have a sneaking suspicion it will be utterly fantastic:)
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mojave
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« Reply #77 on: January 08, 2010, 05:11:32 pm »

I have ordered a Cantatis Overture,I have a sneaking suspicion it will be utterly fantastic:)


Anything to report yet on the Cantatis Overture?
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Fidelio
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« Reply #78 on: January 08, 2010, 10:21:21 pm »

Anything to report yet on the Cantatis Overture?

Nope, waiting still. I will let you know once I've had an impression.
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dannycanham
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« Reply #79 on: January 14, 2010, 02:14:16 am »

So where are all the capacitors on the cantatis then?

The yellow ones.

Thanks Happy

Does anyone know why they are so small compared to the caps on every over decent looking sound card I have looked at and what the implications may be? There might not be any, it is just that I'm a little suspicious of a card with no reviews and only an infomercial in the BBC music magazine.

I could never get the auto switching working in Windows 7 for my Onkyo se 200 pci ltd card. I could get the button to show up but it just caused instability. Shame. The auto switching seems like a very useful option that has been much touted. Still very nice card though. Sounds great through my Roksan Caspian amp and Dali 9 speakers. I'm very susceptible to fatigue and apart from during a necessary (and sometimes quite long) warm up time it has been one of the most enjoyable of the many sub £1000 cd player or sound card options I have heard. Hours pass by easily. Possibly not one for those who favour a bias towards detail though.
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Fidelio
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« Reply #80 on: January 14, 2010, 12:38:24 pm »

Danny; did you install the newest VIA drivers? The trick to getting this right in Win7 is to unpack the drivers, install them by using Windows' driver install feature (device manager-card-install driver), and not the setup from VIA. Then just copy the VIA control panel app to e.g. Program Files and run it from there. Set 24bit in Windows sound control panel, set auto change rate in the VIA control panel, and you're good to go.
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Fidelio
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« Reply #81 on: January 24, 2010, 09:33:56 pm »

Would be nice, though, to see som highres pictures to check out more details. Or listen to one  smile

Not my pics; will take some when I get my camera back.



* 1.JPG (25.59 KB, 497x375 - viewed 4593 times.)

* 2.JPG (38.7 KB, 497x371 - viewed 5086 times.)

* 3.JPG (49.36 KB, 421x331 - viewed 4999 times.)
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Mark
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« Reply #82 on: January 25, 2010, 11:26:43 pm »

Cantatis Overture 192 Soundcard:
I haven't heard it or any of the other cards - but if anyone of you is looking for the best price - this might be a fair deal: 20% discount ...

http://www.bbcmusicmagazine.com/cantatis-overture-192

http://snipurl.com/BBCMM20 + discount code ‘BBCMM20’ (they say it works with amazon too)

Here you can find some more detailed pics of the DACs etc:
http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=306851
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looking for a comfortable way to the get very good analog sound signals out of a PC and Notebook // PC =>  X? (=> Y?) => cinch => PreAmp/Amp (as close as possible to high end; for max 500 €; still using ethernet)
Robin Hood
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« Reply #83 on: January 26, 2010, 12:07:25 am »

So what are the choices of PCI soundcards for Engine 4? and which of these will provide analog and digital output?  dntknw
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PeterSt
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« Reply #84 on: January 26, 2010, 12:28:09 am »

Quote
So what are the choices of PCI soundcards for Engine 4?

I guess this question comes a little too soon. I hope the next version will tell more about that (or otherwise the one after that). Currently too many sound cards don't work, while they actually can.

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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Fidelio
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« Reply #85 on: January 29, 2010, 01:21:52 am »

A quick feedback note on the Cantatis card; I will write some more about it later. In the flesh, the card looks really good, well built in every sense. I noticed that my card doesn't have the same output caps as the one on the official photos; that one uses a couple of Nichion Muse FZ, whereas my have some blue ones I didn't recognize. Emailing Cantatis, I got a quick and informative reply: some of the cards (the first ones probably) have the Nichion caps, whereas the later ones use the blue Panasonic FC caps. Cantatis said they sound somewhat better than the Nichions, and have lower ESR. Anyway.

I have only used the card with y5-02 and Engine #3 so far. To put it simply, it sounds very, very good. A different league than the Onkyo and Audiotraks actually. Detailed, snappy, rhythmic sound; tuneful bass and great voices. Films sound much better as well, words are easier to pick up. This card looks like a real killer. And, oh, stereo separation seems much better than the Onkyo, everything is more "there". Big ups to Cantatis.
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Mark
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« Reply #86 on: January 31, 2010, 02:54:23 am »

Fidelio, you say the Cantatis Overture 192 is better than the "Audiotraks" - have you heard the Audiotrak Prodigy HD2 Special Edition, too? http://www.itemaudio.co.uk/prodigy_hd2.html
It has fully discreet Burson Audio dual opamps.

Can anyone tell me if discreet Audio opamps are always significantly better than IC opamps? Especially the Bursons?
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looking for a comfortable way to the get very good analog sound signals out of a PC and Notebook // PC =>  X? (=> Y?) => cinch => PreAmp/Amp (as close as possible to high end; for max 500 €; still using ethernet)
PeterSt
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« Reply #87 on: January 31, 2010, 08:51:43 am »

Hi Mark,

What about OpAmps always being the worst ?
So in general yes, a discrete amplification (for a DAC) should be better always. This doesn't say the Burson is the best solution once you could design from the start, but it is generally taken that they always improve the sound significantly when they replace the normally assembled OpAmp (which is what the modules are made for).

An OpAmp sounds "mathematical". It has sibilance. It annoys. But this is nothing much new.
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 #88 on: January 31, 2010, 10:55:59 am »

An OpAmp sounds "mathematical". It has sibilance. It annoys.

You'd better change your power amps then  Tongue

Mani.
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« Reply #89 on: January 31, 2010, 11:08:08 am »

OffTopic

I don't have OpAmps in them ... whistle

Nor did I have in my before (transistors), nor in my before-before-before (FETs).

No matter what, an OpAmp can have 0.00001% whatever HD ... still they don't "work". This should be a case of not knowing how to measure (??).

Btw, notice that this is nothing personal or objective. It *is* a case of pointing out to eachother what to listen for and what tracks to play to show "it" (whatever it is about). Loads of experiences are needed for that. But after being able to point out to eachother I *never* encountered someone where we both didn't agree 100% about everything. I think you were there Mani, it is actually very easy.

Peter


PS: With which I didn't try to say my amps are the absolute best. They probably are not, but suit me sufficiently enough to do everything I need (which of course includes judging XXHighEnd / the NOS1).
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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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