XXHighEnd

June 2013


Operating System

Anno June 2013 the preferred OS is Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 - with now a hang to Windows 8 (RTM). Notice though this is merely about the best Sound Quality than that other OSes would be not compatible. They just are. However :
It is to be expected that Windows 2000 won't be supporting one or two things, and the same today counts for XP. Still, we as developers already don't use XP anymore anywhere, so it can not be tested. At this time we don't know of any special bugs happening when XP is used. Do keep in mind though that many SQ features are not available in XP at all, just as that in Vista fewer are there than in Windows 7.
The 32 as well as 64 bit OS is supported just the same, but notice that with 32 bit not more than 4GB of internal memory can be addressed. Also see the below memory requirements.
It is assumed that Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 is used, which does not require further installations of DirectX or dot-net components (but see for Windows 8 more below). Otherwise  here is an older topic dealing with technical prerequisites (http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=11.0), which talks about these things.
Starter and Home editions do not support Remote Desktop Control, needed for Remote Control (via laptops/tablets etc.). Also these both editions lack some other necessities but these can be tweaked in by yourself (see tutorials).

Administrator Rights / User Account Control (UAC)

XXHighEnd does not officially install itself. This is good, because now we can have as many versions "active" without the need to uninstall the other(s). This way of working, though, implies that User Account Control is not allowed to be active. It is the most annoying anyway, so XXHighEnd shuts it off at the first attempt to start it - that needing a reboot (is automatically performed).
For Windows 8 this is somewhat more severe, because the UAC setting for XXHighEnd to operate in all its aspects does not allow Metro Apps to run.

Special Prerequisite Windows 8

Because Windows 8 comes with Dot-Net 4.x installed by standard - while XXHighEnd needs 3.5, this 3.5 needs to be installed. This can be done automatically over the Internet, but it can also be done from the OS Installation DVD. See here for that : Windows 8 Tutorials - Install .Net 3.5 (http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=2348.0).

Memory

4GB of internal memory really is required for smooth operation.
8GB is needed for optimum SQ. Watch out : this is a 64 bit OS !
12GB is needed when a somewhat more conveniency is required, but 8 GB really is sufficient.
16GB or more is actually not utilized, and sure not worth the money (but it won't harm either).

Processor

It is strongly advised that a multi core processor is used. Of course a 2 core (Duo etc.) is just that, but it would be minimal and for sure far from the best for the better SQ.
Get a 4 core Hyperthreaded Intel processor when you can (which will show 8 cores in effect).
A 6 core (12 Hyperthreaded) is better again, and the cores are explicitly used (up to 24 are supported).
For playback, XXHighEnd hardly uses any CPU, and even at 32/768 (upsampled) playback the utilization is a virtual 0%. So, it is *not* about that at all. It is though, about how the resources can be allocated and spread. Also see the below little subject.

PC in general

If you have the slightest possibility to skip a laptop, please do so. It is minimized in all directions, and for 100% that expresses in poor sound. Don't tease yourself with that and a perceived conveniency of a laptop, and get a decent PC (with decent processor) instead.
Please.

Harddisc

Allow yourself to have at least one separate harddisc for your music files (the OS on the other).
Do notice that SQ is determined largely by how the storage is utilized, and quite some parameters in XXHighEnd exist to tweak that for the better.

Soundcard and/or DAC

No special requirements here, other than what you can think of yourself and what's obvious. However, since "USB" can also be seen as a soundcard (replacement), do watch the topics about this, because it really matters for SQ what kind of USB is used and how.

Type of files

WAV, FLAC, AIF, AIFF and MP3 are supported.

Coverart

Please keep in mind that although the support for Coverart is the most extensive, embedded Coverart is not recognized (though harmless).
The upside is that you don't need to do anything to let your Coverart show, if it's only present in separate files.