XXHighEnd

Hi Everyone,

As I’ve mentioned in another post, I had a protracted listening session last night (with 0.9u-11) and early this morning (with 0.9u-12). I was using system 1) in my signature (but with the RME FF800).

Here’s what I found:

Double Upsample:

Did not work with Mem box ‘unchecked’ and ‘DAC is 32 bits xxx KHz’.
Worked with Mem box ‘unchecked’ and ‘DAC is 20 bits xxx KHz’.

Very difficult to discern any consistent difference between Mem box ‘checked’ and ‘unchecked’. But if pushed to answer, I’d say I prefer ‘unchecked’ – it seems to sound slightly more ‘solid’ and precise.

My preference for upsampling or not really depended on the configuration:
a) with the soundcard in Master clock mode and DAC in PLL mode, I preferred upsampling - it seemed to smooth out the rough edges, give a blacker background and make things more 3D
b) with the soundcard in Master clock mode and DAC in RAM buffer mode, I preferred no upsampling – way too laid back with upsampling
c) with soundcard slaved to DAC, I definitely preferred no upsampling - upsampling took all the beautiful sparkle and ambience out of the music.

Quad Upsample:

Not tested. My DAC requires a dual AES/EBU input (may need to buy a single spdif to dual AES/EBU converter once RR release their 176.4 KHz material...).

Processor core:

Again, very difficult to discern any consistent differences. But if pushed to answer, I’d say I prefer ‘no appointment’  – it seems to sound slightly more lively (I may have to change my signature if I continue to find this...).

As I was using the RME, I couldn’t resist taking a few nice pics.

Mani.