The SOTM SATA is worth the price. Just installed two of them and the music is smoother and improved depth; I do not detect any top end energy or brightness. However I have a lot of power conditioning products (DIY) installed already.

I do not have a NOS1 but from my experience usb cables are not all the same. Wireworld Starlight (red) is a good price/performance option. USB cables are easy to return to a vendor so there's very little risk in trying them out.

Yes straight contiguous is my favorite and the more memory the better for xxhe...

For some reason there are certain music files that play at triple speed, like it is fast forwarding through the song but I don't know why... These files play fine with other music players...

Just want to say that I reluctantly installed z41 today; I've found the last few versions to be more or less similar provided I played with all the settings enough and I got very tired of all the buttons and options and settings. Felt like a dog chasing his tail . But I thought I would give one more try with the new one anyway.

Well, well, well, what do you know. IT IS THE BEST XXHE VERSION I HAVE HEARD YET!

Analog is indeed the word. I have not changed any settings yet.  I have no intention. Great Job Peter!
  Maybe you should offer a streamlined version of z41 without
so many settings and options that would be more 'accessible' and user-friendly.

Also this was the first version for me to install without any problems. Another big plus!

Now please please please make this version 1.0 and call it a day! You've earned it!

Well Icame across this thread last night and decided to download all the updates because I don't know where to get SP1 (microsoft website?). Since I only use this PC for music it had no updates at all installed. After I downloaded all the updates and rebooted... totally different presentation. What I heard was a more pronounded mids and high frequencies. Very clear and sweet (due to my speakers). Very open. Like a flower opening in bloom (ha, i should write for 6moons!). This actually was a night and day difference. In comparison before the music was duller, uninvolving, somewhat recessed. This all happened late last night and I am in the middle of installing active crossover w/ full range speakers so I need to make sure tonight that I did not accidentally reset some settings when I reboot or anything like that.

... oh i just read Suteetat's post. I agree completely. that is what I heard...

I used Vista Services Optimizer. I know my way around services.msc pretty well, but am getting lazier in my old age. Other than the 9z-3 install, it did its job well.

The Win7 optimizer appears to have been the problem and 9z-3 is up and running...

Actually I do have a win7 optimizer running that may have services disabled.  I will turn off and try again...

When trying to install z-3 I still get the same error I would get with z-2, except before I figured out how to bypass (might have changed the compatibility setting to XP or something). Now the most I get is: It lets me install ONLY when selecting Admin, but then I get a something not registered error and Engine 3 won't start. The GUI comes up but Engine 3 error. If i deselect Admin in xxHE properties, I just get the Exception error and nothing else... this whole setup shenanigans is really starting to irritate me...

Wait, where should those 2 files be?

I have to uncheck the start as administrator. I have never gotten XX to work when checked. Same error message.

I agree w/ Peter that the most important factor is the source, but in my experience a high quality cable helps you to diagnose weaknesses in your system. Just like using XXHE, it's all about trial and error. Not just any cheap cable will do. if at all possible as has been said, DIY is the way to go. Also, it's fun! For very little money you can make a great cable with Teflon OCC Copper and high quality connectors for instance. And the connectors are important. IMO that is where the 'cheapness' of a cable can be most compromised. In other words, I think a regular good-quality copper cable w/ copper/silver, etc connectors will sound better than an 'expensive' copper cable with cheap brass connectors. But that's just my experience.

Just like XXHE, every element plays a role, every component contributes to the quality of the sound. Some elements are more important than others, but it all adds up...

Most important thing is learning and having fun.

Which sounds like a better choice for low noise/good sound quality, an internal 1TB SATA HD or external USB IDE HD w/ a high-quality (Sigma 11) regulated linear power supply?

I know the internal will be faster, but it will also be sharing noise w/ the rest of the computer components from the PC switching power supply. The external I can hook up to a diy linear power supply that is top notch.

What do you guys think?

Hi T1n5l3y, you will not hear any difference because your system is not designed for high quality audio playback at all. More for gaming and mp3. First you would need better sound card, speakers, headphones...

I know power conditioning can be a touchy subject for some but since we all are after the same goal of the best sound we can achieve (particularly w/ noisy components like PCs), here are some of my tweaks that I use with all my audio components, learned from other forums over the years.

1. DIY power conditioner w/ Hammond Choke
   
    This is a very simple DIY that is extremely effective.  All you need is a Hammond 193L or 193M choke, some wire, and a male IEC.
   
     http://www.hammondmfg.com/193.htm
    http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/LEVITON-MANUFACTURING-835-515PR-/64-020
     (or equivalent for your country)

      The choke has two wires. Simply insert one wire into the Line/Hot of the plug, and the other into the Neutral. Plug into wall closest to your setup. That's it! Doesn't matter which wire you use. If the length is too short simply extend it with more wire (preferably soldered).

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=40168

It doesn't look sexy, but it's a) cheap and b) better than spending $700 on the commercial equivalent:

http://www.stereotimes.com/acc010500.shtml

This is just two of many threads, most of which are on Audio Asylum:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=10310.20.
http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/t.mpl?f=tweaks&m=145262

If you doubt what it will do for your a/c and sound, plug it in next to your TV. After a day I guarantee you will not want to take it out.
Anyway, I just wanted to mention it because with computers noise is such a big problem and this simple DIY is a relatively cheap way to make a big impact on your music...

2. For those people using a desktop/tower PC for music I recommend upgrading your power cord. I have just recently switched my stock cord with this:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGAC14SE

It lowered the noise floor of my PC and improved audio quality. They also have a cheaper version, but I can't vouch for that. I think the improvement is due to a combination of improved shielding and larger gauge wire. Larger gauge power cords (of the same design) usually sound better regardless of application.

The DIY choke however is several magnitudes better in terms of improvement.

hope this was of some help

w