XXHighEnd Model 0.9z-2 (Sample Rate Conversion Protection / stable)

[PeterSt]

(Download it at the very bottom)

This is considered to be a more stable "z" version. When you encounter problems with it (of any kind), please let this know on the forum, but put each issue in a new topic and give it a relevant title.. Thanks.

• Since 0.9z-1 and the hires upsampling, suddenly dozens () of input-output combinations appeared possible which are plainly not allowed, or were not covered for. This version, the best as reasonably possible, has been tested for all these situations and combinations, and if all is right it is all covered for now by *or* allowing the conversion properly, *or* rejecting it. Any rejection will ne shown by red digits in input or output and in the bit depth or sample rate area - depending on the cause.
  Notice that the latter, the cause, is judged by a human being and this human being is just that, and can fail. So, may you encounter something illogical in these areas, please let it know. This will not be appreciated as nit picking, but as a means to make this stuff as intuitive as possible. And, as you may have seen yourself, even at knowing XXHighEnd for a couple of years now, you can get crazy of the combinations, and what should be allowed- or what just never can work. This is also subjective to stuff which just never has been developed, with the example of downres from 24 to 16 bits being allowed, while upsampling from 16 bits is not. If possible, this should be "explained" by the four digital fields available for this, and the blue (right) and red (wrong) colors.
  
  
• There is a new small fx button in between the two bit depth digital fields;
  When active, the output sample rate will be determined by the "base rate", which is always 44100 or 48000. This base rate is automatically determined by the file, and for example a 88200 file will have a base rate of 44100, and a 192000 file has a base rate of 48000.
  The "factor slider" under it, determines the output rate as a factor of the base rate (1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x).
  When the fx button is not active, the factor slider implies a multiplication of the input rate. Thus, if the input rate is 88200 and the slider is set at 2x, the output rate will be 176400.
  Thus, with the fx button not active, the output rate is determined by the input rate; with the fx button active, the output rate is determined by the base rate, and will be always the same per 44100 or 48000 group.
  
  Setting the fx button Active, generally, is the most convenient.
  
  Also see 0.9z-2 Sample Rate Conversions for some examples and better understanding.
  
  
• When the "factor slider" was moved, HDCD Decoding would be automatically switched to On (although with a message). This doesn't happen anymore now.
  
  
• Playback with Anti Imaging Filtering has always been a problem for Attended, but since 0.9z it was broken all together. Now (fingers crossed) Unattended as well as Attended should just work.
  One small notice : To let Attended work better, especially at track ends, the running time (bar) runs ahead a little - and in fact isn't really connected anymore with the real happening of start payback. But, as many will know, in all the before versions is just ran (very) late, that by itself causing the Attended problems.
  If you again have problems with AI, please let it know.
  
  
• While the usage of Engine#3 had been restored in 0.9z-1, it wasn't possible to use the remote digital volume, and in fact any other remote command (or playback would stop). This has been solved now.
  
  
• The Device Buffer Size setting (Settings Area) now contains a new 3072 setting.
  Watch out : If you are used to use 4096, this will automatically show (and used) as 3072. So take care of setting it to 4096 again.
  
  
• HDCD Decoding and Anti Image filtering now works.
  
  
• A bug was solved that disallowed some Coverart to show in the middle pane when the track name contains dots. This has been solved now, but in a theoretical fashion because many strange combinations (and folder structures) can exist regarding this matter.
  Please let know if you still see the problem, and if so try to present a clear example of the situation.
  
  
• While (since a few versions) Doubling (etc.) without Upsampling didn't work anymore for more than 16 bit DACs, Upsampling was allowed for 16 bit DACs. Both issues are solved now.
  
  
• Files ripped with Windows Media Player caused problems with HDCD Encoded files (an error message occurred). Solved.
  
  
• Some changes have been applied which may avoid the kind of randomly replay of before played tracks, without actually asking for that. But, since the problem can't be copied, it is all a theoretical solution;
  Please let know if you still encounter this.
  
  
• An always existing problem has been that very short tracks (like less than 10 seconds) couldn't be used to start playback (or an error would occur). This has at last been solved now.
  
  
• When a last track played Unattendedly, XXHighEnd would automatically start after 20 seconds or so. This has been reduced to 5 seconds or less.
  
  

The usual repeat from earlier Release Notes :

Very important : Only when AutoHotkey has been installed, and is at least working to the extend XXHighEnd can be startup with a hotkey (default is Alt-X), it is allowed to tick the checkbox "Stop Services" in the Settings Area, and use Unattended Playback mode (checkbox at the bottom of the main screen). For AutoHotkey See AutoHotkey Install. When this is not done, hence XXHighEnd can not be brought up with a hotkey, at Unattended Payback - no desktop icons will be visible, no Taskbar will be there, no Startbutton will be around ... nothing. You might, however, may be able to use the "Windows" key which will bring up the Start Menu and find something in there to find your ways again. So, be careful, or maybe you will not be able to do anything, except for listening out the playlist concerned, and wait until that finishes and XXHighEnd will popup automatically, which by itself will bring back everything.
A reboot is a solution as well.

This all sounds more dangerously than it really is, and with the hotkeys available there is really nothing to fear.
And remember the objective : better Sound Quality.