The optimal PC-setup

[manisandher]

I know this is in totally the wrong place (I mean, what has this got to do with the optimal PC setup?) but nevermind...

I asked Dave Peck of Avid (formerly Euphonix) a few questions regarding the Model Two (otherwise known as the PMI). His response, and that of Keith Johnson (one of the original designers of the PMI, head of Reference Recordings and chief design engineer at Spectral Audio) are shown below:

1. What is the max. RMS output voltage of the Model Two?
(from KJ)
The PMI converters produce a specified maximum output of +24 dBu from 0 dB FS modulation, which translates to 12.28 volts RMS. or 34.7 Volts peak to peak as seen on a scope. I believe the output impedance is less than 20 ohms so the machines produce roughly 11.5 Volts into a 600 ohm load. The driving amplifier is capable of at least twice this output so it can accommodate DAC outputs with ringing and other filter artifacts that might be introduced or chosen for sonic reasons. It can energize loudspeakers to reasonable volume.

2. In the DAC THD test graph, can we assume -10dBFS applies to the output (as opposed to just the input)?
(from DP)
Yes, -10dBFS is the output.

3. Do you have any DAC THD figures with band limiting switched off? (I realise that this may well be impossible.)
(from DP)
Sorry, there is no standard test for this. It could be done but it would require modifying the unit and setting up a special test fixture. The graphs and figures we sent were from our suite of standard production tests.

4. Having used the Model Two for a year or so now, I am convinced that it is non-oversampling at 176.4/192KHz rates. Could you confirm this either way?
(from KJ)
Up conversion is not used at 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz sample rates. Instead, A passive analog filter with group delay correction removes alias products so that all 24 bits of information are captured from each sample by the ADC process. Conversion is made with ladder-pipeline architectures and analog added - DSP subtracted dithering, a first of its kind that is still used for instrumentation. Unlike sigma-delta methods, jitter sensitivity is low and accuracy does not degrade at high program levels.

Mani.

[han]

Hi folks

Here i am again. The ignorant computer dummy. I'm plannning to have a computer build with the specs that follow underneath. The idea is to have a double-boot function, that's why 2 ssd's will be build in, in order to have one dedicated for XX-high end and one for all other multimedia stuff.
The 8 TB HDD drive comes in a seperate case.

Does this make sense to you, IT whizzards out there? Main goal is to have XX playing as good as possible!

Mobo  GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 1156
Videocard  AMD Radeon HD6870 1024MB HDMI / 2x DVI / DP-mini
Memory  8GB 4x2048MB DDR3 1600 MHz dual channel
CPU Koeler  IKBENSTIL 1210 High End Cooling
CPU  Intel Core i7 870 2.93Ghz Quadcore met Hyper Threading
Powersupply  Seasonic 500 watt 82+   
HDD OS Mediacenter  OCZ Vertex 120GB  snelheid: 285/275MB/s 
HDD OS XXhighend  OCZ Vertex 120GB  snelheid: 285/275MB/s   
Sound  output to DAC
Optical  Samsung Bluray player CD DVD brander
TV tuner  2x ANYSEE DVB-C voor Ziggo digitaal (dual tuner setup)
OS  Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit UK of NL volledig geïnstalleerd
 
Thanks in advance for all your replies! Han

[Telstar]

Take the Vertex2 (should be from the performances but you dont say it).

[han]

Thnx Telstar!
I saw your computer has similar specs. Does it work out allright for you?
Regards, Han

[CoenP]

Hi,

I'm also thinking about assembling an up to date noiseless pc for serious audio.

I hear however about too many craches too soon with OCZ (even Peter himself). Nice specs but reliability is something to worry about. Not so with the big company. I would opt for Intel X-25m or something.

regards, Coen

[Telstar]

Thnx Telstar!
I saw your computer has similar specs. Does it work out allright for you?
Regards, Han

Yes, very well an it's completely stable.
For octal AP with XO it wont be enough processing power and i'll need a faster cpu. Hope they make something COOL in the next 12 months or so.