PS Audio PerfectWave DAC

[JonathanP]

Hi I am new to the Computer audio, I have just purchased a Perfect wave dac and have it connected via the bridge card so it is a UPnP set up, using Twonky to play the tracks
Is there any advantage in using  XXHiEnd ?

[PeterSt]

Hi Jonathan,

To be very honest, normal theories say No. But as with async USB, all what is done by XXighEnd still works perfectly. And, I don't recall anyone in here to use such a connection, so I'm afraid it is a matter of trying it out (you can do this perfectly with the demo version).
Also, in fact I'd be very interested to know the results !

The main thing you should do is this :
Compare Kernal Streaming (the KS: devices) Adaptive mode with Kernel Streaming Special Mode. Choose for Adaptive the Buffer Size of which you know the size from your DAC (or use 1024 (maybe 2048) to be on some safe side otherwise) and set Q1 to 1. Use normal Attended Mode for this (the GUI stays on the screen). For Special Mode set Q1 to the lowest number of samples (which now shows *above* the Q1 knob) not implying glitches or disturbed sound otherwise.
Compare these two. In all situations I know of, this should make a vast difference in SQ.

When you have quit XXHighEnd and start it again later, please check your Q1 setting, because depending on the combination of settings, it is not persistent in 0.9z-5. After you checked a couple of times, and all stays as you set if before, it will be allright for you. Otherwise set it to your setting each time again you start XXHighEnd.

If this indeed makes a difference, you can proceed to the further steps of improving SQ, but let's wait for the first results first.

Also, at this moment I can't tell (at all) whether something like Kernel Streaming is supported for your DAC or not. So let me know when you have problems anywhere.

Don't forget : the very first you should do before installing XX is stutting off UAC (User Account Control). For W7 this means setting the slider to the lowest position. If you don't do this, all kind of problems will occur.

So, please let me know, and if you need further help, just ask away, ok ?
Thanks,
Peter

[JonathanP]

Hi just tried installing XXHiEnd, I have XP OS which it doesn't seem to like, do I need to download a old version?
Can XXHiEnd stream across a network? UPnp

[PeterSt]

XP by itself is ok, but I don't think I ever tested it with 0.9z-5. In any case I didn't hear about problems, but it may tell nothing because only few people use it (in here). If you are not sure, try 0.9z-4-1 (0.9z-5 *is* quite different on the install part).

Can XXHiEnd stream across a network? UPnp

Now you mention it so explicitly ... maybe not. I think it depends on how the driver behaves, and if you see drivers (sound devices) listed for it within XX anyway. If you see them, I see no reason why it won't work.