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manisandher
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« Reply #15 on: July 24, 2013, 02:04:49 pm » |
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First finding - How to encode an audio signal in an I2S data stream. Nick, most of your technical description is beyond my current level of understanding, but your findings seem totally 'crazy', 'amazing', 'revolutionary'... I'm not sure what the most appropriate term is! Peter, do you think you can use these findings to further improve the NOS1 in general, even for those of us who are experiencing nothing like Nick is? (BTW, I get nothing whatsoever coming through at -144dB and the NOS1 switch #2 set to off.) Mani. |
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Main System:
Phasure Mach III (Win 14393.0 on RAM-OS / controlled by RDC, / connected directly to music server / XXHighEnd 2.11 / Minimize OS / Engine#4 Adaptive / DB=4096 / Q1=10 / xQ1=15 / Q3,4,5=1 / SFS=4.00 / XTweaks = 34, 10, 0, 0, 0 / Straight Contiguous / Clock Resolution = 15ms / Scheme 3-5 (low/realtime) / 8x Arc Prediction / switch #5 'up/off' / Unattended) mobo USB3 port -> Lush^3 -> Phasure NOS1a B75 G3 -> 8m Blaxius^2 -> First Watt F5 mono amps -> Tune Audio Anima horn speakers
Office System:
Phasure Stealth II -> Lush^2 -> RME ADI-2 Pro FS R -> Neurochrome 286 mono amps -> Tune Audio Marvel horn speakers
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Nick
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« Reply #16 on: September 12, 2013, 03:04:59 pm » |
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Hi, My Adnaco system recently returned from a holiday in Holland (thanks for looking after it Peter  ). I intended to use it only as a diagnostic tool to use whilst understanding electrical noise within the PC DAC and AMP. This was because when I first bought the system more than a year ago to try out electrical isolation of the PC from DAC, the system showed promise but ultimatly could not exceed the sound quality of the normal USB connection. (The findings from a year ago are posted here http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=2089.msg21556#msg21556) So fast forwards to working with Anadco now. First thing is that in the intervening time frame the PC OS, XXHE software and my PC have all very significantly changed. On reconnecting the Anadco SB3 system the slightly darkened (though very pure sound and totally without "hash") sound was present again. However, in my current system the sound using the Adnaco is much better than I remembered and so I decided to spend a little time understanding the system to see if there were any settings or electrical changes that would make it perform. Well it turned out that this can be done and by a couple of relatively simple changes to the Anadco USB board. PC Bios, and XX Settings have been all over the last few days but its coming together now. This will need other ears to verify what I am hearing and there are still a couple of points to sort out but I am really thinking that with the modification Anadco is making a significant positive contribution to sound quality. Paul hi, I think we have yet another configuration to test next time we meet ! Regards, Nick. PS Alan I think you may have bought an Anadco system at the same time I did, was yours an S3B (USB) system ? |
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Audio PC
C621 motherboard, Xeon 40 thread CPU.
w10 14393 RAM OS => XX V2.10 / adaptive mode / XX buffer 4096 / NOS USB driver v 1.02 buffer 16ms / Q1,2,3,4,5 = 10,-,1,1,1 / xQ1 =15 / unattended / SFS 0.69Mb / memory straight continuous / system clock 15.0ms / Threadprio RealTime / Playerprio Low / CPU scheme 3-5 / 16x Arc Prediction / Peak Extend off / Phase alignment off / Phase off / XTweaks : Balanced Load 35 / Nervous Rate 10 (or15) / Cool when Idle n/a / Provide Stable Power 0 / Utilize Cores always 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability On => Lush USB cable => modified NOS1 USB DAC => no pre amp => Orelo active horn loudspeakers with modified bass channel DSPs.
Music server: X99, Xeon 28 thread PC.
System power two 3kva balanced tranformers with dedicated earth spur.
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AlainGr
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« Reply #17 on: September 12, 2013, 04:13:05 pm » |
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Hi Nick, Yes it was the S3B, but I returned it at the time, since I was not convinced that it was improving my SQ. But if they have done something interesting towards SQ, it is quite possible that I would order it again. So I am following you (but with discretion of course) and am always interested in your findings Regards, Alain |
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Desktop with ASUS Sabertooth X79 motherboard,Intel 3930k 6 cores (+ 6) at 1.2 GHZ,32GB ram 1333Mhz,Win 10 pro build 14386 64 bit with no updates,OS + XXHE on external Sata III SSD (Esata), music (WAV) on external 5200 rpm drive through network, OS MInimized, XX with engine 4 adaptive,4096 (buffer size), CPU with scheme 3,Player = Low,Thread = RealTime, Q1 = 14,Q345 = 1,1,1,Q1x=1,Clock res = (variable),Stop Desktop Services,Stop Remaining Services,Stop Wasapi,,LAN on,persist = on,all OSD off,SFS = 2,PE off,PA off, Arc Prediction,x16 Upsample, Straight Contiguous,Lush USB cable,Phasure NOS1a DAC,Meitner PA-6 preamp, Spectral Audio DMA-180 Power Amp, Tannoy System 15 DMT II, Tannoy St-100 supertweeters, Tannoy TS2.12 subwoofers (2). * On hiatus for a while...
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Nick
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« Reply #18 on: September 12, 2013, 04:21:03 pm » |
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Alain hi, I also almost returned my SB3 as well It would have been interesting if you still had the card to try the small mod on it to see if you had similar results. The acid test for these ideas I come up with tends to be a trip to Pauls to take a listed. That soon roots out the "good" from the "wanabe" stuff. It will be interesting to see what we find with this when we get chance to get together and listen. There are some quite exceptional qualities to the music now bit the question will be is it better "overall" as the slightly darker sound was where is fell appart last time. Now I would certainly not describe the sound as dark Regards, Nick. |
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Audio PC
C621 motherboard, Xeon 40 thread CPU.
w10 14393 RAM OS => XX V2.10 / adaptive mode / XX buffer 4096 / NOS USB driver v 1.02 buffer 16ms / Q1,2,3,4,5 = 10,-,1,1,1 / xQ1 =15 / unattended / SFS 0.69Mb / memory straight continuous / system clock 15.0ms / Threadprio RealTime / Playerprio Low / CPU scheme 3-5 / 16x Arc Prediction / Peak Extend off / Phase alignment off / Phase off / XTweaks : Balanced Load 35 / Nervous Rate 10 (or15) / Cool when Idle n/a / Provide Stable Power 0 / Utilize Cores always 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability On => Lush USB cable => modified NOS1 USB DAC => no pre amp => Orelo active horn loudspeakers with modified bass channel DSPs.
Music server: X99, Xeon 28 thread PC.
System power two 3kva balanced tranformers with dedicated earth spur.
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AlainGr
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« Reply #19 on: September 12, 2013, 04:47:45 pm » |
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Ah... I read too fast and sometimes I don't see the end of a sentence, so my interpretation is totally wrong...
As for noise and or "ground" noise, do you feel that the Adnaco isolates something ?
For sure now that I have experienced the benefits of using a linear power supply, I would certainly not use the wall wart that comes with the S3B. But I wonder if noise that could run between the PC and the DAC could be at least reduced, if not eliminated. While I know that the data itself will be already polluted with this noise, I would expect the Adnaco to help me achieve more silence...
As for the USB board, are you talking about the 2 ports USB 3 reception box ?
Alain
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Desktop with ASUS Sabertooth X79 motherboard,Intel 3930k 6 cores (+ 6) at 1.2 GHZ,32GB ram 1333Mhz,Win 10 pro build 14386 64 bit with no updates,OS + XXHE on external Sata III SSD (Esata), music (WAV) on external 5200 rpm drive through network, OS MInimized, XX with engine 4 adaptive,4096 (buffer size), CPU with scheme 3,Player = Low,Thread = RealTime, Q1 = 14,Q345 = 1,1,1,Q1x=1,Clock res = (variable),Stop Desktop Services,Stop Remaining Services,Stop Wasapi,,LAN on,persist = on,all OSD off,SFS = 2,PE off,PA off, Arc Prediction,x16 Upsample, Straight Contiguous,Lush USB cable,Phasure NOS1a DAC,Meitner PA-6 preamp, Spectral Audio DMA-180 Power Amp, Tannoy System 15 DMT II, Tannoy St-100 supertweeters, Tannoy TS2.12 subwoofers (2). * On hiatus for a while...
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Nick
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« Reply #20 on: September 13, 2013, 12:18:03 am » |
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Alain hi, I think there are defiantly benefits of isolating the PC ground and noise from the PC carried by the USB signal and sheild cables etc. I am with you regards the benefits of linear supplies but I'm am sat listening to the Anadco powered by the SMPS wall wart supply and you just would not know . The key seems to be getting to the hart of the problem on the Anadco board and then the darkness disappears and the music just flows through with no noise from the PC. very very sweet. Regards, Nick. |
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Audio PC
C621 motherboard, Xeon 40 thread CPU.
w10 14393 RAM OS => XX V2.10 / adaptive mode / XX buffer 4096 / NOS USB driver v 1.02 buffer 16ms / Q1,2,3,4,5 = 10,-,1,1,1 / xQ1 =15 / unattended / SFS 0.69Mb / memory straight continuous / system clock 15.0ms / Threadprio RealTime / Playerprio Low / CPU scheme 3-5 / 16x Arc Prediction / Peak Extend off / Phase alignment off / Phase off / XTweaks : Balanced Load 35 / Nervous Rate 10 (or15) / Cool when Idle n/a / Provide Stable Power 0 / Utilize Cores always 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability On => Lush USB cable => modified NOS1 USB DAC => no pre amp => Orelo active horn loudspeakers with modified bass channel DSPs.
Music server: X99, Xeon 28 thread PC.
System power two 3kva balanced tranformers with dedicated earth spur.
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AlainGr
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« Reply #21 on: September 13, 2013, 12:49:21 am » |
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Hi Nick, Wow... The description that you give about the Adnaco with the modified USB board have me very interested If I was to get it again, is that modification complicated for a non DIYer like me ? It is the S3B isn't it ? Regards, Alain |
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Desktop with ASUS Sabertooth X79 motherboard,Intel 3930k 6 cores (+ 6) at 1.2 GHZ,32GB ram 1333Mhz,Win 10 pro build 14386 64 bit with no updates,OS + XXHE on external Sata III SSD (Esata), music (WAV) on external 5200 rpm drive through network, OS MInimized, XX with engine 4 adaptive,4096 (buffer size), CPU with scheme 3,Player = Low,Thread = RealTime, Q1 = 14,Q345 = 1,1,1,Q1x=1,Clock res = (variable),Stop Desktop Services,Stop Remaining Services,Stop Wasapi,,LAN on,persist = on,all OSD off,SFS = 2,PE off,PA off, Arc Prediction,x16 Upsample, Straight Contiguous,Lush USB cable,Phasure NOS1a DAC,Meitner PA-6 preamp, Spectral Audio DMA-180 Power Amp, Tannoy System 15 DMT II, Tannoy St-100 supertweeters, Tannoy TS2.12 subwoofers (2). * On hiatus for a while...
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Nick
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« Reply #22 on: September 13, 2013, 01:48:32 am » |
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Things are now moving on at a pace now. After having spent a fair while understanding what I think might work to deal with the noise problems, the soldering iron is well and truly out ! After a long time working through information that Peter kindly provided I started work on the NOS USB interface this evening. I decided to make the noise tweaks in steps so that I can assess the impact and make sure that sound quality is not negatively impacted. The first set of tweaks are now applied. I have still to check for effect on breakthrough music being played at software volume setting of -144 db but have had a listen to the results this evening (without burn in of components). First impressions of sound quality, honestly, OMG WTF just happened ? Its just on a different plain than before. More work to do over the weekend and then I'll post an interim view of the results both in terms of the effect on the noise problems in my system and the effects of the tweaks to the NOS1 and Anadco on sound quality. Nick. |
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Audio PC
C621 motherboard, Xeon 40 thread CPU.
w10 14393 RAM OS => XX V2.10 / adaptive mode / XX buffer 4096 / NOS USB driver v 1.02 buffer 16ms / Q1,2,3,4,5 = 10,-,1,1,1 / xQ1 =15 / unattended / SFS 0.69Mb / memory straight continuous / system clock 15.0ms / Threadprio RealTime / Playerprio Low / CPU scheme 3-5 / 16x Arc Prediction / Peak Extend off / Phase alignment off / Phase off / XTweaks : Balanced Load 35 / Nervous Rate 10 (or15) / Cool when Idle n/a / Provide Stable Power 0 / Utilize Cores always 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability On => Lush USB cable => modified NOS1 USB DAC => no pre amp => Orelo active horn loudspeakers with modified bass channel DSPs.
Music server: X99, Xeon 28 thread PC.
System power two 3kva balanced tranformers with dedicated earth spur.
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Nick
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« Reply #23 on: September 13, 2013, 01:55:54 am » |
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Wow... The description that you give about the Adnaco with the modified USB board have me very interested If I was to get it again, is that modification complicated for a non DIYer like me ? Alain It's not difficult to tweak the SB3, but please let me do a little more work a/b ing with the standard usb setup and possibly get someone else to take a listen before you invest again. I would like to be absolutely sure the the effects are all good Nick |
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Audio PC
C621 motherboard, Xeon 40 thread CPU.
w10 14393 RAM OS => XX V2.10 / adaptive mode / XX buffer 4096 / NOS USB driver v 1.02 buffer 16ms / Q1,2,3,4,5 = 10,-,1,1,1 / xQ1 =15 / unattended / SFS 0.69Mb / memory straight continuous / system clock 15.0ms / Threadprio RealTime / Playerprio Low / CPU scheme 3-5 / 16x Arc Prediction / Peak Extend off / Phase alignment off / Phase off / XTweaks : Balanced Load 35 / Nervous Rate 10 (or15) / Cool when Idle n/a / Provide Stable Power 0 / Utilize Cores always 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability On => Lush USB cable => modified NOS1 USB DAC => no pre amp => Orelo active horn loudspeakers with modified bass channel DSPs.
Music server: X99, Xeon 28 thread PC.
System power two 3kva balanced tranformers with dedicated earth spur.
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AlainGr
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« Reply #24 on: September 13, 2013, 02:29:19 am » |
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Nick, Your advice makes plenty of sense. I will wait for the results of course. I hope you and Paul will find the bright side of the force Regards, Alain |
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Desktop with ASUS Sabertooth X79 motherboard,Intel 3930k 6 cores (+ 6) at 1.2 GHZ,32GB ram 1333Mhz,Win 10 pro build 14386 64 bit with no updates,OS + XXHE on external Sata III SSD (Esata), music (WAV) on external 5200 rpm drive through network, OS MInimized, XX with engine 4 adaptive,4096 (buffer size), CPU with scheme 3,Player = Low,Thread = RealTime, Q1 = 14,Q345 = 1,1,1,Q1x=1,Clock res = (variable),Stop Desktop Services,Stop Remaining Services,Stop Wasapi,,LAN on,persist = on,all OSD off,SFS = 2,PE off,PA off, Arc Prediction,x16 Upsample, Straight Contiguous,Lush USB cable,Phasure NOS1a DAC,Meitner PA-6 preamp, Spectral Audio DMA-180 Power Amp, Tannoy System 15 DMT II, Tannoy St-100 supertweeters, Tannoy TS2.12 subwoofers (2). * On hiatus for a while...
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Scroobius
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« Reply #25 on: September 13, 2013, 08:50:31 am » |
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Hi Nick,
Sounds interesting. I look forward to taking a listen and if you need me to "drop in" let me know. In my recent attempts to minimise noise in my system I disconnected the USB plug into NOS1 to see if noise was reduced but I could not hear any difference. This isolated the NOS1/amp grounds (which are connected together) from the PE connection in the USB shield. Of course that only covers in band noise it does not cover out of band noise which I know is what you have been measuring.
Nick are you doing your tests with a short fibre connection? and have you done enough yet to determine if the length of the fibre has an effect on SQ?
Paul
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621 Xeon 6120 LPS PC -> Xeon Scalable 16/32 core with Hyperthreading On (all cores active) @~660MHz, 48GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/1/1/1/ Q1Factor = 10 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 15ms / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = 0.69 (max 140.19) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / Stop Desktop, Remaining, WASAPI and W10 services / Use Remote Desktop / Keep LAN - Off / WallPaper Off/ OSD Off (!) / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = 35 / Nervous Rate = 10 / Cool when Idle = n.a / Provide Stable Power = 0 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability = Stable / *Arc Prediction Filtering (16x)* / Always Clear Proxy before Playback = On -> USB3 from MoBo -> Lush^2*A:B-W-Y-R, B:B-W-R* USB 1m00 -> Phisolator 24/768 Phasure NOS1a/G3 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (16ms) -> B'ASS Current Amplifier -> *Blaxius^2 A:B-R, B:B-R* Interlink -> Orelino Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers.
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Nick
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« Reply #26 on: September 13, 2013, 09:15:39 am » |
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Nick are you doing your tests with a short fibre connection? and have you done enough yet to determine if the length of the fibre has an effect on SQ?
Paul, Yes I have a 2m fibre cable now and it think it does help a little. The cable though is a hygene factor compared with the tweeks to the Anadco and the USB interface. Have sent you a mail. Regards, Nick. |
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Audio PC
C621 motherboard, Xeon 40 thread CPU.
w10 14393 RAM OS => XX V2.10 / adaptive mode / XX buffer 4096 / NOS USB driver v 1.02 buffer 16ms / Q1,2,3,4,5 = 10,-,1,1,1 / xQ1 =15 / unattended / SFS 0.69Mb / memory straight continuous / system clock 15.0ms / Threadprio RealTime / Playerprio Low / CPU scheme 3-5 / 16x Arc Prediction / Peak Extend off / Phase alignment off / Phase off / XTweaks : Balanced Load 35 / Nervous Rate 10 (or15) / Cool when Idle n/a / Provide Stable Power 0 / Utilize Cores always 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability On => Lush USB cable => modified NOS1 USB DAC => no pre amp => Orelo active horn loudspeakers with modified bass channel DSPs.
Music server: X99, Xeon 28 thread PC.
System power two 3kva balanced tranformers with dedicated earth spur.
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Nick
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« Reply #27 on: September 15, 2013, 09:29:54 pm » |
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Hi, I'v spent the best part of two days this weekend working on the NOS1 USB board with really super results. I am satisfied now with tweaks to this board so this afternoon was spent on the DAC pcb which gave up a really super tweak. I just need to tune the DAC board tweak a little more and it's done. Did i just say its done yes, the sound is THAT nice. I'll post on the results when I am comfortable with it all, to be honest it could be now but I know there is a little more to come. This is all the Anadco card needs to elevate its performance. The caps are 33uf black gate n types. They are possible a little larger than needed but they were to hand and work very well. Nick. UPDATE 30.10.13
I have not been able to get the Anadco to equal or exceed the performance of a direct USB connection. See update posted here
http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=2640.msg28771#msg28771
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Audio PC
C621 motherboard, Xeon 40 thread CPU.
w10 14393 RAM OS => XX V2.10 / adaptive mode / XX buffer 4096 / NOS USB driver v 1.02 buffer 16ms / Q1,2,3,4,5 = 10,-,1,1,1 / xQ1 =15 / unattended / SFS 0.69Mb / memory straight continuous / system clock 15.0ms / Threadprio RealTime / Playerprio Low / CPU scheme 3-5 / 16x Arc Prediction / Peak Extend off / Phase alignment off / Phase off / XTweaks : Balanced Load 35 / Nervous Rate 10 (or15) / Cool when Idle n/a / Provide Stable Power 0 / Utilize Cores always 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability On => Lush USB cable => modified NOS1 USB DAC => no pre amp => Orelo active horn loudspeakers with modified bass channel DSPs.
Music server: X99, Xeon 28 thread PC.
System power two 3kva balanced tranformers with dedicated earth spur.
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CoenP
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« Reply #28 on: September 15, 2013, 09:58:25 pm » |
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Hi, I'v spent the best part of two days this weekend working on the NOS1 USB board with really super results. I am satisfied now with tweaks to this board so this afternoon was spent on the DAC pcb which gave up a really super tweak. I just need to tune the DAC board tweak a little more and it's done. Did i just say its done yes, the sound is THAT nice. I'll post on the results when I am comfortable with it all, to be honest it could be now but I know there is a little more to come. This is all the Anadco card needs to elevate its performance. The caps are 33uf black gate n types. They are possible a little larger than needed but they were to hand and work very well. Nick. Hi Nick, You are familiar with the 300 hour burn in of Black Gates? Between start and burned-in they can make a system sound like cr*p. Just want to warn you that the results can change over time and not for the better. It is all about patience in this case like with the NOS1, in the end you will be rewarded! Regards, Coen |
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Settings: Qn: , SFS: , timeres: XT tweaks: , buf: 4096, driver: 8 ms,
Audio PC (jan 19): XXHE PC v1 with RAMdisk w.o. videocard and 1 of 2 cpu fans + BRIX/USB3 storage musicserver. ETN to Fibre converters (linear supplies), 500m SFP modules & 5m OM4 cable. Power cable PE not connected, together with nos1 and poweramp in separate "audio" powerstrip.
Clarixa set + Intona (or Lush 1m), Phasure NOS1a-75B G3 USB (buf 16 ms)-> Blaxius ->SE EL95 (0,8W triode) + cheap link to Abaqus 300W plateamps> Bastanis cable-> Bastanis Sagarmatha Duo ("DIY").
[other sources: TD124/3009SII-i/Grace F9/lounge LCR phono; Rega Planet 1997 vintage]
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Nick
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« Reply #29 on: September 15, 2013, 10:23:16 pm » |
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Coen hi, Yes i'm with you, the cap used are recovered from other old projects where they had been run in. However they have not been used for a year or three so they will need a long bun in again. The nice thing is that hopefully the sound should improve Cheers, Nick. |
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Audio PC
C621 motherboard, Xeon 40 thread CPU.
w10 14393 RAM OS => XX V2.10 / adaptive mode / XX buffer 4096 / NOS USB driver v 1.02 buffer 16ms / Q1,2,3,4,5 = 10,-,1,1,1 / xQ1 =15 / unattended / SFS 0.69Mb / memory straight continuous / system clock 15.0ms / Threadprio RealTime / Playerprio Low / CPU scheme 3-5 / 16x Arc Prediction / Peak Extend off / Phase alignment off / Phase off / XTweaks : Balanced Load 35 / Nervous Rate 10 (or15) / Cool when Idle n/a / Provide Stable Power 0 / Utilize Cores always 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability On => Lush USB cable => modified NOS1 USB DAC => no pre amp => Orelo active horn loudspeakers with modified bass channel DSPs.
Music server: X99, Xeon 28 thread PC.
System power two 3kva balanced tranformers with dedicated earth spur.
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