XXHighEnd settings for the NOS1a

[JohanZ]

Hi Brian,

And this is all with Windows 7?

Regards Johan

[boleary]

Yes-W7.

[hvdh]

Me Too

[PeterSt]

Brian : Although I have never tried exactly *that*, I can imagine that W7 is more prone to SQ differences by these means in the first place. But I didn't know it (from the "a" I mean). So, interesting.

[PeterSt]

I never use the internet from this machine, but obviously it is connected to the router, and thus only protected by the firewall.

Depends on what we call "obviously". I mean, I don't. But it may depend on what you want. My situation :

Tablet -> WiFi -> Router -> LAN Cable -> Music Server (means : contains the music data).
Now careful :
Music Server -> LAN Cable -> Audio PC.

The above is the physical connection. Now the functional one :

Tablet(RDC) <-> Music Server (RDC) <-> Audio PC.
So Tablet controls the Audio PC via the Music Server.

No Audio PC is connected to the Internet here. Only to the Music Server.
The Music Server *is* connected to the Internet, but only because that is convenient for me. So if I detach the (in my case) ADSL cable from it, no internet but still all the required connections for audio.

Peter

[PeterSt]

Brian, something else :

Did you actually apply this : XXHighEnd settings for the NOS1a ?
I'm asking, because without applying that (sequence) nothing works in MinOS for what you want with it.

Peter

[boleary]

Will give that sequence a try. Thanks!

[Dantana]

Well I'd have to disagree with the idea that XX settings don't make much of a difference. On the first day I received my "a" upgrade, I applied Peters settings above. The sound was a bit strange and, accounting for break in, I immediately reapplied my settings below and the sound was much better, but still things in the DAC needed to have some burn in time. After 10 plus days of 24/7 burn in time, it's clear to me that SFS and Clock resolution settings still make significant differences in my system (this is without any clock upgrade in the PC) I think the most significant change comes with the clock resolution. Before my "a" upgrade I had to set the clock res to 15. Going lower just made the sound too harsh. Now I've found the best setting to be 1, just the opposite from before. If I now set it at 15 the sound becomes noticeably grey. If I go to .5 it becomes noticeably harsh. Though not as dramatic a change, I find that a SFS of .4 works best for me. If I go to 20 or 60 SFS the sound gets too rounded and when I go below .4 it gets too harsh. The changes with SFS are certainly much more subtle than they were before the "a" upgrade but they are definitely there.

I haven't sorted out all the settings but using my settings below I'm currently totally amazed at the level of SQ I'm getting.

Hi,

  I just received my upgraded NOS 1a and running-in for about a week now.

  Must really thank Peter and Ciska for the excellent job and service.

  Initially, I tried Peter's suggested XX settings, with my Bios settings also as per what Peter had recommended. The music was really good, much improved than before the upgrade.

  But I reverted to my previous XX settings, albeit with minor adjustments, and have to agree that even after the upgrade, they do make a difference to SQ. Current settings are denoted in my signature.

  Maybe it is placebo effect. But to me, the improvements I noticed are:

1. Lower noise-floor. Musical notes are even better separated. And there's more air and plenty of spatial information.

2. I can hear more details. Bass details are better defined, less muddled.

3. Better dynamics. Music is now more charged and lifelike.

Best regards.

Daniel

[Stanray]

I never use the internet from this machine, but obviously it is connected to the router, and thus only protected by the firewall.

Depends on what we call "obviously". I mean, I don't. But it may depend on what you want. My situation :

Tablet -> WiFi -> Router -> LAN Cable -> Music Server (means : contains the music data).
Now careful :
Music Server -> LAN Cable -> Audio PC.

The above is the physical connection. Now the functional one :

Tablet(RDC) <-> Music Server (RDC) <-> Audio PC.
So Tablet controls the Audio PC via the Music Server.

No Audio PC is connected to the Internet here. Only to the Music Server.
The Music Server *is* connected to the Internet, but only because that is convenient for me. So if I detach the (in my case) ADSL cable from it, no internet but still all the required connections for audio.

Peter

 

So this "music server" needs 2 LAN ports and therefore can't be my old lappie?

Am I correct?

Regards,
Stanley

[christoffe]

So this "music server" needs 2 LAN ports and therefore can't be my old lappie?

Am I correct?

Regards,
Stanley

Hi,

if you have a free USB port you can use an adapter.

http://www.advancetec.co.uk/edimax-eu-4208-usb-2-0-to-fast-10-100-ethernet-adapter-perfect-for-ultrabooks-pc-mac.html

Joachim

[manisandher]

Now the functional [connection] :

Tablet(RDC) <-> Music Server (RDC) <-> Audio PC

[Highlight mine]

I've always wanted to do this. Is the procedure as simple as getting a crossover ethernet cable and then doing this: http://www.wikihow.com/Connect-Two-Computers-Together-with-an-Ethernet-Cable ?

Mani.

[acg]

Now the functional [connection] :

Tablet(RDC) <-> Music Server (RDC) <-> Audio PC

[Highlight mine]

I've always wanted to do this. Is the procedure as simple as getting a crossover ethernet cable and then doing this: http://www.wikihow.com/Connect-Two-Computers-Together-with-an-Ethernet-Cable ?

Mani.

I doubt you will even need the crossover cable Mani, just a normal one should be fine with modern ethernet controllers.

[CoenP]

Yep, The magic word is "gigabit" Ethernet. Most recent mobos have these controllers on board.

Note that both pcs must have this kind of hardware support (or maybe not as I think of it).

Regards, Coen

[PeterSt]

So this "music server" needs 2 LAN ports and therefore can't be my old lappie?

Am I correct?

Stanley, essentially Yes. But then of course you can use the LAN cable to connect to the Audio PC directly (better think like connecting the Audio PC to the Laptop = your Music Server for easier functional thinking) - and use WiFi for connecting to the router (with WiFi capabilities).

OK, getting dizzy of it myself. Better make such small schematics yourself, so I can see what the full picture is. So notice that your case seems to imply a laptop as "Control PC", that also containing/providing  the music, but which connects to the Audio PC via LAN cable. Can be of course, but why to have the next LAN cable then ? Internet ? so then counts what I said : do that through WiFi (from the laptop).

Peter

[hvdh]

Hi Peter,

So I could basically buy one of these:
http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/268169/icidu-gigabit-pci-card.html

and connect the audio pc to the control pc directly instead of the router.

It's just that I feel that this still doesn't really answer my initial question... The audio pc will still be used as administrator, without virus scanner, and without UAC. And it will still be connected to the same network, right? So I have the feeling that even if I do this, it won't be too difficult to get infected by anything without even noticing (initially) Or am I wrong here?

But I have no idea if this concern is valid. Does the firewall give me sufficient protection if I don't use the internet from the audio pc???