Clairixa USB

[PeterSt]

Yes the ticking went away after I took out the resampling of x16; however thinking about it now I am going to try values from x1 to x16.

Alan, yes, I understood that. But while engaging that "Optimum" setting should not imply ticking (though I guess it can) when going back to the "mid" value of that, all should be back to normal. So something has to be seriously wrong in the first place (now).
So yes, please open a topic for that if you can't get back to normal any more.

Thanks !
Peter

[vrao]

Hi,

Update on my side.

I was waiting for newer filter, maybe what Peter had was better for the Clarixia?!

Clarixia is no longer playing in the system. I'm exclusively using AQvox for the last few weeks after my initial report. I A-B ed more extensively, and found AQvox to be more "natural" sounding. Better soundstage, smoother (natural) presentation. AQvox has been the best overall cable I've tried so far with the present version of the XXHE I'm using.

VJ

[PeterSt]

I was waiting for newer filter, maybe what Peter had was better for the Clarixia?!

VJ, did you try that Custom filter with it ?
(I don't recall that we talked about this so I am not sure where your text (quote) springs from - or maybe we did talk about it)

Peter

[vrao]

Hi Peter,
I believe so ...
 

[michaeljeger]

This is going to be a very different review of the Clairixa Cable.

So basically..... hooked it up...... let it run for 4 hours without listening to it.

Well, after the second song I listened to it.... I peed in my pants.....

What a difference to my old cable!!

Listening as I write.....

[boleary]

I wonder if beyond a certain point, what is "too much" with a component (or an accessory) will be tamed or emphasized with other components (and accessories)... It seems logical to me to assess that some cables (or components) may "filter" in a way or another and that determines the different results that each of us hear...

Alain's quote, above, made me think about the footers I use under my NOS1a: Daruma 3II isolation bearings. (see: http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue1/daruma.htm) These footers consist of a stainless steel bearing sandwiched between two aluminum cups. The company doesn't exist anymore. If I recall correctly, there has been some discussion in this forum that "hard" or metal footers under the NOS1 provide a more focused but sharper sound, while softer material, provides a less sharp sound. Shouldn't we include the type of footer used under the NOS1a when describing the sound of a particular usb cable? Perhaps the ultra focused sound of the footers I use in combination with the Clairixa is too much "clarity", but paired with the softer sounding YFS cable, I achieved a "just right" synergy? Geeze,
more testing to do!

Brian

[Arjan]

Hi Brian,

Might be a good suggestion. I complained about to much (upper) bass.

I use bearing footer / ikea bamboo / bicycle tube. The softness of the tube has a lot of influence on the (upper) bass.

regards, Arjan

[christoffe]

.... provides a less sharp sound.

Hi Brian,

your very low SFS = *.4* has a tendency to a sharpness with some cables too. I increased the SFS therefore up to 2.

Joachim

[michaeljeger]

The sound with the new USB Cable seems now perfect.

I think the mids are also more balanced.

Wider soundstage.

A new level of realism.

I am also sure some mild distortions in the mids are now gone.

WOW, just WOW.

[PeterSt]

Hi Clairixa owners,

The past two days I wasn't satisfied with my sound at all.
But what did I change ?

Working on the new version of XXHighEnd I got the CoverArt working under Windows 8 and the situation "Keep LAN - Not Persist". Together with that the "Stop Remaining Services". Now please notice :

Since the NOS1a I did not stop the Remaining Services and I also kept the LAN running. This because of
a. It shouldn't make a difference anyway (and I didn't notice any);
b. I wanted the Coverart working which otherwise would not (Unattended).

Right after I got this working day before yesterday ... no music. Too thin, not enough colour in the cymbals and such. Again back to the beginning of Windows 8 days, as it seemed (when playing in Normal OS Mode could sound better).

Yesterday I sustained these settings, thinking it could be me. But no happiness.
Then tonight I dared changed back to the settings I am using for almost a year now.
And all sounds again as what I was used to since, well, the Clairixa.

So this must be related I think. And now I wonder ...
Do people use the Clairixa with all those services shut off ? If so, maybe try without that. So like in my case :

Windows 8;
Minimized OS;
Stop Desktop Services;
Stop WASAPI Services;
Keep LAN Services - Persistent;
(and I have set Use Remote Desktop - just because I do;
Unattended.

I think it makes a huge difference ...

Peter

Edit :
PS: Just change those sesttings while being in Minimized OS. So assumed you booted (ever) into MinOS with all shut off, just switch it on without leaving MinOS or rebooting.

[Arjan]

Hi Peter,

I am one of these people....

MinOS is a must. But all service ON is better. Thank you!
Seems more energy and slightly larger image.

Tried it first without MinOS, but that makes the lows worse and less 3D.

Regards, Arjan

[AlainGr]

For the moment I have removed the Clairixa from my system and put back the Clearlink Plus USB cable that I had previously... The reason is that I find the Clairixa a little too accurate, up to the point that I find the sound "bright". If there is one thing that Clairixa brings, it would be that it may point to some flaws in my system and I need to address this.

I will of course try it again in a comparison with the Clearlink but I will also have to take care of other aspects of my installation...

There comes a point where details are so important that the least flaw will be very revealing and one needs to redo his homeworks...

Alain

[PeterSt]

The past two days I wasn't satisfied with my sound at all.
But what did I change ?

Well, stupid me changed something else as well at the same day, but I didn't realize that;

After a "fight" of  week and thinking that my Clairixa had a burn-out or something, day before yesterdat I found what I did elsewhere and yesterday that was undone. What a relief.

Btw, what I changed is unimportant. But with that undone, to my belief the sound is better now with the LAN off. But this is after one day of listening only and a reference of more than a week old, so maybe I'm dreaming. Also it is not the most important. The fact that I said something wrong, is. Sorry about that.

Peter

[JohanZ]

Peter,
The other settings remain as you suggested?
Minimized OS;
Stop Desktop Services;
Stop WASAPI Services;
Keep LAN Services - Persistent; off
(and I have set Use Remote Desktop - just because I do;
Unattended.
Johan

[PeterSt]

Hi Johan,

Now I am not sure what you are referring to. I mean, "remain as suggested" for what purpose ?

But assumed that you want the list for the best SQ and what I am listening to at this moment, then it is this :

Minimized OS;
Stop Desktop Services;
Stop Remaining Services;
Stop WASAPI Services;
Keep LAN Services - Persistent Off;
(and I have set Use Remote Desktop - just because I do;
Unattended.

... but don't ask me how moot this is or what does and does not (really) work because my version is a little different.
The least you will see is that the Wallpaper Coverart does not work (Windows 8 for sure).

It is better to state that nothing changed (see link in my sig), already because I listened to this for 1 day only.
But you can soon yourself (with full functionality).

Regards,
Peter


PS: The boot into MinOS, for me, was via the link in my Sig anyway. So after that I apply the list above. And at least with the "Persistent" setting I had to change something for that, and you won't have that.