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Author Topic: Does Improving PC PSU and Reducing PC EMI/RFI Improve SQ?  (Read 208239 times)
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Telstar
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« Reply #30 on: November 03, 2009, 11:24:03 pm »


THIS IS GREAT

Good bye to that Magma stuff which for functionality is the best out there, but this just equals it (did you see the laptop card ?).

If this existed 6 months ago I'll eat some ties.
But about that ... I can't even find it back when going through their products ...

Ok, you can be sure I'll get me one of these and measure noise and everything. Will try some good power supplies as well. You might want to wait for the results.

David, thanks man.

I dont get which benefit this gives over a computer with no moving parts and which draw not much power.
I haven't done comparisons and i think i never will since my next soundcard will be firewire.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2009, 11:51:04 pm by PeterSt » Logged

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« Reply #31 on: November 04, 2009, 09:58:53 am »

Hi Gerard,

The ASUS card is meant to be used through its analog outputs. By tossing the opamps you can modify its sound to your own taste if you think you should do so! The same with the opamp of the headphone-amp. The link of the card you name is about the Essence STX. The latest and the most interesting card is the Xonar Essence ST. So without the X! The STX is a pci-e card while the ST is the classic pci. It is a better way because it doesnot need the pci-e to pci conversion. Besides Asus claims to use a specially developped circuit to bring down RFI to a lower level. In the ST. which is intoduced in europe round Juli. (STX earlier in the year round Jan) Maybe the ST is not yet on the shelves in the US.
Btw. the ADconverter is NOT the Cirrus Logic cs5361, but it's better brother the CS 5381. So analog recording is in good hands too.

I must say the thing sounds really good in its stock outfit. Its up to you!
I myself changed my complete powersupply for for a big 60amps battery. The best way is to bring in the and 12Volts seperately on the Molex-plug. However there still was an SQ improvement by feeding the whole computer with the battery. Only my cumputer including the card draws about 2 3/4Amps!. I just use a two-position powerswitch which switches the powerline between off/charging and not charging/on. So I can play about the hole day uninterrupted if I like, and charge overnight with a little automatic 2,5Amps wallwartcharger.
Watch out that the voltage of the battery doesn't drop under the 11,2 Volts or so. Doede Douma (dddac.de) has a very simple device to control this.

Fun,

Ed

Hey Ed,

Thanx for the reply.... Hmmmm a battery for the pc that sounds interesting..... Happy

grtz Gerard....
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Januari 2017 XX 2.05
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16GB, *Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0* *from RAM*, music on music server / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/1/1/1 / Q1Factor = 1 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 1ms / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = *0.10*  (max 60) / 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) / All Services Off / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD On / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *43* / Nervous Rate = 1 / Cool when Idle = 1 / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Not the best (OS from RAM issue) / Time Stability = Off (OS from RAM issue) / Custom Filter Mid 705600 / -> USB3 (Silverstone both sides isolated = Sw#3 of NOS1a = Up) -> *Clairixa USB 15cm* -> Intona Isolator -> Clairixa USB 0.70m -> 24/768 Phasure NOS1a 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (4ms) -> Blaxius BNC interlink ->> Metrum Amps ->> Metrum Acoustics ESL Open Baffle.
PeterSt
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« Reply #32 on: November 04, 2009, 12:17:32 pm »

I dont get which benefit this gives over a computer with no moving parts and which draw not much power.
I haven't done comparisons and i think i never will since my next soundcard will be firewire.

Ah, but you will (see the benefits). YMMV a bit though, as my audio PC holds 8 disks SATAII connected. They move ...

But, all depends on the EMI/RFI springing from this separate PCI bus in relation to what comes from a complete mobo. And I don't know that yet.
Also, all is related to as how I have it right now, and this is the interface right in the PC box. I have no complaints whatsoever BUT there are other constraints doing it this way !

Just think about those ...
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XXHighEnd Mach III Stealth LPS PC -> Xeon Scalable 14/28 core with Hyperthreading On (set to 14/28 cores in BIOS and set to 10/20 cores via Boot Menu) @~660MHz, 48GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/0/0/*1*/ Q1Factor = *4* / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = *10ms* / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = *10.13*  (max 10.13) / 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 - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD Off (!) / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *62* / Nervous Rate = *1* / Cool when Idle = n.a / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability = Stable / Custom Filtering *Low* (16x) / Always Clear Proxy before Playback = On -> USB3 from MoBo -> Lush^3
A: W-Y-R-G, B: *W-G* USB 1m00 -> Phisolator 24/768 Phasure NOS1a/G3 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (16ms) -> B'ASS Current Amplifier -> Blaxius*^2.5* A:B-G, B:B-G Interlink -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers. ET^2 Ethernet from Mach III to Music Server PC (RDC Control).
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere (also from the PC).

For a general PC :
W10-10586.0 - May 2016 (2.05+)
*XXHighEnd PC -> I7 3930k with Hyperthreading On (12 cores)* @~500MHz, 16GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 10586.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/1/1/1 / Q1Factor = 1 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 1ms / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = 0.10  (max 60) / 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) / All Services Off / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD On / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *43* / Nervous Rate = 1 / Cool when Idle = 1 / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = *Optimal* / Time Stability = *Stable* / Custom Filter *Low* 705600 / -> USB3 *from MoBo* -> Clairixa USB 15cm -> Intona Isolator -> Clairixa USB 1m80 -> 24/768 Phasure NOS1a 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (4ms) -> Blaxius BNC interlink *-> B'ASS Current Amplifier /w Level4 -> Blaxius Interlink* -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers.
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere.

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GerardA
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« Reply #33 on: November 04, 2009, 01:11:41 pm »

Peter,
Quote
but today I'm using a PCI card just the same because net it works out the best.
What kind/type of PC-card may that be?
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PeterSt
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« Reply #34 on: November 04, 2009, 01:29:41 pm »

Not PC card, PCI card.
But  I hope you will allow me not to eleborate on that, because it's not related to the card or brand itself. It is a tweaked thing though, and because of that suffices my needs. It would be useless to you.

secret
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For the Stealth III LPS PC :
W10-14393.0 - July 17, 2021 (2.11)
XXHighEnd Mach III Stealth LPS PC -> Xeon Scalable 14/28 core with Hyperthreading On (set to 14/28 cores in BIOS and set to 10/20 cores via Boot Menu) @~660MHz, 48GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/0/0/*1*/ Q1Factor = *4* / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = *10ms* / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = *10.13*  (max 10.13) / 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 - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD Off (!) / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *62* / Nervous Rate = *1* / Cool when Idle = n.a / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability = Stable / Custom Filtering *Low* (16x) / Always Clear Proxy before Playback = On -> USB3 from MoBo -> Lush^3
A: W-Y-R-G, B: *W-G* USB 1m00 -> Phisolator 24/768 Phasure NOS1a/G3 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (16ms) -> B'ASS Current Amplifier -> Blaxius*^2.5* A:B-G, B:B-G Interlink -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers. ET^2 Ethernet from Mach III to Music Server PC (RDC Control).
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere (also from the PC).

For a general PC :
W10-10586.0 - May 2016 (2.05+)
*XXHighEnd PC -> I7 3930k with Hyperthreading On (12 cores)* @~500MHz, 16GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 10586.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/1/1/1 / Q1Factor = 1 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 1ms / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = 0.10  (max 60) / 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) / All Services Off / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD On / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *43* / Nervous Rate = 1 / Cool when Idle = 1 / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = *Optimal* / Time Stability = *Stable* / Custom Filter *Low* 705600 / -> USB3 *from MoBo* -> Clairixa USB 15cm -> Intona Isolator -> Clairixa USB 1m80 -> 24/768 Phasure NOS1a 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (4ms) -> Blaxius BNC interlink *-> B'ASS Current Amplifier /w Level4 -> Blaxius Interlink* -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers.
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere.

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GerardA
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« Reply #35 on: November 04, 2009, 01:45:00 pm »

Haha, I'm behind the new developments, all my PCI-cards are PC-cards.
I'll try to put them outside the box too! Just soldering some wires from the card to the connector will do it?
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earflappin
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« Reply #36 on: November 05, 2009, 04:21:52 am »

Thanks for everyone's posts.  Let me try to summarize the input so far:

PC Power Supply - Anecdotal evidence that:
+ Gigabyte mobo provides better SQ than others due to better power regulation.
+ Using a battery power supply improves SQ; presumably versus using a standard switch mode PSU plugged into the wall?  Might a similar improvement been achieved by plugging the PC into a power conditioning device?
I've observed SQ improvements by plugging my Zalman PC and Berkeley Alpha DAC into a PurePower APS regenerative PSU versus a normal wall outlet.

PC RFI/EMI Suppression - No one reported they had experience with improving SQ using shielding inside the PC.

I'm going to change out my Asus mobo with a Gigabye and am experimenting with using ERS cloth inside my Zalman PC - I'll report back my experience.  Also, Peter said he was going to buy the StarTech PCI expansion chassis to remote mount his PCI card (which should reduce EMI/RFI impacts) and experiment with power supplies as well.  I think we are all very interested in Peter's findings. 
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« Reply #37 on: November 05, 2009, 04:10:12 pm »

I came across an article yesterday called Do I Need 32-Phase Power On My Motherboard?? It mentions two things of relevance to audio. First, more phases result in a lower noise power supply. Second, 2 oz of copper on the motherboard (like the Gigabyte motherboards) will "will dissipate more heat and lead to lower electrical noise."
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earflappin
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« Reply #38 on: November 05, 2009, 06:13:31 pm »

Mojave, thanks for the article link.  I'll read through it.  As I mentioned, intuitively, I understand why better better PSU's generally lead to better SQ in analog components, but I don't quite get how this carries over into the world of digital.  Can you explain in lay terms why, for example, the Gigabyte mobo would lead to better SQ?  And do you have personal experience of comparing the Gigabyte mobo to others?  Thanks.
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« Reply #39 on: November 05, 2009, 10:40:16 pm »

Can you explain in lay terms why, for example, the Gigabyte mobo would lead to better SQ? 

Perhaps I forgot to mention; I use an internal sound card, and this is consequently very sensitive to the power supplied to it by the motherboard. I had a very nice experience with the new Gigabyte model, that's why I mentioned it.
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« Reply #40 on: November 05, 2009, 11:29:21 pm »

Fidelio, what sound card do you use and what mobo did you have before switching to the Gigabyte?  Thanks!
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« Reply #41 on: November 05, 2009, 11:41:17 pm »

The sound card is in my sig, an Onkyo Wavio SE-90 PCI. Great, great, proper card with 2 channel only, RCA outs.

With XXHE, it whoops £2000 cd players.

I had an Abit AX78 before the Gigabyte, and an MSI Neo4 before that, and a ECS nForce3 939 before that. Now I have a Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3.


* SE90PCI.jpg (60.08 KB, 500x500 - viewed 3078 times.)
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« Reply #42 on: November 06, 2009, 12:36:16 am »

Thanks Fidelio.  Very helpful information.  I'm going to get a Gigabyte mobo to replace my Asus and see what kind of improvements that gives me. 
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« Reply #43 on: November 06, 2009, 12:59:35 am »

Watch out earflappin,

Difference between mini-ATX and ATX boards.
It maybe won't fit your zalman,

If it all works out, we are very happy to hear the results, try to get used to it how it sound right now.
Switching back and forth, can be difficult, as you are aware of.

Roy
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« Reply #44 on: November 06, 2009, 01:19:16 am »

oh,

btw earflappin, how did you connect your Toshiba Netbook with Remote Desktop Connection
to your zalman music server by cable or network or WiFi??
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