Which advice of aangen are you referring to in regards to the “free Finalizer?” Sorry…not following…
Yes I did. Aangen mentioned the free software tool named “Fidelizer” which can be used in windows NUC computers to turn of all unnecessary windows tools to optimize audio output. I think it works very fine for me, improving SQ considerably. http://www.fidelizer-audio.com
Did you find the upsampling algorithms by HQPLayer to be better than what Ted is using in the DS? Could you compare them?
Thanks for the explanation, berlin. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something. I’m using a SOtM SMS-200 streamer, so if I make the upgrade to the Matrix the fidelizer won’t be necessary for me. I too have been reading through the majority of the posts in this thread and it’s been very helpful and a learning experience. Just want to make sure I follow the correct-ish (subjective) upgrade path.
Ha ha! Although you will skip the Fidelizer, we can be pretty sure that even after the Matrix there will be plenty of opportunities left to extend upgrade option further. Enjoy. Your last shirt has no pockets.
My sales guy (who I respect) at the Cable Company was encouraging me to try a very expensive PC system that is designed just for audio. He told me how the people who make the system do extensive work to the Win 10 Pro OS on the system and get it down to bare essentials and the most excellent sound possible. I looked at pictures of the inside of the system and recognized all the hardware in inside. (I have been building PCs for many years) So when I read about Fidelizer I was hoping it could do for my well thought out PC what the System maker did for his. I was more than a little impressed with the sound I got using Fidelizer. The way I see it, it saved me over $7K in what the server would have cost. It would be cool to have the server, but I am happier with the $7k.
A few days ago I went ahead and got the silver power cable for the Uptone LPS 1.2, and man that changes the sound quite a bit. The quality and resolution are definitely better, but it is really bright, especially the “air band” frequencies this metallic brilliance. With the Wireworld Cables I now have a very BRIGHT and airy system. The Focal tweeters probably don’t help. Just a couple weeks I was worried it was sounding too dull.
So are you on free fidelizer or pay? I’ve been thinking about doing this
Awesome. My Matrix X-spdif arrived the same day my Bridge II sold!
I am still just using the free version. I intend to pay for the upgrade version but I have been way too busy acquiring hardware.
You could avoid all of this expensive PC stuff if you used a modest dedicated server like a sonicTransporter i5 and and endpoint like an ultraRendu. With a server/Ethernet/endpoint configuration the server noise does not matter.
My setup uses Roon and HQPlayer Embedded on a sonicTransporter i5 going over Ethernet to an ultraRendu running NAA (USB) to the Matrix X-SPDIF then out via I2S to my DirectStream. The sound is phenomenal.
My jaw is already planted on the floor. I picked up a new pair of Wilson Yvette speakers last week. I think I have them dialed in position-wise. I am thinking I may be able to go a few weeks before I “need” something new. In the past two months I added a DSD Sr., a P20, and now the Wilsons. I have a MicroRendu, it seems okay. Probably nowhere near as good as the Ultra. I’m good for now, thanks!
The microRendu is great too. If you are using that, you don’t need to anything special on whatever system is serving it. Ethernet provides isolation from the noise on the server.
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Is it normal that the Matrix X-spdif didn’t come supplied with a power supply of any type??
Right, no PSU included.
I would recommend using an audiophile power supply anyway.
I have an Uptone linear power supply that I use to power my Mac Mini music server. I have a cable in transit now for the Matrix!
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Hope it sounds better with burn in and power supply. As of right now the LanRover with IFI USB ISO kicks it’s ass
How should I have the switches set up on the bottom?
Default is what I use.