tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31056779364945363512024-03-21T17:51:18.005-07:00grizzlyaudioGrizzlyAudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03327735991525821713noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-65034397265883969972015-08-30T01:56:00.004-07:002015-09-04T18:54:56.435-07:00cMP2 = cMP + cPlay The start of high end PC audio? <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Achieving audio nirvana using a PC transport has long been the audiophile dream. One of the earliest software initiatives to achieve high quality rendering on a PC transport was cMP2 = cMP + cPlay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cMP2 had what I would consider a cult following </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">which started around 2008. cMP2 provided fairly novice PC audio buffs with a rendering package that really stood head and shoulders above everything else available at that time. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing could really rival the sound quality cMP2 was providing with its combined software and hardware computer transport solution. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now for those PC audiophiles that have been wrapped up in the world of Foobar2000 or Jplay, its possible you may have never heard of/or tried cMP2. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>So a quick overview is in order. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><a href="http://www.cicsmemoryplayer.com/" target="_blank">cMP2 cPlay website</a> describes how to build and configure a PC music player & PC transport costing around $1,000 (In 2008 dollars) that exceeds the performance of the very best CD transports at that time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;">A promise of a PC spdif output with less than </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cicsmemoryplayer.com/index.php?n=CPlay.Measurements" target="_blank">50pico seconds of jitter</a>.... was considered vastly better than its competitors or mainstream digital sources such as the Logitech squeezebox which was around at the same time. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only draw back was the PC configuration, optimisations & modifications both hardware and software which were required to assist cMP2 to perform at its audiophile best. </span><a href="http://www.cicsmemoryplayer.com/index.php?n=CMP.07Optimisations" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">cMP2 optimisation guide</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cMP2 website is fantastic and very comprehensive. The website provides </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">all the FAQ's and how to guides you will need. There's definitely no point covering the same detail here when its already so eloquently presented on the cMP2 website. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just beware cMP2 is for computer audiophiles with a decent grasp of computing and Windows XP/7 OS knowledge. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTOCYGbVehKc9mIk9QCrtzM-_e0TigG9bH_GQD00mmFCtoRIhdKO_HDs9FYv-GyC_F2OLA2feNjA5ecfCXmRyOXPr3Bn_oL5Ks8X36XaPsVEqPP4GGdsNtOzfh6MTze26spdWF4MSbNRB/s1600/webiste+cut+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CMP2 cplay cmp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTOCYGbVehKc9mIk9QCrtzM-_e0TigG9bH_GQD00mmFCtoRIhdKO_HDs9FYv-GyC_F2OLA2feNjA5ecfCXmRyOXPr3Bn_oL5Ks8X36XaPsVEqPP4GGdsNtOzfh6MTze26spdWF4MSbNRB/s640/webiste+cut+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="CMP2 cplay cmp - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Software Specs</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lets have a look at the software specs (Taken from cMP2 website). </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Playback, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">S</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tereo only</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WAV (16, 24, 32 PCM; 32 float)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FLAC (16, 24, 32 PCM)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>DSP Design</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">28 bit processing </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(SIMD & streaming used)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Multi-threaded </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(event driven architecture)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Multi-core </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(semaphores at hardware level)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upsampler/Resampler</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Bandlimited Interpolation via</i> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"libsamplerate-0.1.5 (SRC)" [*1] o</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">r (145db/121db SNR selectable)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (154db/120db rejection)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Multi-Stage Interpolation via</i> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"SoX-14.2.0" (VHQ/HQ selectable) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (175db/125db rejection) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(clipping, if needed, done after </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">attenuation)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Attenuation </i> [-100.0,0.0] in 0.5db steps </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(53 bit resolution)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Balance Control </i>[-6.0,+6.0] in 0.1db steps L</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">eft(-ve), Right(+ve) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(53 bit resolution)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Polarity Phase 0/180 selectable</i> "in flight"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">VST Support VST 2.4.2, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Single low-latency plugin design, (</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2-in/max 8-out, 32 float, clipped)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Audio Output</i>, 32 bit </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ASIO 2.2 (and backward compatible) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please note </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">KS, DS, WASAPI are not supported</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Operating System</i> XP, Vista or Windows 7</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Minimum Processor</i>, "Pentium 4" type (SSE2) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(core iX 32nm recommended)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instruction Set, SSE2 (SSE4 recommended)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Minimum available RAM required</i>, 160MB</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Maximum available RAM used</i>, 1GB</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Maximum tracks in cue sheet,</i> 160 (including track splits)</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Operation </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Essentially cMP2 operates as a bootable and highly configured windows shell, which was highly optimised over 3 years for high quality audio playback and low resource usage. cMP2 optimises essential windows XP & 7 architecture, ready for cPlay (the player) to play your music files.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="CMP2 cplay cmp - grizzlyaudio" src="http://www.cicsmemoryplayer.com/uploads/11_settings.jpg" height="513" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CMP2 cplay cmp - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Picture from: cicsmemoryplayer.com</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A free downloadable copy of cMP2 & cPlay can be found here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><a href="http://www.cicsmemoryplayer.com/">http://www.cicsmemoryplayer.com/</a> </u></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cMP2 download</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aMnChI68sK5d8THXXpN-w4zHo5QNCJ0uaNR0pFUKFEl2JBviFJROopICFTLQBLAMTIg5ixYfUa33sOD1y4dSxs2pXitSvmIKG79-Xp4WLRSdRHrTzVVRZf4abZqhnvY3sMyrZMTW4dt1/s1600/cMP2+download+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CMP2 cplay cmp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aMnChI68sK5d8THXXpN-w4zHo5QNCJ0uaNR0pFUKFEl2JBviFJROopICFTLQBLAMTIg5ixYfUa33sOD1y4dSxs2pXitSvmIKG79-Xp4WLRSdRHrTzVVRZf4abZqhnvY3sMyrZMTW4dt1/s640/cMP2+download+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="CMP2 cplay cmp - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>cPlay download </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLFaEGZ9rWefpGdY0qQAFZ48LYdlCST-tTLM3AZD5STKaTWzHX8bvlMmO5VS50MwlrcM-bqDqtx2bRy0s9mdG3ITejjzNkA7804BT7gRyOgwXdMjKK4eZVKRmy3FGZyvay2UEcbDDkaHU/s1600/cplay+cpu+instruction+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CMP2 cplay cmp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLFaEGZ9rWefpGdY0qQAFZ48LYdlCST-tTLM3AZD5STKaTWzHX8bvlMmO5VS50MwlrcM-bqDqtx2bRy0s9mdG3ITejjzNkA7804BT7gRyOgwXdMjKK4eZVKRmy3FGZyvay2UEcbDDkaHU/s640/cplay+cpu+instruction+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="CMP2 cplay cmp - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember to download both cPlay and cMP...... you will need to download the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">correct cPlay instruction set for your CPU type, so pay attention here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As per the photo above suggests there are 4 possible instruction sets. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a class="urllink" href="http://www.cicsmemoryplayer.com/index.php?n=CPlay.Download?action=downloadman&upname=cPlay_2_0b39_sse2_setup.exe">cPlay_2_0b39_sse2_setup.exe</a> (1,371,724 bytes)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a class="urllink" href="http://www.cicsmemoryplayer.com/index.php?n=CPlay.Download?action=downloadman&upname=cPlay_2_0b39_sse3_setup.exe">cPlay_2_0b39_sse3_setup.exe</a> (1,376,619 bytes)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a class="urllink" href="http://www.cicsmemoryplayer.com/index.php?n=CPlay.Download?action=downloadman&upname=cPlay_2_0b39_ssse3_setup.exe">cPlay_2_0b39_ssse3_setup.exe</a> (1,377,266 bytes)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a class="urllink" href="http://www.cicsmemoryplayer.com/index.php?n=CPlay.Download?action=downloadman&upname=cPlay_2_0b39_sse4_setup.exe">cPlay_2_0b39_sse4_setup.exe</a> (1,378,532 bytes) <i>recommended</i></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>cPlay setup </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once installed, you should be presented with an interface similar to this. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply choose your Driver and output device. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can also select your preferred output rate and re-sampler</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> value. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once again I would suggest you mosey on across to the <a href="http://www.cicsmemoryplayer.com/index.php?n=CPlay.Guide" target="_blank">cMP2 website</a> which provides a very detailed setup and interface guide. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLILOckxbM9op9dlM-6TOzKuSybtpOpnewZNkJ9lkdFlLpepll0zZMymiwIdL5IeoSgixgGJ3O8MGnpeCNqOo8s2RfPCLqidJR6lPEAhQAZCZGB1aHW-Pd4uNxH3NehNkpc36ynEXC6u1H/s1600/cplay+setup+page+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CMP2 cplay cmp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLILOckxbM9op9dlM-6TOzKuSybtpOpnewZNkJ9lkdFlLpepll0zZMymiwIdL5IeoSgixgGJ3O8MGnpeCNqOo8s2RfPCLqidJR6lPEAhQAZCZGB1aHW-Pd4uNxH3NehNkpc36ynEXC6u1H/s640/cplay+setup+page+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="CMP2 cplay cmp - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>cPlay playback screen</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once setup is complete. Simply select and load the songs you wish to listen to by clicking on the folder icon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cPlay screen allows you to control. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Volume </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Track / Song selection</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Stop, play, pause, FF, RW </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Phase </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Left right speaker balance </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will note cPlay provides no support for album art. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNm-lcngpuOLgdAJ1QgAv13yPgv1fvDJ9-N3WnnQ-X5iwi1S4ECiwwS-6M0O08B8cxJydyIJjLJqMhz51p4s3wbq0EmoJ1Bg9K7Y7bqzoNfK169AgR_ir3OVb7hd7ZLOKtA3rjCYscaSJ/s1600/interface+CMP2+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cplay - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNm-lcngpuOLgdAJ1QgAv13yPgv1fvDJ9-N3WnnQ-X5iwi1S4ECiwwS-6M0O08B8cxJydyIJjLJqMhz51p4s3wbq0EmoJ1Bg9K7Y7bqzoNfK169AgR_ir3OVb7hd7ZLOKtA3rjCYscaSJ/s640/interface+CMP2+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="cplay - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Retrospective Review </b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://mqnplayer.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">MQN</a> has redefined what is both possible and expected from a highend minimalist PC software player, MQN is the clear leader in PC audio playback. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cMP2 cPlay clearly provides a low jitter PC rendering solution. However software packages such as </span><a href="http://mqnplayer.blogspot.com.au/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">JLP</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.daphile.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Daphile</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">present a more convenient modern approach, with minimalist headless operation and large library management. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/playpcmwin-open-source-audiophile.html" target="_blank">Playpcmwin</a> is comparable in quality to cMP2 without all the installation fuss</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cMP2 imaging is more centered than <a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/vortexbox-music-player-nas-cd-ripper.html" target="_blank">Vortexbox</a>, however Vortexbox presents a wider and 'more' 3D image </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cMP2 cPlay feels more analog than Vortexbox, Vortexbox is more dynamic </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cMP2 has great bass tone although slightly less in weight when compared to MPD Linux setups </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cMP2 has very detailed setup/installation instructions, more modern packages are more easily installed </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cMP2 requires registry tweaks for best possible performance - not for everyone </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pretty old skool operation, no album art or headless operation </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cMP2 is free to try, but so is Vortexbox, Daphile, Volumio, MusicBee, JLP, MQN, etc etc </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cMP2 is not a management solution for large music libraries. Consider using modern solutions if this is a key requirement</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cue sheets are mandatory for album or playlist creation </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cMP only provides ASIO compatibility for windows mixer bypass. NO DS, KS, or WASAPI support is provisioned</span></li>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-2586143145353333792015-08-28T17:52:00.001-07:002015-09-04T18:48:18.720-07:00Vortexbox Music Player, NAS & CD Ripper <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.linux-mag.com/s/i/topics/vortexbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today's audiophile literally has the pick of software to achieve audio Nirvana. A plethora of options exist both free and paid. </span><br />
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On one side of the coin over achieving minimalist players such as<a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/mqn-minimalist-pc-music-player-king-of.html" target="_blank"> MQN </a>deliver unmatched superior sound quality via a minimalist approach and software footprint. On the other, we have the all singing all dancing software packages such as <a href="http://www.daphile.com/" target="_blank">daphile</a>, <a href="https://volumio.org/" target="_blank">volumio</a>, <a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/jlp-wdm-ks-player-audiophile-convenience.html" target="_blank">JLP,</a> <a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/musicbee-music-player-management.html" target="_blank">MusicBee</a>, <a href="http://www.foobar2000.org/" target="_blank">Foobar2000</a>, Logitech squeeze server..... which provide advancements in GUI aesthetics and function yet fail to deliver the same rendering performance possible via MQN. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It would be difficult to argue that the Holy Grail for any computer audiophile is a rendering
package which delivers amazing audio playback with the convenience of headless
operation. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a long time it has held true that if a computer audiophile
wanted faultless music rendering performance, one needed to forgo headless control conveniences to do so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sadly this seems to still hold true, ultimate sound quality costs and its seems convenience is the currency. Less is definitely more and rendering software like MQN takes no prisoners in its ability to demonstrate the highest PC rendering performance possible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet as I get a little older and hopefully wiser, my willingness to compromise ultimate sound quality for a little convenience becomes more appealing. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find myself looking for middle ground. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.vortexbox.com.au/" target="_blank">Let me introduce Vortexbox</a>. A free open source bit perfect headless music player and CD ripper. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">VortexBox rips CD's to FLAC while allowing mirror copies of the files in lossy MP3 formats; MP3 320, MP3 V0, MP3 V2, MP3 plus Apple's loss-less codec ALAC (M4A). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vortexbox can be installed on just about any old PC you may have lying around, turning it into a music streaming, NAS serving, CD ripping bit perfect music solution. Paired with your USB DAC or PCI spdif/soundcard of choice and you have yourself a "super affordable" audiophile PC transport. </span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Some key features of Vortexbox include: </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Gapless playback and control via app based programs </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Quick and reactive control/song selection and playback</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Web Interface for configuration / Headless Operation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Control apps render album art, artist and track information </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Works with external USB sound devices (DACS) & internal PCI sound cards </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Automatic tagging of music files </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Automatic cover art downloads </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Automatic sharing of file to SMB file shares.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Automatic re-indexing Squeezebox Server after every CD is ripped.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Automatic sharing of all MP3s for streaming to iTunes and Roku Soundbridge.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-DLNA support </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-PLEX Mediaserver support</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Good support for Sonos.</span><br />
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<b>Personal Sound impressions </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-VB presents an extremely dynamic, open and wide image/soundstage </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Imaging is super accurate. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Great bass weight</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Great insight, with a slight tonal high frequency/Midrange emphasis when compared to Foobar2000 or cMP2 cPlay. Foobar for interest - images flatter than either Vortexbox or cPlay, less holographic. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Very detailed midrange and high frequency presentation</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Excellent compromise between sound quality and convenience/headless operation </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-VB does however have a slight midrange grain which is not as smooth as players such as <a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/cmp2-cmp-cplay-start-of-high-end-pc.html" target="_blank">CMP2</a> or </span><a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/mqn-minimalist-pc-music-player-king-of.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">MQN player.</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This is pretty typical of Linux/Alsa based transports/software. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Installation </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Installation of Vortexbox is quite simple. A free downloadable copy of Vortexbox can be found here: </span><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://vortexbox.org/downloads" target="_blank">Vortexbox Downloads</a>.</span></u></div>
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Your beginners how to guide is here: </span><br />
<a href="http://info.vortexbox.org/tiki-index.php?page=Begin" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Beginners</u></span><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> guide to Vortexbox </span></u></span></a><br />
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Simply copy and mount the ISO and run the CD as a bootable disc, installation takes about 10 minutes. A comprehensive how to guide, is found on the website</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><a href="http://info.vortexbox.org/tiki-index.php?page=install-2.3" target="_blank">Vortexbox Documentation</a></u></span><br />
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Once installed, simply scan your network for the devices IP, go to your PC browser and type the IP address to access your headless configuration interface.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Vortexbox Web interface </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.vortexbox.com.au/Mac/part3.html" target="_blank">Click here for a very good overview of the web interface options.... </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">During software installation VortexBox is dynamically assigned a local IP address. Once </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;">your VortexBox boots the units IP address will be displayed in the terminal above the login prompt (visible if you have a local monitor connected).</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;">Alternatively grab your phone, PC, or tablet and scan your network to locate Vortexbox IP address. I would recommend <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overlook.android.fing&hl=en" target="_blank">Fing</a> for this purpose. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;">Once located it is advised to set a s</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;">tatic IP address for your unit. Once completed </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px;">you will be able to access the web GUI to begin configuration of your device. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px;">The web homepage is accessible at </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.1;">http://vortexbox. Or simply type in the IP address of your Vortexbox box in your browser URL bar. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Vortexbox GUI web login Grizzlyaudio" src="http://img.brothersoft.com/screenshots/softimage/v/vortexbox-294913-1255421366.jpeg" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Vortexbox GUI web login Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Picture from: Google images</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />The web interface allows users to configure their Vortebox, time zone, music libraries, audio output device, sampling either plughw or hw direct, tagging settings, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The web interface is simply and very intuitive to make your way through. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once you have configured your Vortexbox, download an appropriate control app like MPod/MPad, Peng, or squeeze controller from your local android or apple store... so you can start listening. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Headless control </span></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_9am5dQwz4E2xX25A6KVwJrg7pVAFONxLlogEhI3IECyuuofFU8c1ABS0TRhZM41XLFXz3oS0sAVWAaE2J2lnj7B67YKD3XzFLRl798Fdh6peaCVZQQXMXvLtUC8Mzfl-YFIwBAcSope/s1600/MPod2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_9am5dQwz4E2xX25A6KVwJrg7pVAFONxLlogEhI3IECyuuofFU8c1ABS0TRhZM41XLFXz3oS0sAVWAaE2J2lnj7B67YKD3XzFLRl798Fdh6peaCVZQQXMXvLtUC8Mzfl-YFIwBAcSope/s320/MPod2.PNG" title="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" width="212" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lets face it, these days computer audiophiles expect headless operation. Look no further than the following control apps to provide a seamless and convenient palm of your hand control experience. </span><br />
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<b>MPod</b> = Apple iphone/iPod controller + Free </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>MPad</b> = apple iPad controller + $2.50 from the app store </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a class="wiki external" href="http://www.katoemba.net/makesnosenseatall/mpod/" rel="external nofollow" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">MPoD</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"> and </span><a class="wiki external" href="http://www.katoemba.net/makesnosenseatall/mpad/" rel="external nofollow" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">MPaD</a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"> are really great apps for controlling your Vortexbox installation. You can use the them to directly control VortexBox Player. </span></span></span><br />
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I have found MPod to be a fantastic control app. I personally find it a much more refined and stable control app when compared to squeeze controller. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MPoD is fast, responsive & offers Gapless and noise FREE song changes!!. (No sync loss on track changes). In comparison </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have found squeeze controller produced some DAC sync loss. Short burst of white noise between song changes and selections. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To provide some additional information here is a short tutorial on how to configure your album art, very helpful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://info.vortexbox.org/tiki-index.php?page=MPoD" target="_blank">VortexBox & MPoD</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MPod is dead silent and very quick. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MPod is my Vortexbox controller of choice. A first class app. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Key app features: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VWmfx-ageJ2IESGB4_WlezXZ_6R0I9QiMafVVZWMUvxVqaf1jHW9z0JI7r3zldPyLNb8IB2veF9wC2Vo4cf6_p_X4gVQAn0-nP1G-OcnsGIUgiGmCduuqDFS-4eCc89rgNKYdOay5T2k/s1600/MPod.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VWmfx-ageJ2IESGB4_WlezXZ_6R0I9QiMafVVZWMUvxVqaf1jHW9z0JI7r3zldPyLNb8IB2veF9wC2Vo4cf6_p_X4gVQAn0-nP1G-OcnsGIUgiGmCduuqDFS-4eCc89rgNKYdOay5T2k/s320/MPod.PNG" title="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Gapless playback </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Connects to your MPD server over TCP/IP.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Automatically find MPD servers that make themselves know via Bonjour/Zeroconf.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Supports the use of a password for making a connection to the server.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Store multiple connection profiles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Fast application startup.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Now playing screen shows active playlist and playing song.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Cover art from Amazon or local http server.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Volume control.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Move to previous, next song.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Move to any song in active playlist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Seek in song.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Toggle random, repeat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Stream mp3 directly to iPhone via icecast </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">server or mpd (v0.15 or above).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Play random album or random songs by shaking your iPhone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-List of artists with drilldown to albums and songs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Option to hide artists that only appear on compilation albums.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-List of albums with drilldown to songs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Option to group songs into albums based on server directory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-List of songs, which also displays artist and album for each song.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-All lists are searchable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-List of all playlists.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Save the active playlist into a saved playlist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Choice between ‘add to active playlist’ or ‘replace active playlist’.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Support for last.fm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Full iOS4 compatibility including background operation, remote control functions, retina display.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Works well with Mopidy (mpd like Spotify player).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Peng iPAD</b> </span><br />
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Apple iPad controller + $10 from apple store </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If your willing to pay maybe consider this great iPad app. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" src="http://penguinlovesmusic.de/wp-content/gallery/ipeng4ipad/img_0096.png" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Picture from: Google images</span></td></tr>
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<b>Squeeze controller - Android or IOS </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr18zGS-GbdktdqwULE2Fc4SDqzGUDigcf7mShyphenhyphenx9NTPW1bWcT2v2lRZ1CafKCa4g8D2daENCCB4c_ABX-2JBiMyXVKw-9I_wCnUKW8gjbbC20ykXx8nD9lg-pa7nTAYpUKLi2Bp-vKWq/s1600/squeeze+controller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr18zGS-GbdktdqwULE2Fc4SDqzGUDigcf7mShyphenhyphenx9NTPW1bWcT2v2lRZ1CafKCa4g8D2daENCCB4c_ABX-2JBiMyXVKw-9I_wCnUKW8gjbbC20ykXx8nD9lg-pa7nTAYpUKLi2Bp-vKWq/s320/squeeze+controller.jpg" title="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" width="212" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Logitech Squeezebox™ Controller provides a "free & open source" fully featured remote for your Vortexbox server. Installed on either your android phone or tablet Squeeze controller utilises your home Wi-Fi to control your Vortexbox player. </span>Squeeze controller is available for both <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.logitech.squeezeboxremote&hl=en" target="_blank">android</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/logitech-squeezebox-controller/id431302899?mt=8" target="_blank">IOS devices</a>.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Key app features: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Gapless playback </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Connects to your MPD server over TCP/IP.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Playlist management </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Automatically finds MPD servers that make themselves known</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Fast application startup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Search function </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Streams internet radio </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Now playing screen shows active playlist and playing song.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Random song selection </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Song or playlist repeat </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Cover art from local files </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Volume control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Move to previous, next song.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Move to any song in active playlist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Seek in song.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Toggle random, repeat.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdU8h9uTsVO4MzXcIcARWEKb-TSCosWIs9GN_TG4KIc3YECgDh7SsddhZkqQq5Gz-7BlAfZPs8qLuyl44v0JRVVtjE2wdfVJb0jD5dQVTytwgYolQpiWUTHzbTtLZQRZR9QeSop06xNNyL/s1600/squeezebox.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdU8h9uTsVO4MzXcIcARWEKb-TSCosWIs9GN_TG4KIc3YECgDh7SsddhZkqQq5Gz-7BlAfZPs8qLuyl44v0JRVVtjE2wdfVJb0jD5dQVTytwgYolQpiWUTHzbTtLZQRZR9QeSop06xNNyL/s640/squeezebox.jpeg" title="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>MPDroid - Android -$Free </b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMi_7Ke9dd-HOTwHktXR1ffehtJiUm9boqnKT2448kvS2uurrBp16135IK_53_SjwM011PMjBCb-wQ7PADygj4rpJT7719-VdXYfRWIEn6otBahsdZo7ANLW8uT3ty4PU0Pz9qfiGhm5H/s1600/mpdroid+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMi_7Ke9dd-HOTwHktXR1ffehtJiUm9boqnKT2448kvS2uurrBp16135IK_53_SjwM011PMjBCb-wQ7PADygj4rpJT7719-VdXYfRWIEn6otBahsdZo7ANLW8uT3ty4PU0Pz9qfiGhm5H/s400/mpdroid+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="Vortexbox apps Grizzlyaudio" width="224" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Solely an android app MPDroid allows you to control any MPD/Vortexbox server and stream music from it. <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.namelessdev.mpdroid&hl=en" target="_blank">Google play link. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The app comes highly rated on the google play store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The GUI is intuitive to setup and use. Best of all MPDroid is free, so there's no excuses for not giving it a go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Key app features: </span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Gapless playback </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Connects to your MPD server over TCP/IP.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Automatically finds MPD servers that make themselves known</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Genre music selection </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Fast application startup.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Search function </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Streams internet radio </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Now playing screen shows active playlist and playing song.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Random song selection </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Song or playlist repeat </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Cover art from local files </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Volume control.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Move to previous, next song.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Move to any song in active playlist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Seek in song.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Toggle random, repeat.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcYjvJ9brISOoDA2Uta_9zkQ0HM3lBFHCvyDvw2fqb0blDxoY2iSNlQ_DfOtIpiHXYpi45BWD4EgbCA-42GGg3tzGgYnjFTydZJSLWZ26dkfrNDCtAjw02wzzpD_3F3hd2Rb0d0zvxDRH/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcYjvJ9brISOoDA2Uta_9zkQ0HM3lBFHCvyDvw2fqb0blDxoY2iSNlQ_DfOtIpiHXYpi45BWD4EgbCA-42GGg3tzGgYnjFTydZJSLWZ26dkfrNDCtAjw02wzzpD_3F3hd2Rb0d0zvxDRH/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-58196835288314539352015-08-23T21:54:00.003-07:002015-09-11T15:56:50.077-07:00MusicBee Review 2015<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With so many software player solutions available, its really difficult to know which player is right for your music player needs. </span><br />
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Enter MusicBee a powerful <i>free</i> Windows based music player and management platform. MusicBee aims to make music playback and file management super easy. Bringing together a smart mix of form and function MusicBee has produced an intuitive and powerful music platform. </span><br />
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MusicBee doesn't pull any punches, the software is squarely aimed as an alternative to Mediamonkey, Foobar2000 and maybe even jriver..... does it deliver - lets find out. </span><br />
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Lets firstly take a quick look at some of MusicBee's key features. </b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10cyC697DfdTFGON9ezZ0VgFDme0KtDo-HTVC5TJ_XeKm2wj_DQWbITDD4ZryMRmamkxaoKiYW9eJLmpwAgQ-tI3o5uHs9MR9Eaed2tQ5mqVAEuSHzm_ro_O1zq3oInWXJNaQHvcX4vm4/s1600/music+bee+grizzlyaudio.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10cyC697DfdTFGON9ezZ0VgFDme0KtDo-HTVC5TJ_XeKm2wj_DQWbITDD4ZryMRmamkxaoKiYW9eJLmpwAgQ-tI3o5uHs9MR9Eaed2tQ5mqVAEuSHzm_ro_O1zq3oInWXJNaQHvcX4vm4/s200/music+bee+grizzlyaudio.png" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- File conversion </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Gap less playback </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Intuitive interface </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Rigging and file organisation </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Equalisation & DSP options </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Mono Down mix </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 44.1khz to 192khz playback (16-24bit depth)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Re-sampling & Up-sampling </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Bit perfect output </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Asio & Wasapi output</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Tagging & music management capabilities</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Stereo enhancer for headphones</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Balance control for stereo and headphone users</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNhvpyrOGl4_ylRXBYkVVliHcWmCxFDQm0xmNwTb0oCm4QBXHgwunI5SvNqYF_J9YI5hDjFjieOF273NUzbXfbYdcqNL_u4sYgTptk5bVRo8ANhWnHQ9ZTfnSWNBYfqeXO46PlZr7wZV_/s640/Music+Bee+Equalisation+grizzlyaudio.JPG" style="text-align: center;" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Interface </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dvvTL-_tqRiVWAy8aZr2U83A-7bW055PrwXRY9tl0NKOuXO96P4waaAn-hqEdF2IhGnw_pXzlRPW307UEa4giBzl149cEvFGjNKUZXFrjY1xCDPdq91wu69wfidknMdQq1LLsCY8-I1T/s1600/interface+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dvvTL-_tqRiVWAy8aZr2U83A-7bW055PrwXRY9tl0NKOuXO96P4waaAn-hqEdF2IhGnw_pXzlRPW307UEa4giBzl149cEvFGjNKUZXFrjY1xCDPdq91wu69wfidknMdQq1LLsCY8-I1T/s320/interface+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Theres no denying MusicBee has a pretty interface. Its s</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">imple and quite intuitive. </span><br />
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The screen layout is completely customatisable for users. Skin and theme customisation are all easy and possible. </span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6pPrdRfse_I0wUz6mB5vzv3W4smPq3yVfS0w7IDt-rUrwAsWXDubRNb_lv7iWmjqctb2oRsOfvgBkU8Znk9X4KRoOC3nvhMayo2yZpKX1QOD8nd5Gb1GBv5-PQ6JcfmpB3KLIFsP6X2w/s1600/Music+Bee+skin+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6pPrdRfse_I0wUz6mB5vzv3W4smPq3yVfS0w7IDt-rUrwAsWXDubRNb_lv7iWmjqctb2oRsOfvgBkU8Znk9X4KRoOC3nvhMayo2yZpKX1QOD8nd5Gb1GBv5-PQ6JcfmpB3KLIFsP6X2w/s320/Music+Bee+skin+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must say I really like what is on offer. Natively the offering is great, I really found no need to download additional themes to make the GUI usable. Seriously its super good, and in 10-15mins of tweaking you'll have an interface which is tailored to your preferences. </span><br />
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<b>Sound </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lets put it out there... MusicBee is not an audiophile player.... Software like <a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/mqn-minimalist-pc-music-player-king-of.html" target="_blank">Mqn</a> will run rings around MusicBee in terms of pure sound quality.... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But thats not what MusicBee is about. On the flip side MusicBee would run rings around Mqn, <a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/playpcmwin-open-source-audiophile.html" target="_blank">playpcmwin</a>, etc for usability, form and function. It horses for courses! </span><br />
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Listening via my <a href="http://www.akg.com/pro/p/k712pro" target="_blank">AKG k712 pro's</a> I find MusicBee provides a nice open mid & top end which is more forward the <a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/playpcmwin-open-source-audiophile.html" target="_blank">playpcmwin</a>. A nice benefit it provides headphone users is the native equalisation... which is a must for HeadFi listening. </span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_E4pziFlmbjq68jtTH22Way6g74EDBeAnqLbtQBmsLIfKuu-6bpvK6lC0ybURkL1e53dYtywJ0FO2uRjzrHn48JAHulEbX3hGuwSDVPQ1v7H9hw0bk4J5pBe52OOEnkId-naJ9P41ucm/s1600/Music+Bee+Lyrics+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_E4pziFlmbjq68jtTH22Way6g74EDBeAnqLbtQBmsLIfKuu-6bpvK6lC0ybURkL1e53dYtywJ0FO2uRjzrHn48JAHulEbX3hGuwSDVPQ1v7H9hw0bk4J5pBe52OOEnkId-naJ9P41ucm/s320/Music+Bee+Lyrics+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It also must be said MusicBee ensures bit perfect output in the form of Wapasi and/or Asio output. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>External audio & video players</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFyZ_MtpIoMdAzc8xHXJGDSuvmjgghIwIXglMDyxYS2h_qeGSTpEIvusTfMtqN59JH9MZ19-aiTx5iEVbhRbpINa5W8dB4x7D1n3DcSEH377Cygqa8QM2fepN6mO_ii7c6Pg_1lPx_7dU/s1600/jplay+musicbee+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Jplay MusicBee Integration Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFyZ_MtpIoMdAzc8xHXJGDSuvmjgghIwIXglMDyxYS2h_qeGSTpEIvusTfMtqN59JH9MZ19-aiTx5iEVbhRbpINa5W8dB4x7D1n3DcSEH377Cygqa8QM2fepN6mO_ii7c6Pg_1lPx_7dU/s320/jplay+musicbee+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="Jplay MusicBee Integration Grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feel like turbo charging MusicBee's audio performance? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well you can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MusicBee offers users the ability to integrate alternate video and audio players. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To test this out I installed a free trial of <a href="http://www.jplay.eu/" target="_blank">Jplay</a>. Which is widely recognised as a leader in windows audiophile software transports. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once installed, simply select the Jplay Asio driver as your player output in preferences. Musicbee's player is now bypassed in favour of Jplays highly awarded rendering engine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So now you have the best of both worlds! Awesome music management and audiophile quality output. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Artist info </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MusicBee offers a great artist info and song Lyric function. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LQLzHGSuY9quHtTNNLyYFQNcxpatLS1th1eQqNuJ-ezybptdm7epflNYVIvjzbpIrdSw8ZGrD8YO9fpCH_xg74ZAS1Loy_YnczvIAdJBxJ2FKll2EnUl9r0YMPeI7QU_12I9yRjCgNbw/s1600/Music+Bee+tagging+tools.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LQLzHGSuY9quHtTNNLyYFQNcxpatLS1th1eQqNuJ-ezybptdm7epflNYVIvjzbpIrdSw8ZGrD8YO9fpCH_xg74ZAS1Loy_YnczvIAdJBxJ2FKll2EnUl9r0YMPeI7QU_12I9yRjCgNbw/s320/Music+Bee+tagging+tools.JPG" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
With web look up for song Lyrics, artist and album info and art work, you'll always have this detail at your finger tips. </span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LQLzHGSuY9quHtTNNLyYFQNcxpatLS1th1eQqNuJ-ezybptdm7epflNYVIvjzbpIrdSw8ZGrD8YO9fpCH_xg74ZAS1Loy_YnczvIAdJBxJ2FKll2EnUl9r0YMPeI7QU_12I9yRjCgNbw/s1600/Music+Bee+tagging+tools.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tagging Tools </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It couldn't be more simple to tag albums and music files in MusicBee. </span><br />
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Music Bee offers an impressive selection of tagging tools and utilities, offering intuitive auto and manual tagging functions. </span><br />
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You also get a tag filter which enables sorting based on selected criteria. </span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qHDNn23sFfPyxhmPJ-XJaMoSvBbRIECATlWVVhKy86LphL5IJxSufhBNFK-TYJtlvDLxFl06aMC3tfQhn0bkirzlhvzesnoRRLrsbPWUT6tK3EZ_QFN8n2DY3qL_jQk9ieylevpBEnF4/s1600/file+organiser+grizzly+audio+Music+Bee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qHDNn23sFfPyxhmPJ-XJaMoSvBbRIECATlWVVhKy86LphL5IJxSufhBNFK-TYJtlvDLxFl06aMC3tfQhn0bkirzlhvzesnoRRLrsbPWUT6tK3EZ_QFN8n2DY3qL_jQk9ieylevpBEnF4/s200/file+organiser+grizzly+audio+Music+Bee.JPG" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The MusicBee software will look up web listings for album art and artist info which you can either embed into your music files or save into the directories your music is located. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">A duplication search function is also provided, a nifty tool which enables users to remove file and album double ups. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolkmuTkbHbAjGdeIL9_fV7b1idTdlHEB6ioxvVSMIpja4co5j6lH4S0DPmK_bEcJTapMXAWgZof0BB6M4-P9DQ7hbSIXsD2hNIfKmEnRj_Nigz_ltAxXSaS9CgiQ0vnNtRespDaXLMu91/s1600/format+conversion+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolkmuTkbHbAjGdeIL9_fV7b1idTdlHEB6ioxvVSMIpja4co5j6lH4S0DPmK_bEcJTapMXAWgZof0BB6M4-P9DQ7hbSIXsD2hNIfKmEnRj_Nigz_ltAxXSaS9CgiQ0vnNtRespDaXLMu91/s200/format+conversion+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" width="200" /></span></a><br />
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<b>Music Management & Synchronisation </b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZIpfJf_Q8dto-tj_RXxLjxDFoU9aRNAE0-G___fwmb23SVx7Deg_s9MSheomro_SQEFH-yjnCRNLJZd_QAj6IZwceDy_GhfuY9sHCieuXFPKNj0K-5RVKSh_SV_1NZtU3RNEMDojQGsR/s1600/tagging+MusicBee+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Secure and accurate CD-ripping is also on the cards. Users can manage & build their music collections quick and easily. Aided by file conversion tools users can convert their music files to the following formats, AAC, </span><i>Flac, </i><i>MP3, </i><i>Ogg, </i><i>Musepak & </i><i>Tak. </i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">With respect to music library creation users can import existing libraries from iTunes and Windows Media Player should this be a requirement. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most users will however simply point MusicBee to their favourite music directory on their trusty PC and have it actively monitor for new content... </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">For those on the move and lets face it that's pretty much everyone these days.... you also have the option of syncing your music to either Android or iOS devices - your music will always be up to date - pretty cool right. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">MusicBee even provides a portable installer which enables you to install a portable version of the MusicBee software for travel..... <a href="http://getmusicbee.com/download.html" target="_blank">See this link. </a></span>
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<b>Playback Interface Modes</b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MusicBee offers 3 modes of interface. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZIpfJf_Q8dto-tj_RXxLjxDFoU9aRNAE0-G___fwmb23SVx7Deg_s9MSheomro_SQEFH-yjnCRNLJZd_QAj6IZwceDy_GhfuY9sHCieuXFPKNj0K-5RVKSh_SV_1NZtU3RNEMDojQGsR/s1600/tagging+MusicBee+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZIpfJf_Q8dto-tj_RXxLjxDFoU9aRNAE0-G___fwmb23SVx7Deg_s9MSheomro_SQEFH-yjnCRNLJZd_QAj6IZwceDy_GhfuY9sHCieuXFPKNj0K-5RVKSh_SV_1NZtU3RNEMDojQGsR/s640/tagging+MusicBee+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Compact </b></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGZWLBa42Kl6dl626yLkqjKztmjWyc7VbFaF6dvtjAWoJ5MWefrYDm1ESZi0TEmNkVtcAWdINC36uJDfdh8GVhm2sfmMNej4erBxYyyCYm5ayN2fy5DKUhIa_rE6d_HwqecihautsD_pt/s1600/Music+Bee+Compact+Music+Mode+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="547" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGZWLBa42Kl6dl626yLkqjKztmjWyc7VbFaF6dvtjAWoJ5MWefrYDm1ESZi0TEmNkVtcAWdINC36uJDfdh8GVhm2sfmMNej4erBxYyyCYm5ayN2fy5DKUhIa_rE6d_HwqecihautsD_pt/s640/Music+Bee+Compact+Music+Mode+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Mini </b></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtBfcdrH6p8GYKow8aBCfCOZllgiNLJH3NZtgCAEIFjgDa8tlOhS5KUlyRr8FofMhFgwLNKLxyV-bd5wqHyMWbvaO4HIR9DDgzt_JoXQZxO3sk2S0QmnjUWE5RNQLdN_I55zvQ10dEfnl/s1600/Music+Bee+mini+player+mode+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtBfcdrH6p8GYKow8aBCfCOZllgiNLJH3NZtgCAEIFjgDa8tlOhS5KUlyRr8FofMhFgwLNKLxyV-bd5wqHyMWbvaO4HIR9DDgzt_JoXQZxO3sk2S0QmnjUWE5RNQLdN_I55zvQ10dEfnl/s640/Music+Bee+mini+player+mode+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">These modes allow users to control the foot print of the MusicBee interface. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The 3 options provided give users a varying degrees of control, information and artist detail while they listen. </span></span><br />
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<b>Control </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few options of control exist for MusicBee. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-h9dyUSpBIr0XmljYAcK_PVIz97OOcazJjLq4fW1S-_U8EDXSIY7hwQO-sZOjtW2CzYt0LUlZCtZ4E7Xi2bmXecgwIxL_YnFzzMbDE9R7W3f_yXk2o3ujDZY7NIwuWHoUwb0WStXv1xS/s1600/screenshot+grizzlyaudio+musicbee3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio - apps" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-h9dyUSpBIr0XmljYAcK_PVIz97OOcazJjLq4fW1S-_U8EDXSIY7hwQO-sZOjtW2CzYt0LUlZCtZ4E7Xi2bmXecgwIxL_YnFzzMbDE9R7W3f_yXk2o3ujDZY7NIwuWHoUwb0WStXv1xS/s320/screenshot+grizzlyaudio+musicbee3.png" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio - apps" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The most obvious is via the laptop. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFoXPDEGSlh3YBgOm-ESbfA-JDOPix7NaJCoLmnL782ZePAa_AdTwhR9gFzAUULKfEx9aC9ZUgoF0hindA2auuoqD7ImbrSYXqnQAJIuzrWldS3mj6T9clQkLv0GKboTfRypYqSW7xsNc/s1600/screenshot+grizzlyaudio+musicbee2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio - apps" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFoXPDEGSlh3YBgOm-ESbfA-JDOPix7NaJCoLmnL782ZePAa_AdTwhR9gFzAUULKfEx9aC9ZUgoF0hindA2auuoqD7ImbrSYXqnQAJIuzrWldS3mj6T9clQkLv0GKboTfRypYqSW7xsNc/s320/screenshot+grizzlyaudio+musicbee2.png" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio - apps" width="179" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second is headless operation. </span><br />
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If you like me would prefer to control things from the palm of your hand, head on over to google play with this <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kelsos.mbrc&hl=en" target="_blank">link..</a> What you will find is a free android controller which provides headless operation for the MusicBee software. The app provides full library browsing, song selection, album art viewing, all the options one would expect from a headless controller app.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Summary of functionality... Taken <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kelsos.mbrc&hl=en" target="_blank">from</a>: </b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJTt0EjhJzvRUFzh1Kize5mqod3LB7KcIFOzF_GYcLbNAfuoSFuXrT-dLL2VSpjC3g09Tvzmwn913z_OKqa3gWFMnMKHqOSFskzKI_p2fBvR1P5nP4t0TLbwRwoljlA4_PlIY65NaSFS5/s1600/screenshot+grizzlyaudio+musicbee.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio - apps" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJTt0EjhJzvRUFzh1Kize5mqod3LB7KcIFOzF_GYcLbNAfuoSFuXrT-dLL2VSpjC3g09Tvzmwn913z_OKqa3gWFMnMKHqOSFskzKI_p2fBvR1P5nP4t0TLbwRwoljlA4_PlIY65NaSFS5/s320/screenshot+grizzlyaudio+musicbee.png" title="MusicBee - Grizzlyaudio - apps" width="179" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">1. Basic track information
display (artist, title, album, year of release and artwork).</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">2. Basic player control. (play, pause, stop,
next, previous, volume change, mute, shuffle, repeat)</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">3. Last.fm account scrobbling on/off.</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">4. Last.fm love/ban.</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">5. 5 star rating.</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">6. Playback progress display and control.</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">7. Lyrics support<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(Love this!!).</i></span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">8. Now playing list display, along with the
ability to choose a track to play, search for a track to play, remove a track
from the now playing list, or reorder the tracks.</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">9. Library Search support </span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">10. Option to reduce the volume on incoming call.</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">11. Lockscreen controls on devices running
Android 4.0 or greater</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">12. Headset controls on devices running Android
4.0 or greater</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">13. Volume control using the hardware buttons.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">To get
the app working you will need to head on over to this</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> </span><a href="http://kelsos.net/musicbeeremote/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank">link</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">,
where you will find the plugin for MusicBee to make everything
happen. Simply download the self installer. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Once
complete and installed start MusicBee and then open your android app. Go to
settings, connection manager, hit scan and select your PC. It's that
easy.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You now
have full headless operation from the palm of your hand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">Its cool
to note both the application and the plugin are open source and distributed
under the GPLv3 License. For those with sexy coding fingers you can find
the source for the application<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;"><a href="https://github.com/kelsos/mbrc" target="_blank">here</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">, and
for the plugin<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;"><a href="https://github.com/kelsos/mbrc-plugin" target="_blank">here</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcYjvJ9brISOoDA2Uta_9zkQ0HM3lBFHCvyDvw2fqb0blDxoY2iSNlQ_DfOtIpiHXYpi45BWD4EgbCA-42GGg3tzGgYnjFTydZJSLWZ26dkfrNDCtAjw02wzzpD_3F3hd2Rb0d0zvxDRH/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcYjvJ9brISOoDA2Uta_9zkQ0HM3lBFHCvyDvw2fqb0blDxoY2iSNlQ_DfOtIpiHXYpi45BWD4EgbCA-42GGg3tzGgYnjFTydZJSLWZ26dkfrNDCtAjw02wzzpD_3F3hd2Rb0d0zvxDRH/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-65191038761721424782015-08-21T06:23:00.002-07:002015-09-04T18:57:52.136-07:00MiniDSP 2x4 (Analog to Analog) Crossover Implementation<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An unbiased user review..... </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I purchased 2 x miniDSP 2x4 balanced DSP's...and a 4way advanced crossover plugin.... to simplify crossover design and implementation for my active speaker build.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZoUUfifxuy3DR1j_-Zzj6bkw0hWQIWgDfKpHIB9E39i-F0n3I4k89bjcSeUVTR41XZdmBSsWxNUu4lTzCqsKuYPHhG9rZxrkzWcT4MGzt_Mu_gICyYIvLOMaWd9rRa5w_NiEtBzDLYAw/s1600/4way+advanced+grizzlyaudo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="minidsp review - grizzlyaudio - DSP" border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZoUUfifxuy3DR1j_-Zzj6bkw0hWQIWgDfKpHIB9E39i-F0n3I4k89bjcSeUVTR41XZdmBSsWxNUu4lTzCqsKuYPHhG9rZxrkzWcT4MGzt_Mu_gICyYIvLOMaWd9rRa5w_NiEtBzDLYAw/s640/4way+advanced+grizzlyaudo.JPG" title="minidsp review - grizzlyaudio - DSP" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />So why did I select the balanced miniDSP processors, over the unbalanced units? Well, I needed a digital crossover which had enough I/O signal voltage to adequately drive a mix of both residential & pro amplifiers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MiniDSP 2x4 balanced fit the bill nicely, with its ability to accept & output up to +2v signals, a must when connecting the units to pro equipment, such as amplifiers, DAC equipment, which have much higher signal voltage swing capabilities V's HiFi equivalents. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Early in the piece miniDSP felt like a solid decision, especially considering that throughout my pre-purchase research, it was evident there was alot of user/forum support detailing success with miniDSP units. Many of these users reported there was no audible difference with miniDSP in the chain. Ultimately, this was not my experience with the product. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What proves frustrating is miniDSP has positioned itself as the DIY "audiophile" DSP solution. A product range which provides excellent transparency and an "uncanny" ability to slip right into your signal chain without any degradation to sound quality, modifications to your system, or introduction of hard to solve idle hiss and/or gain issues. I won't harp on here except to say tread carefully.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't necessarily believe everything you read. Yes the product has many excellent positives, like price point, convenience, accessibility and forum user support.... however.... yes I did find a but! (especially in my application) it became clear miniDSP also has some considerable shortcomings which may impact its suitability for many HiFi applications. So i</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ts worth treading with some caution.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />I learnt first hand that miniDSP balanced was not suitable for my HiFi crossover setup. When I dug a little deeper with my online research. I found many users experiencing and struggling with similar application suitability and product issues. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before you click on that "BUY NOW" button </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">take the time to google miniDSP hiss, miniDSP sound quality, miniDSP gain issues and you will find real miniDSP adopters struggling with their miniDSP Hifi & 5.1 applications. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So with the much acclaimed miniDSP units tried and tested in my system, I give you the following unbiased and honest "<u>abridged</u>" account of my time with miniDSP balanced 2x4 4 way advanced crossover solution.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>EXPERIENCE</b></span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> SUMMARY </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b></b><br /></span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#1. </b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>DSP IDLE HISS </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The miniDSP (Balanced 2x4) has a very </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">noticeable</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> idle noise floor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me explain..... I connected the miniDSP 2x4 units between my balanced preamp and various balanced/unbalanced multi-channel amplification stages. I utilised 2 x brand name passive bookshelf speakers (circa 87db efficiency rating) and 2 x high end digital servo controlled subwoofers for testing... both balanced and unbalanced connection tests were conducted - utilising both residential and commercial amplification products. PM me for these details, if you are interested. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Now if you are like me and run similar pre-amplifier / amplifier equipment and wish to use a single volume control before your miniDSP for attenuation (Your preamp) - you may need to think again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Testing various system setups/connections (utilising a pre amp/bypassing preamp), I found DSP idle hiss present on both mid and high frequency speaker drivers. The DSP idle hiss levels were far from acceptable. I have never had high frequency and mid driver system hiss before. I tried several different power supply units, connected at various different wall sockets, however the idle hiss remained constant and present. Power supply changes made no difference to the pitch, loudness or presence of noise. The idle hiss was audible from my seated position some 2.5 meters from my speakers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My exclusion tests later confirmed the MiniDSP as the source of the hiss. Why do I say this, because when I tested with no source connected to the miniDSP input.... I.e. miniDSP directly connected to my amplifier (various pro and residential units) signal hiss was unchanged and still present.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These tests clearly prove (at least in my system) miniDSP was the cause/originator of the signal hiss. Removing the miniDSP from the input of both amplifier setups restores dead quite systems. If this is not proof enough that miniDSP balanced is noisy I don't know what is..</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE89ILJNypzDYmpeQTMn2EruHbyskV8uvbJTn8VGc5u3B4ddNAVMn6dPMd_Ok1isu2HS_HUf2kW88PqErjimmQb7gcDk885oftWSmraUcIZrd8hXg77ZITTfULI73vqdxyxc8YP6MnYDv/s1600/dmp44lc+grizzlyaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="minidsp review - grizzlyaudio - DSP" border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE89ILJNypzDYmpeQTMn2EruHbyskV8uvbJTn8VGc5u3B4ddNAVMn6dPMd_Ok1isu2HS_HUf2kW88PqErjimmQb7gcDk885oftWSmraUcIZrd8hXg77ZITTfULI73vqdxyxc8YP6MnYDv/s200/dmp44lc+grizzlyaudio.jpg" title="minidsp review - grizzlyaudio - DSP" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In fact I was so shocked I tried a comparable <a href="http://www.extron.com.au/download/files/brochure/dmp44lc_broRevA.pdf" target="_blank">Extron DMP44LC</a> a commercial grade 4x4 basic DSP which offers a SNR of 100db or greater. This unit demonstrated vastly lower DSP idle noise in comparison to the miniDSP, even when connected utilising the same balanced terminations and leads that just previously connected the miniDSP. Additionally I also experimented with a <a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/symetrix-zm760-loudspeaker-manager.html" target="_blank">Symetrix zone mix 760 </a>which also displayed a much reduced DSP idle hiss V's the miniDSP 2x4 in my system. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLnKd4AJhceL91zBirwxVixCpwIYAQCc0N54zhRT24WkD5gzsuFHJwaCnPcjoGt9lGrGMX2JmhbesLbBHKPgcOKKsHCXkNYrEP9FQiQ-De0_F4m8L02AH7aOHQpAumD6Ec12QuDWO3kZ3/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+grizzlyaudio+-+6+Symetrix+760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="minidsp review - grizzlyaudio - DSP" border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLnKd4AJhceL91zBirwxVixCpwIYAQCc0N54zhRT24WkD5gzsuFHJwaCnPcjoGt9lGrGMX2JmhbesLbBHKPgcOKKsHCXkNYrEP9FQiQ-De0_F4m8L02AH7aOHQpAumD6Ec12QuDWO3kZ3/s640/DIY+active+crossover+-+grizzlyaudio+-+6+Symetrix+760.jpg" title="minidsp review - grizzlyaudio - DSP" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To provide a little background, I tested both 0.9v and 2v input sensitivities with unbalanced and balanced connections. The idle hiss was present with either input sensitivity selection. High end Pro and consumer amplifiers were also tested in the signal chain, which offer varying degrees of input gain (4db-32db). Tests were also conducted with and without a preampliier/source in the system (Direct miniDSP to amplifier connection). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In all tests the DSP induced idle hiss was present. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Bypassing the miniDSP (removing it completely from the signal chain) restored my systems fidelity and performance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So for me its no secret that miniDSP 2x4 falls short of cutting the mustard as a great sounding DSP/crossover product. In my system miniDSP simply could not perform to acceptable noise free HiFi SNR expectations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would argue just because miniDSP 2x4 is convenient (for equalisation/crossover duties), one should not automatically assume it is fit for permanent casual or even critical HiFi crossover applications. The amount of DSP induced signal hiss noise present at idle should be concerning for any potential user looking at analog to analog implementation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Look I am a realist so maybe different incarnations of miniDSP do perform to higher quality levels. Or maybe improvements/rationalisation elsewhere in my system could make up for miniDSP 2x4's shortcomings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>#2. miniDSP</b><b> CUSTOMER SERVICE </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just beware its never the product that has an issue, its the implementation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of my dealings with MiniDSP I managed to get a refund on my boards, but I had to push <b><u>very</u></b> hard. However it was easier to resell the units locally, as return freight overseas was an expense I did not want to incur. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#3. GAIN ATTENUATION </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It appears the miniDSP 2x4 applies some gain attenuation between input to output at synergy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>#4. miniDSP</b><b> DELIVERY </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a positive note, once ordered the miniDSP units arrived in 5 days!. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I order them on a Saturday and the miniDSP package was on my doorstep that Friday!! straight from Hong Kong. That's is seriously quick. All items were very well packaged and arrived in pristine condition. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Previous installation & programming experience with DSP's include:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clearone, Symetrix, Biamp, Extron, EAW</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-38577760508401472332015-08-21T05:48:00.001-07:002015-09-04T18:53:40.171-07:00JLP wdm-ks player - Audiophile Convenience <div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The holy grail for any computer audiophile is a rendering package which delivers amazing audio playback with the convenience of headless operation. For a long time it held true that if a computer audiophile wanted great audio rendering performance, one needed to forgo headless proprietary control conveniences to do so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well consider the seemingly impossible possible... and say hello to JLP wdm-ks player.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what is JLP wdm-ks player? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Essentially JLP uses a squeezeserver 7.8 backend running modified versions of squeezelite and portaudio, to produce some pretty impressive & transparent music rendering. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These modified squeezelite and portaudio files have been coded by the same audio software guru who produced <a href="http://mqnplayer.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">MQN</a> (SBGK). So you can reasonably expect the rendering quality of JLP wdm-ks player to further improve... which is incredibly exciting considering how transparent and dynamic JLP already sounds in these early stages of development. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can follow JLP's development... here</span><br />
<a href="http://mqnplayer.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://mqnplayer.blogspot.com.au/</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2606" target="_blank">http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2606</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being open source, all source code is freely available for trial, here: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B3vvH5WBfg8PX1ppR0hkeXZtTEk&usp=sharing" target="_blank">https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B3vvH5WBfg8PX1ppR0hkeXZtTEk&usp=sharing</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At time of writing this blog, portaudio is at Ver18 and Squeezelite is at Ver20... </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Picture of Google Drive Link</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakbdV7HiK_uLxPwcZBxUD8kSgP5esyXC_4ilS3asFPjDu6BG37Cx7dXpvmGAeyWejcBxCZyE5EygDtZNO_1JGYoWajocXVrk45laICthldLBSTAqUWV4Y-MQUEc7EFQXqkS0OO8UzUz-B/s1600/google+drive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="JLP Player - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakbdV7HiK_uLxPwcZBxUD8kSgP5esyXC_4ilS3asFPjDu6BG37Cx7dXpvmGAeyWejcBxCZyE5EygDtZNO_1JGYoWajocXVrk45laICthldLBSTAqUWV4Y-MQUEc7EFQXqkS0OO8UzUz-B/s640/google+drive.JPG" title="JLP Player - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting Started</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Here's a simple instruction guide I created to help you get going... I wish I had this guide when I started... For a higher level of detail please visit the developers (SBGK) <a href="http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2606" target="_blank">thread</a>. This guide covers the basics to get squeezeserver 7.8 operational utilising SBGK's modified portaudio and squeezelite files. </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Download squeezeserver from here.... Your after Version 7.8. </span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://downloads.slimdevices.com/nightly/?ver=7.8" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://downloads.slimdevices.com/nightly/?ver=7.8</span></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Install squeeze server</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Once squeeze server is installed, install local player plugin from 3rd party plugins. </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a. To do this right click the squeezeserver icon in your PC system tray, click open web control</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">b. Click the settings button at the bottom of the squeezeserver web control screen</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGWAYylw5M9ngcZ7OzRY5GIe6_0izRfidCv46aIcA0cbMMRzaOX_KC0iorATOwT9FNnPFRLGTNxn9-QRZWCRy06R1l5QVp1P-v32fFDf2jxqfExqf7VObOeSZWFLylO5HJohl0LYmrJto/s1600/settings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGWAYylw5M9ngcZ7OzRY5GIe6_0izRfidCv46aIcA0cbMMRzaOX_KC0iorATOwT9FNnPFRLGTNxn9-QRZWCRy06R1l5QVp1P-v32fFDf2jxqfExqf7VObOeSZWFLylO5HJohl0LYmrJto/s640/settings.JPG" title="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">c. Then click the plugins tab </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">d. Paste the following link "<a href="http://triodeplugins.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/repo.xml" target="_blank">http://triodeplugins.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/repo.xml</a>" into the third party repository area.</span><br />
<span style="clear: left; color: black; float: left; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1xaaLEF7K7pnxXzwU_1uIaulnEYB7lDNMXcDdy6_Mxo0Yi3Gd8-0Gyg3zhdmMmE4Fre_GMFkLc5pESYnEdUAjX008fmcb1IzoO6nc4MInnvwSVerqf-2tvUC4EN3pto-c7jeLzpzvY-E/s640/3rd+party+rep.JPG" title="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e. Click apply</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">f. Once the screen has updated, find <b>local player</b> on the list under Triodes 3rd party squeezecentre plugins. Click enable and then select apply. Local player will then install and squeezeserver will request a restart. Confirm a restart.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1SH9p4yNb7URzPEjBsESnmq0QDvfX46GwpyxBB_gCyuRyOEYPiNv18exoqB_i75oyA45IeLbnoLokk3kglDcS4wMV9LdZxqFwihruSYr8BOwXhu3Hcjvu365rY2XgWJd7q-pNo2Gzqc2/s1600/local+player+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1SH9p4yNb7URzPEjBsESnmq0QDvfX46GwpyxBB_gCyuRyOEYPiNv18exoqB_i75oyA45IeLbnoLokk3kglDcS4wMV9LdZxqFwihruSYr8BOwXhu3Hcjvu365rY2XgWJd7q-pNo2Gzqc2/s640/local+player+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>4. Moving JLP modified portaudio & squeezelite into the required folder. </i></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fIeAeh9NZVtVrUQETJTJj0G5EycOXX_PHv1UXARkPs2ZMFklBXOz5KpAM-RGUvHhEdrylf52o-Jy4a4tm80JMqhpJfYlgSIJh-wID1tTDZDxYVKMq_81SZCnGlTM53qWG2bswHU5FhwL/s1600/stop+squeeze+server+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fIeAeh9NZVtVrUQETJTJj0G5EycOXX_PHv1UXARkPs2ZMFklBXOz5KpAM-RGUvHhEdrylf52o-Jy4a4tm80JMqhpJfYlgSIJh-wID1tTDZDxYVKMq_81SZCnGlTM53qWG2bswHU5FhwL/s200/stop+squeeze+server+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Firstly right click the squeezeserver icon and stop logitech media server. This needs to be done prior to copying the new portaudio and squeezelite files in to the bin directory as per the below instructions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once logitech server is stopped, go to the following directory in windows explorer...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your Main Drive <b>C</b>:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\Cache\InstalledPlugins\Plugins\LocalPlayer\Bin</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**Note, if you cannot locate your c:\ProgramData folder, you may need to go to your windows folder options and enable hidden files\folders\drives. To do this access your computers control panel and select folder options, show all hidden files and folders. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rename the existing portaudio.dll and squeezelite-win.exe files you see in the Bin folder to portaudio.dll.OLD and squeezelite-win OLD.exe. Once renamed you can then copy your newly downloaded portaudio_x64.dll vXX and squeezelite-win.exe vXX (where XX represent the version number) files from google drive into the same directory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your Main Drive <b>C</b>:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\Cache\InstalledPlugins\Plugins\LocalPlayer\Bin</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-UfWkJFNNUMrhLMDSK4MhzsOpXG64xAalLjPLa9ZdCdCe079dQel2XVOFZV7XsS9nFbNMQ3tA9LMTodFrpgyij9Vr5BqtLZS0e6dEWYmuic3uZN_JzGChh5kzWy578BWktBJDIhMWzoH/s1600/bin+directory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8OVRucbL0XnuGgVgQXN35a-nBcH_qMZSCKe4DXqDtxuuXLH0XYe30lFtWfZwtbkYMR85zEksduABt4Jw3qAPBd-AZGS0y90g-nTGNnS7gMlgpNcjZh91l90FX7I3cwrRBAHfrRhTBuPI/s1600/bin+directory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8OVRucbL0XnuGgVgQXN35a-nBcH_qMZSCKe4DXqDtxuuXLH0XYe30lFtWfZwtbkYMR85zEksduABt4Jw3qAPBd-AZGS0y90g-nTGNnS7gMlgpNcjZh91l90FX7I3cwrRBAHfrRhTBuPI/s640/bin+directory.JPG" title="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As above in the picture, rename these files as follows: </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">portaudio_x64.dll vXX</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Becomes portaudio_x64.dll</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">squeezelite-win.exe vXX</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Becomes squeezelite-win.exe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Return to your PC's desktop </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>6. Right click the squeezeserver icon, </i></b><b><i>click start logitech media server icon again. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>7. Once local player is restarted and your portaudio & squeezelite have correctly been copied into the bin folder, </i></b><b><i>re-enter squeezeserver web control, select plugins and then select local player settings. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Local player will now be found under active plugins.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qjXeXAyRTm6r-Okru0EsTdI15RYF4od7wiearJZ8R-hVsLve0fZ908sAVJaWKMYuyWJOMdGmD5SXmOuzvVU-gvwVkPd3hP-9Fd1yBcGv4fgz5js548QRGYT-tPMRGy457afjuL3fElWa/s1600/local+player+active+plugins+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qjXeXAyRTm6r-Okru0EsTdI15RYF4od7wiearJZ8R-hVsLve0fZ908sAVJaWKMYuyWJOMdGmD5SXmOuzvVU-gvwVkPd3hP-9Fd1yBcGv4fgz5js548QRGYT-tPMRGy457afjuL3fElWa/s640/local+player+active+plugins+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You now need to select your required audio output device from the drop down output list. Note you will only be able to select WDM-KS outputs, as JLP only utilises KS streaming.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZnRj9_2HWy00j44Moe2Ewy3S3AVPX0Gk8SIDeWudqxh4nNox1_79Q8gxkSywkd4dgMEl7lovm2sZh9Hmm-ROAmYhUHJk38eF45xDhei6yR6mFifKqpbAN19Irtrj7GHVo-ABJrYsOs_4/s1600/select+output+device+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZnRj9_2HWy00j44Moe2Ewy3S3AVPX0Gk8SIDeWudqxh4nNox1_79Q8gxkSywkd4dgMEl7lovm2sZh9Hmm-ROAmYhUHJk38eF45xDhei6yR6mFifKqpbAN19Irtrj7GHVo-ABJrYsOs_4/s640/select+output+device+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. Next you need to import your music library, select the basic tab and point squeezeserver to your music folder. Then hit apply. </span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSMdK-y2UEej_ZS68X6RQr2dp1kqqU6nV_Mq_f3xhHGAcfcqSpS7vYJtgTmFMtm6egqNKx4IEMDGOUOuxQhkGAFIzoyulcyMnQzVHBnLODlogl1y_VVrfYzqJsHY099PSwPzcmgDX2qGX/s1600/music+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSMdK-y2UEej_ZS68X6RQr2dp1kqqU6nV_Mq_f3xhHGAcfcqSpS7vYJtgTmFMtm6egqNKx4IEMDGOUOuxQhkGAFIzoyulcyMnQzVHBnLODlogl1y_VVrfYzqJsHY099PSwPzcmgDX2qGX/s640/music+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="JLP Player - MQN - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>9. Squeezeserver will scan your library and make it available for playback. </i></b></span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. Hit close, FYI the file scanning will continue in the background. </span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11. Download a squeezebox control app, or use the logitech web control interface to enable music slection. </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12. If you downloaded a control app, start the app and select the squeezelite player under choose player.... you may need to hit the refresh button a few times to bring the squeezelite player up.... </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">13. Once squeezelite player is selected, simply choose the music you want to listen to and sit back and enjoy what your hearing, because its pretty darn excellent. </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think that covers the basics....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next step is to load squeezelite as a service rather than a program. A guide on this can be found here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?100893-HOW-TO-Squeezelite-player-on-Windows-8-step-by-step">http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?100893-HOW-TO-Squeezelite-player-on-Windows-8-step-by-step</a>...... Note you will need to utilise squeezelite v25 and above....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more in-depth discussion/detail, select the following thread link...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2606" target="_blank">http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2606</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f11-software/jlp-music-player-19302/#post295639"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f11-software/jlp-music-player-19302/#post295639</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These threads cover more advanced customisations including:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Local player additional options and the affinity core optimisations.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-24551475126882392022015-08-15T05:14:00.001-07:002015-09-04T18:59:23.513-07:00BugHead Infinity blade SQ - The digital monster sound player<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Made by a quirky Japanese audiophile suffering from a serious case of vitamin C deficiency, <a href="http://oryaaaaa.world.coocan.jp/bughead/index.html" target="_blank">Bughead audioplayer</a> is a highly configurable music player which sounds pretty darn good. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmXy57rGVaWR1O7DJnJdSRkQdVIApEDnVKnAOaFeR3JswGORCqc5fQvlljLtKSuUxrVvXvQdmoCoFwx-n_DypFx68N9qNc4rWdXeJS6WJw7PFjQvo8b-z8SNKVMHVdT96YjjU12OFKrPV/s1600/infinity+blade+SQ+bughead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmXy57rGVaWR1O7DJnJdSRkQdVIApEDnVKnAOaFeR3JswGORCqc5fQvlljLtKSuUxrVvXvQdmoCoFwx-n_DypFx68N9qNc4rWdXeJS6WJw7PFjQvo8b-z8SNKVMHVdT96YjjU12OFKrPV/s320/infinity+blade+SQ+bughead.JPG" title="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;">Mr. Hiroyuki Yokota t</span>he software's author complains of suffering from a crazy cocktail of insomnia, migraines and hallucinations, well fortunately his software doesn't inflict the same symptoms, instead this software player prescribes a healthy dose of musicality and detail retrieval. A real treat for headphone users and audiophiles seeking an enhanced listen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Actively writing audio software since 2003, <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;">Mr. Hiroyuki Yokota's portfolio of software includes Bughead and <a href="http://2channelaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/rewrite-116-audiophile-file-optimisation.html" target="_blank">Rewrite</a>. Rewrite in its self is an impressive file </span>de-fragmentation & optimisation tool aimed at reducing <a href="http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/jitter2_e.html" target="_blank">deterministic jitter</a> prior to memory load. In fact both Bughead and Rewrite are squarely aimed at improving sound quality via the reduction of deterministic jitter and its affect on your music. More about this can be read on <a href="https://ja-jp.facebook.com/pages/Bug-head-technology/221354151338856" target="_blank">Hiroyuki's facebook</a> page.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Sound quality philospohy </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bughead is not your minimalist software package, where less is more. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In fact Bughead adopts an equal but opposite approach. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Research suggests Bughead employs "non disclosed compression" and "active tuning/equalisation/DSP" techniques to improve perceived sound quality. Personally I believe this compression and "audio trickery" can be heard when compared to traditional players such as playpcmwin, foobar, MQn etc..... as small background effects and details are clearly more enhanced and prevalent. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Whether this is your cup of tee is a personal choice?! at the end of the day you can argue the original mixing engineer intended the sound to be heard differently...... but subjective preferences will always prevail. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>Bughead versions</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf0heJ8RwJFFm6tX5FM9Ck8uZWt2lYqvAVkTne6ZBqLsgQvO03qq5mNShLYY70YHsqHcifVJNcxCWlmetL4SqVYI5ob_Sa2NgKTiXjqDGFxMGvIV8bIpfZb8hph6O4onOabSNsnaQ2Lmy/s1600/Inifinity+blade+SQ+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf0heJ8RwJFFm6tX5FM9Ck8uZWt2lYqvAVkTne6ZBqLsgQvO03qq5mNShLYY70YHsqHcifVJNcxCWlmetL4SqVYI5ob_Sa2NgKTiXjqDGFxMGvIV8bIpfZb8hph6O4onOabSNsnaQ2Lmy/s320/Inifinity+blade+SQ+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16.25px;">Mr. Hiroyuki Yokota</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16.25px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">has created 4 versions of the bughead software. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
1.Bughead </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2.Bughead SQ </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3.Infinity Blade </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4.Infinity Blade SQ (Most highly adopted version) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>Tuning Possibilities</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bughead offers up oodles of sound "tuning' options. In fact one could argue there are too many options, making the user experience both confusing and confronting. Combined with a lack of user documentation and a constant battle with google translator (most source articles and videos are natively Japanese) understanding how to use the software and its settings is simply an exercise in trial and error. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CU1NbjH1mdI/VLtXaalocxI/AAAAAAAABBs/d-VWGljBNtk/s1600/bughead%2Binterface%2B2%2B2channelaudio%2Baudiolayer%2Bopensource.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>But don't worry you can't break anything.... so have some fun and experiment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lets take a quick look at the software in operation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>Tuning options Galore</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Tuning Options 1.... </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Snake, Slash, Galaxy, Shine and star...... you must laugh at the names used, maybe they were given during a vitamin C hallucination. Whatever the case these tuning options allow the listener to shape the way things sound. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Don't ask me what each one sounds like, you will need to try these for yourself! </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp_EgTFR0E8r1xSpsPYjt8so7l-5c455zaqntZGj7cahCu68HFVHbTONL7JSKjiMRVwrJ6ZJOis_qU_-qkEF9LBw-xUTo_MaepUXxFoYFn1MMTlVeCzKDqj-EDSKMXKYJhM-oBxsgK36d/s1600/Inifinity+blade+SQ+grizzlyaudio+options+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp_EgTFR0E8r1xSpsPYjt8so7l-5c455zaqntZGj7cahCu68HFVHbTONL7JSKjiMRVwrJ6ZJOis_qU_-qkEF9LBw-xUTo_MaepUXxFoYFn1MMTlVeCzKDqj-EDSKMXKYJhM-oBxsgK36d/s640/Inifinity+blade+SQ+grizzlyaudio+options+1.jpg" title="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoizekfMr1cisI3WCFOciIaGKg_GJAgXielJAbhxpV5_nW03naD32xvpZyWM_TkkuiZyNUcGdJunPBpgllFkPFguWWLs6YMwU_j6Hb_mNvW3YfFHpb7YPDqIbprAKHZsmrjIYZ_Q5LtTU/s1600/Inifinity+blade+SQ+grizzlyaudio+options+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoizekfMr1cisI3WCFOciIaGKg_GJAgXielJAbhxpV5_nW03naD32xvpZyWM_TkkuiZyNUcGdJunPBpgllFkPFguWWLs6YMwU_j6Hb_mNvW3YfFHpb7YPDqIbprAKHZsmrjIYZ_Q5LtTU/s640/Inifinity+blade+SQ+grizzlyaudio+options+2.jpg" title="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBROg64wEZpYjrhZpJb2dAOHBGd5tof-TOqx0VW98DnG0I2MyQpT6vreWpISesQQoznBMiwiKtEvFLKk2SzQzicOE7awZj1qookpaeZKtH3Bwg5nBJN3objXjAg3Oy0sJh_Z_NIJncqDu7/s1600/bughead+screen+grizzlyaudio+tune+1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"></span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just when you thought 9 tuning options were enough, the menu system provides another 10 tuning options per selection. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Yes, all these options seem to make a difference to the sound. How they are implemented and what they do..... you will need to discover for yourself. Try them all and see which one suits your setup. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;">It appears Mr. Hiroyuki Yokota has been experimenting with different jitter reduction methods and active compression/e algorithms for some time, It is my impression that the tuning options presented to the user represent varying degrees or implementations of these optimisations. </span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_KacZPzCTc/VLtY_djSrdI/AAAAAAAABB4/XfGscsZrjPg/s1600/bughead%2Binterface%2B3%2B2channelaudio%2Baudiolayer%2Bopensource.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuning Options 2.... </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here the user gets the ability to alter sound with CPU instruction selection.... tunes via rewrite. </span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Rewrite</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> is a small piece of software written by </span><a href="http://2channelaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/bughead-emperor-hq-music-player.html" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Bughead author </a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;"><a href="http://2channelaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/bughead-emperor-hq-music-player.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Mr. Hiroyuki Yokota</a></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">.... </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;">I</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;">n a nut shell rewrite de-fragments music files on your computer to reduce jitter issues and improve playback quality, prior to files loading into memory for playback. </span><a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/rewrite-125-x64-bughead-emperor.html" style="line-height: 16.25px;" target="_blank">Click here for more on rewrite. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAxsasQGTRC7kaCHSbZVcOlI15MDUyQkAbKCbpO0IfQfSFJ4iNFJycXe6AOSgCTlYMiHMLvEr0Doj4SgUVfMP-Y60yBzsCKVGkaHRzy5LqhpMQ1H-RxfQHb_2tWm-C6A3ZLRNFzEw499Y/s1600/Inifinity+blade+SQ+grizzlyaudio+options+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAxsasQGTRC7kaCHSbZVcOlI15MDUyQkAbKCbpO0IfQfSFJ4iNFJycXe6AOSgCTlYMiHMLvEr0Doj4SgUVfMP-Y60yBzsCKVGkaHRzy5LqhpMQ1H-RxfQHb_2tWm-C6A3ZLRNFzEw499Y/s640/Inifinity+blade+SQ+grizzlyaudio+options+4.jpg" title="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuning Options 3.... </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just when you thought you already had too many options, you have even more!!! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again these settings make a difference. How they are implemented and what they do... yep.... you will need to discover that for yourself. Try them all and see which one suits your setup. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRL1pDBES1cct-T5B2OTXDfVtyaeTCF4UFLceYt0l93obfhVQwiFqcPhxLSyM7BtSMFh9aMMUSKQcH1jtB7TfVAEKloHQ0r-_KJRCfSQ0BqrfRZ3TiIg_C7kakDxyhpjY-OF_w_R0l0nY/s1600/Inifinity+blade+SQ+grizzlyaudio+options+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRL1pDBES1cct-T5B2OTXDfVtyaeTCF4UFLceYt0l93obfhVQwiFqcPhxLSyM7BtSMFh9aMMUSKQcH1jtB7TfVAEKloHQ0r-_KJRCfSQ0BqrfRZ3TiIg_C7kakDxyhpjY-OF_w_R0l0nY/s640/Inifinity+blade+SQ+grizzlyaudio+options+3.jpg" title="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Interface</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Without pointing out the obvious the interface is simple and purposeful. There's no headless operation via a control app here..... unless you implement a windows RDP session or similar, user operation will be via your standard keyboard and mouse..... simply select your file or folder and hit play. </span><br />
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For those users that love integrated cover art searches, headless control and advanced music cataloging bughead may not suit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi227mRlI4x3nnDgiKdoZE8pg1F6B1e5hDFEKJnncoNB_1i1Cd0eTcnqa_TcGS0S1rfyHWh8BjXmD58jEOG5FyqRHRa9m0llwL0qbAzBTIpIkM43EH6_gVZ0SpTULdSRy71e5TD4hW7waRq/s1600/bughead+interface+overview+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi227mRlI4x3nnDgiKdoZE8pg1F6B1e5hDFEKJnncoNB_1i1Cd0eTcnqa_TcGS0S1rfyHWh8BjXmD58jEOG5FyqRHRa9m0llwL0qbAzBTIpIkM43EH6_gVZ0SpTULdSRy71e5TD4hW7waRq/s640/bughead+interface+overview+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b>Features</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUY9ABOjqQXfZuK0pnlVR7eVghSM6Go8yqNqnj8RnSY5Z34bbvXlzXrQsKb8QCNaEjA_sQzIszY9jpds2SRCz7T4kIBNlOfPtEvBPl75c5eddO23q2kUph32Nv3iVzXUCngImeIBzzozA/s1600/bughead+pcm+conversion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUY9ABOjqQXfZuK0pnlVR7eVghSM6Go8yqNqnj8RnSY5Z34bbvXlzXrQsKb8QCNaEjA_sQzIszY9jpds2SRCz7T4kIBNlOfPtEvBPl75c5eddO23q2kUph32Nv3iVzXUCngImeIBzzozA/s320/bughead+pcm+conversion.JPG" title="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Volume</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Phase selection</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Instruction set selection </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. PCM allows the user to select pcm, or DSD output and its freq... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Tuning options </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Left and Right balance control</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Volume control (min to max, single digit increments).... Allowing possible use in a system without a preamp whilst in ASIO mode!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. ASIO status </span><br />
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<b>Bughead setup page </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To enter the bughead setup page simply click on the opening logo screen.</span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmXy57rGVaWR1O7DJnJdSRkQdVIApEDnVKnAOaFeR3JswGORCqc5fQvlljLtKSuUxrVvXvQdmoCoFwx-n_DypFx68N9qNc4rWdXeJS6WJw7PFjQvo8b-z8SNKVMHVdT96YjjU12OFKrPV/s1600/infinity+blade+SQ+bughead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmXy57rGVaWR1O7DJnJdSRkQdVIApEDnVKnAOaFeR3JswGORCqc5fQvlljLtKSuUxrVvXvQdmoCoFwx-n_DypFx68N9qNc4rWdXeJS6WJw7PFjQvo8b-z8SNKVMHVdT96YjjU12OFKrPV/s320/infinity+blade+SQ+bughead.JPG" title="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once this is done you will be requested to select your appropriate asio output device. </span><br />
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Once completed the next screen presented will be the setup screen. </span><br />
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This screen allows the user to select a number of configuration points which either improves or degrades sound quality and rendering playback. </span><br />
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Some of these options include: </span><br />
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1. Correct clear sound. Enables memory loading of tracks, provides a weighted 40% improvement in sound quality. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Phase adjustment, my recommendation is to select off. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Memory dim tune mode. Optimises memory loading based on your PC's ram configuration. The software suggests this can improve overall sound quality by 20% from the default 50% degradation to 30%. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Shape clear sound - Jitter introduction - I believe this actually adds jitter into the signal. Which some DACs and users may actually prefer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Oversampling - I would recommend normal. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VNZ0aD0nuuEmNQWnN9ZNVuZlLTLdFo7HaGL5Ai_dYYibokUx1IzM6gOnR2Z76rdIKl7efrXxLeiYOtQ5aJpO4KyZwfCWDMhyphenhyphendy9H8cgMEB6Y43xVnNK0JbE9SWJ9C4myQ0o5C2JmRXHN/s1600/bughead+setup+grizzlyaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VNZ0aD0nuuEmNQWnN9ZNVuZlLTLdFo7HaGL5Ai_dYYibokUx1IzM6gOnR2Z76rdIKl7efrXxLeiYOtQ5aJpO4KyZwfCWDMhyphenhyphendy9H8cgMEB6Y43xVnNK0JbE9SWJ9C4myQ0o5C2JmRXHN/s640/bughead+setup+grizzlyaudio.JPG" title="bughead player - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b>Download</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Either of these links will provide you download access. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=95b15e620f5d211d&id=95B15E620F5D211D%21105" target="_blank">Onedrive account for downloads....... </a> or </span><br />
<a href="http://oryaaaaa.world.coocan.jp/bughead/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://oryaaaaa.world.coocan.jp/bughead/index.html</span></a><br />
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<b>Supported file formats </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WAV, FLAC, DSD, APE, OPUS, M4A, AAC, WV, OGG, CDA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">16-32bit resolution </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">44.1khz - 192khz rates </span><br />
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<b>ASIO compatible </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ASIO compatible and configurable with supported playback devices. Including USB DACS and spdif converters, soundcards, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Configurable options at setup page during startup..... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again more tweaking options!!! God knows what they all do.. Too many options!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Settings include: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Memory optimsation </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. LPF force </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Correct clear sound </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Up-sampling </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Shape clear sound </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have fun.... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-5965632133097362712015-08-15T04:56:00.004-07:002015-09-04T19:01:11.484-07:00Symetrix ZM760 loudspeaker manager <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihENo4b1orl0n2Z9zpLhBg5FLVTKUZesQSncxp2MxxAxOuJahsey5QUFqDOFpxUieOAJKO3vrOi2KnEhyza86wCZUD02GCzZA0BgzlvA7F0HEatnFhK7nqn_e43KDhu2nXoN0bHGvG_rP5/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+11++Symetrix+760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihENo4b1orl0n2Z9zpLhBg5FLVTKUZesQSncxp2MxxAxOuJahsey5QUFqDOFpxUieOAJKO3vrOi2KnEhyza86wCZUD02GCzZA0BgzlvA7F0HEatnFhK7nqn_e43KDhu2nXoN0bHGvG_rP5/s640/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+11++Symetrix+760.JPG" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you looking for an active DSP crossover & equalisation solution for around the $300 dollar mark? Let me introduce the superseded Symetrix zone mix 760...</span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>Setting the scene </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If your reading this blogpost, you are likely contemplating building a set of active speakers, or in need of a decent sounding loudspeaker manager which doesn't break the bank..... Sure you have seen miniDSP and its implementation as a cost effective loudspeaker DSP while scouring the web, but are you questioning whether miniDSP is the right solution to provide a quality render/playback? I asked myself these very questions..... this quick blogpost is all about saving you sometime and money..... helping steer you in the right DSP direction.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-Hxi37HAbBCngFzNUOaYr2Y1K7de01NKAr7Xrd1s-F8RhebD0YnFO3VE8J2DpElAFP64VRC3Y4ac7NW0Nf1W_xKRUWUZ8r2J-L_4t9HVVUbZjtNqwlfZJpNKxXvOOOwqu2FVhU8nJcVf/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+11+Symetrix+760+specs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-Hxi37HAbBCngFzNUOaYr2Y1K7de01NKAr7Xrd1s-F8RhebD0YnFO3VE8J2DpElAFP64VRC3Y4ac7NW0Nf1W_xKRUWUZ8r2J-L_4t9HVVUbZjtNqwlfZJpNKxXvOOOwqu2FVhU8nJcVf/s320/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+11+Symetrix+760+specs.JPG" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I trialed miniDSP's balanced 2x4 processor for my active DSP crossover duties. To cut a long story short the miniDSP product was unsuccessful in my active application.... The long and the short of it was the miniDSP balanced I/O's were just too noisy to be taken seriously in my HiFi application. Very prominent signal idle hiss was present with its utilisation in my system, ultimately ensuring it was not suitable for my critical active DSP crossover application.</span><br />
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Understanding the end goal for any DSP loudspeaker management implementation is excellent sound quality, ultra low noise and feature rich DSP functionality, I decided it was time I turned to pro level DSP products for a capable solution..... and so I introduce to you Symetrix's superseded zone mix 760 (ZM760), hot from eBay!</span><br />
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<b>Why Symetrix?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Throughout my career in the AV industry I have used many pro level DSP units for front of house PA and conferencing solutions. One brand in particular I have been very impressed with is Symetrix. So I thought instead of mucking around with all-sorts of entry level consumer grade DSP options, to 'hopefully' find something that was 'quiet', DSP rich and had great sound quality. I decide a secondhand Symetrix DSP would be a great place to start for pro grade specs at second hand prices, as a new Symetrix radius or jupiter was just not feasible.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmCzMzZVveOyPDTrBW35x8-3el_BTxuq4ShlLvf7OrNmQIAXDizDBu1Lzy3d4BfpbhVOuM63P1X48ojWiv0lmX5OVdEkcr88BERaRS95EB_mkJcerkFQ-nwb79hFj90TopNwh10tEEUtj/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+3+Symetrix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmCzMzZVveOyPDTrBW35x8-3el_BTxuq4ShlLvf7OrNmQIAXDizDBu1Lzy3d4BfpbhVOuM63P1X48ojWiv0lmX5OVdEkcr88BERaRS95EB_mkJcerkFQ-nwb79hFj90TopNwh10tEEUtj/s320/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+3+Symetrix.JPG" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So off to eBAY I went, eventually managing to track down two superseded Symetrix ZM760's on ebay ranging from $250-300 a unit.... an absolute bargain for any DIY speaker builder.</span><br />
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The Symetrix zone mix 760 is essentially a 12input, 6output closed architecture DSP and loudspeaker manager. The ZM760 doesn't offer the vast open architecture and customisation seen in more expensive pro level DSP units; I.e Symetrix <a href="http://www.symetrix.co/products/open-architecture-standalone-dsp/#solus" target="_blank">Solus</a> or <a href="http://www.symetrix.co/products/open-architecture-dante-scalable-dsp/#radius-12x8" target="_blank">Radius</a> for example. Instead the ZM760 favours a more basic fixed DSP offering and graphical user interface which provides a good mix of user-ability and functionality.</span><br />
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Symetrix market the ZM760 as "a complete paging and music management solution designed to save you time and money. Built upon proven and reliable technology, it is perfect for restaurants, hospitality, night clubs and more." .......in my application it also appears the ZM760 is an excellent DIY loudspeaker manager with an adequate assortment of DSP tools to accurately tune and time align your DIY speaker setup in their environment. More on the ZM760's DSP features in a bit.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKS1K5sI1zg-lQ-5cMNf7BgiVwYKEURY1QwrX74hB2VJmggxY18G6_ytfqZjORuHd7ixccCt59Ikq3_auxANrQJiRAP8_4ZKONkRLfCnXWRXwLGjEVz0OmfwuMjZdlo_ef4cueA-__YlKC/s1600/Grizzluaudio+PS+recapped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKS1K5sI1zg-lQ-5cMNf7BgiVwYKEURY1QwrX74hB2VJmggxY18G6_ytfqZjORuHd7ixccCt59Ikq3_auxANrQJiRAP8_4ZKONkRLfCnXWRXwLGjEVz0OmfwuMjZdlo_ef4cueA-__YlKC/s200/Grizzluaudio+PS+recapped.JPG" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">RECAPPED</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To diverge quickly, the Symetrix DSP units I purchased both had 'very' noisy power supply units. So I cracked open the cases and inspected the switch mode power supplies for any easy to see issues. It was obvious both main capacitors had prominent bulges, so I replaced the caps with new 450w 47uf units. While I was under the hood, I also replaced the single 50v 47uf cap at position 6 plus the four 35v 220uf caps at positions 1,2,3,4.... with brand new high quality panasonic caps. Once completed, and the power supplies were recalibrated to deliver 23.7vdc, I promptly powered the DSP units and observed, "power supply silence" just what I was after...... we were now ready to make music! ;)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1nsSLzJgO5r9oNLWge8yYdHewK6itWUPEAayptr9s9UUyPO2y5h_pl7Ngyj5tqEhPnSDM_63QRUOY5qIuJW2l-2NErAWKAOtSmRyeAoxSkNQB2pK-qzVydruHWWfxqGkbHEKO6FO-9XJ/s1600/Grizzluaudio+PS1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1nsSLzJgO5r9oNLWge8yYdHewK6itWUPEAayptr9s9UUyPO2y5h_pl7Ngyj5tqEhPnSDM_63QRUOY5qIuJW2l-2NErAWKAOtSmRyeAoxSkNQB2pK-qzVydruHWWfxqGkbHEKO6FO-9XJ/s200/Grizzluaudio+PS1.JPG" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">OLD</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Operational noise: Symetrix </span></b><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITM7ZP04DEo/Uy2IgzgI8tI/AAAAAAAAAwE/W0QQyWMPxbk/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+9+Symetrix+760+specs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITM7ZP04DEo/Uy2IgzgI8tI/AAAAAAAAAwE/W0QQyWMPxbk/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+9+Symetrix+760+specs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must point out, once I had the ZM760's connected in my system; it took all of 2 seconds to appreciate the signal idle noise of the Symetrix was markedly less than the miniDSP 2x4 balanced processors they had replaced in my system. Infact the ZM760's could be considered 'quiet' with the right high quality electrical stable source. A welcomed outcome, but still not silent mind you.</span><br />
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The ZM760's performance mimicked my positive experience with the Extron DMP44, which I had previously used to benchmark the miniDSP against. The DMP44 performed flawlessly in the DSP idle hiss/noise department (again not silent but very good), which easily shamed the miniDSP 2x4 balanced highlighting its excessive output idle noise.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q5Ku2WtRJnmUzNVTYrYYBFddMcuK1XQ6BPu6WY6RXznwcm1CHCUZut4DxMOnmIglIEo9mzWTcLU923-9EzN7_mpJ100H8kL-mazvBZVG6joymKhaMKZcLuS2WxoBm2SPHiiTZweDgDsK/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+1+Symetrix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q5Ku2WtRJnmUzNVTYrYYBFddMcuK1XQ6BPu6WY6RXznwcm1CHCUZut4DxMOnmIglIEo9mzWTcLU923-9EzN7_mpJ100H8kL-mazvBZVG6joymKhaMKZcLuS2WxoBm2SPHiiTZweDgDsK/s640/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+1+Symetrix.JPG" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Subjectively I believe the ZM760's represent some of the best value & sounding processing I have heard for DIY'ers looking for similar low cost solutions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><i><br /></i></u></b><b><u><i>A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE SYMETRIX 760 FEATURES: </i></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><i><br /></i></u></b>Lets quickly review some of the DSP's rich feature list.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC8JQTYpO7QlEKMcwl8A_jx6CochpXRWK8PI3pxLsSJE8Sj4S0jkiOohLBi00KjfYq71Z2nqb61KXRHWYPYCAlhFSbgaetSK8vfQUamcq3gaQWgF2ZL-tuGlJD0Y_CK_mTiIvnLtuGIPO/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+10+Symetrix+760+specs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC8JQTYpO7QlEKMcwl8A_jx6CochpXRWK8PI3pxLsSJE8Sj4S0jkiOohLBi00KjfYq71Z2nqb61KXRHWYPYCAlhFSbgaetSK8vfQUamcq3gaQWgF2ZL-tuGlJD0Y_CK_mTiIvnLtuGIPO/s640/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+10+Symetrix+760+specs.JPG" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b>INPUTS</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7H3JVfqbUw7z02VVAD4aElhEqIYx-hh6VcROql9G97ByNr6ecLJI-Rfc2W7DpsyRrsczC22AhTvudmArJK8czmo7S82r66rOsr-iRqV841XeUogWhcV8n7Ohia2BqiEWjFJENrQfywLB/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+5+Symetrix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7H3JVfqbUw7z02VVAD4aElhEqIYx-hh6VcROql9G97ByNr6ecLJI-Rfc2W7DpsyRrsczC22AhTvudmArJK8czmo7S82r66rOsr-iRqV841XeUogWhcV8n7Ohia2BqiEWjFJENrQfywLB/s320/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+5+Symetrix.JPG" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The unit is loaded with 12 analog inputs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 balanced mic/line (either balanced/unbalanced)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8 unbalanced (great for native RCA equipment connection)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>Each input provides the following functionality </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Signal inversion on mic/line balanced inputs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">White noise generator (inputs 1-3)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pink noise generator (inputs 1-3)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIF5FgufDJqoIQ2HLvBJ4BoxtCw-mMY0HTvFnHvQayVpHvS3Zacx3aYfdG8t8VcgDg8S5KJaU54NJuOLmBC9ki_xRUXyLYI-B9ni5kReX8VZminSJtUzjfZa8k5KiSQgEax88FUeaGy4-/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+4+Symetrix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIF5FgufDJqoIQ2HLvBJ4BoxtCw-mMY0HTvFnHvQayVpHvS3Zacx3aYfdG8t8VcgDg8S5KJaU54NJuOLmBC9ki_xRUXyLYI-B9ni5kReX8VZminSJtUzjfZa8k5KiSQgEax88FUeaGy4-/s320/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+4+Symetrix.JPG" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discrete channel digital trim</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discrete input fader control</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discrete channel compression</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mic / Line level settings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Input EQ - 5 band parametric equalisation on all inputs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Channel mute</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Equalisation bypass</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Selectable 'freq' for rumble filter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Signal routing and matrix control</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discrete input auto gain control</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discrete and accurate meter monitoring </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q5Ku2WtRJnmUzNVTYrYYBFddMcuK1XQ6BPu6WY6RXznwcm1CHCUZut4DxMOnmIglIEo9mzWTcLU923-9EzN7_mpJ100H8kL-mazvBZVG6joymKhaMKZcLuS2WxoBm2SPHiiTZweDgDsK/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+1+Symetrix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q5Ku2WtRJnmUzNVTYrYYBFddMcuK1XQ6BPu6WY6RXznwcm1CHCUZut4DxMOnmIglIEo9mzWTcLU923-9EzN7_mpJ100H8kL-mazvBZVG6joymKhaMKZcLuS2WxoBm2SPHiiTZweDgDsK/s320/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+1+Symetrix.JPG" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OUTPUTS </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The unit is loaded with 6 balanced outputs, which can be terminated in either balanced or unbalanaced configuration</span><br />
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<b>Each output provides the following functionality </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8 bands of parametric equalisation</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discrete channel delay up to 341ms!!! I think delay is covered! lol</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Signal inversion on all output channels</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYTYZ_h2c5UXqtzQQ7FZ0PxMu28Aucn96OSyOmjGBtztwO_zGYlWowSMk6NtABoUkgPTJTkn7bFvfkKu8wgSDZl-Cnku_bIYFjBglpmFnNElBtFoopCpr39asLZL_4PEXC1V7w8FVn4O7/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+2+Symetrix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYTYZ_h2c5UXqtzQQ7FZ0PxMu28Aucn96OSyOmjGBtztwO_zGYlWowSMk6NtABoUkgPTJTkn7bFvfkKu8wgSDZl-Cnku_bIYFjBglpmFnNElBtFoopCpr39asLZL_4PEXC1V7w8FVn4O7/s320/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+2+Symetrix.JPG" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Butterworth / Bessel / Linkwitz Crossovers are selectable at 6,12,18,24,30,36,42,48db</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crossovers can be high and low pass</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discrete and accurate meter monitoring</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discrete output channel limiters</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Equalisation bypass</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Output mute</span><br />
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<b>SORRY</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No FIR equalisation is provided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No Biquad filtering is provided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For me this is not an issue, the Symetrix provides more than enough parametric equalisation for my builds & room.</span><br />
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Plus signal inversion is provided on both inputs and outputs. </span><br />
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<b>ZM760 SPECS </b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.symetrix.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/760_qs.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click here for the quick start guide.</span></a><br />
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<b>PROGRAMMING</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Programming is via a fixed architecture interface. Connection to the unit is via Ethernet. Which is a big bonus feature over any hardwired USB programmable DSP.</span><br />
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This enables DSP files to be complete, uploaded and downloaded via a wireless Ethernet connection once the unit is connected to your wireless home router!!. a very convenient feature (Welcome to pro level gear!!) <a href="http://www.symetrix.co/?s=zone+mix+760+&search.x=0&search.y=0" target="_blank">Software is found here: </a></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FRONT PANEL </span></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUhLUaJcCeFDeaKKfihyc8frok-YwoVRIfUfoGMfll0ErjhUfB9C0z8whUUO39oKmDRpjftI52lC10uJC90Gw1i5ANfU9WSQwQAzaTxbaYrdMgv4vPP-z9DBENBaVLoFcKAf9XIniIB_Y/s1600/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+6+Symetrix+760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUhLUaJcCeFDeaKKfihyc8frok-YwoVRIfUfoGMfll0ErjhUfB9C0z8whUUO39oKmDRpjftI52lC10uJC90Gw1i5ANfU9WSQwQAzaTxbaYrdMgv4vPP-z9DBENBaVLoFcKAf9XIniIB_Y/s640/DIY+active+crossover+-+2channelaudio+-+6+Symetrix+760.jpg" title="Symetrix DSP minidsp - grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have any questions, send a message! cheers </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-64681537748714455362015-08-15T03:03:00.004-07:002015-09-04T19:01:44.659-07:00HIFI Near field listening <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you listening to your room, when you should be listening to your speakers?</span><br />
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I pose this question, because I believe many music lovers/audiophiles make the mistake of selecting a far-field listening position, which forces these individuals to listen to more of the room than necessary.</span><br />
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For me near-field listening offers many sonic and acoustic advantages over and above far-field listening. However we need to realise that not all speaker systems lend themselves to a near-field listening scenario. Typically speakers which <b><u>don't</u></b> work well in near-field setup exhibit the following characteristics:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Large physical size </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Larger than normal distances between drivers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reduced high frequency dispersion patterns</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speakers which require +2m from listener to speaker to achieve driver coherence. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the flip side speakers which exhibit wide dispersion, decent driver integration/cohesion and imaging, open up the possibility for near-field experimentation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>So what is near-field listening?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>N</b>ear <b>F</b>ield <b>L</b>istening can generally be described as a listening position relative to your speakers of less than 2-1.5meters. <b>NFL</b> promotes an acoustic listening scenario in which "the room" is less likely to impact on your aural experience when compared to traditional far-field positions.</span><br />
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Its important to note, <b>NFL</b> still requires careful consideration and application of acoustic treatment/principles to achieve best outcomes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u><u><b>NFL</b> is not a substitute to room acoustic treatment and optimisation.</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Although the definition above is probably an acceptable technical definition, I take a slightly more "liberal" approach and application of the definition. I like to describe <b>NFL</b> as a listening position of less than 2meters which is equal distance to both left and right speaker positions, and the same distance again exists between each speaker (equilateral triangle). In this listening position you are also ideally closer to the speakers than you are to their nearest primary reflection point. </span><br />
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<b>Traditional Equilateral NFL Positioning.. </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you can see in the below <b>NFL</b> diagram, the listener and speakers form an equilateral triangle, which aims to organically optimise soundstage composure, soundstage depth and musical imaging.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQum8UCifxvE7S_KTFMU65oGq6p0Z8ZTHra5t6_MGsrVbOkZ52BcY7EIKTRwSC_gQtXIZ0iCoucSqS6mIfR4FpHOtxWBa-TKfQi40NA3fq-vNxgvAtVNuTrd-yOcZHtUNS8IJbZ-i-14P/s1600/nearfield+grizzlyaudio+reflections.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Nearfield listening - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQum8UCifxvE7S_KTFMU65oGq6p0Z8ZTHra5t6_MGsrVbOkZ52BcY7EIKTRwSC_gQtXIZ0iCoucSqS6mIfR4FpHOtxWBa-TKfQi40NA3fq-vNxgvAtVNuTrd-yOcZHtUNS8IJbZ-i-14P/s640/nearfield+grizzlyaudio+reflections.JPG" title="Nearfield listening - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Treating primary & secondary reflection room points to improve NFL acoustics. </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The point of this blogpost is not to provide an acoustic treatment lesson, however some basic principles need to be covered. The image below details a "standard" listening room, which has acoustic optimisation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Take particular notice of the primary reflection points, which occur at the mirror points between the listener and the speaker (both walls and ceiling points). Its always important to note, in near field listening scenario we are trying to position ourselves and our speakers, at a distance closer than that of the first primary mirror/reflection points, but these points need either absorption of diffusion treatment to manage acoustic reflections and bass anomalies. </span><br />
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In a near-field listening scenario I suggest the following acoustic treatment be considered as a minimum, to help control primary reflections. </span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Front wall panels directly behind each main speaker. A mix of absorption and diffusion are suitable</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bass Traps. Bass needs to be controlled! More bass is not necessarily the best medicine. Controlled taught and defined bass is what you are after. Try using bass traps in the corners of your space. Full height floor to ceiling and at least 600-800mm wide. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Side walls @ primary reflection points, Absorption at primary reflection / Diffusion also suitable to retain air, space and life in the room</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back wall for primary reflection point, Combination of absorption /diffusion </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note, NFL success will also be impacted by environmental factors including:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Room shape, ambient room noise (noise floor), room dimensions, furnishings, location of these furnishings, Floor finish, Windows? V's Plaster, etc..... Everything needs consideration ;)</span><br />
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<b></b><b>Near-field listening Pro's & Con's </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a nut shell near field listening has the following benefits over more traditional far field listening.</span><br />
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<b>Higher sound pressure level per amplifier wattage (Headroom)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inverse square law tells us, for every doubling of listening distance, there will be a corresponding SPL loss of 6db. The reverse is also true, the closer one listens to the point source the louder it will be for any given input power. This fundamental truth organically provides reduced system distortion on application.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.acousticdimensions.com/ADtools_inverse.html" target="_blank">A good link comparing listening distance to SPL</a></span><br />
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<b>Amplifier power requirements V's distortion </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Expanding on the point above. Reduced SPL requirements, equates to reduced load both constant & transient on amplifiers. Potentially reducing amplifier distortion. Obviously not true in all scenarios.</span><br />
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<b>Speaker </b><b>Distortion </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaker driver excursion is reduced as SPL requirements are lessened for the same frequency response. Organically this limits the amount of transducer electro-mechanical distortion induced into the music reproduction.</span><br />
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<b>Room </b><b>Distortion | Acoustic Interaction Minimisation </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Measured at the same frequency & location, the lower a sources actual SPL, the less acoustic energy produced. This equates to less acoustic/room overlay/distortion due to less acoustic/room interaction.</span><br />
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Acoustic reflections at primary and secondary locations still need to be addressed (at a minimum) for best acoustic performance, but near-field listening by its very nature positions the listener directly in the source emitted sound wave for direct and reflection "minimised" listening.</span><br />
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<b>Better stereo separation </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The further a listener sits from the source (speakers) the more potential for breakdown in stereo image projection/presentation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>NFL</b> naturally promotes excellent stereo imaging/separation and arguably presents a signal which is more immediate and heightened in its detail presentation and retrieval, when compared to the same signal at a far-field listening position.</span><br />
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<b>Disadvantages include: </b></span><br />
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<b>Aesthetics</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Depending on your room setup and furniture arrangement, a near field setup may not be possible. The wife approval factor (WAF), such a inconsistent and formidable power.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NFL requires speakers which have good/great driver integration & frequency coherency </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speakers which have poor driver integration due to design or driver placement may not lend themselves to near field listening. This is really something that must be subjectively tested. I know from experience large JBL style monitors 43/44 series do not lend themselves to near field listening, and to be fair this was never a design intention, but this example makes my point nonetheless.</span><br />
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In general terms, smaller speakers with close proximity drivers work best in near-field applications. These speakers tend to have high frequency drivers with wide dispersion wave guides and/or soft dome style drivers which promote wide dispersion in the applicable driver frequencies.</span><br />
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<b>Less bass due to less acoustic loading & help from your listening space </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some users report less bass energy in near-field listening applications. I can't really say I have found this to be true, as I use dual subwoofers firing into the near-field listening position. Each subwoofer offers full manipulation of phase, polarity and Parametric frequency equalisation making mains to subwoofer phase alignment and frequency crossover much simpler. I believe this negates any potential loss of bass at NFL ranges.</span><br />
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I will however concede that many audiophiles may find by moving away from the traditional corner/wall loaded speaker setup, bass will be reduced. Personally, I have never been one to place speakers close to a wall or corner to enhance bottom end, as I believe soundstage and mid range clarity suffers, but nevertheless a bass reduction in this instance would be highly expected & likely.</span><br />
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That's enough from me,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Try <b>NFL</b> for yourself.....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-63032729008639924502015-08-15T02:52:00.002-07:002015-09-04T19:02:13.888-07:00Rewrite 1.25 x64 - Bughead Emperor - Audiophile file optimisation <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Are you the type of audiophile looking to squeeze every last drop of sound quality from your highly optimised digital hifi rig? </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Well if you are take a look at the following piece of ingenuous software. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Rewrite</b> is a small piece of software written by <a href="http://2channelaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/bughead-emperor-hq-music-player.html" target="_blank">Bughead author </a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;"><a href="http://2channelaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/bughead-emperor-hq-music-player.html" target="_blank">Mr. Hiroyuki Yokota</a></span><span style="background-color: white;">.... </span><span style="line-height: 16.25px;">In a nut shell rewrite de-fragments music files on your computer to reduce jitter issues and improve playback quality, prior to files loading into memory for playback. </span><span style="line-height: 16.25px;">Does it work? I'll let you decide.... </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="line-height: 16.25px;">The engineering behind this software is apparently based on </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;">Mr. Hiroyuki Yokota's efforts found here at </span><span style="line-height: 16.25px;"><a href="http://www.purebasic.fr/english/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=61058" target="_blank">http://www.purebasic</a>.... an effort to reduce jitter in a PC's memory buffer for improved audio quality. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.25px;"><br /></span><b style="line-height: 16.25px;">Download here </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Click here to enjoy magical access to <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;">Mr. Hiroyuki Yokota's one drive. </span><br /><span style="line-height: 16.25px;"><a href="https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=95b15e620f5d211d&id=95B15E620F5D211D%21105" target="_blank">One Drive Download </a></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Interface</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Simply select your files and hit start!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4nCAxWbQwtCJDcZ15lexhglJsTIIpOemIRHwB0QJVitMFvhHN6yS_XF3azX8tSHcpe_E4IxS3fYnz-XQldgwnMe_FI3LuLoNGscv2D6TUK4G6JUiDeFMAkN2GH-283fhD5WhFJ5SQ8s6/s1600/Screen+captre+-+Grizzly+audio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Rewrite Bughead Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4nCAxWbQwtCJDcZ15lexhglJsTIIpOemIRHwB0QJVitMFvhHN6yS_XF3azX8tSHcpe_E4IxS3fYnz-XQldgwnMe_FI3LuLoNGscv2D6TUK4G6JUiDeFMAkN2GH-283fhD5WhFJ5SQ8s6/s640/Screen+captre+-+Grizzly+audio.JPG" title="Rewrite Bughead Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 16.25px;">Please be-aware once you run the software, moving and/or copying files will negate the benefit..... files will need to be re-optimised prior to playback. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.25px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 16.25px;">Its also worth noting rewrite has been developed & designed to de-fragment/optimise program files including Bughead, MQN, VLC, foobar etc for improvements in render quality. This optimisation will also work on any directory, simply access your directory of choice and hit the start rewrite data button. </span><span style="line-height: 16.25px;">A very interesting piece of software indeed. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.25px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 16.25px;">Word on the MQn thread is that a similar version of this software will be developed for future versions of MQn.... Check it out developments here: </span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2418&start=6530" style="line-height: 16.25px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/</span></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">User instruction selection </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here users have the ability to configure AVX, MMX, SSE, NFX instruction sets.... </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I haven't tried altering settings from AVX so please let me know your observations if this setting is altered. Good luck, let me know how you go</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Other webpages discussing rewrite</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jplay.eu/forum/computer-audio/drastic-sound-quality-improvement-rewrite-data-1.0/">http://jplay.eu/forum/computer-audio/drastic-sound-quality-improvement-rewrite-data-1.0/</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mr. Hiroyuki Yokota discussing rewrite. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.purebasic.fr/english/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=61402">http://www.purebasic.fr/english/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=61402</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-56789680297166892302015-08-15T02:42:00.002-07:002015-09-04T18:52:00.853-07:00MQn minimalist PC music player - The king of sound quality <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCRcVMGzSnBhLk0VGi0HPUHDQsfsT0UfazNh-H3jFiQHdIde88pcUMqMJz4hb31yA2RU6OmyUA77QcKmqYS6DOTeuZ8wYLtIt-j_FPnD0ky_zHL2AZ-wx4XyjPDbvBAJ4Gkk0cxe8beV6/s1600/crown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCRcVMGzSnBhLk0VGi0HPUHDQsfsT0UfazNh-H3jFiQHdIde88pcUMqMJz4hb31yA2RU6OmyUA77QcKmqYS6DOTeuZ8wYLtIt-j_FPnD0ky_zHL2AZ-wx4XyjPDbvBAJ4Gkk0cxe8beV6/s320/crown.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Could MQn be the best sounding pc music player available?</b></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Many believe it is....I am one of them.... and for those who have not yet tried MQn.... if you think your current Jplay, Playpcmwin, </span><span style="background-color: white;">cMP cPlay, vortexbox, foober2000, MPD solution is rocking, wait </span><span style="background-color: white;">until you try it!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Essentially MQn is a highly optimised (sound quality first/convenience second) wasapi based open source ram </span><span style="background-color: white;">loading music player (that's a mouthful), which as the description suggests is capable of loading any number of concurrent .wav files </span><span style="background-color: white;">you select for playback into memory before playback begins (subject to ram availability). There's no fancy </span><span style="background-color: white;">interface, no fancy controls, no fancy branding..... MQn just plays .wav </span><span style="background-color: white;">files and sounds amazing doing so.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://mqnplayer.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Link to mqn blog.... by SBGK</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See below... MQn's basic command prompt interface. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVSRUlNcOrBgh5EWCCGc3BYnMpkdo6CHnjNmQO93IREPzIQwg_IALyQK6nPMlD4TemtQU6DtBDSAtMbF1dszenO1Cd6e2Jn_Vd3nPN6YSr1Kirmd5UOnSTwCTIYMAvW4jruZItG9ouepZ/s1600/mqn+interface.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="MQN Player - Interface - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVSRUlNcOrBgh5EWCCGc3BYnMpkdo6CHnjNmQO93IREPzIQwg_IALyQK6nPMlD4TemtQU6DtBDSAtMbF1dszenO1Cd6e2Jn_Vd3nPN6YSr1Kirmd5UOnSTwCTIYMAvW4jruZItG9ouepZ/s640/mqn+interface.JPG" title="MQN Player - Interface - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">MQn has amazing forum support, it's members are passionate and keenly </span><span style="background-color: white;">involved in the players evolution. Check out the threads at <u><b>TirNaHifi.org</b></u>. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2439" target="_blank">http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2439</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2418" target="_blank">http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2418</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">MQn apparently plays flac in certain containers/bit rates.... however I could only get .wav playback to work. </span><span style="background-color: white;">So if .wav only playback this is an issue, your either </span><span style="background-color: white;">going to need to find the solution yourself and try the software, or click away and be </span><span style="background-color: white;">happy with your current player. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Pssst....... I'll let you into a little secret, your missing out big time!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">For some, .wav only playback may be the straw that breaks the camels back. However, </span><span style="background-color: white;">I urge you to stop and try the software, before you make this </span><span style="background-color: white;">judgement. </span><span style="background-color: white;">I was one of those individuals that thought I couldn't live without flac </span><span style="background-color: white;">playback. </span><span style="background-color: white;">But after I heard M</span><span style="background-color: white;">Qn v2.59, My priorities changed, I forwent any playback convenience in favour of unadulterated sound quality; Converting & re ripping my entire CD collection :)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Listening to MQn I'm not sure how much better PC music playback can possibly get.... </span>Subjectively, MQn delivers an extremely detailed, rich and dynamic 'analog like' <span style="background-color: white;">musical rendering performance. It's mid range and upper bass </span><span style="background-color: white;">qualities remind me a lot of the organic presentation vinyl provides. </span><span style="background-color: white;">MQn really does have wonderful jitter </span><span style="background-color: white;">free & blooming mid range,,,, with very strong/detailed upper and mid bass response/rendering. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B3vvH5WBfg8PR0lHZzR6d012OXM&usp=sharing&tid=0B3vvH5WBfg8PdlZmeDhNZ1Utbm8" target="_blank">So how do you get started? </a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QL6dWHI7EqM/UvbYoxGxvQI/AAAAAAAAApw/7eA1Ta-LbfU/s1600/google+drive+mqn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make your way to the <a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B3vvH5WBfg8PR0lHZzR6d012OXM&usp=sharing&tid=0B3vvH5WBfg8PdlZmeDhNZ1Utbm8#list" target="_blank">MQn google drive repository</a> >></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Download these 4 files, into c:\musicplayer\*.* on your PC. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Paste.exe</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. MQn.bat</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. One of the mqn play files</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Read the MQn read me file found in the google drive folder to select </span><span style="background-color: white;">which file is suitable for your means of playback. Some files have </span><span style="background-color: white;">been optimised for Realtek outputs, USB or a combination of both.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. MQn control.exe</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Once completed, select any/all .wav files you wish to listen to (you are only limited by RAM availability) then simply right </span><span style="background-color: white;">click the file(s) and select copy</span><span style="background-color: white;">, or conversely hit control & C, both functions </span><span style="background-color: white;">load your music files ready for MQn to place them in ram. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Once the files are copied, m</span><span style="background-color: white;">ake your way back to the c:\musicplayer folder and double click the </span><span style="background-color: white;">MQn.bat. A command prompt will appear and music "should" play (as per the above command prompt image). </span><span style="background-color: white;">If nothing happens make sure you have no other instances of players such as </span>squeezelite<span style="background-color: white;"> open, as </span>MQn<span style="background-color: white;"> needs direct and exclusive access to your output device. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Note, not all versions of the mqnplay worked on my pc, so you might have a</span><span style="background-color: white;"> bit of trial and error finding one that works on your machine. Its important to note, d</span><span style="background-color: white;">ifferent mqnplay versions 1,2,3, are optimised for various outputs. So pay attention and select the most appropriate file for your desired output method. </span>There are 3 options: </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><b>MQn file optimisations include: </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B3vvH5WBfg8PR0lHZzR6d012OXM&usp=sharing&tid=0B3vvH5WBfg8PdlZmeDhNZ1Utbm8" target="_blank">Text is extracted from the MQn help file. </a></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><b><i>MQn.exec1 is for realtek laptop drivers/HDMI and some dacs</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">MQn.exec2 is for usb eg I use it for my MF Vlink 192 usb/spdif </span></i></b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>converter</i></b></span></span><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">MQn.exec3 is a vanilla version and should work with everything, but sound very slightly </span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b><span style="background-color: white;">Personally I prefer an archive version v2.59.... however I don't mind 2.71 either, especially when I'm looking for a higher level of detail retrieval. The trade off is a slight shift towards a more digital rendering quality. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Either way Mqn is brilliant. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Guys, that's all I need to say...</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let me know your thoughts</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-9857263482128549132015-08-15T02:35:00.001-07:002015-09-04T19:02:44.884-07:00PlayPcmWin - Open source audiophile playback<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you are on the look out for a great sounding software player, PlayPcmWin is one software player to definitely check out... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxb0kzJsT41wKGXXu2qwEdlgRNwu_stoSVssh_LuvuYFmPcu9_V3RDN1sArl10pCP2jq0aGfHHjfiKZLU_6GHf-yMhh_OYBTN0Lq4YOsbRnQaH3T3m1wlHOkpDopNcIYRHf-06z827QBLG/s1600/Playpcmwin+Grizzly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Playpcmwin grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxb0kzJsT41wKGXXu2qwEdlgRNwu_stoSVssh_LuvuYFmPcu9_V3RDN1sArl10pCP2jq0aGfHHjfiKZLU_6GHf-yMhh_OYBTN0Lq4YOsbRnQaH3T3m1wlHOkpDopNcIYRHf-06z827QBLG/s640/Playpcmwin+Grizzly.JPG" title="Playpcmwin grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The software is open source, and clearly demonstrates some of the cleanest midrange and well defined bass rendering from any free/open source playback package I have heard. PlayPcmWin offers a great middle ground between refinement, detail and dynamics. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <b>Some key features include: </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1.</span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Supports WASAPI exclusive mode playback. Bit-perfect capable.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. Memory play. Load all PCM data onto the main memory before the playback starts.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. </span><strong style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Native C++ optimized code for the playback thread.</strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> C# .NET 4.0 WPF GUI for easy use.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4. Supports WAV(16, 24, 32bit), FLAC(16, 24bit), AIFF(16, 24bit) and AIFC-sowt formats.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5. DoP playback of DFF and DSF files.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6. Supports CUE sheets and M3U8 playlists.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">7. Gapless playback.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">8. 32 and 64bit optimised packages</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Supported Platforms: </span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. Windows Vista, Windows 7. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Windows XP not supported</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. WASAPI exclusive mode playback of PlayPcmWin works on Windows Vista and Windows </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. PlayPcmWin uses Resampler MFT that is introduced on Windows 7 therefore </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">WASAPI shared mode playback of PlayPcmWin doesn't work on Windows Vista</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">PlayPcmWin WebSite: </span></b><br />
<a href="https://code.google.com/p/bitspersampleconv2/wiki/PlayPcmWinEn" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">https://code.google.com/p/bitspersampleconv2/wiki/PlayPcmWinEn</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>Some key disadvantages: </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">No native remote control apps, I currently use VNC to get around this </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. No HTML control interface</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wont ramble on any more, just do yourself a favour and download a copy of the software. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once you hear how clean and detailed your rendering playback can be, I think you will agree this is one the best sounding open source software players going around. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Another tip is to try optimising your audio PC with Fidilizer prior to PlayPcmWin startup. Not for me.... but others don't agree. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="color: #444444;">Fidilizer offers a non permanent Windows process optimisation for your PC.... which at the end of the day does what it promises, and makes your PC sound better on music playback. </span><a href="http://www.windowsxlive.net/fidelizer/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://www.windowsxlive.net/fidelizer/</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let me know your thoughts. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-64714611726310206452015-08-15T02:29:00.000-07:002016-04-24T04:20:04.375-07:00DIY solid core audio USB cable with linear power injection <div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_N1CxfoD4w1TNsWflBtNqvfv6aA1Dr6sWNFSBsn2qncTaIgrDhF8YNAnHYa30GbpiVJjwrNCUpc1hJfMgHpMZrPELmj6Y-06WU23rD7vemQQ8wTgr6S7-thc7_KMFRcVDPWMSMhvCmOKL/s1600/linear+power+USB+injection+grizzlyaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="DIY usb cable - solid core - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_N1CxfoD4w1TNsWflBtNqvfv6aA1Dr6sWNFSBsn2qncTaIgrDhF8YNAnHYa30GbpiVJjwrNCUpc1hJfMgHpMZrPELmj6Y-06WU23rD7vemQQ8wTgr6S7-thc7_KMFRcVDPWMSMhvCmOKL/s400/linear+power+USB+injection+grizzlyaudio.jpg" title="DIY usb cable - solid core - Grizzlyaudio" width="225" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Disclaimer: </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Please note, this is an information thread only. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I accept no liability for damage caused by the implementation of this cable design, incorrect termination and/or use of this cable design. It works for me and my HiFi friends and has done so for many years. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If you are going to copy this design, you do so at your own risk. I can only suggest be careful with your terminations and double / triple check continuity to ensure you don't damage your HiFi computer equipment. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This blog in a few short steps will show an overview of how to make a linear powered DIY solid core USB lead.... We will be breaking out the power (5vdc +) and ground (gnd) connections, from the type B USB connector end to enable a linear power supply connection.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Why bother you may ask? Well if the quality of the 5vdc USB power source can be improved, we can yield quite noticeable improvements in USB sound quality and USB device rendering performance. </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFPBkbFkq4_UWJB11N8HoALYhladjKwD6sQ39Phf6jDBKtGTsbyQZ2PIovY4NUIbRzGFVqzTPXK4ayZN2RJVwiueiSWUvqQrR8wzRlXblvNzVxhqQSCHb2ijwX6bsBeSCH5_RoXdKQZnT/s1600/Teradak+Linear+power.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="DIY usb cable - Linear power - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFPBkbFkq4_UWJB11N8HoALYhladjKwD6sQ39Phf6jDBKtGTsbyQZ2PIovY4NUIbRzGFVqzTPXK4ayZN2RJVwiueiSWUvqQrR8wzRlXblvNzVxhqQSCHb2ijwX6bsBeSCH5_RoXdKQZnT/s400/Teradak+Linear+power.jpg" title="DIY usb cable - Linear power - Grizzlyaudio" width="225" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />On implementation the most obvious benefit will be a subjective increase in detail and reduction in grain through the midrange and high frequency spectrum. Additional benefits in fidelity / transparency / overall spectrum detail / soundstage may also be noticeable, depending on the transparency capability of your audio system & ultimately your ear.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /><b>HOW? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We need to remove the dirty '5vdc feed' produced by your PC (on pins 1 & 4 of the type A USB end) and replace it with a more linear 5vdc supply from the source of your choosing. I personally use this power supply (<a href="http://www.ab-system.hk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=64" target="_blank">Teradak linear power supply 0-9vdc adjustable... please note </a><a href="http://www.ab-system.hk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=64" target="_blank">the unit now comes with a USB 5vdc output, making DIY super easy</a>). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not keen on starting a cable design from scratch? Too Difficult? Maybe try this simplified design........ <a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/simplified-diy-linear-powered-usb-cable.html" target="_blank">CLICK THIS LINK</a>.... The blogpost explains how to 'easily' modify a standard USB cable to accommodate linear power injection. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>So lets get started.</b></span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">STEP 1.... SELECT YOUR CONDUCTOR TYPE </b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Firstly select your signal conductor metal of choice. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In this DIY build, I am using solid core silver (22 awg). Possible alternatives, would be UTP copper twisted pairs for instance (especially if you would like a decent level of emi/noise rejection in your design.. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />My advice is try a few different types of core conductors and/or combinations to achieve a sound that suits your system. </span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">STEP 2.... MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING</b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You are going to need the following<a href="http://www.radioparts.com.au/" target="_blank"> items</a> to make your DIY solid core, linear power USB lead..... </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 x Type A terminating USB connector</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 x Type B terminating USB connector</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 x LED (I used 2.1v rated LED)</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 x Resistor to suit your LED rating </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 x Some heat shrink / solder for terminations</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 x PVC / Teflon tubing / Heat shrink for Jacketing</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 x Soldering iron </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some signal wire</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 x DC plug. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 x Your Time </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwfZlQIudUc-3qR1BfwlYPEIVr1HCOrOUBN1AoMueJaYLzt155w7EhJc4UCGOk__-1rvUks0jvYe6uzYQu9f878sCH0w9_9muuPdCI4qupEiXqX33v6anQ1nh54DYPV6lzW5jyub4pCnR/s1600/USB+A+%2526+B+LEAD+%2526+resistor+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="DIY usb cable - Parts - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwfZlQIudUc-3qR1BfwlYPEIVr1HCOrOUBN1AoMueJaYLzt155w7EhJc4UCGOk__-1rvUks0jvYe6uzYQu9f878sCH0w9_9muuPdCI4qupEiXqX33v6anQ1nh54DYPV6lzW5jyub4pCnR/s640/USB+A+%2526+B+LEAD+%2526+resistor+2.JPG" title="DIY usb cable - Parts - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /><b>Note: the Teralink power supply I used came with a basic copper DC power lead, which I de-soldered the connectors from. If you are making your own DC lead from scratch, the DC sizing is as follows, 5.5mm outside / 2.1mm inside.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />If you are unsure on what resistor and LED values/combination to use... Simply use an LED calculator similar to this (<a href="http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz" target="_blank">LED resistor calculator</a>). </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Personally I used a single 100ohm resistor, and the following LED from Radioparts rated at 2.1 forward voltage / Forward current 30mA.... I hope this helps. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://www.radioparts.com.au/ProdView.aspx?popup=1&Category=SXLL44&Product=27940025&ProdDesc=LT521+GRE-LED+DIF-5MM+1.5MCD" target="_blank">http://www.radioparts.com.au/ProdView.aspx?popup=1&Category=SXLL44&Product=27940025&ProdDesc=LT521+GRE-LED+DIF-5MM+1.5MCD</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Alternatively, I have read a single 1/2w 220ohm resistor (replacing the LED and single resistor) would do the same trick. Termination would be between 5vdc+ and Ground. </span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">STEP 3.... SOLDER YOUR WIRE </b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This cable will require direct solder of signal cores between the type A and B USB connections, however as we will be powering the SPDIF device from linear power, connections 1 & 4 from the type B connection will be connected to a DC plug/or your alternate power source - not the USB type A connector (on the other end of the cable). </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-irXPCi0iDls/UQP1XVK_giI/AAAAAAAAAkc/rG8TWNc9Xww/s1600/usb+pinout.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.1875px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 19.1875px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Types-usb_th1.svg" target="_blank">Click here for a wikipedia - usb type & pinout guide</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.1875px;">FURTHER PINOUT INFORMATION </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 19.1875px;">To help you locate the correct USB pins for termination. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.1875px;">USB PINOUT KEY </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEuxOolDVsXpE_iTvyneLLCXgQ2gldAY7RQD5aMwM4NF4GWBN5G9z9Q4doYNyN6cdmHoTgTe0srSh68YmuqcZZHNyNfJS7TN7BrF2ASLSrx7vIAYjqq_D8_9X8akCQqhjVMZpxQ6vbcL8/s1600/USB+terminations.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DIY usb cable - termination - pinout - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEuxOolDVsXpE_iTvyneLLCXgQ2gldAY7RQD5aMwM4NF4GWBN5G9z9Q4doYNyN6cdmHoTgTe0srSh68YmuqcZZHNyNfJS7TN7BrF2ASLSrx7vIAYjqq_D8_9X8akCQqhjVMZpxQ6vbcL8/s640/USB+terminations.png" title="DIY usb cable - termination - pinout - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 19.1875px;">Pin 1 +5vdc </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">Pin 2 Data - </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">Pin 3 Data +</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">Pin 4 Ground </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />So this is what you should have; </span><br />
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Connector Type B (The square looking connector) </b><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Spdif converter end </span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 Power + which will connect the the centre of the dc connector </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(solid CAT 5 core, the power cable used has little effect on the signal quality) </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 Data - > Connection to Type A pin 2 (solid silver in this build) </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3 Data + > Connection to Type A pin 3 (solid silver in this build) </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4 GND which will connect the the sleeve of the dc connector</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(solid CAT 5 core, the power cable used has little effect on the signal quality) </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5. Connector shell > terminate to Type A connector shell - </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This termination may be required for some PC's. For instance my MATX PC worked fine without the connectors grounded, however my i5 laptop required both Type A and Type B USB connectors to be grounded for the USB signal to initiate..... </span><br />
<u style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></u>
<u style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Note, CAT 5 cores were used for power.... These feeds don't require silver. </u><br />
<u><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Copper does a fine job carry the low voltage 5vdc feed.\</span></u><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Connector Type A (The flat looking connector) </b><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Spdif converter end </span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 Resistor leg (No polarity here, so choose a leg >Terminates to > LED + (anode) </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 Data - >Terminates to> Connection to Type A pin 2 </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3 Data + >Terminates to> Connection to Type A pin 3</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4 LED leg - (cathode) Terminates directly to USB pin on connector </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5. Connector shell > terminate to Type B connector shell</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Refer to my comment above in red. </span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">STILL UNSURE ABOUT WHICH PIN IS WHICH </b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just incase you are a little unsure about the pin placement on the usb connectors. I have cut up an old DIY usb lead (not this build), to help detail which pin is which on each of the type A and B connectors. I hope this clarifies. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />To prevent any confusion, the type A and B connectors below are orientated as per the pin detail above. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />In these pics, the key is: </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">Pin 1 +5vdc GREEN </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">Pin 2 Data - BLUE/WHITE</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">Pin 3 Data + BLUE</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">Pin 4 Ground GREEN/WHITE</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Note: I have curled the blue/white conductor to help identify the core colours easier.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJfz0HKOSEW3wS9Lh8VLMRPnrtxy6i9YIyoczbcx798odJ5xoQs2zWS6abYhfnVIn4yyy2Imb41ux5vSZVk9K5FQTBWEceDuPQyNOl6Ivj2NkrmBlCw_ncbZr7cBw2hC2s3uvLpVfBN7a/s1600/USB+front+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="DIY usb cable - termination - pinout - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJfz0HKOSEW3wS9Lh8VLMRPnrtxy6i9YIyoczbcx798odJ5xoQs2zWS6abYhfnVIn4yyy2Imb41ux5vSZVk9K5FQTBWEceDuPQyNOl6Ivj2NkrmBlCw_ncbZr7cBw2hC2s3uvLpVfBN7a/s640/USB+front+view.JPG" title="DIY usb cable - termination - pinout - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9s3wG98PiDGCdJThQiW_zK2b5eZE9Kn3D_6-ifFJ62P6VjGkUmMmDvcSQqIl8cZ3YjxLG5_aDWVjdpiX4Ws8eHFxYo5oxWwsQILs9oYsgRLCKAO3S2zw1jCPohfxJxuYlg5pgwdDfMXbY/s1600/USB+pin+to+pin+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="DIY usb cable - termination - pinout - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9s3wG98PiDGCdJThQiW_zK2b5eZE9Kn3D_6-ifFJ62P6VjGkUmMmDvcSQqIl8cZ3YjxLG5_aDWVjdpiX4Ws8eHFxYo5oxWwsQILs9oYsgRLCKAO3S2zw1jCPohfxJxuYlg5pgwdDfMXbY/s640/USB+pin+to+pin+view.JPG" title="DIY usb cable - termination - pinout - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuep9zMTbBYo9vYnMDoKs8RnbUJ9VFS8w_N4oRcYuDKLRChnQ06iznLdXqWSqGqIa_enTmGfGdRudu1R1kExmp9a0_1X5vJprKHbeKQKr2oCBkkmI03k7atzjrV07PKeBB6Bq-VlaiXuhA/s1600/DIY+USB+pinout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DIY usb cable - termination - pinout - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuep9zMTbBYo9vYnMDoKs8RnbUJ9VFS8w_N4oRcYuDKLRChnQ06iznLdXqWSqGqIa_enTmGfGdRudu1R1kExmp9a0_1X5vJprKHbeKQKr2oCBkkmI03k7atzjrV07PKeBB6Bq-VlaiXuhA/s640/DIY+USB+pinout.JPG" title="DIY usb cable - termination - pinout - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>RESISTOR HELP </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The resistor and LED are used to trick your computer into thinking it is powering the usb device (your spdif converter)...... Many computers will not allow data signal to pass until a power draw is measured and active. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you are having trouble figuring out which end is the cathode and anode of your LED refer to the pic below. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In short, the long LED leg is anode, and the shorter LED leg is the cathode (Flat side of the LED). Note, the resistor does not have polarity, so this is not important when terminating as above. </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">LED POLARITY </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEarNyeFOhbWLJbYov68by77IpRZCbnu5p3qCkMpNjWgmXxa32WcRCgJC94GUb0X9YLt6ZzerQcxJ-9zAynp8JtyfdZNQ0YHg9D0WWN_la55ijewVmFsUllYiYuEc7oFGmTlIMWxu_E2u/s1600/LED+polarity.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEarNyeFOhbWLJbYov68by77IpRZCbnu5p3qCkMpNjWgmXxa32WcRCgJC94GUb0X9YLt6ZzerQcxJ-9zAynp8JtyfdZNQ0YHg9D0WWN_la55ijewVmFsUllYiYuEc7oFGmTlIMWxu_E2u/s320/LED+polarity.png" width="145" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%2B-_of_LED.svg" target="_blank">Link to wikipedia led polarity</a></span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">STEP 4.... COVER IT UP!! </b></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am going for sound quality, so my cable jackets and coverings are pretty basic. In general I tend to utilise a combination of polyester sleeving and/or heat shrink to dress my cables. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ9Uo1R9f86mxjwrAW5l2_N6UOF8C3W5Wxe_fTAn1PTgnr4oo6awxI1M8cBl6C6B_QtPle1Keu41OGuJDWsrwelbxAdKR40cECC1K8XqSJCKuXC9nZPKVjdVSJdXvg7rqfRDkmpvKBMiw/s1600/DIY+Solid+Silver+USB+Cable+Linear+Power+Injection.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="DIY usb cable solid core - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ9Uo1R9f86mxjwrAW5l2_N6UOF8C3W5Wxe_fTAn1PTgnr4oo6awxI1M8cBl6C6B_QtPle1Keu41OGuJDWsrwelbxAdKR40cECC1K8XqSJCKuXC9nZPKVjdVSJdXvg7rqfRDkmpvKBMiw/s200/DIY+Solid+Silver+USB+Cable+Linear+Power+Injection.JPG" title="DIY usb cable solid core - Grizzlyaudio" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You may notice my silver DIY cable design does not employ braided shielding, this will undoubtedly upset a few </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">technophiles. Please note; I don't advocate for an absence of shielding in a USB design, and the ability to run a non shielded cable will be highly system dependent. These photos are for illustration purposes. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZJnR6fydQeRq6NGkIvJN-RHVujvLFVdfATrETma_vDTA2qPgZ07Kffpo1paH9-IPJJC2T12JHztzDw5IDgAQJ75gIVxevmD9oqKNeRmZxZLCQKYzpk997_nBvRJU8bSb9G1gh4ip0kDR/s1600/DIY+USB+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="DIY usb cable solid core - Grizzlyaudio - LED" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZJnR6fydQeRq6NGkIvJN-RHVujvLFVdfATrETma_vDTA2qPgZ07Kffpo1paH9-IPJJC2T12JHztzDw5IDgAQJ75gIVxevmD9oqKNeRmZxZLCQKYzpk997_nBvRJU8bSb9G1gh4ip0kDR/s200/DIY+USB+2.JPG" title="DIY usb cable solid core - Grizzlyaudio - LED" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Alternatively a </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">copper twisted pair design (as below) retains the UTP twist offering decent EMI rejection. You will see an example of this below, I have foil wrapped the signal wires for added </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">shielding</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Either design subjectively provides improvements in sound quality when compared to traditional standard (non linear powered) USB cables. I would however suggest when DIYing a USB cable to keep it as short as possible, to reduce possible interference issues. My cables are typically no longer than 300mm, shorter is even better. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>CHECKING TERMINATIONS</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At this point, double and triple check your connection terminations are pin to pin!!</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">....</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You don't wont to blow up any USB controllers, etc in your PC or audio device.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Do this with a multimeter. Pin to Pin testing, will ensure there are no incorrect terminations or shorts to the body of your Type A or B connectors. Remember to test Pin to connector shell - just to make sure. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Testing from Type B USB connector </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pin 1 - Should continuity test to power positive connector</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pin 2 - Should continuity test to USB Type A pin 2 </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pin 3 - Should continuity test to USB Type A pin 3 </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pin 4 - Should continuity test to power ground connector </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Connector - Should continuity test between Type A and Type B connectors if implemented </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Once your cable has been thoroughly tested with a multi-meter and you are satisfied with your terminations, plug the cable in. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you have a working LED when you plug in your cable (when your PC is on) your LED "trick load" is working as it should. Your PC should now also see the device! provided your 5vdc power supply has been activated. </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">WRAPPING UP </span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmexFQQiG-JXOxre1hAQ7Hysg0N9UiNWIyPg48nrt9JhqGZwTbVcuwkXF4gMIjzEpJm4E2qNxc6C-3B0tsTasj1b1Xm1zjj0w0uraYrW1FEvoUNe5eWQqpzrsQLDBsVk2abrfiR-ICYb-/s1600/2CA+DIY+USB+seperate+power+and+data.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="DIY usb cable solid core - Grizzlyaudio - LED " border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmexFQQiG-JXOxre1hAQ7Hysg0N9UiNWIyPg48nrt9JhqGZwTbVcuwkXF4gMIjzEpJm4E2qNxc6C-3B0tsTasj1b1Xm1zjj0w0uraYrW1FEvoUNe5eWQqpzrsQLDBsVk2abrfiR-ICYb-/s640/2CA+DIY+USB+seperate+power+and+data.JPG" title="DIY usb cable solid core - Grizzlyaudio - LED" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AA1f3kBZtwBm0Pk9WpZCZcTqCehfeKnhPV4wnrgcz-ncGcdx9vzRIgBGr0Gb9al90Za__pYwmGkvQDUvnwm7bRN4_WyrZ8NueKCgmivvXM-KyRURJrflkH8P-Wl_NCbkK1GR_JTmL2gy/s1600/DIY+USB+cable+complete+2channelaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DIY usb cable solid core - Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AA1f3kBZtwBm0Pk9WpZCZcTqCehfeKnhPV4wnrgcz-ncGcdx9vzRIgBGr0Gb9al90Za__pYwmGkvQDUvnwm7bRN4_WyrZ8NueKCgmivvXM-KyRURJrflkH8P-Wl_NCbkK1GR_JTmL2gy/s640/DIY+USB+cable+complete+2channelaudio.JPG" title="DIY usb cable solid core - Grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />I believe this DIY linear USB cable mod provides a great alternative to pricier battery powered interfaces which although offer similar improvements in sound quality are significantly more expensive to purchase. In my opinion (and of some HiFi friends), a well made linear powered DIY USB cable (Cooper or Silver) will be one of the most significant investments in sound quality you can make for your usb spdif/aux device.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am confident this DIY linear power cable design will be 'the USB cable' by which your future and current USB cable designs/purchases will be measured . So for now, until I find or build something better, my DIY solid core silver/copper linear powered USB lead will continue as my reference cable. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Can I suggest to any technophile doubters out there, who question this design to please try before commenting? you might be surprised, injecting clean linear power and using solid cores for signal transmission may have some validity?! ;) </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thanks for reading..... I hope you enjoy your new USB cable... </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-83394742868525723812015-08-15T02:28:00.001-07:002015-09-04T19:04:56.999-07:00Simple DIY Linear Power USB Cable <div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">
<b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">BREAK IT DOWN </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />So you have read my <a href="http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/diy-solid-core-audio-usb-cable-with.html" target="_blank">DIY linear powered USB build</a> and it looks a little too difficult....?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Are you looking for an easier solution?</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.....but still crave the benefits that linear power injection provides for USB rendering? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well grab yourself a USB premade cable, and read the DIY guide to a simplified linear powered USB cable.........</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZbIbqYb8RdSsLRORXBLy3M8bQl2MeMa3bI0ugJlN8bhcadf_ayF5LtORajwAfRdYynVIrubeS3rXc_86G-dChs_wI8w65bnYfFSBg6p5JHoTqFrIvQG00QnfHg3kh78fj8SOskFp1KfO/s1600/Simplified+USB+cable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="DIY usb cable grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZbIbqYb8RdSsLRORXBLy3M8bQl2MeMa3bI0ugJlN8bhcadf_ayF5LtORajwAfRdYynVIrubeS3rXc_86G-dChs_wI8w65bnYfFSBg6p5JHoTqFrIvQG00QnfHg3kh78fj8SOskFp1KfO/s640/Simplified+USB+cable.jpg" title="DIY usb cable grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">HOW TO</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>1st.</b> </i><i>Carefully open the cable's outer jacket/shielding. Simply run a knife down the cable, say 5cm, then cut around the diameter of the cable at one end of the cut....... Pull back the jacket... </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i></i><i><b>2nd.</b> Being careful to keep the cables shield integrity, cut the red cable "+5vdc feed" to the type B end. Leave enough length for connecting your linear power +5vdc feed. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i></i><i><b>3rd.</b> Once complete, solder your alternative linear power +5vdc feed to the red cable type B end. </i><i>Protect the cut +5vdc with isolation tape of heat shrink to prevent shorts..... </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>4th. </b>Then <b>splice </b>the linear power ground feed onto the USB cables black ground wire. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzPHWXDDgN4ZBHhIHcK3mdEXtz__l0qKKMg2805e_NFUAPyZQHg0XAl4ZV7kJsUNIkC6nMGMGflEqk5hHCFre8WdOLqTfrEunL0XE4WZ8Nt_xbs1nisuq2Ki2ahxAX2PGEBkDUJ-OxgLR/s1600/2channelaudio+Linear+USB+simplified.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="DIY usb cable grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzPHWXDDgN4ZBHhIHcK3mdEXtz__l0qKKMg2805e_NFUAPyZQHg0XAl4ZV7kJsUNIkC6nMGMGflEqk5hHCFre8WdOLqTfrEunL0XE4WZ8Nt_xbs1nisuq2Ki2ahxAX2PGEBkDUJ-OxgLR/s640/2channelaudio+Linear+USB+simplified.JPG" title="DIY usb cable grizzlyaudio" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is done by removing some of the ground wire jacket and soldering the cables together. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cover your terminations with an appropriate </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">electrical</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> isolation (I.e heat shrink, electrical tape, t</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">eflon</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">) to prevent shorts and your done...... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If done correctly you will end up with a cable which offers a similar sonic result to the complete DIY build, but without having to start from scratch or purchase/terminate USB connectors. An added benefit is the "simplified" cable should also work without any need for resistors or LED's to provide a trick load, as ground+shielding is maintained between USB type A > B connectors. <i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">Please note, this is an information thread only. </span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">I take accept no liability for damage caused due to the implementation of this cable design, incorrect termination and/or use of this cable design. It works for me and my HiFi friends and has done so for many years. </span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">If you are going to copy this design, you do so at your own risk. I can only suggest be careful with your terminations and double / triple check continuity to ensure you don't damage your HiFi computer equipment. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGJytokOfpmgOYK9BZS-Q3X8G4F8MRIHDYYLnLKMiIIAJfGqnpOfNY9lZef7UesHgBnGXphtg62o1QIUbF8WDaJxlrWmGao2WX0iQTVTyh2dynW64g4Agn83xPBexvkYZiTBmUMo4P7R/s1600/grizzlyaudio+logo+%2528c%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105677936494536351.post-10412280495173843762015-08-15T01:49:00.004-07:002015-09-04T18:46:33.133-07:00Yellowtec PUC2 Lite, Comparisons made to Audiophilleo AP1 <b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">INTRODUCTION </span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let me state this first..... I am in no way affiliated with Yellowtec! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hadn't heard of the 'Yellowtec' brand until I tried this converter. I simply enjoy HiFi and if a product is good I like to share my experience openly and honestly. In general I have no real emotional bond with what HiFi product I purchase, if I hear a better product I generally try to sell what I have and upgrade, 'if possible'. ;)<b> </b>Forever on the quest for better music playback. </span><br />
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Prior to 'hearing this converter' I was a <u>dedicated</u> supporter for the Audiophilleo 1, a fantastic USB to SPDIF converter... For some months I listened to music this way. This was until I heard the PUC2 from Yellowtec. I instantly wanted one! and so the story goes.</span><br />
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Yes we have the same "audiophile" condition !!</span><br />
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So as objectively minded as one can be, I have written the review you see below.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope this blog post informs and entertains, and above all else helps other DIYers and music/HiFi lovers in their quest for better playback..... especially if the Audiophilleo 1 is on your short list.</span><br />
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Lastly, I would like to point out this blog post is not for the purpose of post purchase behaviour reinforcement. As I could have easily kept either converter or both. I selected the 'subjectively' better one, which also happens to be older and cheaper unit, go figure....I will let you decide for yourself.</span><br />
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<b>REVIEW TIME..... SOME BACKGROUND PLEASE </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here we have the Yellowtec PUC2 lite USB to AES converter. A USB to AES converter which is squarely aimed at the semi/pro recording market. The unit is capable of processing a 192k @ 24bit signal with a dynamic range capability of 105db.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1Kdig0q7VFYdQbaRZSV00Tx-0f06-nLh9BeE25HoqNqKQooZFmKkzkCG1DimzQQlqdE20bD7VG23Nqz6OcMn5XODqv2hBAe3Q2mH6_gu4AZ_o2jRSDlZilWu6kklArq8H-YzxINY_JfP/s1600/2channelaudio+Yellowtec+PUC2+Lite+review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVrFhJkJkD2LRoUdcCoFsrKikka6mAltz4qxjE4Ppsi-FOVeEquS1-v3SYokdX8LIWbSIOI-JA2eQEnD36H1sg3n7gOEjIkeAqLnbITkPRjfbzkHrHCE3yIkYX7i4EgQlEhEB6BBddfvq/s1600/Yellowtec+Puc2+grizzlyaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Yellowtec Puc2 Lite Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVrFhJkJkD2LRoUdcCoFsrKikka6mAltz4qxjE4Ppsi-FOVeEquS1-v3SYokdX8LIWbSIOI-JA2eQEnD36H1sg3n7gOEjIkeAqLnbITkPRjfbzkHrHCE3yIkYX7i4EgQlEhEB6BBddfvq/s320/Yellowtec+Puc2+grizzlyaudio.jpg" title="Yellowtec Puc2 Lite Grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The PUC2 lite is a slightly scaled down version of the larger Yellowtec PUC2 USB to AES-3 converter, which has additional line in XLR inputs. For me and most USB to SPDIF shoppers these inputs will not be required, but they do have an up side for those with large vinyl collections, including real-time vinyl capture, or any analog inline in feed for that matter.</span><br />
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<a href="http://yellowtec.com/index.php?id=home" target="_blank">Yellowtec</a> is a German based, pro audio product engineering/manufacturing business. Its not what you would call a HiFi brand aimed at nonsensical and passionate audiophiles. The business is primarily focused on creating audio technology which is both simple to use and sounds great... work horse equipment for the recording industry. The type of gear used to record the music you listen too..</span><br />
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Now when it comes to HiFi, I am the first to admit the adoption of the latest "tech" does not always deliver "better music reproduction"..... In fact it can invariably lead you off the beaten path quite easily.</span><br />
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For example, in an age where 32bit DAC chips are the norm, I still "choose" to use a DAC running a 16bit Phillips non over-sampling TDA 1541a DAC chip, made in the 80's!! Why? because it is highly musical, easy to live with and sounds better than any DAC I have heard in my system. Those who run TDA DAC's in modern circuit designs will appreciate this....</span><br />
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Why have I used this prologue? Well the <a href="http://yellowtec.com/index.php?id=265" target="_blank">Yellowtec PUC2 lite</a> is definitely not the most recent converter. From what I can tell, my research suggests the Yellowtec PUC2 has been on the market since 2009, so we have had circa 4 years in modern circuit developments since this unit was released. Concerned? Well you shouldn't be, because this is a fact that in reality has no impact on how the unit sounds, and trust me when I say this unit is of "audiophile" quality and can mix it with top tier converters.</span><br />
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So lets take a quick look at what the Yellowtec PUC2 lite offers on paper....</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Driver-less OSX and Windows compatibility</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Option ASIO high performance windows based driver </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Low Latency performance </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">192k @ 24bit capability </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">USB Powered / Plug and Play Operation </span></li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For many a HiFi/Music lover shopping for a USB to SPDIF converter these specs are not invariably different from 100's of offerings on the market. But the PUC2 lite distinguishes itself from the pack, by the way it sounds or should I say doesn't colour the sound (more on that in a bit)...</span><br />
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<b>HOW DO I CONNECT THIS THING?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What may initially concern some potential buyers of the Yellowtec PUC2 is the "pro" style connections employed by Yellowtec, raising obvious connection questions among consumers, like "how do I connect an AES-3 output device to my DAC which uses a RCA or BNC consumer SPDIF connection?"......</span><br />
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Well don't fear..... You can connect!! and its an easy cable mod for the DIYers.....but lets first finish our connection discussion.</span><br />
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In my system I use my custom copper or silver core USB cable with a linear 5v power feed, this takes care of the data signal in from the PC to the Yellowtec PUC2 and 5vdv to power the unit. (Since I wrote this review I have actually partnered the PUC2 full-time with a DIY copper USB lead, which I have found is more synergistic than the silver version in my system. Linear 5vdc power is still supplied via the Teradak PS) The only remaining connection requirement is to get the AES-3 output into your SPDIF DAC. AES3 and SPDIF are well, more similar than not!</span><br />
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In a nut shell AES is a professional balanced version of consumer SPDIF. AES operates at an impedance of 110ohm and SPDIF yes you guessed it a trusted 75ohm's. AES operates at a higher voltage than SPDIF, so plugging AES devices into SPDIF inputs requires some care. You can read more on the wiki link... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In order to correctly convert AES to SPDIF you are "advised by those in the know" to use a digital format converter. But I am a big believer less in the chain is more, and its rare to have digital sub code incompatibilities between AES and SPDIF devices - so a direct passive conversion 9 times out of 10 <u>should</u> be fine, provided your SPDIF receiver chip can handle higher voltage swings... .... AES3 voltage output ranges from 2 to 7 volts peak to peak. Caution is obviously advised here.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNHEVO1Egf5C4lGdh11tPQpl5l35qowjYnUQuL2_aNAw_Z2daYAv6VWvBDz8BeDy_LN_NHQHSBr7CNN7k_0UGn5rXQYWbt8bcput1N4txb0BII_lSjOQxtbeMRK59PfhRDVE48LEO9tWC/s1600/canare+AES+to+SPDIF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Yellowtec Puc2 AES to Spdif Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNHEVO1Egf5C4lGdh11tPQpl5l35qowjYnUQuL2_aNAw_Z2daYAv6VWvBDz8BeDy_LN_NHQHSBr7CNN7k_0UGn5rXQYWbt8bcput1N4txb0BII_lSjOQxtbeMRK59PfhRDVE48LEO9tWC/s320/canare+AES+to+SPDIF.jpeg" title="Yellowtec Puc2 AES to Spdif Grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Additionally, if your DIY AES to SPDIF cable is under circa 2 meters you should experience no issues using this simple DIY cable design. Alternatively, if you would prefer purchasing an off the shelf style cable/adapter, Neutrik sell some nice passive units which impedance match between the <a href="http://www.neutrik.com/en/accessories/aes-ebu-impedance-transformers/" target="_blank">110ohm AES to 75ohm SPDIF..</a> these units cost around $90 each AUD.....</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Tyq2DDnMUDcnybN_g8D9rHZ_kdKwmrjX5k2yNS18djx23rMtyaOmymTl9kmFyOPJN1-A67UJuSYqtWf2fGFGxDeHXP1DaIw0AgZp3aYoO6szp3UOtbtNiTRs3kOCUDYBCEqnzcw8MELi/s1600/Yellowtec+PUC2+Lite+%2526+Terralink+Linear+PS+2channelaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Yellowtec Puc2 Lite with Teradak Linear Power Supply " border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Tyq2DDnMUDcnybN_g8D9rHZ_kdKwmrjX5k2yNS18djx23rMtyaOmymTl9kmFyOPJN1-A67UJuSYqtWf2fGFGxDeHXP1DaIw0AgZp3aYoO6szp3UOtbtNiTRs3kOCUDYBCEqnzcw8MELi/s320/Yellowtec+PUC2+Lite+%2526+Terralink+Linear+PS+2channelaudio.JPG" title="Yellowtec Puc2 Lite with Teradak Linear Power Supply " width="320" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
But for the trusty DIY'er, a custom AES > SPDIF cable is pretty simple to make, especially if impedance matching is not employed... My recommendation is to try connecting the unit both ways - Use what sounds better to your ears.... I know I did.</span><br />
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<b>MAKING A DIY AES to SPDIF ADAPTER</b><b></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I simply made my AES to SPDIF cable by cutting and terminating an XLR connector to the end of a premade RCA to RCA terminated to an existing 75ohm SPDIF flyead.</span></span><br />
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Pin 2 being Hot</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Tyq2DDnMUDcnybN_g8D9rHZ_kdKwmrjX5k2yNS18djx23rMtyaOmymTl9kmFyOPJN1-A67UJuSYqtWf2fGFGxDeHXP1DaIw0AgZp3aYoO6szp3UOtbtNiTRs3kOCUDYBCEqnzcw8MELi/s1600/Yellowtec+PUC2+Lite+%2526+Terralink+Linear+PS+2channelaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pin 1 being Ground/Cold</span><br />
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<b></b><b>STEP 1. Parts you will need</b> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 x XLR female 3 pin plug</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 x Either male RCA or BNC connection to enable connection to your choice of DAC.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In my case I require a female BNC plug</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 x Spdif cable</span><br />
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<b>STEP 2. The DIY cable Process</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I simply used a 75ohm high quality SPDIF cable.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I cut on end off and terminated a female XLR onto the end. Cable termination is as follows...</span><br />
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Termination XLR</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">PIN 2 is Hot, PIN 1 is COLD/SHIELD... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-YgpLwn4G17IIgwIZwG0xepVZI5lC81brGuk4VSbnFCtNEgk8KugN7n5ah1Z1gjqnZFa0UaudR1UmswUokqxdaFeoulbxQDCrie5KBNyXw74mds9rAL6sWvOrb1gCPT4n1e_BKm8VRDg/s1600/EAS3+to+SPDIF+2+channel+audio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-YgpLwn4G17IIgwIZwG0xepVZI5lC81brGuk4VSbnFCtNEgk8KugN7n5ah1Z1gjqnZFa0UaudR1UmswUokqxdaFeoulbxQDCrie5KBNyXw74mds9rAL6sWvOrb1gCPT4n1e_BKm8VRDg/s640/EAS3+to+SPDIF+2+channel+audio.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Termination RCA/BNC</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">PIN 2 XLR > RCA TIP/BNC TIP</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">PIN 1 XLR > RCA SLEEVE/BNC GROUND</span><br />
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Yes right...... the hard parts over..... Moving on.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">CONVERTER CONNECTIVITY</b><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Physically the PUC2 is quite large, measuring 180mm long x 126mm wide x 41mm tall. Its enclosure is simple and military in styling, its purposeful and not made to look pretty. Its a work horse, the Audiophilleo 1 easily wins out in the looks department if not on size alone. The PUC2 enclosure simply does what it should, enclose and protect the internal circuits. Saying this however I personally feel build quality is excellent, so I have no real complaints.</span></span><br />
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What is nice is there's a level of reassurance, demonstrated by the units HiFi prowess that your hard earned money has been spent on components and engineering, not on fluffy little LCD screens, SPL level meters, pretty powder coated/silk screened boxes which add little to the sound of a unit. Personally I think its a nice change to refocus on sound & performance.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The PUC2 Lite sports an AES input and output via two XLR connections, a single USB input and a monitor output via a 3.5mm connection which would primarily be used for recording and pro applications.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUZkOeIn-ClIsk2DbhLXJ_-kWERhJZvSIT_am-Iuv7lwlJ9xVYdySOcaLhHekihN7Ugr8KkrZQjNbeRzYD3JzNeJJVaHfgYnsxjnUriqhSUxg59l7z2eGw_3XVlpHYRJX53QZtoI2p1IL/s1600/DIY+USB+cable+complete+2channelaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUZkOeIn-ClIsk2DbhLXJ_-kWERhJZvSIT_am-Iuv7lwlJ9xVYdySOcaLhHekihN7Ugr8KkrZQjNbeRzYD3JzNeJJVaHfgYnsxjnUriqhSUxg59l7z2eGw_3XVlpHYRJX53QZtoI2p1IL/s320/DIY+USB+cable+complete+2channelaudio.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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For connection duties, the PUC2 accessories include a dual headed USB power lead, as the unit itself requires more current than one USB port can provide, my guess is circa 600-1000ma however I didn't have the testing equipment to measure power draw, and specifications on power draw don't seem to be available. At the very least current requirements exceed a standard 500ma USB port.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YG_vRGBaSalF3u_7YapSm0cS3o7LiFPpFbcOi-anzzyFjZZdmPwYYbhP6m_vb0zALcgmSaZ3ywGAZz9wtr8x9tjQHP6dS7sLsehW8msLcLRbBW4ovMIeUn4uWZoM86T6OpM4_ud_M_wm/s1600/Yellowtec+PUC2+lite+box+and+accessories+2channelaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Yellowtec Puc2 Lite Grizzlyaudio" border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YG_vRGBaSalF3u_7YapSm0cS3o7LiFPpFbcOi-anzzyFjZZdmPwYYbhP6m_vb0zALcgmSaZ3ywGAZz9wtr8x9tjQHP6dS7sLsehW8msLcLRbBW4ovMIeUn4uWZoM86T6OpM4_ud_M_wm/s320/Yellowtec+PUC2+lite+box+and+accessories+2channelaudio.JPG" title="Yellowtec Puc2 Lite Grizzlyaudio" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
This presented no problems in my setup as I powered the PUC2 via a linear 5vdc power supply capable of supplying up to 2amps @ 5vdc.</span><br />
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Additional accessories included with the PUC2 include a driver disc/CD with Polytec ASIO drivers for Windows and a discrete OSX driver. A side note on sampling rates: For rates above 48k the PUC2 requires a driver loaded for either Mac or Windows. Yellowtec don't provide a driver for Linux, so this could be an issue for potential Linux users wishing to adopt the PUC2. During my testing the PUC2 displayed rendering issues in Vortexbox with direct hw routing selected. Clipping on bass and treble transients.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Plughw works fine but resamples all output to 48k.</span><br />
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One interesting item on the accessory CD is the firmware upgrade software. Yellowtec periodically provide free downloadable firmware upgrades to keep your unit current and trouble free. A nice touch!</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b> <b>LETS START WITH A SYNOPSIS</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let me start by saying and there's no surprises here, yes I like the Yellowtec PUC2 and for good reason.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YG_vRGBaSalF3u_7YapSm0cS3o7LiFPpFbcOi-anzzyFjZZdmPwYYbhP6m_vb0zALcgmSaZ3ywGAZz9wtr8x9tjQHP6dS7sLsehW8msLcLRbBW4ovMIeUn4uWZoM86T6OpM4_ud_M_wm/s1600/Yellowtec+PUC2+lite+box+and+accessories+2channelaudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why? Well its a relatively unknown converter 'the under dog' in a world of hyped and marketed USB to SPDIF converters which is a delight to listen to.</span><br />
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When I started my DIY HiFi journey I quickly found you don't always get what you pay for. In most cases you are paying for brand and audiophile royalties These days I like to try products and judge them on their merit, I.e 'How they sound' shock horror!! not by marketing hype and/or spec sheets, or by how much they cost as cost is rarely a good indicator ;) </span><br />
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To lead with my synopsis first the PUC2 is highly musical and an extremely transparent performer. When directly compared to the <a href="http://www.audiophilleo.com/audiophilleo1.aspx" target="_blank">Audiophilleo 1</a>, the PUC2 is a noticeable step up in clarity, transparency, imaging and soundstage. The midrange is noticeably more revealing. Yes Really!</span><br />
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The PUC2 paints only the truth, it hides nothing, which makes sense coming from a professional audio house. You hear <u>everything</u> in the mix, the great and well the not so great... At times I found the PUC2 more forward than I would like on poorer /favourite recordings. But higher degrees of transparency & truthful presentation always come at some cost. In saying this I still found the PUC2 highly musical on well recorded tracks, with an innate ability to present a magical soundstage with brilliant colour, depth and insight. The midrange is jaw dropping impressive offering superior levels of transparency & detail over and above the Audiophilleo1, to be honest the PUC2 is scaringly revealing.</span><br />
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Choose your poison?! Its all subjective at the end of the day.</span><br />
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One must consider that the Audiophileo AP1 is a very well respected converter costing circa $949 + shipping, so this places the PUC2 in very decent company.</span><br />
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In fact I believe the Yellowtec PUC2 may even hold its on against substantially more expensive units such as the off ramp from Empirical Audio. Which I hope to try personally in my system soon! To provide a teaser the word from some of my HiFi/Music loving friends is the PUC2 is on par with fully loaded Empirical Audio 4 converter... But I can neither prove or disprove this comment at this time, although I am sure this statement will spark some aggressive posts/lash-back. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Remember this unit can be purchased for circa $550 to $600...</span><br />
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<b>SO HOW DOES IT SOUND?!</b></span><br />
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<b>MIDRANGE FREQUENCY REPRODUCTION QUALITY</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first sound characteristic that struct me immediately when I turned on the PUC2 was the midrange frequency reproduction quality. It is seriously good, outstanding even. It is slightly more forward than some converters (the Audiophilleo / Vlink would be two of these), but the sound mostly remains amazingly detailed, lush and well balanced. Vocal reproduction is flawless, and the PUC2 is equally at home with male or female presentations. Somehow the PUC2 has the ability to strip vocals and instrumentation bare & clean, providing an honest, insightful and musical presentation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I found the midrange reproduction always detailed and transparent and above all else highly insightful.</span><br />
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<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"The PUC2 is like connecting up a pair of high end studio monitors to your system, </span></b><br />
<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">providing wort's & all honesty."</span></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSs1I7rFx2K5lnXb0FLFEt3Qy6U6ZFsOCat9S6zvSG1tH5elcHiqjaSRpQNlrVrR15cgblLTasMKA8YLjWhD4-bukxzgmiRYKqHA1pep0HLIUp4_tfJ9dgPLbC9ZmXb6IrrOBvhzRHlM6/s1600/george+benson+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSs1I7rFx2K5lnXb0FLFEt3Qy6U6ZFsOCat9S6zvSG1tH5elcHiqjaSRpQNlrVrR15cgblLTasMKA8YLjWhD4-bukxzgmiRYKqHA1pep0HLIUp4_tfJ9dgPLbC9ZmXb6IrrOBvhzRHlM6/s200/george+benson+2channelaudio.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CZvUwkJnvOxMBvBJfsQyCgFDHfyIuM0WPQT3GsfnrQGievgFR_SfrGFTGaoCYOl-2BNHI50sQpJkV3MaCDOduiHYdTQf2m_UcYYeNEDmcU8PSvAsD2gPzYAuYUjlMa44ybNRCp4zFRia/s1600/JB+Grace+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CZvUwkJnvOxMBvBJfsQyCgFDHfyIuM0WPQT3GsfnrQGievgFR_SfrGFTGaoCYOl-2BNHI50sQpJkV3MaCDOduiHYdTQf2m_UcYYeNEDmcU8PSvAsD2gPzYAuYUjlMa44ybNRCp4zFRia/s1600/JB+Grace+2channelaudio.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Listening to Jeff Buckley Grace, track 'Mojo Pin' Jeff's breathing & throat movements/swallows between vocal notes are haunting and clearly portrayed, his vocals are presented with beautiful tone and realism, while the soft picks of his guitar and a deep bass drum kick provide a beautiful balance to the track. Cymbal work is beautifully delicate and never harsh. Really nice. The vocal mid range is engaging, forward and musical. On 'Lilac wine' vocals are amazing. Jeff's s's and vocal notes carry a beautiful reverb tail, the PUC 2 places the vocals way out in front of the speakers, and his electric guitar is portrayed with solid thick reverb.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSs1I7rFx2K5lnXb0FLFEt3Qy6U6ZFsOCat9S6zvSG1tH5elcHiqjaSRpQNlrVrR15cgblLTasMKA8YLjWhD4-bukxzgmiRYKqHA1pep0HLIUp4_tfJ9dgPLbC9ZmXb6IrrOBvhzRHlM6/s1600/george+benson+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSs1I7rFx2K5lnXb0FLFEt3Qy6U6ZFsOCat9S6zvSG1tH5elcHiqjaSRpQNlrVrR15cgblLTasMKA8YLjWhD4-bukxzgmiRYKqHA1pep0HLIUp4_tfJ9dgPLbC9ZmXb6IrrOBvhzRHlM6/s1600/george+benson+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
The PUC2 really opens up the mix, and lays every instrument and vocal clearly in front of you. Studio monitor'ish' in its ability, the PUC2 has one of the best midrange reproductions I have personally heard from a converter....this is very decent kit. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On George Bensons 'Songs & Stories' George's vocals are silky smooth. Midrange guitar frequencies and cymbal/snare work are detailed and penetrating through the mix. The PUC2 portrays a very detail soundscape without any harsh artifacts or glaring.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwcqYtl6Yg5f3-SlAVaH7UwYyRdj83XSoNLidmgiqIDUQIofo4FpBAteyslyqahyDdiZ3iK3K5JZ2Q4d1dgUSzCi0J4D4oXHf8iJgJv0rrEfriwXiQZHQqcWJtx15FkkY4pzlcW9FUO6S/s1600/Diana+Krall+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Diana Krall 'Best Of 2007' track East of the Sun (and west of the moon)" snare work is again beautiful, delicate and detailed. The piano solo, leaves goose bumps on my arms. The PUC2 sounds amazing on piano. beautiful natural tone pose and pace. Diana Kralls vocals at times can become a little harsh, but the PUC2 only produced smooth tones, via my TDA DAC.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwcqYtl6Yg5f3-SlAVaH7UwYyRdj83XSoNLidmgiqIDUQIofo4FpBAteyslyqahyDdiZ3iK3K5JZ2Q4d1dgUSzCi0J4D4oXHf8iJgJv0rrEfriwXiQZHQqcWJtx15FkkY4pzlcW9FUO6S/s1600/Diana+Krall+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwcqYtl6Yg5f3-SlAVaH7UwYyRdj83XSoNLidmgiqIDUQIofo4FpBAteyslyqahyDdiZ3iK3K5JZ2Q4d1dgUSzCi0J4D4oXHf8iJgJv0rrEfriwXiQZHQqcWJtx15FkkY4pzlcW9FUO6S/s200/Diana+Krall+2channelaudio.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On the track 'S' Wonderful, Cymbal and shakers add beautiful soundstage, really I don't think I have heard this track sound better in my system. The PUC2 has a commanding capability to render an amazing and detailed soundstage without any overbearing harshness or glare.It successfully walks an innate & delicate line between detail, insight and musicality.</span><br />
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I use Rufus Wainwrights track "Cigarettes and chocolate milk" for a decent mid range male vocal test. Rufus' vocals are always a pleasure, he posses amazing vocal power, stage presence and a magnificent vocal tone. Just as talented as his father! maybe not as quirky ;) The PUC2 produces a very smooth vocal reproduction. No complaints, the PUC2 is really doing a great job on all music styles and variations. Smooth, detailed and musical, end of story.</span><br />
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Its rare that a piece of HiFi equipment allows you to forget about the product and just sit and listen to the music, but the PUC2 managed this rare feat a few times during my listening tests. Very rare and special indeed.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iAw-IfLULu2Xb4VsiiH20SB387s6ecFK0OGEhEy4nDQslZgpLFIBpvS2-MV9AxPSm7uxuYeVuTM_QXk_kl_lWV4OopT69QyFpBeG8aFzqiVavRmjc7PKFwmHMdGF1fzLElP6dW6TM-k0/s1600/Poses+Rufus+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iAw-IfLULu2Xb4VsiiH20SB387s6ecFK0OGEhEy4nDQslZgpLFIBpvS2-MV9AxPSm7uxuYeVuTM_QXk_kl_lWV4OopT69QyFpBeG8aFzqiVavRmjc7PKFwmHMdGF1fzLElP6dW6TM-k0/s320/Poses+Rufus+2channelaudio.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
For me the PUC2 midrange quality is its #1 selling point and validation enough as to why I purchased the PUC2 and moved my AP1 on. I don't think this point could be argued on comparison. In the interest to remain objective I would like to point out on certain songs - I found the upper midrange and lower high frequency playback of the PUC2 lite to become a litle harder than I would like. However through extended listening I feel this is only really an issue on poorly recorded material and is a result of increased transparency through the applicable frequency spectrum's.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>HIGH FREQUENCY REPRODUCTION</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well we have an extremely detailed performer here. The PUC2 has no objections showing you "everything" in the mix. Highs are quite extended, realistic and revealing. But they still remain musical, I will say however, if you like a more relaxed presentation 'in general' the Audiophilleo AP1 may be 'slightly' better suited to your listening choices, alternatively the PUC2 is openly honest, it says here "it is", but always with very decent spectrum balance and studio monitor honesty. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For me the best analogy I can provide is,</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'The PUC2 makes 16bit/44.1k redbook sound higher resolution!' </span></b></div>
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Cymbals sound like cymbals using the PUC2, you laugh, but not all HiFi converters can provide this realism, as lesser units they retain too much grain and frequency distortion due to jitter/poorer circuit design.</span><br />
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The PUC2 demonstrates obvious low levels of coloration and signal distortion. On high hats you can hear the high hat metal (Copper/Tin) making contact with its distinctive tone and resonance. It was truly an ear opening experience coming from the Audiophilleo AP1. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">High frequency details are never harsh <u>unless the recording is</u>, but a word of caution to those with bright HiFi systems the Yellowtec does present on the brighter side than neutral, simply due to its high levels of transparency, so it may challenge your system. Overall spectrum balance is very decent and jitter is not audible in my system, which in real terms equates to an enjoyable, realistic and transparent high frequency presentation. Neither converter really has the edge over the other here. Personally it would be a subjective preference selected through synergistic system matching.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What I will say is the high frequency playback quality of the PUC2 is subjectively more truthful and realistic than the Audiophilleo AP1.</span></b></div>
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</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EPc6PV9WfbY/UXIQJQk74JI/AAAAAAAAAGs/hHOvJSAPGGo/s1600/in+rainbows+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Again on Diana Krall 'Best Of 2007' track East of the Sun (and west of the moon)" cymbal work is clear and detailed, but without any undue harshness. Cymbal edges are defined and clear, with no audible jitter artifacts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6ZlnG5RAU31itpJ5_RrVsgbE8gYOsN6QHJr7YVH5BpLZKvanEaGRnPyRf_EpaECjZcCsdUcqFJ3-POfnWtXOBmM49S9w8Hj1lHVz2QnPQ9QQ4L8gA1MviCf7GAaRDLUc2l3Y0YRR4u34/s1600/in+rainbows+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6ZlnG5RAU31itpJ5_RrVsgbE8gYOsN6QHJr7YVH5BpLZKvanEaGRnPyRf_EpaECjZcCsdUcqFJ3-POfnWtXOBmM49S9w8Hj1lHVz2QnPQ9QQ4L8gA1MviCf7GAaRDLUc2l3Y0YRR4u34/s320/in+rainbows+2channelaudio.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Radioheads album 'In Rainbows' track Reckoner is always a fantastic test for mid and high frequency </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">quality. The PUC2 does an excellent job with this track. Tom Yokes vocals are as always haunting and beautiful. To be honest I can't think of a time this track sounded so good played on my system. Beautiful spectrum balance from the high frequencies down. Cymbal work is clear, atmospheric and cymbal tails have fantastic decay, even at decent SPL levels.</span><br />
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The PUC2 impresses offering incredible decay on the high frequency tambourine </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While spinning, Radiohead tracks, 'Everything in its right place' gets a listen. The track kicks along with great weighted keyboard notes and kick bass drum. I notice the bottom end is particularly well weighted with a beautiful muted kick drum. High frequencies are very well balanced in line with the tracks overall presentation. As with the previous tracks I have played soundstage and imaging is extremely impressive, Tom Yoke delivers another great vocal performance and I just want to listen to the whole track it sounds so good. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfje5bKEeq8Ob4LEByi0sAshiCKNP_vY8N4S8vvzpouTQNL3f9EpbRdscINS6HG46dwj1ru2PgaG3QY_1IDV3K0WmvRuI8UE-r19hnas1zxFfUWRlavEqDvq_Bis0u_8d8nTYsR4bZQs0V/s1600/Ryan-Adams-Everybody-Knows+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfje5bKEeq8Ob4LEByi0sAshiCKNP_vY8N4S8vvzpouTQNL3f9EpbRdscINS6HG46dwj1ru2PgaG3QY_1IDV3K0WmvRuI8UE-r19hnas1zxFfUWRlavEqDvq_Bis0u_8d8nTYsR4bZQs0V/s200/Ryan-Adams-Everybody-Knows+2channelaudio.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ryan Adams track "Everybody Knows" which in all honestly is a great test attack across the whole frequency spectrum , is a difficult test for a detailed system. Some systems fall down becoming overbearing in the high and mid frequencies.</span><br />
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Well the PUC2 did a fine job. Cymbal work remained composed and in control. leading edges were soft yet very well defined. Bass was very well balanced, offering great mid bass punch and weight. Such a great track.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqqtC7EJb0WNCN920sCLglhbuqU4XoY5Q4pPLOnUlCEa_5Ou8AKr9uB-1Ga33SjbTPXAYWabLS0ISlVjNB4j8OT1PFGpOS4EjsTGVwKxiEAuQuSXS7YS6AP-t9w7jh7Uu9ksLZgfmf8Lb/s1600/crowded+house+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqqtC7EJb0WNCN920sCLglhbuqU4XoY5Q4pPLOnUlCEa_5Ou8AKr9uB-1Ga33SjbTPXAYWabLS0ISlVjNB4j8OT1PFGpOS4EjsTGVwKxiEAuQuSXS7YS6AP-t9w7jh7Uu9ksLZgfmf8Lb/s200/crowded+house+2channelaudio.jpg" width="198" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqqtC7EJb0WNCN920sCLglhbuqU4XoY5Q4pPLOnUlCEa_5Ou8AKr9uB-1Ga33SjbTPXAYWabLS0ISlVjNB4j8OT1PFGpOS4EjsTGVwKxiEAuQuSXS7YS6AP-t9w7jh7Uu9ksLZgfmf8Lb/s1600/crowded+house+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next we have Crowded house's 'Best of' Album', track 'Weather with You'. A great test track, and one I know well. Cymbals are again detailed and display solid yet soft edges trails. Its clear to me at this point, the PUC2 renders a very well balanced sounstage and image.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Noticeably more impressive than my Audiophilleo1.</span><br />
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Moving on to Crowded House track 'Fall at your feet', WOW what a solid and hard hitting bassline. Seriously pleasing bass weight, with great tone and solid presence. I haven't heard this bass line so solidly presented in my HiFi system before, its a nice change. Neil Finn's vocals are also clear, well balanced & centered in the image - nicely positioned in a beautiful 3Dimensional soundstage. In direct comparison with the Audiophilleo 1, high frequencies are again noticeably more transparent, detailed and truthful.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I believe both the AP1 and the PUC2 have something to offer with their different approaches to high frequency playback. However the PUC2's improvement in soundstage and holographic imaging is a <u>BIG</u> noticeable plus in direct comparison with the Audiophilleo1. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>Just a note: In testing I have found the PUC2 'in my HiFi system' preferred a copper USB over a silver core USB variant. Spectrum balance was instantly better and bass weight improved. System synergy was noticeably better.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>BASS WEIGHT & TONE</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwDzTtO375yfZkLjOixTE-kr_5JKGHcYVNPflbxPhN6a-JR68KHYdnUrezYhv-146HRxpnpL3CS_TfJLbxjWiiwEDRqec9oGWZUi07HuTLQIfA2_7iLhDOE7uyibpO0d76JtVIyZ31BQH/s1600/little+feat+time+loves+a+hero+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwDzTtO375yfZkLjOixTE-kr_5JKGHcYVNPflbxPhN6a-JR68KHYdnUrezYhv-146HRxpnpL3CS_TfJLbxjWiiwEDRqec9oGWZUi07HuTLQIfA2_7iLhDOE7uyibpO0d76JtVIyZ31BQH/s200/little+feat+time+loves+a+hero+2channelaudio.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I have already covered, the PUC2 has impressive bass weight and mid bass attack/dynamics. The units ability to present a truthful render of a tracks bass tone and timbre is second to none.</span></div>
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Typically when testing bass tone I like to listen to older recordings, which are mixed in the 70's an era in which bass was not generally synthesised and it was rich with natural tones and weight. However this time, I decided to give my trusting test track Jeffs Buckley "Everyone here wants you' a spin, an amazing song which delivers insightful and haunting vocals and a bass and drum line that always impresses with its weight and authority. The PUC2 did not disappoint. Awesome bass drum attack, both ample in weight and strong in delivery and again nicely detailed bass guitar tone and definition. This recording really is a great music track and test track.</span><br />
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Additionally the PUC2 delivers amazing decay on the snare drum, cymbal work is clean and presents with a dreaming delicate presence. Jeff's vocals sit ontop of the mix ever smooth with beautiful reverb and echo - sound stage is really impressive. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBobfP2KAEQNynZ1V3dgMc8_yYWRCqI4IXbcNLGaPw2-bnW6Qz7BSqoVT0_CNJtn1Iek1EkC_e4kwkadiA6LStlmidtpq3SiNw1WwnsKmtTcL-jFCi2YayaEZ5uF-fkCNSaWjBBBonIpb4/s1600/bjork-debut+2channelaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBobfP2KAEQNynZ1V3dgMc8_yYWRCqI4IXbcNLGaPw2-bnW6Qz7BSqoVT0_CNJtn1Iek1EkC_e4kwkadiA6LStlmidtpq3SiNw1WwnsKmtTcL-jFCi2YayaEZ5uF-fkCNSaWjBBBonIpb4/s200/bjork-debut+2channelaudio.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bjorks "debut album" track Venus as a boy, is another great bass test track, especially if you have large bass drivers or capable subwoofers in your system.</span></div>
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It offers rolling frequency dips of bass delight, with great definition and weight. A favourite track to test bass with. The PUC2 shows great control. Bass is tight and delivered with good control. The rolling bass sweeps are presented with speed and balance.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHwvgeT9Lccs-SjSCuilZRli8jA5EPfHfD2vTi73K9syhOcVNYoAjVDYIka80nLjEEcP1-7bTMJUFpO_oIHvp9xdgCX2JdwYSXbI9KH8hcXsP2juqSfTw3CVMRTT-Vgu7ln2_E3suHPQk/s1600/fleetwood-mac-rumours+2channelaudio.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHwvgeT9Lccs-SjSCuilZRli8jA5EPfHfD2vTi73K9syhOcVNYoAjVDYIka80nLjEEcP1-7bTMJUFpO_oIHvp9xdgCX2JdwYSXbI9KH8hcXsP2juqSfTw3CVMRTT-Vgu7ln2_E3suHPQk/s200/fleetwood-mac-rumours+2channelaudio.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
On Fleetwood mac "Dreams" I get goosebumps (cliche I know). Bass is driving, balanced in weight and full of tone. I love this recording and the PUC2 is up to the challenge. Stevie Nicks vocals are beautiful, sorry AP1 owners but the PUC2 wins here hands down, the mid range is really a step up in quality.</span><br />
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The bass guitar delivers great bass depth, all bass note changes are clearly defined and bass and drum kick sequencing provides fantastic weight. Impressive, I listened to the whole track, love it.</span><br />
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On Little Feat's 'Time loves a hero' track 'Rocket in my Pocket' the bass line is driving and has great mid bass attack from the kick drum. The bass guitar has lovely roundness and a vintage bass tone. Bass and kick drum sequencing provides nice weight and drive. "Red Streamliner" also presents the same awesome 70's bass tone and mid bass attack. The bass in these tracks remains well weighted and supports the spectrum balance on the tracks really well. The track 'New Dehli freight train', confirms the PUC2 does justice to textured & toneful bass. I love the intro on this track with just the bass, guitar and drums. The PUC2 really impresses with its ability to present each instrument with fantastic detail while retaining great spectrum balance, bass attack and overall musicality. If you haven't heard this album chase it down, its a classic. The keyboards on this album are also a great mid range test...</span><br />
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In terms of bass weight, I find little separates the PUC2 and Audiophilleo. They are both very good performers. However the PUC2 wins when it comes to bass detail and tone and low bass delivery, the PUC2 digs that little deeper to provide that little bit extra, those special moments where you think,</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"WOW I didn't know that was on the mix."</span></b></div>
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Without going overboard I truly think this product offers exceptional converter value. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Along with the PUC2's great frequency reproduction capability, the units ability to reproduce a focused, wide, rich & holographic image is very good indeed. For those that appreciate a decent image & soundstage the PUC2 is noticeably more successful than the AP1, providing a more immediate/forward, deeper, wider and 3 dimensional image. </span><br />
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The fact that this sort of HiFi equipment can be purchased for an asking price of $500-600 its a true HiFi bargain. A true indicator of the pro market pricing competitiveness. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have no doubt the Yellowtec PUC2 lite converter in an audiophile case would have an asking price of circa $1000 dollars.... So at the very least this converter deserves some respect and ultimately a listen.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"If I have one criticism of the PUC2 its that it can expose to much of the truth, and at times runs the risk of being slightly analytical, presenting a less relaxed/more forward/detailed picture than the Audiophilleo AP1."</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>"On some systems this will come across as a harder presentation"</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the end of the day both the Audiophilleo 1 and the PUC2 are excellent performers. Personally, I could and have lived with either in my system. But for me the PUC2 will stay for the time being, 'until something better comes along'. The midrange reproduction quality of the PUC2 and its soundstage/imaging capability is exceptional and for me icing on the cake!</span><br />
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However for those with more forward and revealing systems the Audiopilleo AP1 may actually be a better synergistic match, as the Yellowtec is substantially more revealing and slightly more forward in the midrange and high frequencies.</span><br />
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For those with balanced source, amplifier and speaker setups the Yellowtec PUC2 will perform nicely, offering a playback quality step up across the board.</span><br />
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I say give the unit a listen, it deserves at least that... <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">SOUND </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Brilliant, An audiophile Secret<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>BUILD QUALITY </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The quality is where it counts - On the inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>AESTHETICS</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not for everyone, but very well finished <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>PRICE V's RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI) </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It doesn't get much better than this ROI offering<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>SECONDHAND MARKET </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not well known, may prove difficult to move on in Audiophile circles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The snob factor will invariably reduce resale return, when I find something better<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>*All listening was conducted utilising a DIY PC running 16bit/44.1k redbook FLAC rips. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Playback software consisted of Vortexbox (Linux), (Windows 7) PlayPcmWin, Foobar2000, (Windows XP) cMP cPlay, MQN. </b></span><br />
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