Listener

David. In Oz you may like to try UMART. I have this:- Intel DBS1200V3RPL Micro-ATX Server M/B, LGA1150, Intel C226, 4x DDR3 ECC -umart.com.au From their Sunshine Coast Store in Queensland. They have 4 outlets in NSW and will most likely source whatever you want. I went for the DBS1200V3RPL as it was in stock, I think it sounds great. Steven. p.s Go here to find your store:- http://www.umart.com.au/

RoboForm works on this site for me....

++1. Phil's Highend Audio venture has three points of difference. 1. A versatile product that 'does what it says on the tin'. 2. A fair and reasonable asking price. 3. A commitment to customer service and support rarely found in audio land. Whatever you thoughts on Audiophile Optimizer or any other product out there, a degree of respect is required. When you say, or do bad things, then they will reflect, badly, upon you. Steven.

I have had my HDP-4 since it was launched and I am very happy with it. I feed it from a 2 PC, software Optimized set up, with linear power to most everything. From the PC via a SOtM tx-usb Pci-e USB card to a SOtM Dx-USB to SPDIF converter then to the DEQX. I was keen to try the DEQX USB option because USB to i2S has got to be better than USB to Converter to SPDIF to i2S. Without any ‘burn-in’ I hear a cleaner more relaxed sound. It is a trivial and quick change between the two and I have been A/B’ing for an hour or more now. For me the New USB option is an outright winner. Having previously heard the SOtM DX-USB to SPDIF converter against the Empirical Audio Offramp 4, it seems the DEQX USB improvement is of the same character and scale of improvement the Offramp had over the SOtM. I caution that it was a while ago I heard the Offramp and my audio memory may be at fault, but it and the DEQX USB direct are definitely better than my SOtM setup. I do not consider the SOtM gear to be of poor quality or poor of sound, and I would recommend it any day, but, if, like me, you have a DEQX HDP-4 you might want to seriously consider the USB option. As much as I would like them to, DEQX have not paid me for this post, nor unfortunately are they likely to. Steven.

Topanga, Lagoon, Carbon, Zuma. Malibu beaches? Maybe not, cannot find Lagoon. It's nice there anyway. Steven.

Sorry I have not replied sooner, been away for a few weeks. The weak side of the 3 was always the pre-amp. The 4 is a whole lot better, which I am sure you have found out by now. The 4 will no doubt make your Tikandi's come 'alive'. Steven.

Dave. The USB input is not available yet, it is still in development, but near I am told. Source is a Windows 8 PC, dedicated to music only with JRiver software. Hardware is a SOtM tx-usb card, usb to a SOtM dx-usb hd USB to SPDIF converter. Then the DEQX then six AUSSIEAMPS to my DIY speakers. Steven.

DEQX HDP4 For the last 4 years I have been the happy owner of a DEQX HDP 3. Recently they brought out the HDP 4, I couldn’t resist! This is just to report on the changeover. For those of you who are not sure what it is, DEQX stands for Digital Equalisation and Crossover. It is a 6 way Dac, DSP, Crossover and Pre-amp. This unit measures the speakers and the room, corrects the signal, applies a crossover and sends it to the amplifiers with its own Pre-amp. If you want more detail, please go to DEQX High Definition Audio I build my own speakers and amps, so, this is ideal for me with a fully active system. Although I was very happy with the HDP 3, I was aware that the pre-amp was its weakest component, even so I rated it equal to my BelCanto Dac3 which I use occasionally with passive speakers. The HDP 4 has a better analogue side with some improvements to the digital side and better connectivity. Potential for improvement over the HDP 3 then. When the HDP 4 arrived I had it all set up for a quick changeover, not quite an A/B test but the swap took less than 3 minutes. Having listened to the HDP 3 for a while I put in the HDP 4 and squirted over the crossover I am currently using. My pre-disposition was that the sound would be the same or slightly better….….within seconds of starting playback with the HDP 4 only one word came to mind – Clarity. I will not go into audiopool speak, dissecting the sound. Clarity should be enough of an explanation. I can say though that whilst trying to listen critically to the HDP 4 i found myself, instead, listening to the music. Enough said! Naturally I am a very happy audiophile at the moment. I do not think that this diminishes the HDP 3 at all, the digital side is much the same and the analogue side is only a small part of what is does. I am however very glad I upgraded to the HDP 4. I have just discovered that the original company name for DEQX was ‘Clarity’. Too right! Steven.

Yes, he removed the sata filter on the SSD and the usb card worked. Because of that he does not use the sata filter now. I can only guess at which is causing the problem, the filter, the usb card or the motherboard. Leaving out the filter may work for you though. It will still sound very good! Steven.

If you are using the SOtM filter on your SSD, try taking it off and then booting with the USB card installed and powered from the Motherboard. You may find that will work. At least that is what a friend of mine did, it worked for him. Steven.

Roc. The SOtM and the Stello are both better than the V-Link, it was enough for me to upgrade to the Stello. I then bought the SOtM because the Stello was a bit shrill in my system. See if you can audition one. I went to Caxton Audio in Brisbane who were very good about me swapping stuff around. Good luck. Further apologies to the OP. Steven.

Elysian. The answer is as always...it depends. I own a MF V-Link, SOtM DX-USB HD and a Stello U3. I have heard the Audiophilio 2, the Hi face and the Jkenny modded Hi face, also the top of the line Off Ramp with all the trimmings. The following is IMHO only and in my system or that of others I know. What is good for us may not apply to you. The best is of course the Off Ramp but it is not $1000+ better, if I had money to waste I would buy one. I preferred the V-Link to the Hi-Face and thought the JK modded version too expensive for a small gain in quality. As for the SOtM and Stello it is a draw, depending on the equipment used. I found the Stello to be a bit harsh in the higher frequencies in my system, which is solid state class D. However in a tube based system it was lovely. The SOtM is better in my system and equals the Stello in a tube based system. The AP2 sounds very slightly better than the SOtM and the Stello, however I reackon my new SPDIF cable brings them up to the same quality. Not A/B'ed though. That said, the AP2 is only BNC and needs a BNC to RCA converter then hangs off the connector, I just do not like that. Also I like the AES output of the Stello and the extra connector options and external power option of the SOtM. I use the SOtM in my main system. I hope that is what you were looking for. Steven.

Long time lurker. Thought I would come out of the cupboard. 37 years in aviation. Airline Pilot. Now retired though. Vanilla, or peppermint. Would love to drive trains or know more about Physics. Nice to meet you. Steven.