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markvandepas

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  1. Nice video from Benchmark about starquad aligned wires inside a microphone cable: (also some nice demonstration on noise coming from switching-PSU's compared too a line-frequency transformer at 8:00 minutes and after) Also a nice read from Belden on the effectiveness of shielding compared too starquad wire alignment inside a cable. http://www.belden.com/blog/broadcastav/How-Starquad-Works.cfm
  2. I’m arriving late too the party. Everybody has already gone home. But I still like too contribute my daily experience as a Ravenna and Merging Hapi user because I didn’t read much input from daily users. For me connecting a computer to a DAC/Audiointerface through an ethernet (IEEE 802.3) connection is just one of many possibilities to connect a computer. Just as PCI(-E) OEM card solutions, Firewire, USB or Thunderbold can provide an audio connection. In the past there where overheated discussions on that there could be absolutely no audible effects between different cables used to make a connection through USB or firewire because ‘bits are bits’. Today almost everybody knows that USB and Firewire connections for audio purposes need careful engineering to make them sound good. Like: asynchronous transfer, XMOS chips, DICE chips, carefully designed divers, firmware and software, carefully designed hardware, special purpose designed mini/micro computers (microRendu’s and others), ect. Same is true for audio-over-ethernet (IEEE 802.3) connections. It needs careful engineering to get the best from it for audio. However not everybody is still convinced yet. On Archimago’s Musings you can still find ‘bits are bits’-style blogs about audio over ethernet. In daily use the Ravenna-on-ethernet-(IEEE 802.3) connection between my computer (Mac mini) and the Merging Hapi is just like any other connection. (Mac mini -> UTP cat 6 cable that came with the Hapi -> Merging Hapi). I installed the software and selected the Hapi for sound output. That’s it. There is no steep learning curve (IMO). It has same user simplicity as an USB-connection. Ravenna-on-ethernet-(IEEE 802.3) offers much more distribution options (which I don’t use yet). USB cable length is limited to 5 meters but for UTP Cat 6 cable this is 100 meters. So there is much more flexibility where too put the computer and the DAC. Very high quality DAC’s can also be found inside speakers, so I would surely try a Zman module if it could be installed inside my PMC TwoTwo.8 speakers. * Ravenna-over-ethernet-(IEEE 802.3) sensitivity for UTP LAN cable. With the Zman module in mind, I was curious how sensitive the Ravenna-on-ethernet-(IEEE 802.3) connection would be for different types of UTP cat 6 or 7 cable? For this too try I swapped out the UTP cat 6 cable that was provide by Merging (came with the Hapi inside the box) and replaced it with a DIY Belden ISTP 1885ENH ‘Cat 7’ with Telegartner plugs. I could not hear no audible difference. Although some times I thought it sounded slightly different. But I friend of mine found that both LAN cables sounded the same. So in my simple test Ravenna and Merging Hapi showed no sensitivity for different types of UTP cable and RJ45 connecters. How very much different this turned out too be in other area’s and parts of my home LAN (Mac Mini included) * Other very surprising sound quality related findings on audio over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3). First some history en info on my home LAN. In 1999 I installed no-name brandless UTP cat 5e cable with brandless RJ45 krimp-on connecters too every room in my home. Livingroom got 2 UTP cat 5e cables. From 2007 I used this LAN too connect a NAS (inside the meterboard down the hall) to a dedicated multimedia computer in the living room for playing audio and video In Jan 2017 I applied a tweak by disconnecting twisted pairs numbers 3&4 in the RJ45 connecter on the UTP cable too the Mac mini. This tweak forces the hardware speed down from 1000Mb/s to 100 Mbs. Just as described on audio forums this tweak gave a very pleasant jump in sound quality. Because of this tweak I decided to re-place all the no-name UTP cat 5e cable in my home LAN with Belden ISTP 1885ENH cat 7 cable with Telegartner connectors. Again there was a nice jump in sound quality and much to my surprise: there was no longer was any difference in sound quality between 1000Mb/s and 100Mb/s speed ! * Audio-over-Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) sensitivity for (Mac mini) tweaks. First some more info on my setup: The meterboard down the hall houses the cable-modem too switch & the NAS too switch Switch = Netgear Managed Switch GS108Ev3 (LAN cable shield earthed to real earth) Switch -> 20 m ISTP belden Cat 7 -> thunderbold LAN adapter -> Mac mini Mac Mini -> Supra 2.0 usb -> Crane Song Solaris -> Vovox cable -> PMC TwoTwo.8 Mac mini -> build in LAN port -> Ravenna UTP cat 6 -> Merging Hapi -> Vovox cable -> PMC TwoTwo.8 In this setup, I applied several tweaks to the Mac Mini. * Audio-over-Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) sensitivity for disabling hardware inside the Mac mini. I physically disconnected the SSD power cable and SATA cable from the Mac Mini Motherboard. I also physically removed the WiFi module from the Mac Mini Motherboard and copied the OSX-operating system too a SD-card. These tweaks gave a profound jump in sound quality as recommended by ‘Superdad’ (Alex Crispi, Uptone audio) Although the Solaris and the Hapi sound somewhat different, too my ears the sound quality increased equally on the USB connection as well as on the Ravenna connection. * Audio-over-Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) sensitivity for improved power supply too the Mac mini. Two weeks ago I removed the original SPSU from the Mac mini and replaced it with a Uptone DC-Conversion / Linear Fan Controller Kit (MMK) powered by a HDPLEX 200W Linear Power Supply. Again there was a nice little sound quality improvement on the usb -> Crane Song Solaris connection. But – all to my surprise- the sound quality massively improved on the Ravenna UTP cat 6 -> Merging Hapi connection. I got I huge smile on my face from this MMK/linear PSU improvement on the Ravenna ethernet connection too the Hapi. It completely (!) changed the sound from my system. With these tweaks in my setup the Hapi now sounds better (too my ears) than the Solaris. Before the MMK/linear PSU tweak the Hapi and the Solaris sounded both equally very good. * What too learn from these tweaks? Merging did a very good engineering job and designed an audio-over-ethernet product that is not sensitive for LAN cable-tweaks in my setup. The Ravenna protocol and the Merging Hapi are great concepts/products with excellent sound quality. Too my ears the Hapi price/performance ratio is among the very best available (same is true for the Crane Song Solaris as an ‘USB-product’) But that’s surely not the case for other parts of my audio-over-ethernet home infrastructure. The sound quality coming from the Mac mini when using audio-over-ethernet appeared too be very sensitive for hardware and PSU tweaks. It looked like that audio-over-ethernet through a Mac mini is even more sensitive for tweaks than audio-over-USB through a Mac mini. Also other parts of the audio-over-ethernet infrastructure in my home where very sensitive too tweaks. Using Belden ISTP 1885ENH cat 7 cable with Telegartner connectors throughout the audio-over-ethernet infrastructure in my home had a significant impact on sound quality. So all in all there’s really nothing much new. It’s the same as with sound quality through USB or Firewire. Hard- and software has too be properly designed and engineered too get best results from audio-over-ethernet. Standard no-name UTP cat 5e cable and standard no-name RJ45 krimp-on connecters and a standard Mac Mini are clearly not designed with best audio-over-ethernet performance in mind. Just like audio-over-USB and audio-over-Firewire there now is a heated debate about audio-over-ethernet not being sensitive for this-and-that because ‘bits-are-bits’. But just like audio-over-USB and audio-over-Firewire its needs proper hardware, design and engineering too get best audio results from it.
  3. I use it. Since one week. It exactly gives the sound quality improvement as you describe !! Thank you for this post. To my ears unmounting the internal Samsung SATA SSD in my Mac Mini only gives half the potential sound quality improvement. I unmounted the Samsung SATA SSD disk from terminal with: diskutil unmount diskXX. XX = 0 in my Mac Mini. But OSX still reads meta-data from the Samsung SSD which means the SATA connection is still active. So I decided too fiscally unplug the power and SATA connecters from the SSD (see picture). For this one only has too the WIFI-antenna has be removed. I left the SSD inside the Mac mini because it too much work removing it. I covered the power and SATA connecters with some tape, too prevent I making accidental contact. Although the placebo-effect could fool me: too my ears the power and SATA connecters need too be unplugged for maximum effect.
  4. Chris, While it’s still possible now, say: ‘Sorry guys, I made a mistake’ 30 more posts from now on, that will be impossible. At that point ‘pride’, ‘honour’, ‘shame’, ‘ego’ or whatever, will make that impossible for you.
  5. Hi Chris, Just like you, I indeed know this very well. That’s why I was very amazed. If you would have red the WHOLE thread, than you wouldn’t have ripped 2 comments out of their context, just too use it as a stick too beat SGBK. If you would have red the WHOLE thread, your conclusion can only be the same as the one from ‘tonerei ‘. That’s why I could only think of one other reason: you where too busy making money. But hey, it’s your website, you’re the publisher and founder. So do as you please. MQN is just damn good. I’m sure MQn player will flourish at some other website. Mark N.B. It’s very hard too find a way too delete/end my profile on this website. Could you provide a link for that?
  6. Hi Chris, Being a publisher myself at Reed-Elseviers for many years, I think you made a mistake here. Although it’s obvious that: - MQn will never buy any advertising at CA because it’s free software. - MQn does compete with commercial software players - commercial software players are potential buyers of advertisement at CA - MQn generates a lot of traffic, which means you can sell your advertisements at a higher price (because of more traffic). Now, why did you ban SBGK? - Because there is “promotion of a product” for which SBGK does not buy any advertisement at CA? - Because SBGK competes with commercial software players and other media server products? Which put pressure on you, complaining about a SBGK not buying any advertisements? (threatening you too withdraw their CA advertisements if you don’t ban SBGK) Altough you successfully run an infomercial website, you can do better than this. "Content is King" Mark
  7. Hi SBGK, Question About: Tasks\P ro Audio registry settings. Are these settings meant to be running ‘mqnplayer’ and ‘mqncontrol’ in high priority? [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Multimedia\SystemProfile\Tasks\P ro Audio] "Scheduling Category"="High" "GPU Priority"=dword:00000008 "Affinity"=dword:00000000 "Clock Rate"=dword:0000b568 "SFIO Priority"="Normal" "Priority"=dword:00000008 "Background Only"="False" I applied these registry changes, re-started server 2012, checked if registry changes where applied and than checked in task manager in what priority mqnplayer and mqncontrol where running. They ran in normal priority. Also audiodg.exe ran in normal priority. Are these registry settings meant too change the priority-level of these processes? Other questions related too this: What audio-quality related processes should preferably run in ‘high priority’? In task manager I can also set processes too ‘Real time’. Would this be better than ‘high priority’? Mark
  8. Hi SBGK, haven't listened for a week after the listening session with friends at my place. They where amazed by the very good sound quality coming from an 'un-tweaked', standard server 2012 install. And they where VERY IMPRESSED (!) by the sound quality coming from MQN. Much credits for SBGK !! But there has been again much progress in only one week. Version mqnplay.exe 2.52 sse4 intel v2 sounds great. On my system: * the high's are much better now. In most MNQ versions high's where a little to bright on my system. Especially S's and T's sounded with too much "Sssssss" en too much "Ttttttt". If you know what I mean. * resolution also has gone up again. More details, more musical texture. Especially in bass and lower mid regions there are much more details and there's much better musical texture. This might sound as if there is less bass. But only the mud and blur is gone. There's definitely enough bass in my system. * 3D/soundstage. I also read comments about 3D/soundstage. I think that's a very tricky one. 3D/soundstage is easily confused with an 'open', 'airy' sound style. The latter can be easily added in the mixing/mastering process by adding some: reverb(aration)/echo/delay. When adding a litlle of this, a recording or PA sounds less dry, more open, etc. I like what 2.52 sse4 intel v2 is doing here. But I don't know if i'm listening too the truth, nothing but the truth (soundwise) But hey, I like it. I read you bought a new labtop. Do you intend too run server 2012 (trail version 180 day's) somehow? (beside the original OS on the laptop) I ask because server 2012, really sounds A LOT better than WIN8. Do try too run server 2012 (trail version 180 days) from an additional partition or external bootable HDD/SSD so you can hear the sound quality yourself. I boot and run server 2012 from an external USB3.0 HDD as described here. Creating a Non-Certified Windows To Go USB Drive » ADMIN Magazine (substitute in the text 'WIN8' for 'Server 2012')
  9. Hi SBGK, Friday night 2 friends are coming over too listen too the spectacular sound quality of Win Server 2012 and also too MQn-player. We are going too listen too all kinds of music ranging from classical, to live jazz, to pop-music. But all from recordings to be of known good quality. My friends also have neutral, detailed, good sounding equipment (Event Opal, Apogee Quartet, PMC DB1S, Steinberg MR816x). They are used too listen critically. I lost track of all versions. Which one do you think we should audition/review coming Friday? (max 3 versions or so)
  10. From internet search I understand that one can use both. But using a QWORD (quadruple word length) is only needed when too communicate larger/longer value's than a DWORD value (double word length) can 'contain'. We want too communicate the value: '1'. This value fit's inside a DWORD as well as inside a QWORD So, if I'm correct, both can be used too communicate value: '1' Dword or Qword?
  11. Hi Jonathan, He can't and shouldn't. That's why I wrote 'I would like too encourage you too follow your own ears.' I disable all Performance Counters with exctrist.exe Please report back if you hear any improvement in SQ when disabling performance counters and lowering USB polling frequency. The SQ improvement in XP is significant Especially lowering USB polling frequency But in 2012 is only subtle I could be fooled by the placebo-effect.
  12. I used this tweak in my cMP / cPlay setup Step 7 - Reduce USB Polling Default polling of USB (Controller) devices under XP is 1ms. Use following registry change for each USB Controller to increase polling interval to 5ms. Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{36FC9E60-C465-11CF-8056-444553540000}\0000 Right-click in right pane > Select New > DWORD > Rename to 'IdleEnable' > Set value to 1 Repeat for each subkey \0000, \0001 ... that has the 'Controller' key I found the same USB polling registry values in server 2012 Same for the exctrlst.exe application Two-Minute Drill: Disabled performance counters and Exctrlst.exe - Ask the Performance Team - Site Home - TechNet Blogs May be I'm fooled by the placebo-effect, but I think I also hear sound quality improvement not only in XP but also in server 2012.
  13. Hi sbgk Man, you are in a hurry ! I can't keep up with carefully listening too all the new versions and reading the comments of the reviewers. On reviewing MNq-versions: In my opinion it is essential too use recordings that are well known for there good recording and sound quality. And also using a variety of musical styles is essential too judge the sound quality between different MNq-versions. Reading comments like "if you use good recording, more difficult to tell differences in piano sound." makes me wonder. Big chance that this way you are 'voicing' MNq too compensate for short comings in lesser recordings or equipment being used. Not too mention the acquired sound-taste of the reviewer. Many audiophiles like a silky, smooth and airy 'tube-sound' and never visit concerts with acoustic music. I noticed that the level of tweaking the 2012 server does make same versions sound different. Without any tweaking except for disabling performance counters with the exctrlst.exe application and lowering USB polling frequency, makes same MNq version sound different. I would like too encourage you too follow your own ears. I'm not particularly interested in home-hifi-gear, but I joined a friend too the Wifimedia. Maak kennis met de toekomst! store for a thorough listening session too your Nad M5x DAC on high quality passive speakers (I forgot the brand). This is where a good sound quality starts IMHO. And I'm also very familiar with most of ATC's active pro speakers. Not knowing what your amp and speaker cables are doing too the sound, but your NAD DAC and ATC's are 'voiced' too sound natural, uncoloured with good resolution and detail. So I think it is not a coincidence that most of the time I prefer the same versions as you do. (because of the equipment being used) but I need a lot more time too listen too all the different versions. Coming week I will again try some versions, so more feed back in one week. Thank you for al the good work! I never enjoyed my setup so much! MUCH better than Tiny Core + Deadbeef.
  14. Hi all, I tried Explorer, Firefox and Chrome, but I can't find how too download files from the new Rapidshare GUI. " Select the desired data and click on Download below on the left to save the files onto your computer. " I manage too select the desired file, but than: where is the "download below on the left" ? I don't see anything 'Below on the left' that looks like "Download". What do I miss? I also don't see version 2.38. I only see 2.37 versions and 2.39. No 2.38 Mark
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