Hi, I wanted to share my experiences with switching to JPlay StreamerMode (dual PC setup). Manual | JPLAY - hi-end audio player for Windows
I thought there wouldn't be much to gain by adding an extra PC to my WAV playback "chain" with JPlay, but as JPlay 5.2 was recently released I accidentally read about people's experiences with using Windows Server 2012 in "core" mode combined with AudioPhil's AudiopileOptimizer package (enables Kernel Streaming in "core" mode).
I decided to "refurbish" an old 2007 laptop with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. After a rather challenging installation procedure, that would never would have succeeded without the assistance from AudioPhil (including TeamViewer "remote assistance"!), I was finally ready to connect the new JPlay "Audio PC" (Windows Server 2012, JPlay 5.2, AudiophileOptimizer) to my existing JPlay "Control PC" (Windows 8.1, JPlay 5.2, JRiver, JPlay mini) through a dedicated "direct cable connection" (using Gigabit NICs). My DAC is the JKDAC32 from John Kenny, the amplifier is "NAKSA 70" by Hugh Dean, passive volume control/attenuator is the RelVol1 from Dantimax.dk, the speakers...will soon be replaced by Tony Gee's Concerto speakers (DIY).
It was past midnight before the "Audio PC" project was finished, but the sound was so engaging, so natural and "smooth" that I couldn't stop listening for 2 hours! The "digital harshness" of WAV playback seems to be gone. Adding the "Audio PC" has brought SQ to another level in my rather simple system. I find myself listening to music a lot more these days.
I'm sure AudioPhil will assist you in making it happen. His AudiophileOptimizer software, and not to forget his accompanying installation GUIDE (Windows Server 2012 setup procedure included) is available at Highend-AudioPC | AudiophileOptimizer for CHF 100. Well worth the investment!
-E
