nickt1

I must say what a simple and effective windows 8 optimisation script this is.(from an end users perspective) I have tried to manually optimise windows and gave up by the first 10! Quieter background,smoother, more detailed music was observed with less grunge making for less fatiguing listening. A big Thank You Scott for making this script freely available!

Tried an AData 10000ma external usb battery backup ($50 ) with great results with my HRT streamer Pro using a split USB cable. Quieter, smoother and more detailed over the USB hub I was using. I get about 24 hours listening before recharge. Dont think I will be buying an IFI after all.

Upgraded from streamer II, which I enjoyed a great deal for its smooth and non fatiguing sound. I bought the Pro mainly because it was a great deal($269 on E bay-New). I am running it with Cardas mini XLR to RCA and am running it off a desktop so the USB voltage drop doesn't seem to be an issue like on some laptops. The Pro is both more detailed and less grainy and with bigger sound stage and dynamics. Rhythm and Pace are also better and bass sounds have much better definition and texture. Its not that the Streamer II is bad value its just that the Pro is unbelievable value. I must say I am a fanboy for the smooth detailed HRT sound minus any "chintzy" audiophile top end that I find tiresome after extended listening.

Hi Ned, thanks for your post.I have a HRT streamer II and I noticed a substantial improvement in sound quality when switching from my HP net book and larger Dell notebook.So I tried the Belkin USB hub as I bought the net book to play music from. The sound using the USB hub was a further improvement on the larger laptop with fuller richer sound with a larger sound stage and better defined and textured bass.The only minor detraction was as slightly rolled off highs but I put this down to the fact that I am using the Belkin supplied(Audiophiles may cringe here) USB to mini usb fly lead from net book to hub and quality lead from hub to HRT which I plan to upgrade. The reason for this ,I am guessing is that the HRT requires more current than most USB supplies deliver and the hub solves this. Nickt1