It looks like Devialet AIR was restricting playback quality as I've now made quite a serious jump in sound quality switching to USB with both the Kingrex items (Y cable+Li-ion battery). It feels like switching to USB has also 'unlocked' some of the magic that the Windows Server 2012 R2 + Audiophile Optimizer 1.30 combination can bring, and I generally see people raving about. All the usual aspects of reproduction have improved again, similar to the improvements the Diamond ethernet cable brought but now in bigger 'quantities'. One of the most noticable improvements in comparison to the Diamond cable has been the bass reproduction, this has become much more dynamic and tight. But also the clarity is absolutely amazing, inner/fine details, it's all there without sounding clinical/cold; just true to the source!
Yesterday I've actually uninstalled AIR from the 2012 setup and also removed the second (Intel) physical network adapter since I currently no longer see a need for both. This also means I could go on and sell both Audioquest cables (Carbon USB and Diamond RJ/E ethernet) again, as they are also no longer needed.
For now I'm fully focusing my efforts on the music server PC, the Cubox has to wait a bit longer. Last items on my list (for now ) are an improved SATA cable and JCAT/SoTM/PPA Audio USB PCIe interface card.
Also found out that the kernel streaming (KS) option is also available for Devialet's USB input in core mode of the 2012/AO server setup. This is the recommended setup. Devialet uses a fully customized Thesycon USB 2.0 audio driver for it's XMOS USB implementation that includes all interface types including WDM, DirectX, WASAPI, ASIO and thus also KS. https://www.xmos.com/download/public/USB....23%29.pdf
Devialet has chosen to not include the control panel functionality of the Thesycon USB driver BTW. I'm going to see if I can hack that back in so I can try to optimize the (sound quality improving) latency settings.
And of course I'm not forgetting to enjoy the music, which I do very much (now and before!)
PS: I've updated the specs of my system on page 1 of this topic, for people that are interested and can't 'keep up' following all these changes.
Yesterday I've actually uninstalled AIR from the 2012 setup and also removed the second (Intel) physical network adapter since I currently no longer see a need for both. This also means I could go on and sell both Audioquest cables (Carbon USB and Diamond RJ/E ethernet) again, as they are also no longer needed.
For now I'm fully focusing my efforts on the music server PC, the Cubox has to wait a bit longer. Last items on my list (for now ) are an improved SATA cable and JCAT/SoTM/PPA Audio USB PCIe interface card.
Also found out that the kernel streaming (KS) option is also available for Devialet's USB input in core mode of the 2012/AO server setup. This is the recommended setup. Devialet uses a fully customized Thesycon USB 2.0 audio driver for it's XMOS USB implementation that includes all interface types including WDM, DirectX, WASAPI, ASIO and thus also KS. https://www.xmos.com/download/public/USB....23%29.pdf
Devialet has chosen to not include the control panel functionality of the Thesycon USB driver BTW. I'm going to see if I can hack that back in so I can try to optimize the (sound quality improving) latency settings.
And of course I'm not forgetting to enjoy the music, which I do very much (now and before!)
PS: I've updated the specs of my system on page 1 of this topic, for people that are interested and can't 'keep up' following all these changes.
PS Audio P3, Shunyata ΞTRON Alpha Digital and HC/Furutech power cables, Paul Hynes SR7EHD-MR4, DIY Roon Server & Roon Endpoint running AudioLinux Headless, Phasure Lush^2 USB cable, Audioquest Diamond RJ/E ethernet, Uptone Audio etherREGEN, Mutec MC-3+ USB, Shunyata ΞTRON Anaconda Digital XLR AES/EBU, Devialet Expert 250 Pro CI, Nordost Tyr Reference LS cables, Von Schweikert VR-5 SE Anniversary Edition, Anti-Mode Dual Core 2.0, JL Audio Fathom F112. More detail here.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands