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Tag Archive for Computer Audio Server

Roon core version selection is available for Fidelizer Nimitra Computer Audio Server

 in News

Nimitra2

 

After Roon 1.8 update, Fidelizer starts developing unique Roon optimization for Fidelizer Nimitra as Roon core and things have been going well so far. There’s some sound signature changes during Roon 2.0 updates but still sound acceptable for serious listening.

However, Roon 2.0 starts adopting CarPlay support in recent updates and some audiophiles feel they can’t enjoy music from Roon as they used based on feedback received from customers and friends asking me if I notice changes in sound with recent Roon update.

I investigated and tested different 2.0 builds and found that Roon 2.0 build 1182 sounds more preferable as the last build before CarPlay support. I shared my findings in Roon’s community hoping devs can test things out but my feedback wasn’t well received.

 

It looks like Roon 2.0 will focus on adopting more features to provide more accessibility such as Roon ARC and CarPlay and those changes may cause sound signature changes in some systems over time. For audiophiles using Roon solely for serious stereo system, this isn’t good news.

So, I went back to Roon 1.8 Legacy and start fresh since Roon’s database can’t be downgraded from 2.0 to 1.8 release. To my findings, it sounds decent, get the jobs done and I won’t have to worry about new updates causing change in sound signature like Roon 2.0.

 

After testing Roon 1.8 Legacy today, I decided to add Roon core version in Fidelizer Nimitra Computer Audio Server with Roon 1.8 Legacy as default option. You can also upgrade to 2.0 at any time from backup and Roon 2.0 that can’t be downgraded.

If you’re using Fidelizer Nimitra as Roon core running version 2.0 and want to setup Roon 1.8 Legacy version, I can backup your Roon 2.0 repository and start new Roon core 1.8 legacy for you to try and see if you want to keep using Roon 1.8 Legacy version.

I’d like to assure you that Fidelizer Nimitra server is still fully compatible with Roon 2.0. This option is a matter of personal and subjective experience about sound changes in different version updates. As old saying goes “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

Fidelizer Nimitra Firmware 5.0 Updater is released with Windows Server 2022 Sound Quality and Roon/JRiver Optimizations

 in News

 

Nimitra Firmware 5.0 Updater

 

After releasing Nimitra2 with improved hardware modification, I’ve been optimizing Nimitra2 to improve sound quality with new standards. With new VRDS ATLAS transport from Esoteric K1X Grandioso, I finally brought Nimitra2 to masterpiece level with firmware 5.0 update.

Version 5.0 will cover changes in various areas to improve sound quality and also reliability with better user experience. This is probably the biggest update since launching Nimitra 6 years ago. Here’s summarize about major updates in version 5.0 update.

 

Added Windows Server 2022 Sound Quality Optimizations

 

Many people said Windows Server sounds a lot better but personally I prefer sound signature from some Windows 10 builds more so I didn’t look into Server builds as much until this year. When I tried Windows Server 2022 this year, I was blown away by Windows Server 2022’s performance.

If we were to compare how Windows sounds as stock environment, Windows Server 2022 is no doubt the best sounding Windows. But I don’t think sound quality from Windows Server 2019 to 2022 will be improved with any major changes on system files so I tried to crack the secrets.

This year I spent a long long time researching on the difference between my favorite Windows 10 builds and Windows Server 2022. I compared all parts of registry and system configuration between these two and finally managed to crack the secret sauce of Windows Server sound.

The main reason why Windows Server sounds better is default configuration for Server version have some parts that favors sound quality better. I traced the changes and applied the applicable differences I found into NimitraOS and viola! NimitraOS sounded very similar to Windows Server 2022.

But it doesn’t end at just that. Some changes from Windows Server configuration are not for better sound quality. There’s difference ups and downs so I tried to implement bits by bits and adjust configuration for optimal sound quality.

After this long process of trial and error with listening test, I finally managed to integrated Windows Server 2022 configuration into NimitraOS with optimal sonic performance. At this point NimitraOS already has better sound quality than Windows Server 2022.

 

Added Roon Sound Quality Optimizations

 

Nimitra Firmware 5.0 Updater - Main

 

Since Roon 1.8 update, I started using Roon more to discover new music with Roon Radio feature. It also sounds better than previous versions so I started taking Roon seriously and tried to find a way to make Roon delivering better sonic performance highend audio system.

After a long research along with Windows Server 2022 sound quality optimizations, I managed to to find a method to deliver highend audio performance with Roon. Roon has 3 main components which are:

RAAT: Managing audio streaming between devices
Core: Managing core features in Roon core
Appliance: Managing essential tasks like database and DSP

Understanding how each component works, I can optimize Roon in Nimitra with two main principles to improve sound quality:

Core Isolation: Nimitra has 4 cores so I can isolate Roon components into different cores. I still need Appliance to have all cores or Roon will be too slow.
Priority Optimizations: By increasing RAAT’s priority which involves handling audio transport directly so Roon can have better audio performance.

After testing out a few combinations, I managed to sort out Roon Optimizations with the following options below:

 

Roon Core Isolation Policy:

Single core (Recommended for low latency audio playback)
Dual cores (Recommended for high buffering audio playback)
No isolation (Disabled)

Roon Playback Optimizations:

Standard optimizations (For all media sources)
Local optimizations (For internal/external storage)
Streaming optimizations (For NAS/streaming services)
MQA optimizations (For MQA Core Decoder)
No optimizations (Disabled)

 

Default configuration will use single core isolation and standard optimizations. Customers can also inform about their system for applying firmware update with optimal configuration for their system to get the best sound quality possible.

 

Added JRiver Sound Quality Optimizations

 

FidelizerRemote

 

After finishing Roon optimizations, I started working on my favorite platform JRiver to get better sound quality too. With custom tuning for lower latency, JRiver can deliver audio performance closer to live performance with zero latency jitter.

 

JRiver Latency Optimizations:

Ultra low latency (100ms)
Low Latency (200ms)
Standard (1000ms)
Reliable (2000ms)
Relaxed (4000ms)
Safe (6000ms)
No latency change

 

Default configuration will use low latency at 200ms which is stable enough for most cases. Technically it could as low as 50ms but such scenario can only be possible with non-highres format in highly controlled environment.

I also added “Enable pure playback (disable plugins in audio chain)” to be used by default since default configuration can use this feature. This will disable audio related plugins from audio chain completely for true pure playback.

JRiver platform also has improved FidelizerRemote web app supporting light/dark theme configuration and have better library browsing and playback control based on Roon UX too. You can access FidelizerRemote through http://nimitra_sn[written serial in sticker/box].local

 

Revised Sound Signature Profile optimizations

 

I used to offer two sound signature profiles but it’s no longer necessary with new finalized configuration based on Windows Server 2022 that can deliver the best of both worlds. In this firmware 5.0 update, Sound Signature Profile is now changed to options based on Fidelizer software as below.

 

Sound Signature Profile:

Natural harmonics with linear sound
Natural harmonics with rich details
Sharp image with linear sound
Sharp image with rich details

 

Default configuration will use “Natural harmonics with linear sound” option based on Esoteric CD transport as reference. They’re tuned slightly different from Fidelizer for optimal sonic performance with NimitraOS platform and hardware.

 

Improved NimitraOS core sound quality optimizations and quality of life improvements

 

Besides Windows Server 2022 / Roon / JRiver optimizations, NimitraOS also has internal optimization improvement too. I added .NET Framework performance optimizations to improve performance and sound quality with Roon. Some internal configuration are optimized for better sound quality and reliability.

I also updated OpenHome/NAA libraries with improved configuration too. If you use OpenHome feture with Linn/Kazoo/Lumin/Sound Stream app, please inform support during update.

 

Changelog

-Added .NET Framework performance optimizations to improve performance with Roon
-Added JRiver’s latency optimizations to improve sound quality on JRiver’s based platform (FidelizerRemote / uPNP / OpenHome / LMS)
-Added JRiver’s pure playback mode disabling plugins in audio chain completely
-Added Roon optimizations features with core isolation and priority optimizations options
-Added Windows Server 2022 sound quality optimization into NimitraOS
-Improved JRiver audio output configuration for better sound quality
-Improved internal optimizations for better performance and reliability
-Improved internal sound quality optimizations in NimitraOS
-Improved reliability of OpenHome streaming in Lumin/Kazoo app
-Improved compatibility with remote support feature
-Increased hardware detection timer to look for changes after 60 seconds
-Updated FidelizerRemote UI to support light/dark theme with revamped UI
-Updated HQPlayer NAA binaries to latest stable version
-Updated OpenHome libraries to latest stable version

 

Nimitra runs on specially tuned NimitraOS platform with special version of Fidelizer. All these optimizations are specially tuned for Nimitra’s hardware and software configuration, separated from Fidelizer software optimizations.

Nimitra/NimitraS customers can send request for firmware update and I’ll update Nimitra firmware through Teamviewer or request download link for applying update manually. This update is highly recommended for all Nimitra users.

Fidelizer Nimitra Firmware 4.0 Updater is released with Device/Sound Signature Profile options

 in News

 

Nimitra Firmware 4.0 Updater

 

It’s been a long while since last time I released Nimitra Firmware update. There’s a lot of on going internal optimizations and improvements with Nimitra after 3.0 release including new platform and supported protocols.

Version 4.0 will cover many changes and improvements on NimitraOS platform and also updater itself. Here’s summarize about major updates in version 4.0:

 

Added Device Profile and Sound Signature Profile configuration options

 

Nimitra Firmware 4.0 Updater - Main

 

Device Profile is Fidelizer Pro’s Audio Profile but I changed wording to device to avoid confusion. Nimitra will be configured as Network Player by default for general purposes but you can choose different profile for Nimitra to work with specific device better now.

For example, you can change option to Streamer for better sound quality with Network Player/Endpoint device. You can also choose Audio Player if you don’t use streaming or networked storage at all too for better optimizations.

Sound Signature Profile is a unique new configuration added in NimitraOS sound quality optimizations platform. Some clients prefer to have analogue sound reproduction but there’s also those who prefer high resolution with finer details.

You can choose sound signature of Nimitra to match with your system better. Nimitra will be configured with real sound signature profile but both options are good in different aspects so you can try both and pick what you prefer more in your system.

 

Support AirPlay, Logitech Media Server, OpenHome (Lumin / Kazoo) platform

Current models of Nimitra will have new platform integration support by default and older model can be configured to launch them too with remote support. If you want to use these features, please contact Fidelizer support for remote assistance.

 

Improved compatibility with JRiver and JPLAY7

In this update, JRiver will always scan for music in libray during startup reliably to make sure you won’t miss any new added track. JPLAY7 will also have Nimitra’s recommended configuration and optimizations on its services to be more reliable too.

 

Improved NimitraOS core sound quality optimizations and quality of life improvements

After over 2 years of firmware 3.0 update, NimitraOS has been improving with internal updates through time with clients and firmware 4.0 will bring better sound quality standards. Besides sound quality improvements, boot time is also decreased also.

 

Changelog

-Added AirPlay/HQPlayer NAA/Logitech Media Server/OpenHome integration support
-Added device profile option to optimize Nimitra device for optimal sound quality in different setups
-Added external application launcher support
-Added sound signature profile options to choose between real sound performance and audiophile sound performance
-Changed audio detection notification message to “Audio ready”
-Changed JRiver platform to always perform full library scan on startup
-Fixed JRiver startup issue on 64-bit platform running 32-bit version of JRiver Media Center
-Fixed Windows update failing to be turned off completely on some early units
-Improved compatibility with JPLAY7 and its Femto service
-Improved MinimServer optimizations to work with renderer platforms better
-Improved NimitraOS sound quality optimizations for better sound quality
-Improved optimizations with dual core processor server such as Weiss MAN301
-Improved platform optimizations code to decrease boot time
-Updated HQPlayer NAA daemon software to version 4.11

 

Nimitra runs on specially tuned NimitraOS platform with special version of Fidelizer. All these optimizations are specially tuned for Nimitra’s hardware and software configuration, separated from Fidelizer 8 optimizations.

Nimitra/NimitraS customers can send request for firmware update and I’ll update Nimitra firmware through Teamviewer or request download link for applying update manually. This update is highly recommended for all Nimitra users.

Re-introducing NimitraOS, I think it’s time to address Nimitra’s platform and features properly

 in News

Last year I was so busy preparing and shipping a few Nimitra units including some special custom order ones. This year I have a bit of time to develop and research on various things and today I realize it’s time to properly re-address about Nimitra’s core competencies in software.

Back then the idea of introducing software features in Nimitra as OS sounds technically incorrect since OS is Windows 10 and doesn’t sound sincere. That’s what I thought and introduced as Nimitra Edition Platform with a bit too short description since I was too focused on sound quality alone.

While I was working on Nimitra updates recently, I realized I didn’t mention many useful features I developed at all. And thinking again most Linux-based OS are actually distros packed with different kernel and software. Some are actually dressed popular distros or tweaked ones.

So, it would sound appropriate address these features in platform as OS for user to understand Nimitra better and I’ll name it NimitraOS. At least this should make more sense than Windows 10 Nimitra Edition Platform. I updated NimitraOS in Nimitra product page as below.

 

NimitraOS: Fidelized Windows 10 Platform for audiophiles

 

Windows 10 comes with many features unrelated to audio solutions. Some may tweak OS to disable unused features and services. NimitraOS optimizes at roots by removing all non-audio features from installation itself, with dedicated optimizations to maximize audio performance.

 

Fidelized Windows 10 Pro debloating performance

 

This reduces RAM usage to only 1GB in fully operational mode with special version of Fidelizer as CAS platform using specialized optimizations that can ready your system in about 30 seconds from power on. NimitraOS is the most solid Windows platform optimized for audiophiles.

NimitraOS also come with assistant software maintaining products and services used in Nimitra such as maintaining library database with storage changes on Asset/JRiver/MinimServer automatically. JPLAY services are handled with audio detection providing smoothest experience.

Audio drivers will no longer trouble NimitraOS with over 500 latest drivers integrated providing bit-perfect playback with manufacturer’s driver as true plug and play. There’s also Teamviewer support to assist with software and driver update remotely.

 

I hope this will help you understanding Nimitra Computer Audio Server better on software improvements side. It’s not just trimmed down OS with audio optimizations but also packed with a lot of quality of life features making complexed things done simpler. 🙂

Things I realized while refactoring USB audio drivers for Nimitra server

 in Article

 

Image result for xmos audio driver

 

Today I refactored USB audio drivers for Nimitra server and update latest drivers from possible sources I found for 2019 update. While during driver update for whole night, I realized something interesting.

 

1. Many clients are computer illiterate and I often see my Fidelizer clients asking his friends to setup with driver. Companies not providing public driver support will cause a lot of trouble for their clients who don’t setup driver themselves. I’m sure they have their reasons but refusing to provide public driver download can cause clients returning products due to unexpected issues.

2. Driver download should be easily accessible. Some companies don’t provide driver download in product or support page and browsing through site’s structure to find downloadable content can make some people giving up on trying. Some companies also made a good decision to adopt single technology and make universal driver for all products which is very nice.

3. Products with more up to date drivers will take higher priority on customer’s checklist. Some used to be famous products gaining less attention due to using legacy XMOS driver version 1.61 and newer Windows 10 with updates may have strange issues for some.

 

I also saw a few companies leaving industry and some redirected audiophile website to some random shops instead which is kinda sad too. Computer audio should be easier to use with less trouble and I hope Nimitra can help getting better audio experience with passionate products.