Tag Archive for Computer Audio Server

Things I realized while refactoring USB audio drivers for Nimitra server

December 9, 2019 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.

Should I get NimitraS or Nimitra + Nikola first?

November 13, 2018 in News

NimitraS

I received similar questions from a few clients recently since NimitraS is $1895 and you can buy Nimitra + Nikola at about the same price too. After answering their questions, I believe it’s worth sharing my insights about this upgrade path.

Upgrading server with good linear power supply will really help your server shine a lot. I tested Nikola linear power supply with my own server, Roon Nucleus/Intel NUC, Mytek/exaSound/Yulong DAC and its worth upgrading for high quality power supply.

The question is actually more like whether you should spend $500 more on NimitraS upgrade or Nikola linear power supply first. If you choose NimitraS, you get SLC SSD and premium RAM upgraded with modification modification including high quality clock on USB audio.

If you choose Nimitra + Nikola, you get high quality linear power supply tuned with highend Esoteric transport as a reference for very low coloration sound and high neutrality. Both choices are good on its own with different ups and downs.

But if you have more budget in future, both choices will affect your upgrade path a lot. If you choose NimitraS first, you can just order NikolaS and you can enjoy the improvements with power supply upgrade immediately.

If you choose Nimitra + Nikola first, you will need to ship both products back to me first to apply Signature upgrade and wait until I finish and ship the upgraded products back. While I offer free shipping for upgrade combo, the waiting time without Nimitra is less desirable.

So I recommend to choose NimitraS over Nimitra + Nikola for your first purchase. Once you have more budget to further your upgrade path, you may consider adding NikolaS later. This way you don’t have to send your Nimitra + Nikola back for continuous music enjoyment. 🙂

Awards update for Nimitra Computer Audio Server and Nikola Linear Power Supply

March 7, 2018 in Review

I’ve realized awards for Nimitra Computer Audio Server and Nikola Linear Power Supply from AudioStream aren’t linked to proper pages today so I fixed the link and I also update award picture to have category and class ranking so people can recognize those awards easier.

After launching Fidelizer 8 for a while, I can finally get back to my usual pace I’ll update contents in website and release Fidelizer 8.1 very soon. 🙂

Nimitra Computer Audio Server and Nikola Linear Power Supply review on Positive Feedback by Larry Cox

November 7, 2017 in Review

Fidelizer received Positive Feedback Writers’ Choice 2016 Award by Mr. Larry Cox’s nomination last year. After launching Nimitra Computer Audio Server, I contacted Mr. Larry Cox asking if he’s interested in reviewing Nimitra.

He told me he wasn’t sure if he can review it since computer audio isn’t something he’s familiar with and he’s using DSD only DAC which could be tricky to setup with Nimitra. With Teamviewer remote support, he can leave configuration parts to me.

He also reviewed Nikola linear power supply together with Nimitra too. It doesn’t have WOW effect being so neutral so it may take a while to shine in some systems. I’m glad to hear Nikola grew wonderfully in this review with Nimitra.

Nimitra Computer Audio Server

Keetakawee Punpeng of Fidelizer has put together a fine machine. The Nimitra is transparent in the ways that are good—letting the signal through seemingly unmolested, without being transparent in ways that are not good—lean, bleached or neutered. I think Punpeng has largely achieved his goal of a turnkey operation. Keetakawee provides the service you’re likely to need, does it quickly and so deftly removed most of my concerns about buying a computer from someone in another country.

Nikola Linear Power Supply

In the interest of being thorough rather than hopeful, I reinserted the Nikola linear power supply. Ohhhhh, wow, this time the Nikola was a welcome and noticeable addition. The most obvious changes were in the lower midrange, imparting a welcome bit of warmth and emotional content. There were more musical interludes that occurred as beautiful. This was clearly better than previous iterations. Keep in mind that this review, as with probably every other review, accentuates differences to make a point. The sound was very nice without the Nikola, but the Nikola added a dollop of more that was desirable. And yet, there was room for more.

I’d like to thank Mr. Larry Cox again for nominating Fidelizer for Writers’ Choice Award and kindly review Nimitra and Nikola again. I hope this will help audiophiles realize computer audio can have good sound and after sale services like Nimitra. 🙂

Fidelizer’s next year server

September 7, 2017 in News

Nimitra server was introduced in TAV 2016 event in Thailand for the first time as an affordable highend server that worked its way to be reach Stereophile’s cover page in just a year. This accomplishment means a lot for products to be released in future.

I started receiving custom version of Nimitra server inquiries right after launching Nimitra and build a few custom units from time to time. This time is quite special with some unique features and has potentials for next year’s plan so I’d like to share the results before shipping today.

Fidelizer's Next Year Server - 1

Fidelizer's Next Year Server - 2

Fidelizer's Next Year Server - 3

This special custom server unit will be sent to our special guest who’s been patiently waiting for 3 months. I normally ship Nimitra and Nikola in 1-2 weeks but this boy needs a lot of research and development for new features so it is actually quite fast.

This is the first single box solution packed with a lot of new features. It’s quite a surprise that I found myself working on custom builds for customers wanting to afford more for better qualities and I’ll have my next custom server in car audio for the first time.

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