Tag Archive for computer audio

MAN301xNimitraOS Project – Reviving Weiss MAN301 to support Roon/uPNP/HQPlayer with NimitraOS

February 17, 2020 in Article

As some people questioning if it’s appropriate to publish this article, I reached out to Mr. Daniel Weiss before publishing this article and he’s also interested in this project too. 🙂

MAN301xNimitraOS - 1 - Unboxing

Are you Weiss MAN301 owner? Do you wish to stream Tidal/Quboz with bit-perfect native streaming rather than using legacy Airplay? Do you wish to enjoy Roon experience with great sound quality with native endpoint or even as a Roon core rather than relying on Airplay? Do you wish to try popular highend apps like JPLAY/HQPlayer with MAN301? Do you wish to stream music easily from NAS with uPNP/OpenHome/etc. rather than classic library mapping? Do you wish to try different application to browse and play music easier?

These questions are what I heard from my friends who own Weiss MAN301 and also myself for things I wish MAN301 could improve during past years. It’s been over 5 years since the last firmware update and we have no idea when Weiss will release a new major update adding Tidal/Quboz or support Roon Ready feature at least. So, today I have great news to inspire hope and possibilities to improve Weiss MAN301 and realize those wishful thinking features.

Last week I visited my friend’s audiophile shop who’s interested in my Nimitra server product. We discussed about how great DAC in Weiss MAN301 is especially Golden DAC and I told him MAN301 uses the same board I used to use on my older servers before Nimitra that sells globally. So it’s possible to setup NimitraOS with Weiss MAN301 hardware though I’m not really sure if playback to DAC will work fine as I haven’t tried yet. So, he lent his unit to me to find out if it’s possible to setup new platform to support newer technology better.

MAN301xNimitraOS - 2 - Entering developer zone

Since I want to keep original parts as is so I will test this with different storage to install new OS. At first I tried using my spare Western HDD but I later realized I could use SSD from one of my testing server which has the same motherboard as MAN301 too. Maybe mine is newer now. He already upgraded ethernet cable high quality audiophile one so I didn’t change anything else but SSD that I placed on top of original one in case it didn’t work out.

When I was going to setup for developer environment, I noticed one of the biggest issue here. This motherboard only has VGA output and it’s right behind to heat box below fan so I can’t install VGA cable at this position. I thought about removing fan and everything underneath but that’d be too risky to damage unit. After thinking for a while, I noticed PCI slot is for WiFi module so I can remove riser block to lift up some space to install VGA cable. I also placed my shirt below motherboard to avoid short circuit and damaging motherboard circuit.

MAN301xNimitraOS - 3 - Configure BIOS

OK I can boot up it and these old menus it reminded when I setup my first Xeroc server for local clients. They’re still using it with latest update I sent yearly or when someone needs update for new drivers even now. It looks like BIOS is configured with default settings so I optimized some changes in BIOS for better sound quality. If this project fails or need to send back for services, I can always load optimal defaults without worries. My VGA is worn out and rusty now so sorry for yellow screen during this journey in advance.

MAN301xNimitraOS - 4 - Installing NimitraOS

After finishing up BIOS setup, I tried to load NimitraOS installation media which took forever to boot up to Windows setup screen. I now remember why I didn’t offer Xeroc clients with Nimitra platform upgrade years back. It’s because I couldn’t load past booting screen and though motherboard didn’t support it. It seems I can actually install Windows 10 on Xeroc with more patience to wait until it finally boots up. The installation went smoothly and no issue detected during installation.

MAN301xNimitraOS - 5 - Checking audio devices

After Windows 10 finished installation, I implemented NimitraOS core optimizations and noticed that MAN301 uses firewire interface with Weiss Firewire IO Audio. When I used Weiss INT202, I didn’t see AV/C Audio and AV/C Subunit before so these are probably control modules for DAC and other features in MAN301. My main goal is to audio output working with DAC and chances that other digital inputs and device’s specific features may not work are still acceptable if DAC can function with NimitraOS.

Well, it’d be nice to get them working too so I reinstalled Weiss driver again and it appeared those missing drivers are all gone and ASIO output is added so maybe I can get more features working with Weiss Control application later. However, I came to regret my decision later and almost failed this project due to this decision.

MAN301xNimitraOS - 6 - Checking resource utilization

Now let’s check how system performance is like with NimitraOS using Weiss MAN301 hardware. Weiss MAN301 hardware has Intel D510 which is 1.67GHz dual core processor and support 64-bit architecture. It comes with Corsair value grade DDR2 RAM which is the lowest CL RAM in market but only single 2GB RAM. WiFi module is removed right now so you won’t see Wi-Fi in task manager yet. I’ll rename this PC to NIMITRA_SNDEMOW for Weiss testing project for now.

Normally it’s not recommended to install Windows 10 on very old hardware like Intel Atom D510MO with only 2GB RAM. But since this is NimitraOS with tiniest footprints for audiophile, OS itself uses only 600MB and it’ll be only around 1GB with other apps running. So even with only 2GB RAM, NimitraOS is capable of performing all features presented in Nimitra server. This project should be a good example to show how robust NimitraOS can be in extreme condition.

MAN301xNimitraOS - 7 - Checking applications

I’d like to remind you that once I put board down to its place and close the lid, I can only control Weiss MAN301 from remote access only so I shall test everything I can and setup Teamviewer remote access before finalizing system physically. It’d take a bit of effort to setup VGA output to screen again if I miss something here. I also need to setup WiFi from USB adapter in case Ethernet cable fails too.

JRiver platform worked fine and HQPlayer recognizes NAA and also Airplay and OpenHome services that I added too. Roon Ready feature is working and recognized from my PC running Roon core. I can install Roon core on MAN301 and it runs without any error report. However, I can’t run Roon software so I cannot access Roon inside remote access and need to setup from my PC instead. I tried installing latest available graphic driver though it’s older than Windows 10 but that didn’t work out due to being too old without WGL functions.

MAN301xNimitraOS - 8 - Checking CD drive features

OK. Wi-Fi network worked and I can access via Teamviewer remote. Since it wasn’t connected to audio system yet so I couldn’t confirm if playback works properly but it seems to play somehow. ASIO output failed in JRiver so maybe there’s some restriction? Teac drive in MAN301 worked fine for both playback and ripping as you can see.

There’s one tricky part about CD feature though. This Teac drive is slotin and has no eject button. MAN301 doesn’t have eject button implemented too. So, I can setup program to play or rip automatically but I can’t eject CD myself physically. I looked for workaround and it appeared I can use paid version of Unified Remote app ($5) to sync with MAN301 and tap eject button on app.

CD playback with JRiver can work but JRemote doesn’t provide CD playback control and you can only press back/forward without track number to control CD playback. I wish Roon will implement CD playback feature soon so audiophiles can enjoy their CD collection in computer audio server better. I’m still looking for good apps to recommend about CD playback too.

MAN301xNimitraOS - 9 - Testing Roon Core

After testing most features I can, I moved MAN301 to my main system and tried to play something. It was dead quiet. I didn’t mean very low noise floor but no signal at all. My worries became reality now. It could be that Weiss Firewire IO Audio may receive playback signal from PC but input receiver may not select audio source from PC nor even function. Though it’s possible to access new features for server but having non-usable DAC isn’t worth it at all.

Maybe I tinkered around audio configuration too much? I tried to uninstall and setup again with default settings but no luck. I changed from ASIO to WASAPI but still no luck though I can see playback is working. It felt like I watch Playback Designs remote that has PC function but that remote is broken. I tried everything I could think of including older driver version but all failed to make sound.

When I was about to give up, I decided to try what I saw first again. I removed all installed drivers and installed driver again on main audio one leaving two other drivers uninstalled. I used manual driver installation to do this and miracle happened. I heard music and it sounded so good. It reminded me when my friend first brought MAN301 to my home and I told him I’d buy MAN301 if I prefer this over my own server. I definitely would bought it if I had heard MAN301 like this. Original OS also sound great but it’s a bit too analytical to my taste.

Next day morning I informed my friends about this great news. He was overjoyed and told me now he could finally appreciate music with Roon and MAN301 using full performance. Although using CD function is a bit tricky and you can’t switch digital input anymore, having NimitraOS platform on MAN301 with its Golden DAC is like dream come true for many audiophiles in Thailand. I tried to convince every MAN301 owner here to try this project but none decided to give it a shot until now.

I’m going to bring this MAN301 with NimitraOS platform to his store this afternoon after finishing this article. If he decides to keep NimitraOS on MAN301, I’ll proceed to next levels while trying to keep original parts intact. I’ll buy Samsung 860 Pro drive and 2x2GB RAM for matching dual channel 4GB. I’ll also upgrade USB and SATA cables too. Cables used inside MAN301 is like industrial standard version so some little more upgrade won’t hurt.

I hope this project will help you guys about trying to make better use of MAN301. I always admire and respect Mr. Daniel Weiss who’s truly the first pioneer and most passionate about computer audio. I’m proud to be the first Thai customer who purchased his Weiss Minerva DAC too. I hope this project will help keeping one of his best legacy to live on through this decade and feel free to ask me if you need advice about setting up MAN301 with 3rd-party OS. Happy listening. 🙂

EtherStream Network Switch review on AudioGallery by Giulio Salvioni

February 8, 2020 in Review

AudioGallery - February 2020

Here’s a new review of EtherStream Network Switch published in local audiophile magazine in Italy called AudioGallery by Giulio Salvioni. He’s using Fidelizer Pro and interested to review EtherStream when it was launched in November 2019.

AudioGallery is local Italian magazine which is the sister publication of monthly magazine in AudioReview.it. As review is published in local audiophile magazine, language used in review is Italian. I’ll include paragraph about sound quality translated to English in this post below.

I will not waste precious space in the description of the setup which is the same used for the test of the JCat Femto network card. Let’s get to the point: are there distinct perceptible improvements?

Absolutely yes and if you notice it even in an already optimized system, which I think is mine, I imagine that it is even more evident in a less cared installation. For this purpose, I set up a slightly more basic system with a Windows laptop to which the Aqua La Scala MKII DAC was connected via USB; then there was a NAS and the usual modem / router for connecting to the Internet, all connected via Ethernet to the switch.

In this “simplified” configuration, I was able to make comparative tests between an inexpensive eight-port Netgear switch and the EtherStream.

The result was clear: the modified switch is quieter. It is clear that I am not referring to noises or hums, but to that background carpet that prevents the clear perception of the signals at a lower level, which the economic switch tends to return in a confused way and to the micro dynamics that cannot unfold as it should.

The other aspect that you notice, wanting to use an analogy, is the disappearance of a sort of halo or fog that flattens the scene, confuses the contours of the instruments and removes air between one and the other. Inserting the EtherStream after listening to the same track with the generic switch, it seems to look through a clean window with the Vetril, where before it was dirty and full of fingers.

Finally I have to report on the ratings via Streaming – essentially Qobuz – which presented itself with a completely new polish.

I would say that the elimination of the fog effect to which I referred here is even more macroscopic, with the addition of a higher articulation in low range – an aspect that had appeared less evident when listening to the files stored on the NAS – as well as a higher yield in terms of timing.

If so far I had considered listening to streaming as an excellent solution to discover new music but with limited appeal in a strictly audiophile sense, the inclusion of the switch “on steroids” certainly changed my perspective.

It is a fact: since the EtherStream was installed in my system I spent more time listening to Qobuz than from my NAS, this is because that unpleasant sensation that made me think has disappeared: “… nice record, sure if I could to have it on the NAS I’d listen better ….

For Italian audiophiles who’s interested in learning more about audio network switch and how EtherStream can work with your system, I highly recommend you to read full review article published in magazine or you can read public article for EtherStream here too. 🙂

EtherStream Network Switch review on 6moons by Srajan Ebaen

January 16, 2020 in Review

Here’s another review EtherStream Network Switch published in 6moons website by Srajan Ebaen himself. This is Fidelizer’s first review from Mr. Srajan Ebaen too so it’ll be a good reference for him to see Fidelizer products in action.

He tested EtherStream in a few setups he can utilize with from dedicated server with USB Reclocker to standard iMac setup. It seems USB Reclocker will make changes in network becoming harder to notice so I’ll share his feedback from conventional parts as below.

I of course haven’t the foggiest whether what I now heard mirrored in scale and importance what Michael had heard. It simply seemed to track in kind. Soundstage cues on depth of field for more specific layer assignation refined. Leading edges had slightly better definition. As always, those aspects caused gains in perceived focus and articulation. With them, separation bettered. Things remained more discrete and individuated rather than blended or blurred into each other when mixes grew thick with interlocking lines. None of it related to frequency response, tonal balance or any expansion/shrinkage of the virtual stage. Rather, it revolved on timing. Tunes felt just a tad snappier to be rhythmically more assured. One might say that in the domain of beats and grooves, the contrast ratio improved. Put casually, think of various time keepers more fully awake. Musicians call it playing in the pocket. Here the Fidelizer worked like a pocket protector.

There’s time I was into USB Reclocker which can be effective anti-jitter solution for some cases so it’s good to have diversity cases like this one. It’d be nice to see review with masterclock + 10M Rubidium clock some days too. You can read his full review for details.

Fidelizer Upgrade Program – 4,000th purchase offer including Purist ROMs

January 6, 2020 in News

Fidelizer Pro

We finally reached 4,000th milestone now. Thank you everyone for your continuous support. It’s a very big milestone from the idea to make affordable products without spending fortune to get very good sound from computer audio.

As a reminder to inform customers that they receive refund for returning customer purchase, I’m running purchase offer again in this week. I also sent partial refund back for customer who placed an order on 6th January 2020.

Fidelizer Plus: US $39.95 —> $34.95 (Expired)
Fidelizer Pro: US $69.95 —> $59.95 (Expired)
Fidelizer Enhanced ROM: US $49.95 —> $42.45 (Expired)
Fidelizer Advanced ROM: US $99.95 —> $84.95 (Expired)
All other upgrade options: $5 discount (Expired)

This offer will last until 12th January 2020. Discount rate is the same as purchasing Fidelizer software again so new customer and returning customer will get the same price. You may order again anytime and receive partial-refund as discount later after this campaign is over.

Right now I’m modding iBasso DX220 and Fiio M11 so I took a chance to try cooking M11 ROM with real device. It seems to be impossible without being able to disable verity and you can’t cook OTA ROM file without signature tool. I’ll add more lineup for Fidelizer Mod soon.

I hope this will be good chance for you to consider upgrading Fidelizer software. I also made adjustments to have fidelizer.key filled automatically when you use “Order Fidelizer” button in Fidelizer software. I hope this will make order process easier. 🙂

Keetakawee Punpeng

EtherStream Network Switch review on Positive Feedback by Tom Gibbs

December 17, 2019 in Review

The first review for EtherStream Network Switch is finally published. It was reviewed by Tom Gibbs who review Fidelizer 6 software years back. At the time most people were skeptical towards software optimizations and I’m thankful he gave Fidelizer a chance in his system.

After EtherStream product design is finalized, I sent units to early reviewers to reviewed Fidelizer software before. I didn’t expect to have a lot of orders from local dealers so I could send one at the time and Tom Gibbs is the first reviewer who received EtherStream.

EtherStream was thoroughly tested in his systems over there with various scenarios including video streaming which is also very effective. This is his conclusion after months of reviewing product with network related applications.

My hat is off to Keetakawee Punpeng for all of his brilliant efforts in the service of improving the streaming quality of Ethernet and digital sources—well done! Years ago, when I first encountered Fidelizer—and based on the prevailing attitudes on the internet audio forums—you’d have to be certifiably mad to even think about chancing its use in your system. When in actuality, he was one of the few really forward looking individuals out there willing to push the envelope and take the chances necessary to improve the quality of digital music playback. That brilliance continues with the EtherStream; the improvements wrought by this unobtrusive device across the entire spectrum of internet-connected devices is staggeringly good. Very highly recommended!

I’m happy to see video applications being mentioned in audio review too. EtherStream is very effective in media streaming applications also so I highly recommend to read his full review and check product information to see how it can be effective in your systems.

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