Posted 24 August 2017 - 07:25 AM
Greetings all,
Running WS2016 in Core mode has been reported to improve the sound quality of audio playback but successful implementation has been difficult in some systems or not achievable in others. I was in the latter situation (WS2016 Core mode – DAC incompatibility) and so was seeking a way to approach the level of sound quality attributed to Core mode.
At the time, ellisdj reported that the CAD optimization scripts, developed by Scott Berry for Windows 8.1, worked with WS2016. This led me to apply available optimizers and some manual tweaks to convert WS2016 Desktop mode (GUI mode) to “Virtual Core Mode” (VCM) on the Control and Audio-PCs of my dual PC setup.
With my system in VCM, the numbers of services, etc. are now reduced to Core mode levels (Control-PC: 15 services including JPLAY.exe, JPLAYStreamer, JRiver and Process Lasso, 24 processes including Upplay, and +/- 248 threads. Audio-PC: 9 services including JPLAY.exe, 16 processes, and +/- 160 threads). VCM is a little less rigorous on the Control-PC due to the additional services required for music playback via the ethernet connection to the Audio-PC.
VCM results in improved sound quality on my system that likely matches the sound quality that would be obtained in Core mode. Unlike WS2016 Core mode, however, it is possible with VCM to easily switch back to GUI mode (and then return to VCM) without having to remove and reinstall WS2016, a convenient feature. Furthermore, conversion to VCM is easily reversible.
If you are currently running WS2016 in GUI mode and have been unable to use Core mode, or have been hesitating to try it, but are curious to know what Core mode might sound like on your system, you might consider auditioning VCM.
If you are interested, you can download a comprehensive guide for setting up VCM on the Control and Audio-PCs from here (revised August 2018):
https://drive.google...iew?usp=sharing
Finally, I do not use a single Audio-PC. However, with the guide for the Control-PC as a starting point, by working carefully and taking the time needed to determine which additional services and processes will have to be maintained, one should be able to set up VCM on a single Audio-PC. This potentially opens up the use of players that may be more suited to a single Audio-PC.
Cheers,
Bernie
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Adrian and simorag like this
Control Point: Apple iPad (9th gen), 64Gb storage, 3Gb RAM, JPLAY for iOS 1.0.18; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, 128Gb storage, 4Gb RAM, Bubble UPnP 4.3.3.1; Dell Inspiron 15 5510 laptop (Windows 11 Professional (x64) Version 22H2 (build 22621.3155), Intel Core i7-11390H, 2.93 GHz, 512Gb KIOXIA M2 PCIe NVMe (RAID) SSD, 16Gb DDR4 3200 MHz RAM), Upplay 1.7.1.
Control and Audio-PCs: Asus Mini PC PN60, Intel Core i5 8250U 1.6 GHz, 250Gb Kingston A2000 M2 NVMe SSD and 8Gb DDR4 2400 MHz RAM.
OS: Windows Server 2019 (Standard Edition) in highly optimized Desktop mode, command prompt shell for initial setup after which Control and Audio-PCs run headless (monitor, keyboard and mouse disconnected).
Optimization: Audiophile Optimizer 3.0, MajiorityCamisole 171 on RAM Disk in Control and Audio PCs (Local folder) via TrustedClean 3.1b-server on RAM Disk but subsequently terminated on the Control-PC (RAM Disk procedure and TC settings used are detailed in this guide - 8 Nov 2023), Process Lasso Server Edition 14.0.1.10, additional Windows processes/services stopped via registry editor, task manager and a modified CAD DSK script. For the full optimization procedure see my Guide for Optimizing WS2019 in a Dual or Single PC JPLAY Femto-Based System (revised 5 July 2023).
Renderer: JPLAY FEMTO 7.0D UPnP (Alternative version), Server: JPLAY FEMTO 7.0D femtoServer, File Manager: Q-Dir 11.5.1.0, Library Manager: JRiver MC 32.0.6.
JPLAY Settings: Playing via: KS, Engine: ULTRAstream, Bitstream: Native, Bitperfect Volume: OFF, DAC Link: 1000, XtreamSize: 1000, Throttle: ON, Hibernate Mode: ON.
Equipment Configuration: Control Point Tablet/Laptop > WiFi > Control-PC > 1m SUPRA Cat 8 Ethernet Cable > Audio-PC > 3m Chord C-USB Cable > Rotel 1590C > 2m Mogami NEGLEX RCA to XLR cable with Neutrik connectors) > March Audio P501 Monoblocks with Purifi 1ET7040SA modules > DIY speaker cables (Tycab PVC doubly insulated 11 AWG OFC wire, TechFlex braid, Neotech Banana/Spade connectors) > Bryston PX-1 external crossovers > DIY speaker cables (as before) > Bryston Model T Signature Speakers. AC power filtered/cleaned via Thor A12BF Smart Power Board.
Music Storage: Main Library: 6Tb Seagate HDD/Hub+6Tb Seagate HDD (all connections via 0.5m Avencore Premium USB 3.0 cables); Backups (x2): as per Main Library.