[kyrill]

Kshep since you bought JPlay, use it
Try out Mini and  then buffer to DirectLink (key  b of keyboard) in KS It will see the OFF-Ramp automatically, set the settings:  memory 1gig, 24 bit, full hib mode and Xtreme engine
To play files with it USE 1st Foobar to load files the way you like it  then highlight the files in Foobar , Rclick with mouse and çopy'
then go back to JPlay mini  and only hit spacebar twice, so dont use mouse to play files the mouse is only used in Foobar

try first one or two music files . you will notice the screen goes black and the computer cannot be used for any other purpose except playing the files you selected, until they are finished playing

[JPS]

Hi Steve,

I too have noticed a very significant sound improvement using JPLAY. The quality of the USB stream from the computer seems to matter more than expected, even with async USB!

Having had the Off Ramp 5 for about one year, the main contributors to musical enjoyment I have identified are:
- upsample CDs to 24/176 using Weiss Saracon
- use a SHORT usb cable between laptop and OR5
- use JPLAY in Kernel Streaming, Direct Mode

The sound is now significantly more detailed and dynamic than it had ever been, which I take as an indication of very low jitter

Regards,

Jean-Pierre

[kyrill]

hi Jean-Pierre

The USB cable is a strange thing
The shorter the better is not always the best sounding, too many variables
The shortest is what I use, an USB A to B adapter it costs less than 8 dollars and is 1 inch long and I shield it with 3M EMI absorber, It sounds true audiophile
It sounds better than  standard printer cable, but also better than 90% to 150+ dollars audiophile cables like for instance Wireworld and alike. It sounds also better than the cable supplied with the OR5
Until at  a hearing session at home with Josef Piri from JPlay I heard his Locus Nucleus V2 usb cable which he took with him. It sounded very much better. The nucleus was 3 feet long if I remember well, helas I cannot afford such a cable yet.

The overall quality of the USB cable makes a dramatic difference to the Audiophilleo, the JKenny MK3 and the OR5, at least at my place.

[JPS]

Hi,

Any other recommendations besides locus design which is no longer produced?

Regards,

Jean-Pierre

[audioengr]

Hi,

Any other recommendations besides locus design which is no longer produced?

Regards,

Jean-Pierre

Yes, Audioquest Diamond.   Around $500

Steve N.

[BobMajor]

I've been enjoying the Moon Audio Silver Dragon USB cable. I needed an 8 ft cable and so I got a 10 ft for $310.
http://www.moon-audio.com/moon-audio-silver-dragon-usb-cable.html
which is talked about in the following review:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue60/moon_audio.htm

[JPS]

What about Acoustic Revive?

[acg]

I can vouch for the Revelation Audio Labs Dual Conduit USB cable (that Steve sells).  I recently compared it to another similarly priced cable and the RAL smashed it.

[Tom W]

I'm using currently using Windows 7 + JRiver18 (output mode: WASAPI).

I'd like to try Foobar2000 but should install the KS or WASAPI plug-in?

[audioengr]

I'm using currently using Windows 7 + JRiver18 (output mode: WASAPI).

I'd like to try Foobar2000 but should install the KS or WASAPI plug-in?

I would install both, but the KS will probably be better.

Steve N.

[rogerdn]

The Transparent Premium USB at $650 for 1.5 m is just stunning, I like it better than the Diamond.

[audioengr]

The Transparent Premium USB at $650 for 1.5 m is just stunning, I like it better than the Diamond.

Nice.  Cheaper too.  I wonder how it would compare to the Revelation.

Steve N.

[jtwrace]

Sorry but if a dac requires a $650 USB cord to sound good, the dac is flawed.  Massively.

IMO, YMMV......

[Ern Dog]

Sorry but if a dac requires a $650 USB cord to sound good

He didn't say that.

[paul79]

I use the Revelation Dual and it is outstanding. Being able to decouple the power line is a fine option also, and it does make a difference on my system. To benefit from the dual conduit version, it has to be used with something that does not need USB power though. I highly recommend this cable.

[audioengr]

Sorry but if a dac requires a $650 USB cord to sound good, the dac is flawed.  Massively.

IMO, YMMV......

I'm afraid that its the USB receiver chips that are flawed.  Poor common-mode rejection.  This should not be a problem, but it is, therefore the short-block is a solution for OR5 and the OR6 with galvanic isolation is another.  There also may be an RF component if the transmission-line is not well matched.

So, let me understand this.  If $600 analog interconnects are needed from preamp to amps make them sound good, this is a flawed amp?

If $500 coax cables are needed between an oscilloscope and a component to make accurate measurements, this is a flawed scope?
 
Steve N .

[rogerdn]

Sorry but if a dac requires a $650 USB cord to sound good, the dac is flawed.  Massively.

IMO, YMMV......

No it's quite good even with the Belkin Gold, just that much better, PSA PWD with SB.

[rogerdn]

Nice.  Cheaper too.  I wonder how it would compare to the Revelation.

Steve N.

Can't say, don't have one.