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Post by JohnnyBlue on May 17, 2011 14:32:47 GMT
No need: the solution is to rip to a single WAV, FLAC or APE file (with an appropriate CUE file) and this eliminates the problem. (It's only when playing tracks of <8MB that the problem manifests itself, e.g., a FLAC with a running time of <3 minutes, which is rare enough, but not impossible.)
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Post by freddypipsqueek on May 18, 2011 10:09:16 GMT
My miniape has started playing up and Mick sent me the v.3 update. I have a problem however. The ape is stuck on the copyright warning. If I press the right button for 5 seconds the screen goes blank. I then connect it to the USB and PC and the units is recognised as a USB serial device. I select the drivers however these are not compatible with the hardware and will not install. I cannot therefore update etc. The drivers are for a Ingenic 4740 and I've downloaded and tried some alternatives with no success. I'm using Win XP 32 bit and assume the drivers are 32bit but having read up I would appreciate any comments on the OS used by others to the Mini-ape. All my machines are 32 XP less a 64 bit Vista system. I'm worried the drivers are only compatible with certain OS. Also is there some way of resetting the Mini-Ape.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2011 10:16:49 GMT
Ian The C update, which I sent to Claus and he sent to you, is the one which does away with the clicks and, in my experience, ALMOST (but not quite) removes the premature termination of short tracks problem. (With the previous update, short tracks would stop many seconds before the end; now they stop a fraction of a second before the end, so that, for example, the last sustained note on a piano ends a bit abruptly.) Thanks for that. It's weird with the clicks missing!! The tracks aren't cut quite as much as you say. It's a strange problem though. I'm just wondering if the new update brings the click back but plays these short tracks fully? If it does, I won't update since it's only a problem with low quality files. I found that it does it with VBR files as well. This needs to be fixed though since people who use mp3 downloads and stuff them all on to a hard drive to play on the Mini Ape will have loads of problems with it. I prefer not having the clicks, so I think I'll stick with the update that I currently have. Ian
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Post by freddypipsqueek on May 18, 2011 13:22:03 GMT
I tried a few things including Vista 32 bit etc and still no luck. I would appreciate it if I could have copie sof the update and reste files everyone has so I can work thorugh this a bit methodically.
Ta.
adrianatfreddypipdotdemondotcodotuk
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2011 13:41:35 GMT
Well after listening to the mini-Ape almost exclusively for the past few weeks, i think its a fine sounding little source device, no matter which of my Amps are powering my HP`s, also sounds great hooked up to Neco portable with my Shure 530`s earphones which i have bought out of retirement for a change ( your fault Ian after reading about the Senn IE8`s) Have the "C" version firmware upgrade running now (thanks John) which has done away with the click, more an annoyance than detrimental to the SQ. I have only used SDHD class 10 cards as the source, and will probably only do so, as i am more than happy with the SQ from uploads to this source. As i have mentioned previously, it is Pinkie powered, which has taken it up another level IMO. In conclusion, reliability has been 100% so far (approx 100hrs), SQ gives some of my much more expensive gear an embarrassing run for the money. Great buy, happy bunny. Mick.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2011 13:50:05 GMT
I have to say I'm very pleased with mine too. I have not tried the new firmware yet, still sitting on my desktop (freddy check your email).
I'm also pinkie powered and agree it's very worthwhile.
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Post by JohnnyBlue on May 18, 2011 18:36:42 GMT
Just so everybody knows, when connecting the Mini APE to a PC to update the software, make sure you use the cable supplied by HiFiDIY (or a similar one). That is, USB A to USB B: ...and NOT the mini USB (= C) socket bottom right (from the rear), which is for "future developments" (don't hold your breath).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2011 17:11:32 GMT
I've just given the new firmware a whirl. No clicks, good. But, opening screen is in Chinese Is that the same as everyone else here or do I have the wrong version from Candy? Ta.
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Post by JohnnyBlue on May 19, 2011 17:25:12 GMT
You mean the very first opening screen, with the copyright warning? Mine's English! (The 'about' screen is mainly Chinese, but one can recognise the version by repeated viewings: see posts #179 and #180 above.)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2011 17:29:23 GMT
John, Yes, copyright in English and the first menu in Chinese. As you say, easy to get used to. Though I can't remember what it said ;D edit OK, so no loss there then. I'll just enjoy the silent track changes
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2011 20:00:23 GMT
As the Ape has finally made it to work, where it was intended for, I thought I'd give it a go connected to the line in of my NG27. Well, it sounds a whole lot better than I have any right to expect! Very, very respectable via PX200 and HD560ovII. Attachments:
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 19, 2011 22:22:18 GMT
My "opening screen" appears to be in Klingon.... no complaints as I am "click free" between tracks 'erHommey vangta' tar ghajbogh lungmey Daq QaD (Your APE is booting you bastard, please be patient)..... I have no problems with this.
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chris1967
Been here a while!
Double dip recession, Humous and taramosalata are off the menu!
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Post by chris1967 on May 20, 2011 8:50:46 GMT
Can someone kindly e-mail me the newest firmware?
(pm for my e-mail)
many thanks
Chris
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2011 9:31:39 GMT
You have a PM.
Mick.
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 21, 2011 10:05:28 GMT
Good to see you Mick! Hope all is now well. Mike.
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chris1967
Been here a while!
Double dip recession, Humous and taramosalata are off the menu!
Posts: 185
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Post by chris1967 on May 21, 2011 10:06:56 GMT
I would like to thank JohnnyBlue, for sending me the firmware update and helliharris for his prompt reply!
I cannot say if there is any sound improvement (it sounds as good as it did before) but the absence of the clicking noise is welcome...
it says firmware 1.1C (among chinese) is this corect?
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Post by JohnnyBlue on May 23, 2011 9:25:20 GMT
it says firmware 1.1C (among chinese) is this corect? Yes.
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Post by JohnnyBlue on May 23, 2011 14:42:17 GMT
For what it's worth, I have just discovered that the Mini APE driver that comes in the RAR update file is not compatible with Windows 7 64-bit systems (and therefore probably not compatible with any 64-bit system).
(I was trying my wife's Windows 7 laptop to update the Mini APE, following its roughly weekly refusal to start up beyond the initial copyright screen. Windows 7 fails to locate a suitable Windows driver and trying to install one manually also fails, and no amount of messing with the device manager would get it to load the driver that comes with the update.)
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Post by clausdk on May 23, 2011 21:41:43 GMT
For what it's worth, I have just discovered that the Mini APE driver that comes in the RAR update file is not compatible with Windows 7 64-bit systems (and therefore probably not compatible with any 64-bit system). (I was trying my wife's Windows 7 laptop to update the Mini APE, following its roughly weekly refusal to start up beyond the initial copyright screen. Windows 7 fails to locate a suitable Windows driver and trying to install one manually also fails, and no amount of messing with the device manager would get it to load the driver that comes with the update.) Tell me about it For a new product a fault like that is just plain bad, I got three 64 bits PCs so I have to ship the APE to a fellow headfier to get it updated.... To me it screams to heaven, as most PCs sold today is 64 bit and have been that for years..
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 23, 2011 23:42:46 GMT
"compact" discs available at a car boot sale near you most weekends.... compatible with ALL CD players This has been the MAIN reason I (and others) haven't adopted the "computer as source" thang... too many variables involved. Dip your toe into "computer as source" and be prepared to lose a foot..... No two computers are the same and it's not everybody who is sensible and adopts "Windows" as their OS of choice so there are always gonna be compatibility problems with this flawed idea of "music for the masses at the press of a button and deduction from bank balance"..... Knock CD and LP as much as you like.... "I" don't care.... I STILL have 3 Marantz CD52ll CD players in the workshop giving sterling service and I have a cornucopia of vintage Hacker radios still giving sterling service....... some of my radio gear dates back to the 1960's! I am now expected to update my equipment every 3 months to be able to listen to music? F@KK off! A right ROYAL RIP OFF... daylight banditry... yet ANOTHER sad day for freedom. Mike.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2011 12:00:02 GMT
I agree Mike, As much as i like the SQ, and compact size of the mini-Ape, it will be a long time before my 4 cd players are laid to rest, two of which are over 10 and 20yrs old, and highly modified, but still give my latest Roksan M2 a run for the money on the SQ front. There is something nice about the feel and physical presence of a cd ( vinyl also) which is sadly lacking with a card or stick. Yes i know they take more storage space, but not that much in the scheme of things, i suppose in years to come, the player will be the size of a matchbox, running 100GB cards the size of a 5p piece. Buy a cd put it in the player, press play and off you go. No uploading to a SDHD card or USB stick required, that`s after you have decided on which format is required for best performance, mp3, flac, etc, etc. Mick.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2011 12:33:23 GMT
Mine, as I've said before, was purchased expressly with usage at work in mind. It both replaces a mp3CD capable all-in-one and frees up the laptop from music duties. The fact that it sounds better than either can't hurt It fulfils its role perfectly and I have zero complaints. It does not worry my main CDP at home and is best described as different against my other. Firmware wise it only connects to a WinXPpro 32, so I'm alright Jack
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Post by freddypipsqueek on May 24, 2011 19:15:13 GMT
I have not been able to get my Miniape working. As above it locked out on the copyright screen and I could not get it recognised thorugh the USB port to reboot it. I had not previously used the USB so after much trying I can only conclude the port was at fault and was always dud. I have emailed Candy who has been very helpful and I have sent the unit back to China. £19.48. With tracking it would have been £55 !!.
The sound quality from SD card readers is as good as the best CD transports and as such they are a bargain for the audiophile. The QA550 I have is superb. They are not however very convinenent and I agree with all that Mike says. PC audio is however the future. USB to DAC boxes will soon provide excellent sound at low cost and the ability to mix and match playlists from GB's of hard drive space will win out - Look at the Ipod and (sh*t) Mp3s.
The best about moving technology. It means we can all pick up cheap CD's on Amazon etc.
on a windows PC is
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XTRProf
Fully Modded
Pssst ! Got any spare capacitors ?
Posts: 5,689
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Post by XTRProf on May 25, 2011 4:29:45 GMT
Heh, heh, heh, I'm still eyeing an Esoteric universal player for the main system after all these media player stuffs.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2011 5:47:49 GMT
Heh, heh, heh, I'm still eyeing an Esoteric universal player for the main system after all these media player stuff. Why not an Oppo BDP 95 with a Sabre DAC. One of our Sydney members now has one, and it apparently is MUCH better than his Marantz SA11 for CD playback, as well as doing BluRay and the rest, and even capable of play from a USB stick. Just get paid for some of that unpaid overtime and you could get one .
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