Fidelizer

[Rocker]

Initial findings:

A/B/X impossible as computer has to be rebooted after loading Fidelizer. Method: play track without Fidelizer, with Fidelizer loaded at 'Workstation setting' and then once without Fidelizer loaded. Music selected included tracks by Chris Rea, Townes van Zandt, Mullingar Choral Society, Mick Hanly, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Don Williams, Dandy Warhols, Guy Clark, Robert Plant and Alison Kraus.

System 1, MF integrated amp - MS speakers - connected to computer line output. Smoother sound when Fidelizer loaded. Easier to hear the lyrics. Generally more enjoyable to listen to. Not a huge difference but definitely worthwhile.

System 2, Resolution Audio Opus 21 CDP - Classe CA M350 monoblocks - B&W 803D speakers - connected wireless via Sonos. Very significant improvement heard especially in the bass also lyrics much easier to hear. No loss of dynamics, busy tracks like those from BTO and Dandy Warhols sound cleaned up and easier to 'hear'. Considering it is a freebie, go for it.

After a few days use:

Further experimentation with Fidelizer and more listening reveals it is a better product than I initially thought. The Fidelizer setting screen, default 'Workstation', has a drop down menu with other options. The 'Audiophile' setting improves the sound even more than 'Workstation'.

I understand more or less what the program does but I do not know how it works.The http://www.tnt-audio.com review mentions using scripts to (presumably) switch off certain computer processes thus freeing up the processor to perform the audio work better. Apologies if I have got this wrong but that is my understanding of the program. The computer experts can put me right on this.

I have always held the Neil Diamond album, Hot August Night, in very high esteem. One of my top 10 albums in fact. But with the computer Fidelized at Audiophile setting, additional detail within the recording was revealed. Subtle things like low level backing vocals and percussion, which were in the original recording but got lost in the mush, were easily heard. I played the album through from start to finish, something I rarely do these days.

I will definitely pay for one of the upgrade options when the Christmas bills are paid. But until then I will continue to use the freebie version of this program. If you use your computer as your music source, you ought to at least give Fidelizer a try. What have you got to lose [except some of the mush that obscures some of the song lyrics etc.]

[Rocker]

At the risk of boring everybody to tears, further experimentation with the Fidelizer settings produced [for me] the following results:

Extreme - definitely better sound quality but the sound became a bit sterile. Something of a modern type sound but not to my liking. Impressive sound but a sound that does not engage. Sticking with Audiophile....

[Aleg]

At the risk of boring everybody to tears, further experimentation with the Fidelizer settings produced [for me] the following results:

Extreme - definitely better sound quality but the sound became a bit sterile. Something of a modern type sound but not to my liking. Impressive sound but a sound that does not engage. Sticking with Audiophile....

That's my issue with Fidelizer. Fixed combinations of settings that are 'supposed' to be good /best for everyone.

Well, not so. Best is to be able to set individual settings yourself .

[WindowsX]

It's hard to make Extremist generally better for everyone's machine without further optimization for specific application. In Fidelizer Pro, it has Machine Configuration that optimize for specific audio task and system configuration which is good with extremist optimization. You can't have generally the best optimization to extremist for every kind of use especially when you apply Fidelizer with your own tweaks.