it will be a good example of expectation bias and delusion on my part if indeed it has been the same version all along but I would be surprised given the differences I am hearing but you never know
Before I read Aleg's post, I gave the magical folder a spin, and was very happy to get the avx's to play music. I then also noticed that the version in the MQNload options window doesn't change, but the version showing in the MQN control window does match the one selected. Plus, the differences I heard were unmistakable and consistent with the various tracks I was playing and know really well. So I can almost certainly say this was not delusion and Pearse's folder does work.
Thanks anyway Aleg, for sorting out the problem though. Now I can move back to my own folder. :-)
Now for the report on the session itself... what amazing revelations!
I took my own currrent top 3: 4.08 sse, 4.04 sse and 3.14 avx
and then added 4.08 avx (to compare with the sse version), 4.15 avx and 4.23 avx
As expected, as this has always been the case in the past, 4.08 avx was more detailed and more coherent than 4.08 sse.
4.15 avx was slightly better than 4.08 avx, but not by much, a bit more space (similar to the slight improvements 4.10 sse and 4.12 sse showed versus 4.08 sse).
As I mentioned before, 4.04 is an odd one, much better than the one on either side, 4.03 and 4.05, with a certain quality of coherence, presence and realism that's really drawing me in. And that's with the sse version! This one seems to have a kind of perfect balance, similar to the old 100000, but on a much higher level.
3.14 is still better overall, but yet, something does seem to be missing as well, compared to 4.04.
But then, just as unexpectedly and completely as our orange team beat Spain yesterday night (YAY!) :-)
there's 4.23 avx, finally besting good old 3.14 avx! 4.23 takes the best and complementary aspects of 3.14 and 4.04 and combines them into a foot-tapping, but extremely musical, detailed and realistic tapestry of sound.
I also just saw that 4.21 is a favourite, so I should give that one a try too later.
And Gordon, I also have a special request. If it's not too much work, could you create a 4.04 avx and upload it to the archive? To my ears that one really is a magical edition, and I'd love to try out an avx version of it and compare it to the amazing latest avx's.
It's so amazing to experience that it can still get better in such amazingly clear jumps. It's time again for some well earned thanks and huge appreciations for Gordon!
This is off topic, but Aleg, don't you think as well that, after making it to the final twice and losing twice, it's high time we finally get our hands on that world cup? :-)