Is Fidelizer or other optimisation software worth the asking price?

[CageyH]

I am still keen on getting my music server to work as good as I can, so I was wondering if audio optimisation software has been tried by anyone here, and if it was worth the asking price?

I still need to look at going fanless if I can, and perform a few other tweaks but at the moment it sounds pretty good to me.

[chipcalzada]

Hi Kevin,

I'm a satisfied customer of Fidelizer Pro (FP) and I think its worth the asking price. In my case I've found that it really works, I used to DJ back in the late 90's (mostly vinyl and CD's) but these days I use DJ software (Native Instruments - Traktor Pro 2) and a DJ Controller which I mess around with when the mood strikes. Out of sheer curiosity I ran FP with Traktor Pro 2 and I was really surprised to hear what a marked difference there was in sound quality. It was really pronounced how much clearer the music was that even a DJ friend noticed and asked me what was the bit-rate size of the tracks I was playing. But with day to day listening I use FP on purist mode with Audirvana on a Windows 10 laptop.

Lastly, the owner and developer of Fidelizer (Keetakawee Punpeng) keeps improving the software and constantly comes up with new updates. He personally answers emails as well of any queries on how to maximize the program and which of the settings would be best with the accompanying software or programs that you plan to use. Hope this helps!

[StanleyB]

You an optimize the digital data within an audio file? Isn't that the same as using a digital equalizer?

[chipcalzada]

From my layman’s understanding FP optimizes Windows by allocating all the processing power to audio related processes only. By doing so essentially it’s turning the laptop or computer into a pseudo dedicated music server/ player without losing the functionality windows.

There is a free trial version of FP available for download if I’m not mistaken.

[Ammonite Audio]

From my layman’s understanding FP optimizes Windows by allocating all the processing power to audio related processes only. By doing so essentially it’s turning the laptop or computer into a pseudo dedicated music server/ player without losing the functionality windows.

There is a free trial version of FP available for download if I’m not mistaken.

Correct, I believe. I’ve been using Fidelizer for a few years, first the free version and then the paid for version, and it really does improve the sound of music played from my dedicated music sub-notebook. In the paid for version, you can choose how far you want to go with the Windows optimisation, so if the PC is needed for other tasks, key processes can be left running. My music PC is not even connected to the internet, so Fidelizer is set to shut down pretty much all processes that aren’t required to run the basics of Windows and the digital media player (JRiver MC17).

I do think that digital audio enthusiasts could chase any number of much more expensive and largely ineffective digital playback upgrade rainbows when Fidelizer will deliver better sound for relative peanuts. Highly recommended.

[CageyH]

Thanks guys.
Sounds like it is worth getting.

I am in the process of removing most fans from the PC as well as installing a decent PSU, so hopefully all this should give me a good result.

[chipcalzada]

Welcome! Hope the upgrade in sound quality is as good as what I experienced.

[StanleyB]

I do think that digital audio enthusiasts could chase any number of much more expensive and largely ineffective digital playback upgrade rainbows when Fidelizer will deliver better sound for relative peanuts. Highly recommended.
Without trying out the so called expensive and ineffective digital playback upgrades it's a bit condescending to question the direction and financial outlay that others wish to follow. Some people are happy with using a CDP as a source, whilst others prefer a PC or music server. To each their own.

[struth]

always been worried about using something like Fidelizer and screwing my pc up. its a big concern for many

[Hudz]

always been worried about using something like Fidelizer and screwing my pc up. its a big concern for many

It (Fidelizer the paid version) can be set to either optomise your machine from startup or manually started. Either way all the optomisations if required can be undone with a restart.

And yes it definately makes a difference to both the perceived noise floor and overall quality of playback when used with my win 10 i7 laptop, wouldn't be without it.

HTH

[struth]

cheers

[struth]

question is, is it compatible with audirvana?

[Hudz]

Sorry Grant I only use Foobar, nowt to lose in experimenting if you get the free trial, mind you the paid version does sound noticably better due I think to it isolating a core of your processor for music only.

[struth]

Sorry Grant I only use Foobar, nowt to lose in experimenting if you get the free trial, mind you the paid version does sound noticably better due I think to it isolating a core of your processor for music only.

sent them the question :)

[Gazjam]

I am still keen on getting my music server to work as good as I can, so I was wondering if audio optimisation software has been tried by anyone here, and if it was worth the asking price?

I still need to look at going fanless if I can, and perform a few other tweaks but at the moment it sounds pretty good to me.

Very much worth it Kevin in my experience.
Software tweaks, whether to the OS or the playback software can have a big impact.

Go for it.

[sq225917]

I wonder if the benefits are measurable?

[struth]

:doh:

:D

[CageyH]

I have just installed the free version. It seems to work, and there is an improvement in sound quality.
Should I upgrade to the Plus version, or is the Pro worth the extra?

On another point, my old socket LGA775 music server has a quad core CPU with a TDP of 95W. I was looking for a passive cooler, but can't seem to find one. Is it critical to go no fan?
The Zalman FX70 at 80w capacity looks the best option, and as the processor will not be running flat out, it should be fine?
I currently have a Corsair H80i V2 AIO watercooler running on it (yes, I know it is not supposed to fit, but I modified it so that it would). Is it worth changing?
The pump unit is positioned right next to the CPU.

Eventually, I will upgrade the server, but as it still works, I don't see the point - yet.

[chipcalzada]

question is, is it compatible with audirvana?

Hi Grant, yes its compatible with Audirvana. I've also used it successfully with Foobar and Deezer in the past before settling on my current setup which is Audirvana with Tidal. In the pro version you can choose between 3 user levels: consumer, audiophile and purist. This allows you to customize how much optimization you want Fidelizer to perform. So if for example you're downloading windows updates or new music you would have to switch Fidelizer to consumer level which allows you to download faster whereas in purist mode downloading a file takes quite a while. This is what I've found in my case at least, not sure if its the same for other Fidelizer users.

There's more information of this on the website: http://www.fidelizer-audio.com/about-fidelizer/

I agree with what Martin said, I wouldn't be without it. The best way I would describe the difference in sound is that it makes instruments on digital files sound more real. I already had Fidelizer installed when I bought Audirvana (which I believe sounds very good on its own) so there's no basis of comparison in terms of how Fidelizer made Audirvana sound better. But with my DJ software Traktor, which I used many years before installing Fidelizer, the difference in SQ was huge. My thinking was that the same principle should apply to a different music playback software program which is Audirvana.

[mikmas]

Don't know about the Windows version but on the Mac Audirvana already has a 'System Optimisation' option in the Preferences.
There are 4 options but the first shuts down any non-essential activity that can be detrimental to sound quality and prioritises Audirvana (with 3 settings - Standard, Very High and Extreme)

Sound like Fidelizer would simply double up on (or interfere with) what Audirvana is already capable of doing :D

[chipcalzada]

Don't know about the Windows version but on the Mac Audirvana already has a 'System Optimisation' option in the Preferences.
There are 4 options but the first shuts down any non-essential activity that can be detrimental to sound quality and prioritises Audirvana (with 3 settings - Standard, Very High and Extreme)

Sound like Fidelizer would simply double up on (or interfere with) what Audirvana is already capable of doing :D

Hi Mike,

Audirvana for windows does not have the 'system optimization' option for now. Will it be incorporated in a future update? Time will tell. It is unclear to me as to what extent Apple will allow a 3rd party software to shut down non-essential activity/processes in its OS. I haven't used an Apple computer in a couple of years but as I understand Apple OS is more of a closed system which makes it safe against viruses/malware but also allows less 'tweaking' compared to windows OS (correct me if I'm wrong).

So I believe that for the time being Fidelizer does not interfere with what Audirvana windows can do.

Edit: Also, Fidelizer is only available for Windows OS.

[struth]

Didn't realise the imac version had it. About time windoz got it too

[struth]

decided against it. when i read the notes, i got cold feet :D

[chipcalzada]

Hi Grant. Did you consider the free trial version? You can easily uninstall Fidelizer should you wish to, I'm in no way affiliated with Fidelizer by the way, just think you'll be pleased with the results.

[CageyH]

I have just installed Fidelizer Pro.
There is an increase in sound quality, but it is not massive.

Playing FLAC files, the system sounds very good. The PC is probably one of my best value for money projects that I have undertaken.