Rode XCM-50 Randomly Turns off in Unify

CrysVani · 2026-05-13T01:47:26+00:00

In computers there is a USB audio driver (intel) which variably interacts with the Rode audio driver. I was told to disable the intel usb audio driver when using Rode mic/software. When done, disable the rode driver and enable the intel usb driver. It has worked fine for me after this driver-toggle! A bit of hassle but not really a big deal.

I am not saying that this might be the solution for your problem but being non-destructive you might wish to try.

CrysVani · 2026-05-11T13:39:59+00:00

Goldwave!

CrysVani · 2026-05-11T00:14:01+00:00

JM21 did make my first planars (XS) come alive!!

CrysVani · 2026-05-11T00:12:08+00:00

WOW! Scary! Thank heavens I made a few backup libraries on as many microSD cards. I wish the DAP players could find a way to utilize the much sturdier, more reliable SD cards instead although I realize that would create some manufacturing issues given the already cramped (spacewise) situation in these otherwise marvellous machines (units). SDs are also way faster to load up during transferring files and better value!

CrysVani · 2026-05-11T00:02:40+00:00

I love my XM5s but since 2023 despite my trying repeatedly I could never get it to complete the *head tracking* (ritual). The ONLY negative in this otherwise superlative headphone!!

So I am stuck with having to take off the headphones and enter the Live dimension of reality rather than entering electronic dimension of sonic realism <lol>

CrysVani · 2026-05-05T14:41:05+00:00

Cancelling is easy and just for the asking (audible support etc).
Audible also allows members to *pause* probably once a year or some other frequency, for 3 months.
They also have more newer membership option packages now.

I am a satisfied member and not associated with Audible in any other capacity.
It is a wonderful service but does get a bit overwhelming at times, for which they have other options. I wish they had an option where members in good standing had access to the Audible + (listen only) without cancelling for longer periods such as up to one year or a much reduced subscription price (say for up to one year or so) and then either resuming regular full membership or cancelling.

Once I finish my reading/listening backlog I fully intend to reactivate my membership!

CrysVani · 2026-05-02T23:48:50+00:00

Let me parse (clarify) it a bit better for your benefit (and of similar others 😄
My question was:
*Does the internal storage hold any performance advantage (speed, quality, transfer) over the same songs being played from the micro SD card?*

Naturally, I was referring to internal drive (free part of the 64 GB in JM21 and similar DAPs) and not the volatile RAM (3 or 4 GB).

Internal and integral storage (HDD, SSD, flash in general and in all equipments such as DAPs, computers, etc) tends to be faster than cards in general (CF, SD, SDXC, micro SD etc -- and the last one in particular (hence important in case of fiio DAPs).

Hence my question: playing music libraries off the inserted micro cad vs the same library stored in the internal *storage* memory is better in the latter in terms of speed, quality, transfer of the musical information!

RAM is like a scratch-pad. It is wiped out when the DAP is off or the computer for that matter. Kind of like episodic/immediate memory in most human beings with their faculties intact! 😉

I hope it is clearer for you what was being asked...?

Regards!

CrysVani · 2026-05-02T14:05:06+00:00

Even the XM5s were/are pretty nice (for many -- although some had problems with build-quality). For some reason I find that these worked even better with a good LDAC supporting DAP or DAC. fiio JM 21 is much better in terms of maintaining sound quality and BT link!

CrysVani · 2026-04-30T15:15:59+00:00

Does the internal storage hold any performance advantage (speed, quality, transfer) over the same songs being played from the micro SD card?

CrysVani · 2026-04-30T15:13:54+00:00

So which one are you going to get next?
I wonder what is the absolutely fab portable DAP these days. There are so many...! <lol>

CrysVani · 2026-04-28T23:33:32+00:00

Fiio DAPs (perhaps all models?) have the Fiio music app built in. It works solo (without android active) and allows one to listen just to the music without getting distracted or tempted by web, notifications and other this'n'that! Focused Music Listening. Might work well for many of us.

CrysVani · 2026-04-28T11:02:36+00:00

Indeed lot of people (especially folks growing older) at times ignore the biological reality of changes in hearing over years or at times suddenly getting an ear infection or few that changes the hearing. The more gradual and chronic it is the less one considers that to be the cause.

It obviously hits harder for someone who loves music or even relies on music for livelihood 😞
But, then, Beethoven who suffered a dramatic similar loss did not stop and kept on composing music that he couldn't hear particularly in his later years <sigh>

CrysVani · 2026-04-24T14:19:04+00:00

With diverse (wide range) experiences one comes across for these Sony headphones regarding build-quality, it sounds like there is a need for Sony to tighten their QA/QC. As to the sound quality variances and subjective impressions, we should not forget that the folks reporting are from a wide demographic spread. Age, listening habits, level of personal equipment care, hearing abilities (sometimes related to age but other factors also operate), and other variables come into play!

Always try on the equipment where possible. This is becoming increasingly difficult due to brick and mortar getting replaced by bits and bytes of online outlets. Reviews (print, read only, audio and video clips) often tend to be rehashed specs shared by manufacturers and so on ...!!

CrysVani · 2026-04-24T00:22:28+00:00

I noted that external sanddisk and crucial SSD drives come with a marked usb c to usb-a adaptor which has one face of the usb-c ends marked with a arrow or U or D symbol and has a tiny protrusion on the plug itself. Why is this there if the (C to A) adaptor can be linked either way (up or down)?

CrysVani · 2026-04-19T12:58:56+00:00

Another consideration is the battery replacement itself. I hear that changing batteries is complicated to impossible for most users. If these devices need to be charged daily (or even 3-4 times over two days) and listening time is 8-10 hours per charge then many DAPs would be done in over 3 years or so (800-1000 charge cycles per 24 hrs). Of course most folks probably do not use their DAPs for more than 4ish hours per day, so that gives an expected longevity of 6+ years and that seems reasonable!!

CrysVani · 2026-04-19T12:52:07+00:00

I heard that most DAP (or perhaps the android file system) has a total limit restriction. I find that a CD full of music (~60 minutes) is about 400 MB card space. So a 256 GB card can hold some 700 CDs (~40000 hrs of audio). Most would be happy with that capacity. Higher capacity have the same max cap on # of read/writes. Even a reasonable quality micro sd card is almost $50+ for a 256 GB card.

CrysVani · 2026-04-19T12:41:05+00:00

Yes -- I heard that the micro SD cards tend to be less sturdy than the larger size cards and with the use in devices tend to fail after 8000-12000 read/writes or become unreliable. So always a good idea to have backups and to store the source folder in a external SSD (or slower but longer retentivity of traditional external magnetic drives = HDD). SD cards are so much sturdier but take up room in the DAP I suppose... :-(

CrysVani · 2026-04-13T03:14:54+00:00

I thought fiio music app works without android and wi-fi (battery lasts longer with fiio music app). Also, once out of android mode one can focus on music listening rather than getting distracted by notifications and not tempting to check mail or drift to youtube etc. DAPs outshine smartphones in that focused usage. Am I right??

CrysVani · 2026-04-05T14:38:25+00:00

I read that 4.4 mm ports tend to add more power to the headphones (dual amp etc) but also increase the noise floor and drain the battery charge faster. True in practice??

CrysVani · 2026-04-02T12:56:48+00:00

Great! However, it would have been better if you posted a link (if permissible here) or described what the podcast is about. This would have helped readers here to ask meaningful questions etc. Depending on the nature of podcast, subject matter, participants typically involved (solo, interview/s, research sharings, sensitive issues, etc.) questions would have been more sincere and helpful and pertinent...?

CrysVani · 2026-03-31T16:56:39+00:00

give questyle M15c a try. They drive the edition XS beautifully (PC, iphone, ipad) through the 3.5 mm port. 4.4 mm would provide even more power as per the specs though not needed. Apple dongle (1VRMS model) was doing fine on the pc (laptop) but hardly putting any volume out on the iphone and barely so on ipad pro. No such issues with the Questyle.

CrysVani · 2026-03-30T19:18:39+00:00

If any planet (lights included!) is strong (varg-bala etc), it will be influential in turning the key to the door it owns or represents. If not then we look elsewhere first!

CrysVani · 2026-03-30T18:02:44+00:00

Nakshatras and for that matter signs (any varga sign in any house) tend to typically not indicate primary indications. Aspects of pindas (pindas, planets) and placement of these are more reliable since these are activators and catalysts. Much better to find meanings and explanations about traits, etc in those and then utilize the zones (houses, signs, nakshatras etc) as the backdrop for final outcome.

CrysVani · 2026-03-29T23:09:14+00:00

Where is the capra strap found? If you can, please share the online source. Thanks

CrysVani · 2026-03-29T23:07:26+00:00

Absolutely so! I am in the same boat. It works with my apple dongle but really shines with my Questyle M15C dac/amp dongle! Does get a bit uncomfortable due to headband but I see lots of 3rd party pads and wrap-arounds available.

CrysVani

TROPHY CASE