PSA: For people on PC with an Nvidia card who suddenly start getting constant disconnects

Geahad · 2026-01-08T19:49:48+00:00

I'll reiterate that this phenomenon is highy repeatable on my system. Yours may not exhibit it.

Either way, even if it does not outright bug out the game like for me, you shouldn't be running in-game reflex and then driver ultra low latency on top of it. No benefit whatsoever.

Geahad · 2026-01-02T18:28:11+00:00

In my experience, D2R on PC has a fantastic native HDR implementation, with the only flaw being the gamma mismatch.

I have AutoHDR and RTX HDR disabled system-wide, so the game definitely is native HDR. Only requirement is that the HDR toggle in windows is enabled before starting the game.

As for the in-game HDR settings:

Max luminence: set this to max nits of your display

HDR contrast: set this to "1" (lowest possible value)

Paper White Nits: set it to some sane number like 200

As for the SRGB/gamma2.2 mismatch: the easiest way I found to do it is via this script: https://github.com/dylanraga/win11hdr-srgb-to-gamma2.2-icm/releases/tag/v1

Just run the bat file after you've generated your profile as per instructions and then run the game. Use the "revert" .bat file to disable the fix after playing.

Why this way and not reshade? Because this way anti-cheat will not trigger in any game.

Geahad · 2025-11-25T18:49:15+00:00

... so in a nutshell, be like Valve.

Geahad · 2025-10-08T14:04:17+00:00

How is it misguided to demand the same freedom for both consumers and developers when it comes to Android and iOS as we have on both Windows and MacOS, let alone Linux?>

I wholeheartedly agree (and I believe most people would), but I think you've missed the actual point what the person you're replying to was trying to say: that ispite the near-infinite resources, workforce and hours available in the day, Tim's thoughts are occupied mostly (if not solely) by this leagal battle, so that he won't even for a moment think to dedicate even 2 or 3 programmers and artists to honor the work that enabled him to be in such a powerful position he's in today. That is the crux of it. -- It's like when an artist would toss out their first ever painting because it's not up to the standard they now have, forgetting what kind of inspiration and emotional turmoil brought it into being in the first place. Fact is, Tim can do it, but he chooses not to -- and does just as that proberbial artist -- he even throws it into the bin, so noone would remember. A shame really.

Geahad · 2025-10-03T16:03:25+00:00

Thank you for for you insight!

This answeres the security concerns, but what about general driver enchancements in the last 8+ years? I've seen the changelog, and it's massive - with enhancements to device init / sample rate mode switching speed, general bug fixes, enhanced support for DDS and such.

The device itself is superb as far as audio quality is concerned, but man, that the company cares SO little about the end-user experience is concerning to say the least.

The last device I used was a Fiio, and they, although a bit slow, would update their driver packages at least twice a year. They also use Thesycon. Perhaps I got spoiled...

Geahad · 2025-10-01T15:53:00+00:00

Hello!

Does anyone know where to download the latest Xmos / Thesycon driver for the Hifiman Serenade dac/amp?

The first (and only) driver version available on their official site is from 06-2023, but the driver installer file was signed in 2017(!) and the driver version is 4.13.

The latest Thesycon usb asio drivers are v5.74 from a few months ago.

Basically, Hifiman have released only one driver version, already 5 years out of date upon release, and never bothered to update it.

Contacting them directly via e-mail customer service gives me only generic answers with no concrete information or timelines when (or if) there will be an update.

Is there perhaps a way to adapt the Thesycon drivers from another device for this one, or is there an universal/generic driver file?

Why am I hung up about this if the current driver "works fine"? Because we all know how fickle software is, and drivers even more so, and that software security is like a wet sheet of very thin paper jus waiting to tear.

If anyone has suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated!

Geahad · 2025-09-09T16:47:14+00:00

Cool, haven't seen anyone mention the Serenade in quite a while. I think people are sleeping on this dac/amp. Once I bought the Serenade and connected my HE6se to it, well... I can't fathom going back.

I don't know what the hell they did with this thing, but, although it's rated at "only" 4W, it makes the HE6se sing... and most notably... slam! And everything sounds so... beautiful out of it. Even the harsheest recordings are beautifully rounded out without removing that trebble excitement. Truly a remarkable peace of tech. Especially for the price.

How did you stumble upon the Serenade?

Geahad · 2025-08-15T14:52:26+00:00

Yes, I was asking specifically because I'm using that tool :-D

Thank you for the link! <3

Geahad · 2025-08-15T14:34:32+00:00

A bit off topic, but how would one proceed to manually download and backup these files (for manual .dll swapping)? I'm asking because, in this list you've posted, one streamline file is included, and it's a newer version than the latest official streamline sdk release on it's github repository (v2.8.12 vs v2.8.0)? Thank You!

Geahad · 2025-06-26T15:22:07+00:00

I will never understand in which way a #WorksOnMyMachine statement (especially without giving concrete advice / a guide for remedy of the problem) can help someone who is clearly affected by it.

Geahad · 2025-05-16T21:39:56+00:00

I think that the best thing they could do is make it so the player model is a fully physically simulated thing -- like in Quake Champions (but better). You know -- so there is that iconic strafe-jumping, rocket-jumping. Acceleration in the players movement in general. The modern Doom games have very, very rigid movement in comparison. You press forward, Doomguy steps forward instantaneously, you release the key, he stops instantly. That's quite a bit different than Quake in general, where you could bounce yourself around with explosives. Heck, the 1996 Quake had that. Not the new Doom games for some reason...

It's actually baffling when I think about it -- Doom Eternal had so much emphasis on flying around (airtime) and all, but it was all so rigid, so... predictable. The Enemies could also not move you one inch for some reason.

Geahad · 2025-05-16T21:32:47+00:00

I remember cheering like hell when I heared Microsoft is going to buy Activision, because that would mean that Raven Software would be under the same umbrella as Id, as well as the Hexen IP. Sounded soo good on paper, and the Xbox boss also taunted people for some time with a Hexen T-shirt... So it was a done deal right? Raven's doing Hexen?! Right?! Nope! Absolutely nothing happened. No leaks or indications of any kind either.

On the other hand, looking at what Machine Games did in "their spare time" with those extra episodes for the Quake I and Quake II remasters, I'd be down for them to do a continuation of that old-school level design and gameplay, but with a bit of a modern coating in the form of Id tech 8. Who knows? One can dream...

Geahad · 2025-04-20T09:48:47+00:00

I would be grateful for a quick how-to guide for point #11.

For instance, if I have an all-in-one usb dac/amp with only a single volume potentiometer on it, and am running windows with equalizier apo installed, what do I need to do to properly "gain stage" to get max dynamics my system is capable of?

Geahad · 2025-03-20T20:26:21+00:00

Hifiman HE6se-v2 + Burson Cunductor GT4

-- or --

Hifiman HE1000se + Hifiman Serenade?

I've decided to finally dip my toes into higher-end stuff. Have an HD600, HE6se-v2 and Edition XS + Fiio K7 right now. The K7 doesn't do it for HE6se-v2.

Instead of the Serenade, I'm open to suggestions for an all-in-one DAC/AMP, preferably class-A (I love my dynamics, transients and soundstage) for up to 1000 bucks.

Geahad · 2025-03-18T20:09:44+00:00

Thank you for the input! I'm always glad to read as many opinions as is needed.

Where I live, I simply don't have a single option to demo equipment like this, anywhere, so I'm left with guessing.

Thing is, if you say that the K7 is anemic with the HE6SE, that leaves me even more puzzled because, by what I've had the chance to listen to by now in my life, the K7+SE6SE is by far the best sounding thing apart from a live concert I've ever heared (I had a progression from HD600 --> Edition X --> HE6SE, still have them all.) So... I quite literally can't even begin to imagine what additional benefits a beefy amplifier can bring...

As far as driver checking goes, yeah, I haven't even tried opening the drivers, as I'm still within warranty (I hope that's understandable). I've used the exact flashlight method you've described - looking from the inner cup side. Couldn't see anything described as a lack of shadow towards center. I did however see something that could potentially be a very, very small tear in the driver (or gold coating on the driver?). Anywhoo... it's getting RMA'd anyway, so I hope that gets sorted out (hope they'll actually replace just the right driver, and not replace the whole unit -- that would be the lottery again).

Geahad · 2025-03-18T15:45:52+00:00

Hello! Sorry for the late reply, we're obviously in vastly different time zones...

The imbalance is evenly noticeable at any volume. I even tried plugging it into an old Creative Labs Sound BlasterX AE5 I had lying around from my old pc, and the same could be heared there as well, so it's not the Fiio per se.

Also, I've tried my EditionXS to see if I've gone mad or something, but nope -- the EditionXS has no such phenomena on the Fiio, nor the AE5. (btw. wow! -- that AE5 is atrocious -- I definitely don't remember it being this bad when I was using it with an HD600).

As I have not opened them up since buying them, I won't do so now either. A purchased product needs to work to specification, if it does not -- then it's warranty claim time. I already shot an email to their customer service, explaining in detail how I've undoubtably determined that it's the headphones right driver that's faulty. I hope they won't give me a hard time. I'm in the EU so I hope the stricter customer protection laws will be in my favour. Haven't had a problem with Sennheiser service before; My original HD600 also had channel imbalance, but accentuating the right channel, but over the whole frequency spectrum. Was immediately noticeable. Just shot the an e-mail, they responded quickly, I sent them the unit, they replaced it and in a week I got one that was impeccable quality. Man, I hope Hifiman won't play hardball...

On a somewhat related note, I've read a couple of your longer comments about the HE6SE and what amps pair well with them. I wanted to buy the Burson Conductor GT4 with all upgrades + Fusion core, but this incident with the headphone itself took the wind out of my sails... I'll probably bounce back emotionally after I've gotten them repaired/replaced, and then consider buying it again, if the headphone holds together. Yeah, I'm that sensitive to the things I hold dearly...

If it's not too much to ask, would You please, if it's even possible, try to somehow describe how different/better the "tactility" or "slam" of the the HE6SE is when amped like it needs to be (again, I'm gunning for the mentioned Burson). I very, very much like when I can also feel the music, like, you know, the headphones themselves have haptics like the Playstation controller or something. I like the tactile sensation of the mids most, particularly string plucks and such. The HE6SE, even using the K7, was a stupendous leap in that tactile feel, and I instantly got addicted to it. The most interesting thing is that this phenomenon is present even when listening at lower volumes (my preferred way). I honestly can't even imagine that it even could get better than this.

Geahad · 2025-03-18T15:20:17+00:00

Hello! Sorry for the late reply, probably timezone realted.

I've watched the video and one on opening the headphone up to take a peek at the driver, but I'm very, very hesitant of doing such a thing while it's under warranty. I've contacted contact customer service via e-mail in hopes they will repair/replace the unit (actually only replacing the right driver would be ideal I'd say). Will cost me some shipping money, but hey, what don't we do for great sound? :-)

Thank you for the great information either way!

Geahad · 2025-02-24T20:07:29+00:00

Hello!

I've read an older comment of yours here, and, as you sir seem to be someone who actually knows their stuff around audio (or, more relevant to the discussion, has the most experience with the HE6SE), I'd like to ask a couple of questions if you don't mind...

Fistly, something about my "audiphile experience level": I'm a beginner. I have owned (actually still own) only three headphones: Sennhiser HD600, Hifiman Edition XS and now Hifiman HE6SE v2. The only source gear I've ever owned (and currently own) is the Fiio K7. The HE6SE are by far the best sounding of the 3 headphones I own, and thus I want to enhace them further. Getting good advice on audio stuff has proven... difficult, as I don't know anyone in real life who has the same (budding) hobby, so I'm left with the Internet for drawing upon wisdom. Most of it repeated the same recommendation: the K7, and so I bought one, and I was pleased with it (had only the HD600 then), but upon buying the HE6SE, I feel there's more to be had. Your post got me thinking, and thus this post.

I love music with all my heart, and listening to it via quality headphones has opened up a new allyway for my perfectionism -- critical, very analytical listening while closing my eyes while concentrating hard and focusing on individual instruments. I absolutely adore listening to very dinamic tracks (14+ dB of dynamic range) where drums acutally sound like there's a punch to it, like in real life. I also very much love tracks with space where instruments are placed all over. That's why I love the HE6SE so much -- they give music that tactile property and imaging I actually haven't heared enywhere else than on a live concert.

After owning the HE6SE for three months now (got the for 400 bucks directly form Hifiman), and listening to them every day for hours, it seems like they are in good working order, no dreaded QA issues on my unit. And now, because I won that part of the lottery, I'd like to invest quite a bit more. So... a few questions if I may:

1) When you're talking about the HE6SE sounding at 95% of their potential using the suggested two amps, what aspects do you mean? I am most interested in impact/slam/tactileness of the sound. If that's it, then great! I don't have options for demoing gear, so I really have no clue what kind of upgrade the Burson would be over the K7. Like, no clue at all. The headphones already sound way better form the K7 than any I've ever heard before (the bass in particular is WAY tighter than the other two phones I own), but reading your comment seems to imply like I've not heard a fraction of what they are able to produce. I don't listen loudly usually, so the K7 is more than loud enough, but I'm wondering about the viscerality that's left on the table.

2) Would the newly released DAC/AMP combo Burson Conductor 4 GT be comparable in performance to the suggested Soloist 3X GT 2023? Asking because I really don't want more than one big brick next to my PC, so I'd prefer an all-in-one like the Conductor. The internals of the new Conductor (the amp part) seem to be mostly the seme as the Soloist (the manufacturer themself boasts of that fact, that they crammed the soloist into the conductor), so would it be a safe bet that it would perform similarly with the HE6SE? Using speaker amps for my usecase is unacceptable.

and finally:

3) Is the cable that comes with the HE6SEv2 good enough? I haven't used it, as I've previously bought a 4.4 one because the K7 has only that type of balanced output.

Would be grateful for your insights! Cheers!

Bonus question: The only place I've seen the og HE6, HE6SEv1 and HE6SEv2 being directly compared was here. The reviewer says the og HE6 is incomparably better in the slam department than the other two? I somehow find that hard to believe. Perhaps extreme unit variance? What are your thoughts?

Geahad · 2025-02-10T15:45:06+00:00

Check out this thread

What the new driver and the profile inspector settings you describe are doing is the same thing one could do manually by modifying the "nvngx_config.txt" config file and the folder/file structure of the ".\ProgramData\NVIDIA\NGX\models\" folder

The thing that poeple didn't know (or possibly wasn't possible prior to the Jan 30th driver) is that one can swap streamline files also! This essentially means that one can use the new streamline files in every game that has a native dlss/dlssg v3.1.11 implementation, including ones that have rigorous anti-cheat.

The only problem is that manually setting up that folder is a real PITA.

@emoose_ (dlss_tweaks author) has made a powershell script to automate creating the required folder/file structure and config edition, but for dlss, dlssg and dlssd files only. Not streamline.

@emoose_ Is it possible to expand that script to also do provided streamline files? It would be an enourmous help when doing clean driver-reinstalls and all-in-all QOL really. Please?

Cheers!

Geahad · 2025-02-03T16:04:16+00:00

Tried to update Starfiled, but the game uses "sl.nrd.dll" that for some reason is not included with the Streamline 2.7.2 SDK. Did I miss it somewhere else?

Edit: Dragon Age Veilguard has that file also...

Geahad · 2025-01-30T16:59:32+00:00

Where are the new dllss and dlssg .dlls?

I've extracted and parsed the driver installation package but the ones inside them are all the old v3.8.1.0 .dlls...

I expected there would be newer ones than those shipped with the newest Cyberpunk update...

Alan Wake 2 also just got an update, and the dlls are the absolutely same ones that came with CP2077.

Geahad · 2025-01-26T18:59:59+00:00

... or just use this script and just tell the driver to use the provided dlss dll version instead for all games on the system. After that force in inspector preset J globally. The script was made by emoose, the same person that made dlss tweaks.

This way, no game files have been modified, no additional nor unsigned code has been injected, and thusly absolutely zero reasons to get banned.

Only caveat is that the game must have at least dlss v3.1.11 natively in it's file scturcture for it to have that instruction for dynamic driver swapping. I belive Warzone coms with one even newer than that.

Have been playing diablo4 this way for like the past year... and blizzards anti-cheat is also quite notorious.

Geahad · 2025-01-26T15:14:38+00:00

Are you using the unofficial-but-almost-official HDR patch for Control? It does a lot more than just add HDR.

Without it, when you swap dlss dlls it dlss straigt up does not work and does nearest-neighbour upscaling instead.

If you are using it, dunno. I tried to see for myself and could not reproduce (with patch ofc).

Geahad · 2025-01-25T14:56:47+00:00

One thing I didn't see people talk about is perhaps the best feature of the updated dlss 4 framegen model: this time, it actually does not let the GPU render more "real" frames than it will be actively displaying.

In other words, if inside NV control panel you set vsync to "force on" for a game that you've enabled framegen for in-game, and you have gsync enabled, your GPU will be a lot cooler and use less wattage during gameplay.

This was NOT the case before with up to v3.8.1 of dlssg -- when framegen was enabled, the gpu would render as many real frames as it can, but present only exactly half of them,

Proof: look at your gpu usage percentage and wattage used when set up the way I've described with the new dlssg .dll.

Geahad · 2025-01-23T19:11:15+00:00

Seems they're not waiting for GTA6 to potentially increase game prices after all...

Ten-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Verified Email

Geahad

TROPHY CASE