User Guide

This will help you setup your system for better sound quality with Fidelizer.
Please follow the step-by-step instructions below.
 System Requirements

Although Fidelizer could work on all versions of Windows since Windows XP,
some users might feel confused whether Fidelizer will work on their installed
version of Windows. Fidelizer is supported on the following Windows versions:

Windows XP*
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 8.1
Windows 10
Windows 11

Fidelizer also works with the following versions of Windows Server:

Windows Server 2003*

Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2022

* Some NT6 core optimization features aren’t available in these marked

Windows versions. To get full optimization, consider upgrading Windows.

For usage with AudiophileOptimizer, please make sure you keep the following
configuration to maintain compatibility (Recommend version 2.0 or higher)

– Keep Windows Management Instrumentation service

– For Windows Server 2012/R2 in core mode, set Fidelizer Pro as default shell
replacement (Not for Windows 10/Windows Server 2016-2019)
 STEP 1: Setting up the audiophile
environment
Although Fidelizer can instantly enhance Windows sound quality with just one
click, setting up audio software for better sound before using Fidelizer is
recommended. To demonstrate how to improve sound quality on audio
software, we’ll use foobar2000 as an example.
You can install foobar2000 v2.0 (32-bit) with Fidelizer setup assistant ready
for playing streaming services with uPNP apps and optimized for high
performance audio playback.
Fidelizer redistributes unmodified installer with separated
“foobar2000_setup.exe” according to license terms on website. If you already
have foobar2000 setup, you can follow the instructions below as reference.

1. Download and install foobar2000 with WASAPI component for bit-perfect

playback support

2. Open setup Preferences and set ReplayGain to “none” in Source mode and
Processing as shown below.
3. Setup output device with WASAPI (event), change output data format to
highest supported bit-depth, and slide down Buffer length to 200ms. If you have
working ASIO driver, you may install ASIO plugin and use ASIO output instead.
4. Configure Advanced settings with the following options:

Full file buffering up to (kB): Highest possible (I entered 1048576 for 1GB buffer)
WASAPI Hardware buffer in MS – push/event mode: 24
High worker process priority: checked
Thread priority: 7
Use MMCSS: checked
MMCSS mode: Audio (Windows default mode where Fidelizer optimizes)
With this, you should get better sound from foobar2000 and make Fidelizer
optimizations become much more effective than before. Some people who
failed to notice improvements with Fidelizer before may have a better chance
after configuring audio software like this.

For Tidal/YouTube users who rely on default Windows audio playback, you can
setup bit-perfect sound software like VB-Audio ASIO
Bridge with JPLAY/ASIO4ALL in combo for better audio performance. It also
works well on iTunes and Windows Media Player.
 STEP 2: Choosing user level

Fidelizer has 3 user levels. This will explain how each level affects your system.

Consumer: This is a default user level. Fidelizer will enhance sound quality without
affecting system performance. Your system won't slow down and everything
will work fine as usual. Developer also uses it on my work machine.

Minimalist: Fidelizer will stop/disable system services that aren't related to audio
playback. Services like Windows Update, Print Spooler or even network may stop
completely depending on audio profile. You can change back to Consumer user level
if it affects your important tasks.

Audiophile: Fidelizer will sacrifice system performance for better sound quality.
Your system will be slower and some applications may not work right. It doesn't
affect software running after optimizations. You can change back to Consumer user
level if it affects your important tasks.

Purist: This is an extreme purist level. Fidelizer will stop/disable system services
that aren't related to audio playback and sacrifice system performance for better
sound quality. Audio tasks should have maximum performance. You can change
back to Consumer user level if it affects your important tasks.

For first time user, please use Consumer user level with default audio profile option
to see how Fidelizer works with default configuration first. Increasing user level will
further increase level of optimizations but may need proper adjustments on some
systems with strong characteristics.

You can restart to return back to normal if you have trouble. For Fidelizer Pro,
you can run main program again, click Uninstall, and restart.
 STEP 3: Choosing configuration
for the right application

In Fidelizer Pro, you can change your machine configuration for different
suitable audio applications. Since they're already explained in About
Fidelizer section, this section will cover end-user scenarios, as below.

Scenario 1 – I use foobar2000 on dedicated audio machine playing songs from

local storage and want the best possible sound quality.

Optimization Level: Purist

Machine Configuration: Audio Player (Without network connection)
Music Player Application: foobar2000
Scenario 2 – I use foobar2000 connecting to USB DAC without using DSP and
want the best possible sound quality while keeping network remote working.

Optimization Level: Purist

Machine Configuration: Audio Render
Music Player Application: foobar2000
Scenario 3 – I use MinimServer on JPLAY Control PC streaming music to JPLAY
Audio PC and want to experience the best possible sound quality.

Optimization Level: Purist

Machine Configuration: Streamer
Music Player Application: MinimServer
Scenario 4 – I use Roon on laptop for listening to music from TIDAL and want to
improve sound quality without affecting my work applications.

Optimization Level: Consumer

Machine Configuration: Network Player
Music Player Application: Roon
Scenario 5 – I use XMBC for streaming audio/video playback and want to
improve playback quality without losing Windows Update feature.

Optimization Level: Audiophile

Machine Configuration: Media Center
Music Player Application: XMBC

If you have any questions regarding Fidelizer, feel free to contact the author directly. We
usually reply back within 24 hours. If you haven't received any reply on email after 2
business days, your mail could probably have been sent to spam/junk box. Please
contact us through other means like Facebook / Twitter / Skype.