Glad you are loving your A30!
All the filter and phase settings can be changed from the Conductor App, so it is very easy to do A-B comparisons from your listening position. They are in the Settings>Advanced2 menu.
I have settled on the following settings, but your preference might be totally different due to system, room, or hearing differences.
- Analog filter
- Current Mode = Max
- High Sound = Off
- Heavy Load = Off
- Digital filter
- Super Slow Roll-off 1
You can also choose to upsample. This could be a benefit if you listen to a lot of CD quality files. I haven’t detected any negatives from Aurender’s upsampling algorithm, therefore I leave it at 768 kHz.
Keep in mind the settings can be dependent on each other. I think part of the reason I prefer the Super Slow Rolloff 1 digital filter is I primarily listen to high res files and enable the 768 kHz upsampling.
The phase + or - setting is not in the settings menu. Instead it is associated with the volume control on the main Conductor screen for quick/easy access. On my iPhone it is on the volume control screen. On my iPad I need to slide the browse pane to the right to uncover it. According to Aurender’s user guide “The "PH+/-" button will invert the phase to correct for out of phase recordings or wiring.” Not all equipment is designed to preserve absolute polarity at inputs and outputs. Phase - swaps the plus and minus analog output signal (“inverts” the phase). I have noticed an audible difference with my system, with the preferred setting typically presenting better focus and more ease.
I also leave Critical Listening Mode Enabled as I think it gives a bit more transparency. I also turn off the front display since nothing of value shows with critical listening mode engaged.
Above all don’t worry, and enjoy the music!
Hope this helps.
Happy New Year to you, and to everyone on Audiogon!