I agree with all your comments. I bought the X30 when it first came out, thinking it would be brilliant to have such an all-in-one. I have lost count the number of times I have had to stop myself from smashing it with a hammer or throwing it out the window. It is the most frustrating product I have ever owned, and I regret buying it so much. All I use it for now is for playing my ripped CD collection and to have as a CD player. It even took me some time to finally work out how to simply play all my tracks on 'random' play. I have given up using it for any other function, and recently bought the WIIM Pro+ - and by comparison that has been the best purchase decision I have made.
Thanks for sharing! Thats why we need more critical reviews! Ultimately, it will make the products better! I touch in this very thing right here: th-cam.com/video/VdRG5_PWrQQ/w-d-xo.html&si=j46Su9pS_OdzEuDR
Thank you @@stjernholmreviews . I just watched it and it's very interesting. I agree with your comment later in the video about perhaps why the upturn in vinyl popularity. That's also something I had been thinking about with my Cocktail - I became so frustrated with it that I ended up just playing records because I felt more confident that at the end of a working day I could just turn the turntable on and music would come out - instead of me wondering how long it would take to hear any music from the Cocktail (or whether at all!). All the time I had been thinking it must be only me, and that I must be doing it all wrong - until I saw your video and realised I wasn't alone. Having the WIIM product, I'm now enjoying streaming again - because it's so simple to use.
Great and very useful review! Also good use of short funny video clips. I have a question about those with the 2 soldiers: which movie or TV series are they from?
It is quite a bit of work, as I typically grab a scene that pops in the head, have to remember witch of the 3000 movies in my collection it came from...and in this case I cant remember it again... I THINK it was from "good morning vietnam? Not sure. thank you for watching the channel!
Mr. Stjernholm, you are the ONLY reviewer who understands the importance of ergonomics and the user interface. It’s not just about the sound. I would love to hear you review of the HiFi Rose 150 which shares many of the same features and also comes from Korea.
I deeply share your approach to not use a computer with my stereo system after spending 10 hours a day in front of the computer... in office working. My x50 Pro is fulfilling this requirement. Cheers.
Hello and thank you for this in-depth video ! I saw before this one your video about the Rose Hifi RS 150 on which I had a lot of hopes and I realize that there is lot of things to improve..., thanks to you ... A little chilled, I then watched this current video of the 45XPRO. Again, the practicality to manipulate the reader seems to be catastrophic! So, I don't know which system to go to... Which system do you think is the least worst? Rs 15O or X45? Thank you very much for your reply and greetings from Paris !
haha.. thank you for this. Oliver I dont think that they are bad, they are just unfinished and lacks vision for the user experience. The X45 is the best if your mission is to discover Internet radio, tidal and most importantly playing your own CD rips in interesting new ways. ( the mood feature, very cool!). It is also the thing, if you want to record stuff, or use it as a pre-amp. BUT.. if all you want to do, is enjoying that big display and use stream from spotify or use ROON, and you just want a great DAC and display, the RS150 seems like the way to go. Remember that both companies also makes cheaper versions with the same software.. Software is not easy, especially not if you dont have a vision for the user experience first... How great is a lot of features, if they are not perfectly arranged for you to use them at the right time, or if they are really hard to use?
@@stjernholmreviews Thank you for your answer 🙏 I'm not lucky because the x45 pro seems to have been abandoned and in any case is no longer sold in France, not even the x50 pro ... It seems to me that I have to fall back on the Rose RS 150 😉👌
@@stjernholmreviews In any case, know that in a single video, that of the Rose 150, I decided to subscribe to your channel! In the other videos of this same product, everything is always fine in the best of worlds... You, you really say things, which makes all the difference 👍 Keep this momentum 🙏
Another great video👍👏. If I am connecting to a digital integrated amp eg: Technics SU-G700M2 or R1000, does it make sense to splurge on the X45 Pro or would the X45 suffice merely as a source? Thanks and tap, tap.
Do not use the digital outs on a X45 Pro. Only the USB can be used, as the AES, COAX and toslink are chockingly noisy on the X45 Pro. Audible noise! So much for high end in that regard, and a testament to the lack of thoroughness of some audio companies. USB is clean, and so is the analog outs. And now to your question: If having a great digital amp, there is no reason to pay for any analog outputs in the streaming device. Go for a streamer with great software and a USB output. Personally (so far) I am very positive towards Bluesound, but also (maybe even more) towards Italian Gold Note if you want to explore music from many different streaming sources. The X45 Pro would be a waste, unless you appreciate all the other stuff it can do. Do you want a resting place for all your CDs? What is your objective? Thanks for watching!
@@stjernholmreviews Music database for all of my CD's and as a PreAmp. I have Focal Kanta2 speakers, Cocktail Audio X45, Musical Fidelity M8s-500s Power Amp and Roon running on a Windows PC. Simple setup with great results.
Thank you again for this video, Morten! It's the second time I am watching it! I decided to subscribe to your channel and would like you to please provide your opinion. Can you compare the sound quality of Cocktail audio X45 Pro (or better yet, its flagship, the X50 Pro if you had a chance to hear it, of course) with Hi-Fi Rose flagship, the 150B? And whose sound quality you liked the best? Was there an audible difference in your opinion, and who wins on the SQ?
I am a new subscriber and making may through all of your reviews and I’m really enjoying them. This one in particular caught my attention as I am in the market for a CD ripper, CD player, server, streamer, and FM tuner digital only front end with a USB audio output as I have a USB DAC/digital preamp. The closest I can find is the Cocktail Audio x50 Digital. Do you have any experience with it or other recommendations?
Hi Syds! Thank you for joining the channel. The X50 should be very close. Only little worry I have with the cocktail products is digital noise from their AES, Toslink and SP/DIF outputs, that can effect some costumers that play back at very low levels, say using loudness normalisation, and playing very dynamic classical music. I have heard this issue with the X45 Pro, which is something that should not happen with a product in this price range. Cocktail is currently investigating, but given the time they take doing it, I think that it is a design flaw in the X45 Pro. I DONT KNOW if this is also the case with other of their products, but i suspect it is. I am not covering it in the review. Noise is not present when using USB or the built in DAC, so be sure to test. Feature-wise, there really is nothing to my knowledge that can compare. See the Hifi Rose review for perspective! What external DAC are you using?
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. My main system consists of Kii 3 Active DSP speakers which has a very nice USB DAC input, as well as AES, Spdif, and Toslink optical. I have an Auralic Aries going into the USB input, an ARC CD2 (digital out) into the Spdif input, a Magnum Dynalab MD109 FM Analogue Tuner and Avid Acutus turntable into a Spectral preamp going into the dual AES inputs in the back of the Kiis (which is switchable to analogue and goes through internal A/D conversion in the Kiis). I’m trying to consolidate boxes (Auralic Streamer, ARC CD player, and Magnum Dynalab FM tuner) and add functionality (CD ripper and music server, and streaming over Wi-Fi) at the same time. That’s a tall order to fill. That’s why I was thinking of using the X50 Digital. I do have a second system with a pair Genelec 8350a pro monitors that I was also potential looking for the X50 Digital to plug into its AES input, but the noise issue you mentioned in its AES output has me concerned for that application. I also have a big Sony TV with the Genelecs, but the X50 Digital does not have HDMI ARC I believe. I was pretty hot in the HIFI Rose RS150 but I don’t need the Preamp and DAC functions that I’d be paying for. I’m also less hot on it after seeing your honest review of the product, which I also tremendously appreciate. Your the only person on youtube or in print who gave it a fair balanced review in my opinion. At the end of the day I’m also trying to get the Kii system in my music room to stream all sources to my Genelec/TV system too. This is probably more than you asked for but I figured I’d lay it all out for you.
If one don't care about the CD and ripper function, but just want a streamer with a display like this (preferably with tilt and touch), what should brand/model should one look for??? Something sub 1000€ And why don't Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha and others not build this into their AV-receivers?? I get that that they have the menu on the TV, but it's not touch and if you only want to play audio files, it sux to have to turn the TV on to navigate with a proper screen...
It is a big software task to build something that works, and it is a big commitment to keep it working, with all the changes that happens all the time. I think that is why we dont see it built in so much. Also, users have come to expect a lot of functionality from great apps on mobile devices, making it impossible to match on a HIFI device. With a specialised product, it is easier. Have a look at the HIFI rose streamers for something with a touch display. I will be reviewing their top model shortly.
I recommend that you use the .wav format, as this is pure PCM uncompressed identical to the CD itself. Also it is more compatible, meaning that, - if needed at a later point, it can be converted to other formats with many more software tools available.
@@stjernholmreviews Thank you for the prompy response and for the review also. I had been trying flac on my x35. my library outsde of x35 is ripped to apple lossless
If the heart says no, the whole guy says no. When I was evaluating a music server I considered Cockail Audio, but also brands like Innuos, Melco and others from Asia, but after a year of evaluation I ended up with a purely emotional piece of gear from the other side of our globe: Antipodes. Wow! P. S. I'm looking forward to your Nuprime review because I want a class D amp for the warm summer days which does not sound like class D. Now it is cold outside and I enjoy my single ended class A tube amp as a heating device both for the listening room and the soul. 😉
@@stjernholmreviews The worst thing is the price of my Antipodes top model K50. This unit is 3 in 1: 3 processor boards with three different dedicated power supplies in one box. 1) server 2) player 3) reclocker. 3 x 8 TB SSD storage capacity. World class audio signal for I2S, RCA, AES, USB, Ethernet direct connections. I use it mainly as a Roon server and player, sometimes as DLNA player for an external Intel NUC server running JRiver or Audirvana. Signal from Antipodes via AES to a R2R ladder DSD DAC with class A tube output stage (to tube amp to horn speakers) . Another connection is RCA to an active loudspeaker system.
@@richardsaila8073 Oh,in that case, you are using a external client most of the time, so there is no need for a "in a box" software like with the Cocktail (that can be used just like that as well, with a external roon server). The primary idea of the X45 is to replace everything and turn all fileplaying and streaming into a "in a box" solution.
You were not kidding when you said "Steep Learning Curve" First of all the owners manual expects that you know all about every aspect of the digital world, which I do not. I have a very good grasp of computers and various OS's, but the Cocktail X35 which I purchased is turning out to be a total bitch to use, and the manual is really quite bad. The trouble shooting page (Yes- page!) is a joke. Finding information pertaining to specific tasks such as ripping LP's is almost non-existent! Cocktails web site offers very little information, it seems when you buy a Cocktail product you are on your own. I'm not saying the product isn't innovative and extremely versatile, it's just as I said, a Bitch to master.
It sucked beyond belief :-). I asked Cocktail for a theapist, but they send me the beta software, that changes their database approach instead. 😃 The good thing is that I revised my approach when I ripped again, only ripping the stuff that I knew I would love. The rest, is only played rarely, and there I use a CD player for those occasions. 😃
@@stjernholmreviews It seems more reasonable (and less time-consuming) to me too to listen to my best loving music on this kind of gear and to use a (very) good CD player for the others. By the way, thanks for this review, and the comments I've seen here. I'm planning to by a streamer (without CD ripping possibility) and I was hesitating between the C.A. N25 and the Cambridge CXN V2. I thought the navigation menu was simpler and easier to use in the Cocktail Audio, but after what you say... I will take a closer look. ;)
@@BrulydePesche58 I use it every day, it sounds great, but i dont LOVE it. It really depends on how you want to use it. Browsing and navigating your music will never be very satisfying with Cocktails way of overthinking things, but it is possible, and it can also mix what you find, - in new interesting ways by using the MOOD/Track function. It is what I wall "Patch-work" software wanting to do everything, but lacking that cohesive vision for the experience. You find this in many other software driven products that comes and goes. As always, try it out for yourself and challenge the product with the things you want. If it works for you, all is good! The value weighted against features is great with cocktail. No doubt about that! Thank you for supporting the channel!
This review is brilliant! Very sharp humour.
I agree with all your comments. I bought the X30 when it first came out, thinking it would be brilliant to have such an all-in-one. I have lost count the number of times I have had to stop myself from smashing it with a hammer or throwing it out the window. It is the most frustrating product I have ever owned, and I regret buying it so much. All I use it for now is for playing my ripped CD collection and to have as a CD player. It even took me some time to finally work out how to simply play all my tracks on 'random' play. I have given up using it for any other function, and recently bought the WIIM Pro+ - and by comparison that has been the best purchase decision I have made.
Thanks for sharing! Thats why we need more critical reviews! Ultimately, it will make the products better! I touch in this very thing right here: th-cam.com/video/VdRG5_PWrQQ/w-d-xo.html&si=j46Su9pS_OdzEuDR
Thank you @@stjernholmreviews . I just watched it and it's very interesting. I agree with your comment later in the video about perhaps why the upturn in vinyl popularity. That's also something I had been thinking about with my Cocktail - I became so frustrated with it that I ended up just playing records because I felt more confident that at the end of a working day I could just turn the turntable on and music would come out - instead of me wondering how long it would take to hear any music from the Cocktail (or whether at all!). All the time I had been thinking it must be only me, and that I must be doing it all wrong - until I saw your video and realised I wasn't alone. Having the WIIM product, I'm now enjoying streaming again - because it's so simple to use.
Very refreshing: to watch objective, critical review for a change! Thumbs up!
Thank you for watching the channel. For some reason the HIFI business has turned into that. I hope to offer some more perspective.
Great and very useful review! Also good use of short funny video clips. I have a question about those with the 2 soldiers: which movie or TV series are they from?
It is quite a bit of work, as I typically grab a scene that pops in the head, have to remember witch of the 3000 movies in my collection it came from...and in this case I cant remember it again... I THINK it was from "good morning vietnam? Not sure. thank you for watching the channel!
I finally found the movie! It's from "Full Metal Jacket" (1987), directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Mr. Stjernholm, you are the ONLY reviewer who understands the importance of ergonomics and the user interface. It’s not just about the sound.
I would love to hear you review of the HiFi Rose 150 which shares many of the same features and also comes from Korea.
HA! Guess what I have sitting on top of the rack right now? 🙂
I deeply share your approach to not use a computer with my stereo system after spending 10 hours a day in front of the computer... in office working. My x50 Pro is fulfilling this requirement. Cheers.
Hello and thank you for this in-depth video !
I saw before this one your video about the Rose Hifi RS 150 on which I had a lot of hopes and I realize that there is lot of things to improve..., thanks to you ...
A little chilled, I then watched this current video of the 45XPRO. Again, the practicality to manipulate the reader seems to be catastrophic!
So, I don't know which system to go to... Which system do you think is the least worst? Rs 15O or X45?
Thank you very much for your reply and greetings from Paris !
haha.. thank you for this. Oliver I dont think that they are bad, they are just unfinished and lacks vision for the user experience. The X45 is the best if your mission is to discover Internet radio, tidal and most importantly playing your own CD rips in interesting new ways. ( the mood feature, very cool!). It is also the thing, if you want to record stuff, or use it as a pre-amp. BUT.. if all you want to do, is enjoying that big display and use stream from spotify or use ROON, and you just want a great DAC and display, the RS150 seems like the way to go. Remember that both companies also makes cheaper versions with the same software.. Software is not easy, especially not if you dont have a vision for the user experience first... How great is a lot of features, if they are not perfectly arranged for you to use them at the right time, or if they are really hard to use?
@@stjernholmreviews Thank you for your answer 🙏 I'm not lucky because the x45 pro seems to have been abandoned and in any case is no longer sold in France, not even the x50 pro ... It seems to me that I have to fall back on the Rose RS 150 😉👌
@@stjernholmreviews In any case, know that in a single video, that of the Rose 150, I decided to subscribe to your channel! In the other videos of this same product, everything is always fine in the best of worlds... You, you really say things, which makes all the difference 👍 Keep this momentum 🙏
@@Olivier_Debats It has aesthetics! Let us know how you like it and what you miss about it!
Another great video👍👏. If I am connecting to a digital integrated amp eg: Technics SU-G700M2 or R1000, does it make sense to splurge on the X45 Pro or would the X45 suffice merely as a source? Thanks and tap, tap.
Do not use the digital outs on a X45 Pro. Only the USB can be used, as the AES, COAX and toslink are chockingly noisy on the X45 Pro. Audible noise! So much for high end in that regard, and a testament to the lack of thoroughness of some audio companies. USB is clean, and so is the analog outs. And now to your question: If having a great digital amp, there is no reason to pay for any analog outputs in the streaming device. Go for a streamer with great software and a USB output. Personally (so far) I am very positive towards Bluesound, but also (maybe even more) towards Italian Gold Note if you want to explore music from many different streaming sources. The X45 Pro would be a waste, unless you appreciate all the other stuff it can do. Do you want a resting place for all your CDs? What is your objective? Thanks for watching!
I have the X45 and find it has awesome sound quality and since I use Roon it makes the bad user interface of the Cocktail Audio a non-issue.
Hello Dean, and thank you for watching! What else do you use it for, other than "just" a Roon endpoint?
@@stjernholmreviews Music database for all of my CD's and as a PreAmp. I have Focal Kanta2 speakers, Cocktail Audio X45, Musical Fidelity M8s-500s Power Amp and Roon running on a Windows PC. Simple setup with great results.
@@d1giachino Sounds like a nice setup! So are you using the X45 as a file server for your Roon as well?
Thank you again for this video, Morten! It's the second time I am watching it! I decided to subscribe to your channel and would like you to please provide your opinion. Can you compare the sound quality of Cocktail audio X45 Pro (or better yet, its flagship, the X50 Pro if you had a chance to hear it, of course) with Hi-Fi Rose flagship, the 150B? And whose sound quality you liked the best? Was there an audible difference in your opinion, and who wins on the SQ?
For that, check out the the sound segment on the RS150 review. :-). Thank you for watching!
I am a new subscriber and making may through all of your reviews and I’m really enjoying them. This one in particular caught my attention as I am in the market for a CD ripper, CD player, server, streamer, and FM tuner digital only front end with a USB audio output as I have a USB DAC/digital preamp.
The closest I can find is the Cocktail Audio x50 Digital. Do you have any experience with it or other recommendations?
Hi Syds! Thank you for joining the channel. The X50 should be very close. Only little worry I have with the cocktail products is digital noise from their AES, Toslink and SP/DIF outputs, that can effect some costumers that play back at very low levels, say using loudness normalisation, and playing very dynamic classical music. I have heard this issue with the X45 Pro, which is something that should not happen with a product in this price range. Cocktail is currently investigating, but given the time they take doing it, I think that it is a design flaw in the X45 Pro. I DONT KNOW if this is also the case with other of their products, but i suspect it is. I am not covering it in the review. Noise is not present when using USB or the built in DAC, so be sure to test. Feature-wise, there really is nothing to my knowledge that can compare. See the Hifi Rose review for perspective! What external DAC are you using?
Thank you for your thoughtful reply.
My main system consists of Kii 3 Active DSP speakers which has a very nice USB DAC input, as well as AES, Spdif, and Toslink optical. I have an Auralic Aries going into the USB input, an ARC CD2 (digital out) into the Spdif input, a Magnum Dynalab MD109 FM Analogue Tuner and Avid Acutus turntable into a Spectral preamp going into the dual AES inputs in the back of the Kiis (which is switchable to analogue and goes through internal A/D conversion in the Kiis).
I’m trying to consolidate boxes (Auralic Streamer, ARC CD player, and Magnum Dynalab FM tuner) and add functionality (CD ripper and music server, and streaming over Wi-Fi) at the same time.
That’s a tall order to fill. That’s why I was thinking of using the X50 Digital.
I do have a second system with a pair Genelec 8350a pro monitors that I was also potential looking for the X50 Digital to plug into its AES input, but the noise issue you mentioned in its AES output has me concerned for that application. I also have a big Sony TV with the Genelecs, but the X50 Digital does not have HDMI ARC I believe.
I was pretty hot in the HIFI Rose RS150 but I don’t need the Preamp and DAC functions that I’d be paying for. I’m also less hot on it after seeing your honest review of the product, which I also tremendously appreciate. Your the only person on youtube or in print who gave it a fair balanced review in my opinion.
At the end of the day I’m also trying to get the Kii system in my music room to stream all sources to my Genelec/TV system too.
This is probably more than you asked for but I figured I’d lay it all out for you.
Does it provides Tidal CONNECT?
No.. only direct login..
Hmmm, but Spotify connect works?
Thank you for your fast response.
If one don't care about the CD and ripper function, but just want a streamer with a display like this (preferably with tilt and touch), what should brand/model should one look for??? Something sub 1000€
And why don't Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha and others not build this into their AV-receivers?? I get that that they have the menu on the TV, but it's not touch and if you only want to play audio files, it sux to have to turn the TV on to navigate with a proper screen...
It is a big software task to build something that works, and it is a big commitment to keep it working, with all the changes that happens all the time. I think that is why we dont see it built in so much. Also, users have come to expect a lot of functionality from great apps on mobile devices, making it impossible to match on a HIFI device. With a specialised product, it is easier. Have a look at the HIFI rose streamers for something with a touch display. I will be reviewing their top model shortly.
I have the X45, and the system constantly "freezes". Any ideas on what is going on? Thank you in advanced
Hi Tim. No unfortunately not. Get hold of the kind people at Cocktail audio! Thanks for watching the channel!
I could not understand what format you rip CDs to?
I recommend that you use the .wav format, as this is pure PCM uncompressed identical to the CD itself. Also it is more compatible, meaning that, - if needed at a later point, it can be converted to other formats with many more software tools available.
@@stjernholmreviews Thank you for the prompy response and for the review also. I had been trying flac on my x35. my library outsde of x35 is ripped to apple lossless
Hello. Will you review Gryphon amps?
Hi Henrik. Yes, if the company are willing.
If the heart says no, the whole guy says no. When I was evaluating a music server I considered Cockail Audio, but also brands like Innuos, Melco and others from Asia, but after a year of evaluation I ended up with a purely emotional piece of gear from the other side of our globe: Antipodes. Wow!
P. S. I'm looking forward to your Nuprime review because I want a class D amp for the warm summer days which does not sound like class D. Now it is cold outside and I enjoy my single ended class A tube amp as a heating device both for the listening room and the soul. 😉
Yes you are so right. How are the Antipode handling your needs? What are the best thing about it? The Nuprime review is next.
@@stjernholmreviews The worst thing is the price of my Antipodes top model K50. This unit is 3 in 1: 3 processor boards with three different dedicated power supplies in one box. 1) server 2) player 3) reclocker. 3 x 8 TB SSD storage capacity. World class audio signal for I2S, RCA, AES, USB, Ethernet direct connections. I use it mainly as a Roon server and player, sometimes as DLNA player for an external Intel NUC server running JRiver or Audirvana. Signal from Antipodes via AES to a R2R ladder DSD DAC with class A tube output stage (to tube amp to horn speakers) . Another connection is RCA to an active loudspeaker system.
@@richardsaila8073 Oh,in that case, you are using a external client most of the time, so there is no need for a "in a box" software like with the Cocktail (that can be used just like that as well, with a external roon server). The primary idea of the X45 is to replace everything and turn all fileplaying and streaming into a "in a box" solution.
@@stjernholmreviews I know.
:)
I have it too...... and I love it :-) But the price is not 4.000,- Euro.... It´s 5.300,- Euro.
Thank you for the correction!
You were not kidding when you said "Steep Learning Curve" First of all the owners manual expects that you know all about every aspect of the digital world, which I do not. I have a very good grasp of computers and various OS's, but the Cocktail X35 which I purchased is turning out to be a total bitch to use, and the manual is really quite bad. The trouble shooting page (Yes- page!) is a joke. Finding information pertaining to specific tasks such as ripping LP's is almost non-existent! Cocktails web site offers very little information, it seems when you buy a Cocktail product you are on your own. I'm not saying the product isn't innovative and extremely versatile, it's just as I said, a Bitch to master.
Thank you for sharing your experience and for watching the channel!
That must have really sucked: losing the data of a thousand ripped CD 's. I guess you needed a drink after that...
It sucked beyond belief :-). I asked Cocktail for a theapist, but they send me the beta software, that changes their database approach instead. 😃 The good thing is that I revised my approach when I ripped again, only ripping the stuff that I knew I would love. The rest, is only played rarely, and there I use a CD player for those occasions. 😃
@@stjernholmreviews It seems more reasonable (and less time-consuming) to me too to listen to my best loving music on this kind of gear and to use a (very) good CD player for the others. By the way, thanks for this review, and the comments I've seen here. I'm planning to by a streamer (without CD ripping possibility) and I was hesitating between the C.A. N25 and the Cambridge CXN V2. I thought the navigation menu was simpler and easier to use in the Cocktail Audio, but after what you say... I will take a closer look. ;)
@@BrulydePesche58 I use it every day, it sounds great, but i dont LOVE it. It really depends on how you want to use it. Browsing and navigating your music will never be very satisfying with Cocktails way of overthinking things, but it is possible, and it can also mix what you find, - in new interesting ways by using the MOOD/Track function. It is what I wall "Patch-work" software wanting to do everything, but lacking that cohesive vision for the experience. You find this in many other software driven products that comes and goes. As always, try it out for yourself and challenge the product with the things you want. If it works for you, all is good! The value weighted against features is great with cocktail. No doubt about that! Thank you for supporting the channel!