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Article: Computer Audiophile Pocket Server - C.A.P.S.


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Great to see another option. So, would this card provide the extra video decoding power in place of the Broadcom decoder or would you use both?<br />

<br />

By the way, any clue how these various cards do with 24/48 material, such as the Beatles USB stick files? JCR

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Hi JCR - I don't know if the card alone has enough decoding power or if the extra decoder is necessary or if the extra decoder will even help with the specific type of video you may need. I'm lots of help on the video side :~)<br />

<br />

<br />

The card works with The Beatles USB stick tracks. I am listening to them right now. They are 24/44.1 not 48. I don't have any 48k material ripped that I can test, but I'm willing to bet 48k is just fine.<br />

<br />

Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems AudiophileStyleStickerWhite2.0.png AudiophileStyleStickerWhite7.1.4.png

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I guess I can answer my own question. Per Benchmark Reviews, the front of the ASUS Xonar HDAV 1.3 Slim sound card reveals the two HDMI jacks and the coaxial digital audio output jack. The HDMI jack on the left is the input jack that receives the video signal from your video card. while the other HDMI jack outputs both the audio and video signals to your audio/video receiver.<br />

<br />

So, there's no HDMI video out of the motherboard, hence I can't see how the ASUS card can work for high def video.<br />

<br />

I've looked around a bunch tonight and can't find a fanless, mini-ITX motherboard that has HDMI support; only DVI. Sigh. JCR

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Are you set on that case? <br />

<br />

I have a Nexus Psile case which allows me to use a 3rd party, and big, heatsink. My board has 1080p capable onboard hardware and PCI slot for my Lynx.<br />

<br />

hifi

DIGITAL: Windows 7 x64 JRMC19 >Adnaco S3B fiber over USB (battery power)> Auralic Vega > Tortuga LDR custom LPSU > Zu Union Cubes + Deep Hemp Sub

 

ANALOG: PTP Audio Solid 9 > Audiomods Series V > Audio Technica Art-7 MC > Allnic H1201 > Tortuga LDR > Zu Union Cubes + Deep Hemp Sub

 

ACCESSORIES: PlatterSpeed, BlackCat cables, Antipodes Cables, Huffman Cables, Feickert Protracter, OMA Graphite mat, JRemote

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Hi JCR - Good thing you did some homework on the HDMI video in/outputs. I guess it's possible to configure the card like the manual suggests via DVI to HDMI cable. The Digital S/PDIF appears to be in and output. One audio possibility os to try to output via S/PDIF and sync with the HDMI video on a receiver or TV. Or, use the S/PDIF header on the motherboard to output to the ASUS card S/PDIF input then output audio and video via HDMI. Both of these options are less than idea as you can see.<br />

<br />

Edit: Here is a link to the <a href="http://files.computeraudiophile.com/2010/0301/e4232_Xonar%20HDAV%20Slim_UM.pdf">MANUAL</a><br />

<br />

<img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0301/dvi-hdmi.png"></img>

Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems AudiophileStyleStickerWhite2.0.png AudiophileStyleStickerWhite7.1.4.png

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Based on all of this, I'd bet the best video uses the Broadcom decoder on the motherboard to improve the throughput to the DVI out, running HDMI into the ASUS card. However, I don't think you get 1080p out of this arrangement because of the DVI. But, this seems to be a potentially better video solution than using the ASUS ST card, which, if I correctly understand, is just for audio.<br />

<br />

I suppose the Xonar card may, as a bonus, support ripped HD-Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD audio content on hard drive for playback through the HDMI output into a preamp/processor, such as the Integra DTC-9.8, that takes HDMI in.<br />

<br />

Can both the Broadcom decoder and the Xonar HDAV1.3 Slim card work in the same generic M350 case you pointed me to above, and is the PCI riser card still required?<br />

<br />

This would substantially reduce the overall cost of the CAPS device (Xonar v. Lynx audio card; no required AES or word clock cable; cheap, way less nice looking, but suitably functional case; dare I suggest, free Winamp over JRiver). I appreciate high performance for low investment. Give me the green light to order up the parts! JCR

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Hi JCR - Yes both the decoder and ASUS card will fit fine into any case on this motherboard. The M350 may work fine with the Slim card sitting directly in the PCI slot, but might be a bit awkward. I would pick up the <a href="http://www.logicsupply.com/products/bp_pci_jt">riser card and I/O shield</a> if the card is a little unstable. The M350 doesn't appear to come with an I/O shield and the motherboard comes with one that doesn't fit a PCI card. So, the case will would have an open space in the back without the additional shield. No big deal though. I don't have one on the back of my M10 case, but the case does have an internal frame to screw in the Slim card.<br />

<br />

One a side note. Broadcom has announced a new decoder card named - BCM70015 - Single-Chip High Definition Advanced Media Processor. Here is a link. I don't think they are available individually yet. Only available to companies like Dell who purchase by the thousand.<br />

<br />

<br />

http://www.broadcom.com/products/Consumer-Electronics/Netbook-and-Nettop-Solutions/BCM70015<br />

<br />

<br />

Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems AudiophileStyleStickerWhite2.0.png AudiophileStyleStickerWhite7.1.4.png

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Chris ... you stated in the rebuttal that<br />

<br />

<em>[Missing price of Windows 7] was certainly an oversight on my part. I do find it interesting that you elected to use the full retail copy of Windows 7 in your example. Not many people who have a computer already will be required to purchase the full retail copy. I just browsed NewEgg where Windows 7 copies start at $75 depending on what the user requires (based on versions of Windows they already own).</em><br />

Surely the Windows 7 upgrade license is just that - an upgrade to a license for a previous copy of Windows <strong>on the same machine</strong>. You can't just say "oh I have windows on my Dell so I can use an upgrade on my C.A.P.S. machine". In your article you quite vehemently stated that Mac OS X can only be used on Apple machines without breaking the terms of the license, so you MUST include a FULL version of Windows 7 to be fair in the pricing.<br />

<br />

Having said that I do think your C.A.P.S. machine does look to be a good solution. Like any recipe you look at it, read and understand it and can either follow it exactly, or change and adapt it for something which suits you more. For people looking to save money - there are lots of alternative cases available (especially if you are not interested in the PCI card) for a lot less than the cost of the Origin.<br />

<br />

Eloise

Eloise

---

...in my opinion / experience...

While I agree "Everything may matter" working out what actually affects the sound is a trickier thing.

And I agree "Trust your ears" but equally don't allow them to fool you - trust them with a bit of skepticism.

keep your mind open... But mind your brain doesn't fall out.

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Hi Chris,<br />

<br />

I'm thinking about building a C.A.P.S. and using a separate Win7 PC in another room as a NAS. I could build a barebones PC with big internal HDDs. Mechanical fan and drive noise on the "storage computer" would be unimportant because the listening room is far away. Connection would be by ethernet cable.<br />

<br />

Is this feasible? practical? less expensive than commercial NAS devices?<br />

<br />

Thanks<br />

<br />

Valvefan

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Hi ValveFan - I've thought about doing the same thing a few times. Whenever I do the research I always back away from the idea of building my own NAS. It's hard to beat a purpose built appliance that a commercial NAS unit is. If you already have a PC around you can always throw in a RAID card & some drives and be done. <br />

<br />

If I were to build a NAS I would use FreeNAS http://freenas.org/freenas<br />

It does take a different set of skills to set up compared to Windows.

Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems AudiophileStyleStickerWhite2.0.png AudiophileStyleStickerWhite7.1.4.png

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I ordered everything today for the lesser expensive version of the CAPS outlined above and look forward to getting that together. Thanks, Chris!<br />

<br />

I now turn (return?) to the NAS issue. I'm set to order up the Thecus N7700. But, my music is stored across several different individual drives. I can't use VMware on the N7700 to create a virtual recreation on the NAS of these different drives (now confirmed with Thecus). Short of manually editing each playlist, is there some program to batch edit or redirect them to their new location on the NAS? Help! JCR

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  • 3 weeks later...

The ultimate pocket server may be the fit-PC2i with the HiFace USB/S/PDIF interface.<br />

<br />

http://www.fit-pc.com/web/fit-pc2/fit-pc2i-specifications<br />

<br />

http://www.m2tech.biz/products.html<br />

<br />

I believe this combination meets all of the C.A.P.S. requirements except for #12. The extremely small size of the fit-PC2i will not permit an add-in card but with the 24/192 HiFace this requirement may be unnecessary. Some people seem to be suggesting that the HiFace or many of the upcoming asynchronous USB to S/PDIF devices are sonically superior to any internal digital add-in card.<br />

<br />

I believe the price for the fit-PC2i with 1 GB RAM, 160 GB HDD, WiFi and Windows 7 Professional is about $550. The price of the HiFace is $150. This combo fulfills the KISS principle for less than half the price.<br />

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  • 2 weeks later...

Chris ...<br />

<br />

Was just wondering if you have any intention of keeping the details of the C.A.P.Server up to date - replacing recommended components as they become unavailable, looking at better components as they become available. My reasoning was because I was just reading there are new Intel boards available using the newer D510 Atom processor and the NM10 graphics chipset which is a step above the older chipsets in both capabilities and also lower powered.<br />

<br />

The speciifc board I was thinking of (basically the next gen of the one you used AFAICS) is the <strong><a href="http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/motherboards/D510MO/D510MO-overview.htm">Intel D510MO Atom 'Pine Trail'</a></strong>. Details / reviews at <a href="http://www.mini-itx.com/2010/01/14/intel-revamps-the-atom-with-pine-trail">minit-itx.com</a> and <a href="http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/atom-d510-d510mo,2507.html">tomshardware.com</a>.<br />

<br />

Eloise

Eloise

---

...in my opinion / experience...

While I agree "Everything may matter" working out what actually affects the sound is a trickier thing.

And I agree "Trust your ears" but equally don't allow them to fool you - trust them with a bit of skepticism.

keep your mind open... But mind your brain doesn't fall out.

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I guess really it's not just for now I was thinking ... but as an ongoing project - though it may be difficult.<br />

<br />

Maybe more of something you need to do every 3-6 months, look at the currently available options and update the C.A.P.S. to keep it as a valid device, given that one of your aims (I think) was to provide a list of components that anyone could go out and buy and build their own C.A.P.S.<br />

<br />

Eloise<br />

<br />

PS. Chris - I know you published the article ages ago, but has no one commented that half your photos are sideways?

Eloise

---

...in my opinion / experience...

While I agree "Everything may matter" working out what actually affects the sound is a trickier thing.

And I agree "Trust your ears" but equally don't allow them to fool you - trust them with a bit of skepticism.

keep your mind open... But mind your brain doesn't fall out.

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i was just getting ready to pull the trigger on the Motherboard and now this..<br />

<br />

Anyway, the only other use I would possibly have for this device would be to play movies someday.<br />

<br />

Is there any reason to think that the upgraded/rated MotherBoard/processor coul;d deal with high def movies?<br />

<br />

Thanks<br />

<br />

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I would doubt the new NM10 chipset will be able to handle 1080p HiDef video. If you want that I would be looking at Atom ION chipsets or add the Broadcom Mini-PCI card.<br />

<br />

Eloise

Eloise

---

...in my opinion / experience...

While I agree "Everything may matter" working out what actually affects the sound is a trickier thing.

And I agree "Trust your ears" but equally don't allow them to fool you - trust them with a bit of skepticism.

keep your mind open... But mind your brain doesn't fall out.

Link to comment

For those in the market, it looks like MitxPC has a kit of the <br />

<br />

Johnstown Motherboard<br />

80 w power supply<br />

M350 case<br />

2 GB RAM<br />

Tested <br />

Assembled<br />

Shipped<br />

<br />

For $230.60 - a little cheaper than Logic supply if testing is added in<br />

<br />

And Amazon has the SS drive described above on sale for a day or two for 164.00 after rebate<br />

<br />

I would presume the technique is never look at the pricing next week so one doesn't go "Dang.."<br />

<br />

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Chris,<br />

<br />

thanks for your post on the CAPS which swayed me from buying a laptop as a computer music player, and persuaded me to go the D.I.Y. route.<br />

<br />

Mine is running Windows XP SP2 (which I had a unused license for) and has no internal soundcard - for this job I have a USB-connected HRT MusicStreamer DAC.<br />

<br />

I bought my Intel D945GSEJT as a 'bare-bones kit' complete with case and 12V power supply. The case is very slim and I doubt I could fit any extra components!<br />

<br />

2GB of RAM is inside and the same solid-state drive you recommended. With no CDROM drive loading Windows from disk was a tad fiddly; I pulled the SATA lead from my desktop PCs drive while the little server perched on top of the case.<br />

<br />

For now I'm playing some AAC and MP3 files copied to the internal drive, but soon I'll hook up a USB terabyte drive containing FLAC files for some serious listening.<br />

<br />

I tried MediaMonkey as the media player but found I could not play back my AAC files (ripped via iTunes) without installing Quicktime. <br />

<br />

Apple's Windows-based software seems somewhat bloated and I wanted to keep the server lean and clean. However I still have iTunes on my ripping PC, a Win7 corei5 desktop in another room.<br />

<br />

I've settled on Foobar 2000 as my media player - at first I missed the cover art & 'eye candy' of other more full-featured players but it just worked right away with no nonsense - and with native AAC support.<br />

<br />

As a novice to computer audio the advice posted here at CA has been really helpful. Thanks again.<br />

Stuart - New Zealand

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Hi,<br />

<br />

I assembled a CAPS to connect to my Weiss Minerva DAC<br />

so I put a PCI firewire card<br />

I used a lot less expensive housing, the M350 :<br />

http://www.cartft.com/catalog/il/1058<br />

<br />

before I had a Lenovo Y310 laptop with Windows Vista and Media Center 14<br />

developments in quality with CAPS is very sensitive!<br />

I do not know if it's windows 7 or the rest of the PC, but it is a fact<br />

<br />

Otherwise, the latency was too high when I wanted to read a streaming file from internet: the buffer of Weiss did not follow and you could hear scratches<br />

the solution is to replace Internet Explorer with Google Chrome: the latency increased from 15,000 micro sec to less than 100!<br />

<br />

thank you for this article<br />

Manu<br />

<br />

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6836/p1030074c.jpg<br />

<br />

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  • 2 weeks later...

A most disconcerting thing about the CAPS server is that when you turn it on, you can't audibly detect it is booting/working/doing anything.<br />

<br />

I am just not used to NO noise when turning a PC on - I keep thinking it is broken...

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