Article: C.A.P.S. v2.0

[Stryker63]

Can you share approx how much capacity is left on the SSD after installing Windows and the J River app? <br />

<br />

I'm thinking about trying a variation on your build using a HDD/Synapse Cache combination (inspired by the S10 review and their approach to avoiding NAS) but not sure a 64GB Synapse Cache SSD would have sufficient space left with the OS/J River software on it to cache music during a regular listening session - or if I'd have to go to a 128GB SSD.<br />

<br />

Thanks,<br />

Mitch

[extracampine]

I'm in the process of setting up a CAPSv2 which I procured through Little Green Computer.<br />

<br />

The requirement of the CAPS was that it is "1. Absolutely silent."<br />

<br />

I've noticed that the CAPS appears to emit a constant high-pitched noise. This is very quiet, though once recognised it is noticeable at some distance.<br />

<br />

Has anyone else heard this or is it a peculiarity of my model?<br />

<br />

Thanks

[e seal]

Hi extracampine,<br />

<br />

I have been using a C.A.P.S v.2 for about four months and have not experienced any noise from it. Mine has been absolutely silent. Is it possible to pinpoint where the noise is coming from -- from a component in the computer or from the AC adapter?<br />

<br />

Regards,<br />

e seal

[e seal]

Mitch,<br />

<br />

You didn't specify which version of Windows or J River you were asking about. I'm assuming you mean Windows 7 and J River 17.<br />

<br />

The file size for Windows 7 (all versions) is about 3,075 MB<br />

and for JMRC 17 about 22 MB.<br />

<br />

Subtract these numbers from the actual capacity of the SSD you are considering to deermine the remaining capacity.<br />

<br />

e seal

[extracampine]

Thanks e seal! The noise seems to be coming from the box itself. I will think about opening it up to try and locate it more accurately.<br />

<br />

May I ask your age? Reason I ask:<br />

<br />

<img src="http://www.roger-russell.com/hearing/hearing4.jpg">

[hamsi]

I have bought from smallgreencomputer,too...<br />

and I can't hear any noise coming from the box, either.<br />

<br />

I have just had an odiogram test today, I can hear all frequencies at about 20dB... <br />

<br />

Do you hear a noise lower than 20 dB?

[kennythekey]

Try sticking a towel under the box and see if the noise goes away. It may be the surface your C.A.P.S. is sitting on.

[e seal]

extracampine,<br />

<br />

As a physician -- as well as being over age 65 -- I'm well aware of presbycusis. I certainly know that I have decreased high frequency hearing. I would agree that I might be unable to hear a high pitched hum from my C.A.P.S. v.2; however, I'm unaware of anyone else, especially younger audiophiles, who own a C.A.P.S v.2 reporting a hum of any type. It sounds like (no pun intended) that there is a defect in the C.A.P.S. that you have. Have you contacted Small Green Computer about this problem?<br />

<br />

e seal

[ccclapp]

Following up on firedog's post of 11/25..<br />

<br />

"Just to note: the SOTM external box and pci card aren't the same device: the card is designed for clean electrical/sonic hookup of any USB audio device, and the box is a USB>SPDIF converter, albeit with some quality regulators built in"<br />

<br />

I have a related question:<br />

<br />

Is the consensus that its overkill, or appropriate to install the SOTM card, if using an external USB->SPDIF converter, such as SOTM's dX-USB HD, April Music - Stello U3, Halide Design - The Bridge, M2Tech hiFace Evo, etc?<br />

<br />

In my case I need to convert my USB to AES/EBU. With one of these quality converters is it prudent to spend the $600 on the SOTM pci card or just invest in a good converter?<br />

<br />

To some other poster's points, if so, the external converter could also free up the PCI slot.<br />

<br />

I'd appreciate your guidance.<br />

<br />

Thanks <br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

[4est]

No, their PCI USB isolator is for isolation with such devices. The SOtM USB>SPDIF may be an exception, but I doubt it. Maybe Barrows can chime in, as he has been playing with one for awhile.<br />

<br />

It is about 350$, not $600 here in the States.

[vortecjr]

The SOtM tX-USB card should be around $300 USD. The SOtM dX-USB-HD converter should be around $450 USD. I would contact SOtM (or send me the information) with info on any web site getting away from these prices....<br />

<br />

Jesus R<br />

www.sonore.us

[Stryker63]

Thanks! That is the software I'll be using.

[Priaptor]

I picked up a C.A.P.S. 2.0 and am wondering how people are going headless with it.<br />

<br />

It seems that services are turned off that allow one to use RDC. Any other suggestions?<br />

<br />

Thanks<br />

[dallasjustice]

I use Jriver in server mode and control music over Port 52199/webremote

[Priaptor]

about if you need to actually make changes to the computer itself. My concern is not so much having a remote for JRiver as much as it is when I have a crash, etc. and need to get control of the screen.<br />

<br />

Also, are you using your CAPS with a NAS or a local drive?<br />

<br />

Thanks

[dallasjustice]

If you are using windows professional or ultimate, then you could remote desktop the computer easily. However, the CAPS 2.0 is very stable.<br />

<br />

I have a second spinning hard drive which has my music. That hard drive is inside the case of course. I wanted my music local so that I have more power supply options to experiment with on the hard drives. Right now, I have each hard drive powered by it's own AQVOX 5v LPSU. Of course, I will experiment with different LPSUs in the future. :-) So, having a local hard drive makes more sense.

[wdomeika]

Did you build the C.A.P.S. 2.0 yourself? Or did you buy it from someone? I've been interested in the C.A.P.S. idea since i first read about v1.0, but I'm not at all capable of building something like it myself. <br />

<br />

Are there folks out there that will build it for a fee?<br />

<br />

Cheers,<br />

<br />

Bill<br />

[Priaptor]

myself, decided I really didn't have the time and the small modifications I was going to make I felt wasn't worth it.<br />

<br />

If you go to:<br />

<br />

http://shop.smallgreencomputer.com/CAPS-20-CAPS.htm<br />

<br />

they have some prebuilt units to Chris's spec. I received mine last evening and have been busy setting it up. It really is an excellent alternative to Mac based players. <br />

<br />

Enjoy.

[wdomeika]

*nt*

[The Computer Audiophile]

Small Green Computer is the exclusive CAPS v2 reseller. <br />

<br />

P.S. I don't make one cent from CAPS v2 sales :~)<br />

<br />

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi priaptor - A CAPS v2 server built to spec will support Windows Remote Desktop. This is how I connect when I need full access. <br />

<br />

[Priaptor]

guys and very quick turnaround.<br />

<br />

You are killing me though. I spent 5 hours last night until the wee hours of the morning listening. I am impressed but very tired.<br />

<br />

Still working out some bugs. I am using SplashtopHD to control the CAPS headless and it took me awhile to see that the app was screwing up and stealing the sound driver. SplashtopHD actually gives the best J River remote I have tried. It fills the iPad screen perfectly and gives you 100% functionality of J River.

[Priaptor]

not a Windows forum, but I did get the CAPS2 to spec from Small Green Computer and when I went to enable Remote for RDC, I got a message saying that Windows Firewall needed to be enabled which I cannot do as I guess there are some services shut down, hence the reason I went to SplashtopHD.<br />

<br />

Is there something I am missing or need to enable?

[Guest Claude]

Hi,<br />

Are you hardwiring the caps or are you going wireless?<br />

If I do not want to run wireless, then I just use a monitor? <br />

I am about to pull the trigger, but am still not sure, because I would rather have more RAM because I want to run XXhighend (memory player).<br />

<br />

Claudius

[One and a half]

About version 1.8n of Pure Music ago, I made a comparison of MBP SL and Windows Pro using two Halide Bridges into the two Dacs fitted to the one amplifier. This amp has the provision for two option boards, in this case two DACs, I think they use two PCM1796 chips. Connection is 96/24 Coax input.<br />

<br />

MBP USB--> Halide Bridge --> DAC 20 -> E450 Amp<br />

Sony USB--> Halide Bridge --> DAC 20 ----|<br />

<br />

I tried J River (16?) on the Windows Machine, and shut down as many services I could think of without breaking the thing. Both notebooks were running off their own batteries, and of course played the same FLAC tracks from the NAS. With the remote on the amp, it's easy to A/B without too much trouble.<br />

<br />

I can't effectively isolate the USB in the MAC, so it was fair I didn't do the same for the Sony. Wasapi Event for JRiver, and PM used the Integer mode playback and no upsampling, both volume levels are 0db. Both machines have SSD.<br />

<br />

Just using my ears, I preferred the sound out of the Mac, far cleaner in other words a lot less noisier, blacker blacks would the analogy there. Dynamics and resolution with the Mac are better, not night and day, but certainly pleasurable to listen to longer term. The cymbal splashes and kettle drums are very difficult to playback, the Mac gets the results better, still not exactly the same as a real drum kit, but the limitations of the ancilliaries, recording etc have to be factored in, but certainly a discernible, repeatable difference when on headphones.<br />

<br />

You could possibly tweak a lot more and wring each system so far to the point of bursting, but some other variable in the computer chain can activate at any time, ths effecting the enjoyment, there's a fine line to satisfaction and obsession or you never stop.<br />

<br />

Since that experiment, I playback Audirvana + or Decibel on the MBP all the time, using Foobar for tagging, and File Management. Frankly I got sick of iTunes' gapped playback, and PM's ALAC pointer files clogging up the hard drive, so all "i" programs are gone from the MBP. <br />

<br />

I also gave up on JRiver, the interface didn't make my mouth water, it decided to change the tags to whatever it wanted to do wrecking a lot of work, plus JRiver wanted more cash for each upgrade, which didn't sit at the best of times either.<br />

<br />

As for Caps vs Mac, I invite anyone to make a comment who has both. The Caps2 certainly has the USB isolation which is a great thing, but for a working server to manipulate files, I would prefer a lot more horsepower.<br />

<br />