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

[ldolse]

What's likely to happen:

- CAPS2 setup ends up in my study, pumping sound to the Bifrost and then a couple of near-field active monitors

- Sonos is pulled out of the junk pile and honourably reinstated in the lounge, driving my serious amp and speakers, along with the VDAC (SPDIF from Sonos to VDAC and it'll only ever be 16/44.1 as that's all Sonos puts out anyway, sadly)

 

- Cynical other half os going to say "(1) Why'd you try to change things anyway?" and later (2) "How come you're always listening to that other sound system in the study with the quiet little black computer driving it?"

 

-P-

 

You can also try Linux/MPD on the CAPS - one of the targets of the LiveCD in my sig is the CAPS Server. Then you can use any mpd client as a remote.

[Earthenware541]

Thank you for all the suggestions - I will stay on the journey and let you know how things go.

- Yes I shared with SMB. I can do NFS sharing on the Synology so will set that up. But my Sonos (linux-based, I think they are) read from the same Synology server with no issue, on exactly the same network...I assume it used a linux-based SMB driver. Or perhaps it used DLNA (which isn't SMB, right?)

 

- Will get a Mac-based VNC viewer of some sort.

- I'm also gonna be building a new fileserver (Freenas) next month so that will serve the files faster than the Syno (or so I read and naively believe).

- The MPD world I've not ventured into but it might be something to look at - will think on that one.

 

-P

[Paul R]

Thank you for all the suggestions - I will stay on the journey and let you know how things go.

- Yes I shared with SMB. I can do NFS sharing on the Synology so will set that up. But my Sonos (linux-based, I think they are) read from the same Synology server with no issue, on exactly the same network...I assume it used a linux-based SMB driver. Or perhaps it used DLNA (which isn't SMB, right?) [/Quote]

 

The Sonos (and the Squeezebox Touch among other systems) knows that the player is a CPU and memory limited device, and takes that in account when dealing with file shares. The C.A.P.S. v2 is a fairly powerful machine, as players go, but the version of Windows running on it doesn't really account for that. Thus it tries to read in gobs of data from the file server just as if it were a 16core super powered monster with gobs of memory available to use a buffer. One reason why the C.A.P.S. v2 usually works better with local disk storage.

 

Having a powerful and fast file server also helps, as it buffers lots of stuff in memory and serves out requests fast enough to keep the slower machines from going into a waiting state while waiting for the requests to be fulfilled. Does that make sense? Think of it a little like going through a fast food drive through - you wait to put in your order, interactively (in most cases) put in the order, then drive up to the pay window. If you already have your card out, you are ready to pay. If the cashier does not pay immediate attention to you, you would be most likely to bring your arm back inside the window and wait for them to acknowledge you. Then you would have to reach out again to start the transaction. Then you drive to the pickup window and go through a mini-wait and transaction again.

 

File serving is a little like that. The client prepares their order, transmits their order, then waits around to pick up the results. Every period were the system is not immediately ready to service the client, the client will go off and do something else. Update the screen or something else. Fast clients and fast servers make those waits both shorter in duration, and occur less frequently.

 

Then you get into all sorts of tradeoffs - like lower powered players (such as the C.A.P.S. v2, Sonos , Squeezebox, Vortexbox, etc.) tend to sound better. Higher powered servers tend to make the lower powered servers work better.

 

Didn't mean to write a book, but wanted to be sure you are clear that everything is a balancing act in this situation, and only you are going to be able to decide what you really like the best, and what tradeoffs you are willing to make to achieve your best system configuration.

 

 

- Will get a Mac-based VNC viewer of some sort.

- I'm also gonna be building a new fileserver (Freenas) next month so that will serve the files faster than the Syno (or so I read and naively believe).

- The MPD world I've not ventured into but it might be something to look at - will think on that one.

 

-P

 

I think those are great ideas. Might also look into Vortexbox as a server, as it can do all the serving for C.A.P.S. v2, Sonos, Squeezebox, and also has a nice built in MPD based playback system. It's free, well supported, and fun to play with. A gentle introduction to Linux and music servers.

 

-Paul

[Earthenware541]

Thanks very much - I now have some alternative paths to explore. I wondered what all this talk of a Vortexbox was on this CA site. If it can help my file problem with CAPS2 then it's going to become my main file server and the Syno can just back it up every day. If Freenas does that better then so be it. If still no luck then I'm gonna have to get some duct tape and run a wire across the floor, and pay a visit to the local rug shop (may as welll pick up a diamond necklace for her on the way through town, I'm gonna need it). Powerline networking was slower than wireless.

I guess the other alternative is to go wireless at the USB or SPDIF side with one of those fancy gadgets but that's more electronica and the whole idea was to simplify. Ah well, the joy is in the chase rather than the catch. Here comes the weekend...

[TJHUB]

I'm about to order all of the parts for a CAPS v2 build, but I have some questions. Sorry if these things have been covered already. I've read just about everything I can over the last few days, and I may have missed something.

 

To save money, I'm doing two things different than the official build. First, I'm going to use the Wesena ITX-6 case, and second, I'm thinking about holding off on the SOtM USB board at first. As I may be waiting for the USB board, would it be smarter for me to use another main board with an PCIe slot instead of the recommended board with the PCI slot?

 

I would like to have the ability to advance tracks and pause via an IR remote with JRMC. Can this be done with the IR receiver and remote that can be purchased with the Wesena case?

 

I have a 1TB SATA hard drive. The way to connect this to the CAPS v2 is via eSATA, correct?

 

I plan to order all the parts tomorrow or next week Tuesday. I'm looking forward to giving this thing a listen. Right now I've been playing with JRMC on my netbook using Gizmo on my Android phone as a remote.

[mjm6]

The Wesena box works great, but be aware that the DVD eject button on the box is on the left, which is difficult to find a drive to work with Check Amazon before you order, they were just reduced on there, I'm not sure about on the regular site.

 

Depending on the DAC you have, the SOtM card may or may not make a big difference, I understand. I've heard both reports. I figured that saving the few hundred on the case was enough to cover a bunch of the card, so I got it. I'm very pleased with the sound.

 

I can't say on the IR receiver... Most people avoid the added overhead required for that, I guess presuming that it may hurt the sound. I use an iPad with JRemote for control through the LAN.

 

I recently asked about connecting a HD via eSATA or USB... With USB, it is possible to get galvanic isolation, and that may be a better solution, especially if you have the SOtM card to isolate the output to the DAC. If you don't have the SOtM card, then eSATA is probably the better solution.

 

I'd consider getting one of these:

 

OWC OWCMEP944FW8EU2 Mercury Elite Pro Quad... in stock at OWC

 

for the drive, unless you want it internal, but there isn't much room inside for harddrives, and the more you pack in there, the more you risk overheating.

 

That drive case has both eSATA and USB on it, so you are able to connect either way, so you can try and see which one sounds best.

 

Good luck. Mine went together mostly flawlessly, and I'm very pleased with the aural result.

 

---Michael

[beetlemania]

As I may be waiting for the USB board, would it be smarter for me to use another main board with an PCIe slot instead of the recommended board with the PCI slot?

 

I have a 1TB SATA hard drive. The way to connect this to the CAPS v2 is via eSATA, correct?

 

I went with the Zotac Fusion which has a slightly more powerful CPU and much more powerful GPU (if you care to do video) compared to the Atom boards. It also has eSATA, USB3, HDMI, 4 SATA III ports (altho' the CPU really can't take advantage of SATA III). This MB runs very cool without any fans whatsoever (CPU 30-35 C at idle/running Foobar) and is an energy sipper (~11W at idle and ~13 W running Foobar - that's *system* consumption including SSD and ODD). I have no idea how it compares, sonically, to the Jetway Chris Connaker recommends. Anyhow, the Zotac has a PCIe slot . . .

 

Meanwhile, the SOtM USB card for PCIe is almost here:

SOtM

 

Regarding eSATA for the external HDD, that's how I have mine. I like, however, mjm6's recommendation to try both eSATA and the SOtM connection and choose for yourself. Good luck!

[TJHUB]

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

I'm coming from a Squeezebox Touch, and I really like the IR track +/- and pause. I suppose I could live without it, but I saw an opportunity to possibly keep that feature, so I asked.

 

I plan to control JRMC with both Gizmo, Webgizmo, and Remote Desktop in Windows. My preference is to control my server using my netbook more than anything. I hope I find a solution that I like.

 

I've thought long and hard about video on a machine like this, but I have a PS3 I use for everything from watching Blu-rays, DVD's, home video, and pictures. I don't need another machine for video, so I will keep this a fully dedicated music server only.

 

My DAC is an Eastern Electric MiniMax Plus. It would be nice to hear from others with the same DAC as to whether the SOtM card is an improvement or not. I hate having to take a leap of faith on this stuff, but I'm already doing that in hopes that sound quality from the CAPS v2 will best my software modded Touch and DIY power supply with a Bybee Music Rail.

[rfarris1]

Two noob questions. 1) does the CAPS2.0 have wifi or does it have to be wired to a router/network to be controled by a wireless device such as an iPad and 2) what is the current favorite program to use to control J-river on the CAPS2.0 from an iPad?

 

Thanks very much!

[rfarris1]

OK, I found the answer to my question about wifi. But would still love to know what people are using on iPads to control J-river

[Paul R]

JRemote - there is simply nothing better to control JRiver with than JRemote.

 

You can find a good discussion of it here.

 

-Paul

[rfarris1]

Question. My CAPS 2.0 emits a high pitched hum audible from about 1 - 2 feet from the box and distinct very close to the box. Is this typical and if not, any ideas for what might be going wrong. It was built by small green computer.

[jriver]

There are several possibilities for remotes on an iPad:

Remotes - JRiverWiki

[rfarris1]

To be clear, that hum is light/faint, but its there.

[torqw]

Regarding CAPS 2.0 anti-virus. I see from the specs this is disabled/not installed. Apologies for my uninformed question, but would this put the other PCs on my network at risk if some worm is installed on the CAPS PC?

[Frederic Vandeputte]

Regarding the power adapter,i saw on the Origen website that there is a power adapter delivered wth the M10 case that would power the included 150w power supply.Would this power adapter be suited to power the up the Jetway motherboard or do i still have to buy a better suited power adapter.I saw this power adapter from seasonic -> Seasonic Power Adapter 60 Watt (12V) prijzen | Core | Tweakers.net Pricewatch

Is this ok oe what other power adapters do you recommend.Note that i'm from Belgium (Europe) and i can't get that casetronic power adapter here.

[Garf]

As a note to Chris' list of services running on Windows 7, I found out that the service 'Web Client' needed to be enabled in order for jRiver's Gizmo application to run from my tablet. Posted in hopes of helping someone else with this issue.

[ted_b]

Anybody know where to get the Jetway mobo anymore? Logic Supply (and a few others) are showing it now out of stock. Damn!

 

Chris, do you have ANY clue as to whether the boards recommended by Andrew (or other ideas here) will change the sonics? Argh!

[Audio_ELF]

Anybody know where to get the Jetway mobo anymore? Logic Supply (and a few others) are showing it now out of stock. Damn!

 

Chris, do you have ANY clue as to whether the boards recommended by Andrew (or other ideas here) will change the sonics? Argh!

I just noticed that Small Green Computers is listing the CAPS 2.1 "kit" is supplied with a Intel DN2800MT Mainboard.

 

Eloise

[TJHUB]

Anybody know where to get the Jetway mobo anymore? Logic Supply (and a few others) are showing it now out of stock. Damn!

 

Chris, do you have ANY clue as to whether the boards recommended by Andrew (or other ideas here) will change the sonics? Argh!

 

Googling that Jetway part number brings up a few vendors that still have it in stock.

[ted_b]

Googling that Jetway part number brings up a few vendors that still have it in stock.

 

? Nice, cuz I obviously did that last night, and all showed "out of stock" once I tried to put it in the shopping cart. Any names? Thanks

 

I just noticed that Small Green Computers is listing the CAPS 2.1 "kit" is supplied with a Intel DN2800MT Mainboard.

 

Eloise

 

 

Eloise, yes thanks. That's why I asked Chris if Andrew's mobo was a non-issue, or did he prefer I wait it out and find the Jetway if it all possible.

[TJHUB]

? Nice, cuz I obviously did that last night, and all showed "out of stock" once I tried to put it in the shopping cart. Any names?

 

Sorry Ted, you are right. There are quite a few available on fleebay...verified this time.

[ted_b]

Sorry Ted, you are right. There are quite a few available on fleebay...verified this time.

 

Thanks, but again, not on my search! I just 2 seconds ago put in "jetway nf96fl-525-lf" on Ebay and got no results. ??

[TJHUB]

Thanks, but again, not on my search! I just 2 seconds ago put in "jetway nf96fl-525-lf" on Ebay and got no results. ??

 

Again, sorry. The main boards I was looking at are the Jetway NF96U-525-LF. This looks to be replacing the NF96FL-525-LF and looks identical checking pics and features.

[beetlemania]

. . . Jetway NF96U-525-LF . . . looks to be replacing the NF96FL-525-LF and looks identical checking pics and features.

At least one difference: no eSATA connection on the back panel.

 

The Intel 'board on the CAPS "2.1" looks kind of interesting. Less power than the CAPS 1 'board but can handle 4 GB RAM. Still pretty limited on features, tho'. I wonder if Chris helped or approved of that 'board's selection.

 

I've been happy with my Zotac Fusion 'board but noticed that it also is becoming unavailable.