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

[mmetts]

Hi All,<br />

<br />

I've read this thread with interest. I must admit, though, that I am a total novice at digital music. I have a decent system and I’ve just recently had my entire CD collection of 780+ disks ripped to MP3 320 and ALAC. I’m in the process of building a 10TB NAS to serve the general needs of my household and I was hoping to stream my music off of that to my system. I have a Bryston BDA-1 DAC that I’ve been using with my Airport Express. But, what I’d really like is a “in rack” way to just play my music with iPad or iPhone -- navigating playlists and so on.<br />

<br />

The trouble is, like my search for a DAC last year, there are so many choices that it boggles the mind. I’d love to hear from any of you (and that includes telling me to go elsewhere if this is not the right place) about the various tradeoff in searching for a digital network player. The NAS I have my eye on has UpNP. I’d like to avoid buying another DAC since I just did that. The Linn Akurate DS seems like an amazing unit but it duplicates the money I spent on the Byrston DBA-1 times 3! The Naim NDX also seems like an excellent choice but again it seems to duplicate the DAC money though it (and maybe the Linn) offer internet radio in the deal.<br />

<br />

But, if I can build the CAPS v2.0 and end up with a better more flexible and “future proofed” solution then I’m very interested in that instead. Is the performance if a thing like this in the same league with the Akurate or the Naim NDX? Along those lines, I’m fairly technical but noticed that this build description lacks some details: Does this unit have to have a keyboard and monitor all the time? Is the streaming application dedicated so that, say after a power failure, everything just comes back up and it’s ready to use like the other components in my rack? How do I get music into the library – obviously, I’d add them to the directory structure on the NAS but how does the application become aware of them? Is there a much more detailed set of instructions for building this unit?<br />

<br />

Sorry if all my questions are silly. I’m just trying to get started on this project wary of my choices, I’d appreciate any advice you have.<br />

Thanks,<br />

Mike<br />

[kennythekey]

I'm a complete newbie and just created my account.<br />

<br />

Chris - I am truly impressed with this DIY project and your dedication to Audiophiles. Wonderful!<br />

<br />

Like all audiophile components we want to keep things simple, so I wanted to know how certain add-ons to your C.A.P.S. might affect sound quality. For example, there are a number of recommended Services to be turned off.<br />

<br />

The two things that I was wondering about, and there may be others, are Windows Updates and Anti-Virus Software. Are these okay or should they be avoided?<br />

<br />

Kenny

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Kenny - I will never run anti-virus software on a music server. AV programs are disastrous in my experience. <br />

<br />

Windows Update does not need to run unless there is a specific need to fix a problem. Music servers should be frozen in time once they are working. In other words don't fix what's not broken. <br />

<br />

[kennythekey]

Hi Chris - Happy 4th to you and thanks!<br />

<br />

Isn't the Server/NAS susceptible to viruses being on the network...Downloading and all that?<br />

<br />

Kenny

[kennythekey]

Chris - I found the thread back in March about AV software, so no need to reply. Looks like extra caution sounds the best.<br />

<br />

Kenny

[JFTM]

I'm in the process of putting together a music only server. I posted what I was thinking on www.canuckaudiomart.com and someone posted a link to this thread. I like the build here and was working along similar lines.<br />

<br />

The difference is that rather than putting in SOtM tX-USB at $339 I was intending to use the MF V-LINK at $169 to address jitter.<br />

<br />

What is the advantage of using the SOtM tX-USB vs the V-LINK?<br />

<br />

Thanks<br />

<br />

Mike

[Audio_ELF]

The SOtM tX-USB is not analogous to the V-Link. You'd actually use the SOtM tX-USB to connect the V-LINK to your music server giving the V-Link the cleanest possible signal. <br />

<br />

Eloise

[JFTM]

Thanks Eloise,<br />

<br />

Perhaps I misread, but I thought one of the main reasons for choosing the SOtM tX-USB rather than a less expensive USB option was because of it's low jitter. If the V-LINK eliminates jitter (as claimed in various reviews), what are the advantages of the SOtM tX-USB vs a less expensive USB?

[Audio_ELF]

The idea of the SotM USB card is two fold:<br />

<br />

First; it gives you a dedicated USB output for your DAC or converter interface. This removes any problems associated with sharing USB ports which can happen without you realising. <br />

<br />

Second; the SotM card features higher quality power supply giving a smoother signal to the DAC via USB. I'm still dubious about the value if this but Chris and others enthuse about the card...<br />

<br />

Eloise

[blueixus]

Surely the biggest advantage of this card would be by devices that draw their power from the 5v USB powerlines , such as the M2Tech Hiface.<br />

<br />

There seems to be a general consensus that USB power is 'dirty' compared to that from a pristine linear PSU or batteries.<br />

<br />

I am intrigued by the ultra low jitter clock on the board. Surely a lot of 'modern' USB devices are async and clock the computer. So is this clock redundant with a device like the Wavelength Wavelink?<br />

<br />

Sorry to sound churlish but this does seem like an answer to a problem that may not exist...

[The Computer Audiophile]

If you have a V-Link you may benefit more from the SOtM via USB because the V-Link does not have galvanic isolation from the computer. <br />

<br />

[kennythekey]

Just trying to catch up...<br />

<br />

Does this mean that Jesus R's recommendation to separately power the SOtM mean that this would provide that type of isolation?<br />

<br />

Kenny

[mickllogon]

Hello Chris: <br />

<br />

I am new here wanting to rip my cd collection to redbook specs on a hard drive. Sorry if this is a stupid question, I have read your CAP2 article. Thank you for your time and effort to advance computer audio for others. <br />

<br />

Why would the CAPS2 not be used to rip as well as playback? I know you are setting up a system to eliminate as much noise as possible but it seem like this computer could be used to rip as well. Is noise not a concern when ripping? I have not been able to find the answer to this question. <br />

<br />

I have a Win7 OS 64 bit and want to use db poweramp to rip my CD collection. I have not been able to find answers to ripping (hardware/computer/ noise, etc.). Any help would be appreciated. <br />

<br />

Thanks, <br />

<br />

Mick

[JFTM]

I can't speak to the noise issue, but a key design parameter was to minimize anything that isn't directly associated with playback. So no internet, no anti-virus, no anti-spyware, etc.<br />

<br />

So tagging wouldn't work and any net connection would be perilous.

[JFTM]

Thanks Chris.<br />

<br />

The V-LINK does provide isolation between the computer and the DAC though; would this not provide the isolation?<br />

<br />

Also could you comment/provide your opinion on the jitter issue. If the V-LINK performs as stated in reviews; it basically eliminates jitter. From a jitter perspective, what is the value in using the SOtM and the V-LINK.<br />

<br />

The SOtM is also reported as having very low noise. Are there any tests that indicate by how much?<br />

<br />

Thanks Again

[facso]

thanks for sharing all your knowledge that is magnificent, with all of us.<br />

You are an inspiration!<br />

<br />

feel proud of yourself ....<br />

<br />

a hug from Portugal!<br />

<br />

Filipe Oliveira

[vortecjr]

Quest, I'm sorry I don't have any additional information on PCI-E version. SOtM mentioned it to me in an e-mail, but nothing more was said about it. <br />

<br />

Eloise, I would be happy to send you one of the devices, but I suspect your on a OSX laptop or Mini. No need to flip a card on me I'm not try to selling you anything, but it would be nice to get your first hand take.<br />

<br />

Blueixus, there are two side to the dirt power equation. One is the power that goes directly to the USB device. The other is the power that feeds all the parts that make up the audio signal on the card. The tX-USB cleans them both compared to using the internal power of the MB for the same purpose. Then there is the part about the RF filter.<br />

<br />

Kenny, I recommended using an external power supply as a further tweak. Yes this would isolate all the power to the card and the connected USB device. BTW I use a car battery with mine so that it lasts a long time:)<br />

<br />

Mike/JFTM, this build should be able to go on the Internet and work fine without issues. The most prominent ways to get a virus is porn sites and e-mails (with or without porn:) Back in my Windows days I used our server to download from Itrax, HDTracks and get covers from Amazon and never had an issue...<br />

<br />

Jesus R<br />

www.sonore.us

[Quest]

I actually queried SOTM directly on the PCIe and am sharing this info (I hope it is not confidential). I think the design has yet to be finalized, but there is hope that it will be announced within 4 months' time.<br />

<br />

The PCIe version will be USB 3.0 (obviously backward compatible), and have some minor changes to circuit/components which may improve sound slightly. Price will be higher, and he hasn't thought about external power jack yet (which we seem to like).<br />

<br />

Maybe you can give him some inputs on the last bit.. I personally will be waiting for this. Somehow don't feel too good about using an adapter.<br />

<br />

On using external power, I am now curious if you can still hear the difference in different power cords on the PC if using external battery power with the SOTM, into a async USB DAC.

[kbalog]

Chris,<br />

<br />

I've been a disciple of your work and have appreciated the reasoned contribution by so many of your subscribers "since the beginning".<br />

<br />

The crafting and experimentation that went into this iteration of your lasts year's C.A.P.S. server is phenomenal. Every piece of logic that supports this iteration is clearly articulated. You impress me by not upgrading components simply because newer technology is available. You speak the voice of reason with regard to functional design.<br />

<br />

Consider this note (my first) in your forum an expression of appreciation. I'm an audio geek myself so of course I'm experimenting with you for my own musical reproduction enjoyment. <br />

<br />

I can't wait to build a couple of these machines for myself right after labor day. I'll let you know my reactions later in the Fall. I'm asking some of my audio buds to help me do blind testing to evaluate the sound of the four different DACs that we use in our business for specific industrial-based applications (two are on your C.A.S.H. list). I'll test with my own audio system with your C.A.P.S. Version Two.

[Phil C]

Wow Chris, your new C.A.P.S. v2.0 server build is a real eye opener. Despite years of following our audiophile hobby with zeal, I wasn’t aware that there are audiophile grade computer specialty parts on the market (except for sound cards) like the SOtM tX-USB PCI to USB Card and the SOtM In-Line SATA Power Noise Filter used in your build. Thanks for rooting out these parts. And, hooray, sounds like these esoteric parts add to musical quality, you can't beat that.<br />

<br />

Ready or not here comes the world of computer hardware/ software tweaking, adding greatly to the fun we are already having with traditional tweaks. Let’s hope that great engineers step up and provide ever more audiophile quality computer add-on parts. Thanks so much for schooling me again.<br />

<br />

<em>PC (Win7 64bit Home Edition) > iTunes & Belkin Gold USB cable //or Audio Research CD1 as transport & DH Labs D-75 digital coaxial cable// > Benchmark DAC1 HDR > Music Reference RM-200 MK II > Sonus Faber Cremona M<em> <br />

[kennythekey]

With the help from people like Chris, we have to "define" our own market. What we want and require.<br />

<br />

"If you build it, they will come." So, let's do a good job.<br />

<br />

Thanks, Chris.<br />

<br />

Kenny

[vortecjr]

I'm actually happy you contacted them. This way it's not just me asking for stuff!<br />

<br />

You know what they say?<br />

the squeeky wheel gets the grease<br />

<br />

Jesus R<br />

www.sonore.us

[The Computer Audiophile]

Thanks so much for the kind words.

[AudioDoctor]

if it would be possible to run Linux on this?<br />

<br />

Anyone tried?<br />

<br />

Have a guess?

[vortecjr]

it works on Linux. In fact no configuration and it just works... <br />

<br />

Jesus R<br />

www.sonore.us