Article: Computer Audiophile Pocket Server C.A.P.S. v3 Lagoon

[The Computer Audiophile]

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[The Computer Audiophile]

Chris... Can I ask if you would go into (perhaps in another article later) some of your testing processes in designing the CAPS v3. I think this would help other people also.

 

For example in deciding on the Red Wine battery supply: Did you also test other people's battery systems? Did you try any Linear PSU? With the motherboard did you test for audio differences between Intel's DN2800 vs Zotac and Asus equivalents or was it purely chosen based on reading the spec sheet?

 

If I was being harsh, (for an example) the recommendation of Red Wine could read like an advert for a particular manufacturer without any comparison to other solutions. (I don't think that but it could be said...)

 

Not expecting a detailed answer now but some of your testing methods may be of interest to some of us mortals and make an interesting read as a finale after the 4 CAPS versions are revealed.

 

Eloise

 

Hi Eloise - Thanks for the questions. I'm sure if you have these questions others do as well.

 

The CAPS requirements guide much of my process when selecting components. It's somewhat surprising how many components can be ruled out because they don't meet the requirements. For example comparing Zotac boards to the Intel DN2800MT you'll find a large fan on one of Zotac's two Atom processor offerings and the other doesn't have features like mSATA and the surrounding accessories to get creative like the Logic Supply backplate allowing the SOtM card and in the Carbon design a very cool expansion capability. It's really a challenge to find a set of components that can do everything. A ton of research goes into these designs. I want the servers to be the best possible so I look at every board available. I even considered importing a board sold only in the EU.

 

Once all the designs are released it may make more sense as to why components have been selected. Upgradability, expansion, and other items were all considered. I don't know of other components that could have fit the bill.

 

Once I find the combination(s) that meets all the requirements and has acceptable specs I get the components in house for testing.

 

For the Zuma design I went through three power supplies and three completely different combinations of RAM before I was happy with the server.

 

With respect to Red Wine Audio, yes my comments could be read as an advertisement. In one way all the products mentioned in the v3 designs are being advertised and recommended by me. I guess it's one of those things, people either trust me or they don't. I'm fine either way. I consider all solutions I know about. The RWA Black Lightning is readily available from a respected manufacturer and there are many details about the product online etc... There may be better one-off products or DIY solutions but I am more satisfied with selecting something like the Black Lightning.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just to add to the questions Chris - I don't understand why the benefit of a battery supply for the motherboard. Internally there still exists the DC:DC converters which produce a whole heap of noise on the supply rails. Now if the new power supply bypassed all of these with multiple voltage feeds then yes, a big advantage in theory...

 

For the PCIe card I can understand the benefits entirely. I would also have thought that the mSata drive would have offered a superior performance too, although open minded to contrary findings. Thanks for all your work...

 

BTW - will there be a new discussion for the development of the CAPS Linux one touch install iso?

 

Hi dpaws - I understand what you're saying and I expected things to work like you suggest. However, I can't discount my personal experience powering both the board and the card via battery. What is audible in my system is objective evidence that this works. When describing the effects of this power method I largely stayed away from describing subjective audio qualities because they are really unneeded. The Black Lightning is just that effective in my system.

 

Yes all motherboards have DC to DC converters and I can't completely make sense of why the battery has such a positive effect. I have a couple thoughts though. 1. Maybe the weakest link in the chain is traditionally the external SMPS not the DC to DC converters. 1. Lack of noise sent back into the circuit by the battery supply may play a role.

 

I wish I had very expensive testing equipment and the knowledge to use such equipment in order to provide better answers. I am as intrigued as everyone else.

 

 

The mSATA drive is a power consumption monster compared to the Samsung 840 Pro Series. I originally thought the mSATA would be far better but I had no reasoning for this thought.

 

I'd love some of the CA readers to start CAPS v3 Linux discussions on the forum. Let's get moving :~)

[The Computer Audiophile]

people saying "why not just buy a Nettop as they are the same and save yourself money".

Eloise

 

Hi Eloise - I tried to address some of these items in the articles but must have been a little unclear. A nettop could work just fine for some people. I selected the Topanga design because it has a future of possible upgrades and longevity if the user desires, among many other items a nettop just doesn't provide. Again, I go back to the CAPS requirements.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Chris,

 

Is it possible to order the CAPS V3 to an european dealer?

 

Best regards,

 

Didier

 

Hi Didier - Many of the components should be available through Logic Supply's EU site -> Logic Supply - Industrial & Embedded Technology

 

Otherwise I recommend contacting Andrew at Small Green Computer to discuss options.

[The Computer Audiophile]

To set this up, I suppose one needs a "spare" display and keyboard, and afterwards one can run it by screen sharing?

 

I use Microsoft's Remote Desktop from both my Mac and Windows computers to control the CAPS servers.

 

Connect to another computer using Remote Desktop Connection

[The Computer Audiophile]

What happens when the battery dies ? Is there an auto charge option, that would allow uninterrupted operation from mains supply ?

 

The Black Lightning is really a cool product. It can be setup to run on battery until a certain level of battery depletion then the charger can kick in. I get 8 hours on one battery so I just flip the AC/Batt switch when I'm listening and switch it back when I'm done. Vinnie from RWA is the guy to ask as he can probably configure this any way one can imagine.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Since the CAPS puts everyone in home brew frame of mind, how about extending that to the battery supply. The “Black Lightning” is nothing but $300 worth of batteries, and a few dollars of charging circuits with a $1,200 price tag. Buy a battery, a charger and a case and spend the $800 savings on nice meal at Masa or Per Sa.

 

12.8V LiFePO4 Battery Packs from 9.9Ah to 18Ah

 

Wow Diogenes - Did someone tick you off this morning? The BL is more than you describe. I wouldn't build a battery power supply and expect better results than the BL just as I wouldn't build other audio components and expect better results. That's just me however. I like the look of the BL and the ease with which is operates. If I wanted a bunch of wires that look like a home made bomb I may go for some DIY battery solution.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Chris,

 

First, I do appreciate your endeavors and everyone who contributes to this forum. In anticipation for building a v3.0, I ordered the Sonore SOtM Intellegent Battery supply. Would I benefit from using both the Red Wine set up for the server and the Sonore for the USB PCI exp? Or would I be better off to use the Red Wine for both, as you have? Any thoughts on the previous combination? Thanks.

 

I haven't used the SOtM Intelligent Battery supply so I really can't answer that question.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Chris,

 

When you say you can connect from your Mac, do you mean OSX or a Windows bootcamp Mac? I would like to control my Win8Pro desktop from my Mountain Lion MacBookAir. Is that possible (the link you gave doesn't talk about OSX)?

 

Also, is remote desktop in essence like a VNC client such as Splashtop?

 

Thank you!

 

Yep, I control all my Windows servers from OS X using the Microsoft Remote Desktop client for Mac. Windows 8 Pro already has remote desktop built-in so you just need the client for your Mac. I like it better than VNC or splashtop clients.

 

Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac | Office For Mac

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Krikor - Very good questions. The noise I hear without the BL is audible from the listening position. However, this is in my system not anyone else's system. I use a very "touchy" single ended Spectral based system with requirements such as a single circuit for all audio components for best performance. The BL is one sure way to remove any hint of this noise as it completely disconnects the computer PSU from the system. There are likely other solutions and systems that don't need a solution.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Thanks a lot Chris! I just did It and It worked...!!! Yeah!

 

I haven't play with It much now but JRiver doesn't seem to work though... Keeps telling me the output is no good... And now the (JR's) output mode settings doesn't show my rDac anymore as If JRiver now thinks its on the MacBookAir or something...

 

Any ideas why? Do I have to change settings and If so, do I have to do It every time I use RDC?

 

Also, do you have a tip to get full screen on the Mac?

 

Sorry If I hijacked the thread...

 

this is an easy one :~)

 

go into the preferences of Remote Desktop. Upper left when rd is running. Set the audio to remote computer only and adjust screen resolution accordingly.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi n2audio - Thanks so much for the kind word. Greatly appreciated.

 

Don't worry about the USB 3 / USB 2 thing. The SOtM card works perfect with all the USB DACs I've tried and they are all USB 2.0.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Synology makes 30 plus nas configurations based on their website? For those that have one, what model and capacity/drive type did you use and why? My concern is if I buy one that is very fast it may be too loud or buy one insufficient and suffer sonically resulting in a poor investment.

 

 

I liked this one very much. -> Computer Audiophile - Synology DS411 Slim Network Attached Storage (NAS) Review

 

I'm in the middle of reviewing the 1812+ right now.

[The Computer Audiophile]

It's a battery with a charger in a box. They didn't build the battery, they bought it. There's nothing special about their charger, it sounds like a standard design. The box, do a search. You can probably find a nice looking box. It’s just an assembled subsystem, just like your CAPS. It won’t look like a bomb. Besides how often does the TSA come to your house to check up on you?

 

PS: I've been buddies with the Tesla founders (the real ones, not Elon) for three startups back. I even received founders shares in exchange for some work I did for them. I know what’s involved it integrating batteries into products. They look like they are doing assembly, not engineering.

 

Diogenes - Your words "it sounds like a standard design." and "You can probably find a nice looking box." are telling that you really don't know much about the product or the target market. The charger isn't in the box either. I actually searched for batteries and chargers for a similar design and it was frustrating for someone like me who doesn't build these products for a living. The fact that RWA doesn't build the battery is a good thing. Other manufacturers are far better at building batteries. In fact most companies don't build all the components for the products they sell and that doesn't make me want to DIY such a product. Your "buddies" at Tesla likely outsource many of the components as well.

 

I also don't really care about the TSA. I'd rather not look at a bomb-like device in my high end audio system.

 

Assembly versus engineering really doesn't matter to me. There's R&D involved either way that most people don't have the time or skill to do on their own.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi wap - The MA is a great machine for many people. However it doesn't meet the CAPS requirements.

 

I've already done the research for everyone and put together a solution that works. Thus, there is no time spent by someone who wants to use a CAPS server.

 

The Topanga model can be put together in less than 3 minutes (see video) and the Lagoon model may take 10 minutes.

 

Or, just order it assembled from Small Green Computer.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Chris, it would be interesting to know which CAPS requirements that a Mac Air doesn't, and more usefully, does, meet. Have you compared SQ between them by chance?

 

Here are the requirements. 1,4, and 12 aren't met.

 

1. Absolutely silent.

2. Capable of great sound.

3. Great looking.

4. No moving parts.

5. Fairly inexpensive.

6. No legacy components.

7. Easy to operate.

Directly or

Remotely

 

8. Easy to assemble / install

Assembly / installation by one's self or

Assembly / installation by local computer shop, son, daughter, neighbor, or friend.

 

9. Small size.

10. Low power consumption.

11. Low heat.

12. Accept an add-in card for audio or additional capabilities. Hardware & Software must accept appropriate add-in cards.

13. Play 16/44.1, 24/44.1, 24/88.2, 24/96, 24/176.4, and 24/192 all bit perfect.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Thank you Chris, most helpful.

 

What are you using to evaluate requirement '1. Absolutely silent'? And how do CAPS and MA compare in quantitative terms?

 

I haven't measured but I can hear the fan in my MA.

[The Computer Audiophile]

I'm pretty naive to this area of endeavour, so could someone explain to me? The Intel DN2800MT board has an SPDIF out header, so wouldn't it avoid the expense of a dedicated USB card to just use SPDIF?

 

Hi Snowmonkey - The SPDIF headers on commodity motherboards like this produce bad audio. The jitter numbers are usually sky high. Plus, the SPDIF isn't isolated in any way. The electricity from the motherboard goes right into the SPDIF port on the DAC.