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

[Peter J]

Here I am with most all components to build this, just awaiting a case as many are, I'm sure. Which leads me to think...perhaps too much!

 

I've read here and elsewhere that many prefer to run these servers sans monitor, aka headless. Is this a nod to sound quality or simply an esthetic choice? These's no TV in the room where this will reside and I was planning on using remote desktop, but am questioning why.

 

I probably intend to run this a little differently than some in that I'll sometimes have internet radio on as background music when not actually in the room listening. The room is sort of central to the house and this is something I've done in the past but with music channels on cable.

 

Is there a downside to introducing a monitor? My thought, since using Windows 8 was to utilize the touch capabilities, but rather than an expensive touch screen monitor, use a conventional monitor with this touch pad;

 

Newegg.com - Logitech T650 910-003057 USB RF Wireless Touchpad

 

Wouldn't give all the versatility of a mouse and keyboard, but perhaps everything needed?

[Peter J]

So, is the idea to use the Minibox regulator with something like the battery/charger posted above?

Combo: Tenergy 12.8V (4-Cell) Intelligent 1.5A LiFePO4 Battery Charger + 12.8V 10Ah LiFePO4 Rechargeable Battery (DGR-A)

 

That would be a cool solution!

 

If I'm reading their description right, the Minibox board would be the charger and perhaps regulator. If that's the case, this board and batteries would be all one needed. Probably a switch to disengage charger so one would use battery power only, connectors wire and a pretty box.

 

I know just enough to be dangerous, though, so take that FWIW.

[Peter J]

Has anyone actually received the Wesena case? I see PHT has removed the "incoming on 10th January" note on their website. An email query about my order has gone unanswered.

[Peter J]

Sorry, can't answer your question but, if were me, I'd get an HDPlex case. Looks better, IMO, and made in USA (albeit it costs ~$100 more).

 

I agree they look nice, and I did consider as an alternative to the Wesena but $100 is $100 and will be better used in some other part of this (my first) audio server setup. In time I may build another and perhaps then I'll splurge on something else.

For those interested, I spoke with Zygmunt of PHT this morning. Freight is in Boston, but tied up somehow at shipping company (customs?). He hopes to get that straightened out and start shipping by end of week. I suspect he's got quite a backorder list.

 

Should coincide well with DACs I've got coming...I'm excited!

[Peter J]

I've got Carbon up and running as described sans the Red Wine for the time being. Not without a few hiccups, but I expected that having built computers before. I'm running with a monitor for now, but would like to do away with it as soon as installation is solid. I'm not at all impressed with Windows 8 and this has certainly convinced me that it will find a home only on this server.

 

I have a number of questions I'd like to pose and undoubtedly more as time goes by and I get to know it better.

 

1. If CAPS is, uh, serving music and I start RDC it stops Jriver and requires a reboot to fix. Normal?

 

2. Has anyone gotten a Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 to work with the SOtM card? I bought it in hopes that the problems described were addressed with Win 8, but I tried and tried to no avail. Currently using iFi iDac and iUSB successfully, but like what the W4S did for my CD player on coax with balanced output. If I can't make it work, I'd appreciate recs on a similar product (balanced output) that's compatible with Carbon. Budget $1k

 

 

I'm sure there'll be more as I progress...thanks for help.

[Peter J]

What USB receiver chip is used by the Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 (xmos, tenor, M2Tech, etc...)?

 

Chris, I believe it's the M2Tech...this info from SOtM site. I did call W4S, they confirmed there might be compatibility issues, but couldn't elaborate. I did buy this used so I can see their reluctance to dive into problem. I'll move on if need be.

[Peter J]

change this setting

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3968[/ATTACH]

 

Forgive my ignorance Chris, is that a Windows screen or JRiver?

[Peter J]

Hi Peter it's a screen from the preferences of Windows Remote Desktop.

 

Am I an idiot? I can't find that screen on either Win 7 or 8 Remote Desktop Control control panels.

 

Bigger fish to fry right now though. In an effort to get the W4S Dac working last night I plugged into motherboard USB port and failed to change back to SOtM card when I installed iFi DAC. When I shut down and reconfigured with SOtM card I came back to many of the same problems that I now have to attribute to the card, meaning no output among other weirdosities. It's driving me a little nuts!

 

Does the SOtM card show up in device manager? If so what does it appear as? I can't find anything associated with SOtM except the TI drivers in USB controllers.

 

Help!

[Peter J]

Hi Peter it's a screen from the preferences of Windows Remote Desktop.

 

Chris, I've been thinkin' about this. Are you talking about "Remote Desktop Connection" or Remote "Desktop Assistance" . I'm at a loss to find this. FWIW, both are windows computers.

 

Any insight?

[Peter J]

Peter, make sure you have Windows 8 PROfessional. If it's not the PRO version you don't have RDC.

 

Thanks for your response, Ted, it is Pro. I can't for the life of me find the screen which Chris showed, looked at both 7 Pro and 8 and they look nearly identical.

 

Any chance you could direct me down the path to that screen?

[Peter J]

The screenshot is from my computer I use to connect to the caps server from. I use the Microsoft Remote Desktop client to remote control caps servers from other computers.

 

Nothing to do with remote assistance. Just enable Remote Desktop on caps.

 

If anyone else should encounter the problem I had and is befuddled as I was, there's a pulldown "options" screen when you open Remote Desktop Connection.

 

Pull down the "Options" arrow, click on the "Local Resources" tab and this will give you the "Remote Audio" box where you'll see "settings" click that for the options shown in Chris's post.

 

I'm sure I'm not done with my duh moments, but perhaps will be useful to someone else.

[Peter J]

Hi Peter J

 

I have a DAC-2 firmware V1.4, 2010.

Hoping they will offer a firmware upgrade soon. Even then I will want a guarantee that it will be compatible with the latest Sotm device

 

You might consider the original Sotm device which does work on USB 2.0.

 

 

I was just on the phone with W4S yesterday, they're up to 1.6 firmware now, but still questionable compatibility with the SOtM. My card is on the way back to Simple Design, never did get it working. I didn't know there was more than one version of the card, is it available in the PCIe format?

[Peter J]

I feel foolish asking this question, but is there a way for me to check if my Sotm filter is operating or not?

 

While I'm able to use my other USB ports I can't get this port to work.

 

I've switched the power on and off on the Sotm filter with no success on getting anything from a DAC to even a flash drive to respond.

 

I realize this could be a connection issue as well but I'm not sure that's the issue.

 

I'll appreciate any suggestions, including a check list, anyone has to offer.

 

Thanks,

 

Joel

 

Joel, I'm afraid I don't have a definitive answer for you, but perhaps some food for thought. I never got the card I had working and have abandoned it for now. There are some chipset drivers available from Intel that might have had an effect. I've since downloaded and installed them, but don't have the card any longer so can't test.

 

If I were to imagine a troubleshooting routine, the first thing I'd do is install the card in my desktop and see if I could get it functional there. If that was a go, I'd attach it with the cable riser to see if if there was a problem there. This would eliminate the (remote) possibility of a cable problem. Assuming those had positive results then I'd have to assume it's either the something in the mobo or header, but more likely a driver or interface problem.

 

Does the card show up in your device monitor? For whatever reason I could never get it too.

 

My patience ran out with the SOtM, but I would really have liked to hear the difference that the card is purported to make. Currently I'm running off mobo usb port into iFi iUSB then to Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 balance cables to amp. Also using Fidelizer. This setup is significantly better in sound quality than what I could get out of CD player (this is my first music server), but of course, this nutty hobby always has me wondering what I might be leaving on the table.

[Peter J]

Thanks for your reply, Peter J.

 

Your idea of trying the card in another PC is a good one.

 

I'll see what I can arrange.

 

In the meantime, would you be good enough to send me the link for the Intel chipset drivers you had mentioned?

 

I'd like to give that option a shot.

 

Thanks again.

 

Joel

 

This is a bios update:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3382&DwnldID=22418&keyword=Intel+Desktop+Board+DN2800MT&lang=eng

 

And Chipset drivers;

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=20208&ProdId=3382&lang=eng&OSVersion=%0A%09%09%09%09%09%09%09%09%0A%09%09%09%09%09%09%09&DownloadType=

 

Both found here:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&keyword=Intel Desktop Board DN2800MT

 

Don't know why those links are not completely highlighted, you'll probably have to copy and paste in your browser.