SOtM Mini Server - sMS-100 Announced

[vortecjr]

Thank you for the reply. I'm really only interested in using Squeezelite from the LMS, just exploring options and wondering if the SOtM has a better or faster processor or more memory which might lead to better SQ.

 

I know what your thinking. This is just my opinion, but a faster processor at is junction in the system will just add noise. The point of the SOtM Mini Server is that you can improve it's power supply compared to the $5 power supply in the stock Pogplug. Improving the quality of the PS will make it sound better...

 

Jesus R

[dyohn]

Excellent point. A better P/S would certainly make a difference.

[dyohn]

By the way, does it come with a black or grey front panel?

[vortecjr]

By the way, does it come with a black or grey front panel?

 

Currently just silver.

 

Jesus R

[Sam Lord]

...JRiver and JRemote are great as well, but it's for a different application.

...If DSD is an important feature for you the Rendu has very good support for DSD/DoP via SPDIF output and your DAC supports this. The SOtM Mini Server has support for DSD/DoP via USB output, but only with a modified Vortexbox.

 

Two newbie questions:

 

1) Can I send audio data from a Mac Mini to this device? If I use Audirvana Plus on my Mac (my current setup) or JRMC on either a Mac or Win server, will the device work?

 

2) Precisely what DSD/DoP types will the device support? Can I send a DSD128 or even DSD256 stream to it, and will it output that to a capable DAC like a new Exasound E20MkIII ?

 

I would like a Rendu but I want an async USB output to slave my server's data flow to the clock of the DAC. I don't know why the Rendu was crippled by the exclusion of USB output (unlike the Auralic Aries...). But I'm sure there is a good reason. If I understand correctly, I2S works asynchronously and slaves the server timing to the DAC's clock like Async USB, but there are only a handful of I2S-input DACs.

 

I'm interested in both products. My short-term goal is to put distance between my server (headless Mac Mini) and my DAC, having the server squeezed next to a DAC and other gear is a nightmare when I need to access the Mac Mini when it screws up, a common occurrence .

 

Thank you Jesus!

[vortecjr]

Two newbie questions:

 

1) Can I send audio data from a Mac Mini to this device? If I use Audirvana Plus on my Mac (my current setup) or JRMC on either a Mac or Win server, will the device work?

You can install MinimServer that transforms your Mac into a DLNA/UPNP server. You can also use JRiver as a DLNA/UPNP server and controller. Audirvana Plus would not help you for DLNA/UPNP streaming as far as I know.

 

2) Precisely what DSD/DoP types will the device support? Can I send a DSD128 or even DSD256 stream to it, and will it output that to a capable DAC like a new Exasound E20MkIII ?

Right now we have DoP DSD64 via SPDIF. DoP DSD128 via SPDIF may be possible via a pending firmware update. We also have native DSD256 playback via i2s. I would have to defer to someone who knows more about the Exasound products to be sure what it supports and under what circumstances.

 

I would like a Rendu but I want an async USB output to slave my server's data flow to the clock of the DAC. I don't know why the Rendu was crippled by the exclusion of USB output (unlike the Auralic Aries...). But I'm sure there is a good reason. If I understand correctly, I2S works asynchronously and slaves the server timing to the DAC's clock like Async USB, but there are only a handful of I2S-input DACs.

The Rendu has been on the market for some time and it has been battle tested. It has the highest satisfaction rate of any server we have produced to date and I attribute this to it's simplicity and to it's refinement as a product. The Rendu takes Ethernet and asynchronously converts the data received to very high quality SPDIF and i2s.

 

I'm interested in both products. My short-term goal is to put distance between my server (headless Mac Mini) and my DAC, having the server squeezed next to a DAC and other gear is a nightmare when I need to access the Mac Mini when it screws up, a common occurrence .

This is really what we try to do with the SOtM sMS-100 via USB output and the Sonore Rendu via SPDIF/i2s output.

 

Thank you Jesus!

 

Sure....anytime.

 

Jesus R

[Sam Lord]

Excellent responses, Jesus. I didn't mention that I'm looking for a new DAC to keep for a long time, and that decision might include an I2S-input model like the latest W4S model: I understand that I2S is simply a great server-DAC interface. My current Schiit Bifrost, while excellent, doesn't play DSD and I want to be ready for future hi-res formats and the different multiples of DSD might actually take hold. But Async USB is very widely supported and so the SMS 100 mini server might be a better choice for me than the Rendu. The prices, your reputation, and the design of both units are outstanding.

 

I think that some details aren't yet determined, but anyway do you expect the SMS100 to be able to output DSD128 or DSD256? You gave the Rendu's capability wrt DSD outputs but AFAIK not those for the SMS 100.

 

Thanks again.

[realmassy]

Just wanted to post my impressions of the SMS 100 mini server, as I think it totally deserves it. I've received it yesterday after a couple of emails with Mark (ItemAudio in UK) and the first listenings have been quite a surprise.

 

Rest of the system is: fanless PC based on Intel DN2800 board with win 2012 and JRiver/JPlay, Ayre QB9 DSD, Megahertz Guerra and STAX 009. The Mini Server is connected to the Ayre with a DYI USB cable without the 5V and configured in DLNA mode.

The DAC is correctly recognised and I can use JRemote to choose the 'SonicOrbiter' zone. Gapless (which is critical for me) is working too. Haven't tried DSD yet.

I'm using a linear PSU with the SOTM, but I'd like to get a battery PSU sooner or later: a laptop battery pack should work and is probably cheaper than the dedicated SOTM psu...although not as nice :-)

It's of course too early to talk about the sound of this little guy, but I'm surprised by the difference I heard in the first few minutes, everything seems softer and richer, in a good way. I was listening to Steven Isserlis's Beethoven Cello Sonatas, and boy was Levin's fortepiano different! Richer, fuller and even 'louder', more like a fortepiano and less like a toy, to give an idea.

 

Had some issues with the DLNA service: basically the SonicOrbiter appeared twice in JRiver, with two names (upmpd or something similar, and SonicOrbiter) and when I was trying to send the music they both disappeared. I've restarted the DLNA service a couple of times using the web interface, but that didn't fix the issue. Renaming both the MPD and DLNA renderers did the trick, and today everything looks OK.

 

So far so good then! I was curious about new Auralic Aries (similar concept) but I'll probably stick with the SOTM. By the way, thanks Mark for the nice transaction and the quick shipping.

[vortecjr]

Just wanted to post my impressions of the SMS 100 mini server, as I think it totally deserves it. I've received it yesterday after a couple of emails with Mark (ItemAudio in UK) and the first listenings have been quite a surprise.

 

Rest of the system is: fanless PC based on Intel DN2800 board with win 2012 and JRiver/JPlay, Ayre QB9 DSD, Megahertz Guerra and STAX 009. The Mini Server is connected to the Ayre with a DYI USB cable without the 5V and configured in DLNA mode.

The DAC is correctly recognised and I can use JRemote to choose the 'SonicOrbiter' zone. Gapless (which is critical for me) is working too. Haven't tried DSD yet.

I'm using a linear PSU with the SOTM, but I'd like to get a battery PSU sooner or later: a laptop battery pack should work and is probably cheaper than the dedicated SOTM psu...although not as nice :-)

It's of course too early to talk about the sound of this little guy, but I'm surprised by the difference I heard in the first few minutes, everything seems softer and richer, in a good way. I was listening to Steven Isserlis's Beethoven Cello Sonatas, and boy was Levin's fortepiano different! Richer, fuller and even 'louder', more like a fortepiano and less like a toy, to give an idea.

 

Had some issues with the DLNA service: basically the SonicOrbiter appeared twice in JRiver, with two names (upmpd or something similar, and SonicOrbiter) and when I was trying to send the music they both disappeared. I've restarted the DLNA service a couple of times using the web interface, but that didn't fix the issue. Renaming both the MPD and DLNA renderers did the trick, and today everything looks OK.

 

So far so good then! I was curious about new Auralic Aries (similar concept) but I'll probably stick with the SOTM. By the way, thanks Mark for the nice transaction and the quick shipping.

 

It sounds to me like that unit needs to be updated and the Settings pages resubmitted for each output. Also, best to place your iOS device on Airplane mode and then restart Wi-fi. Please follow this update procedure:

 

UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS last updated 4/15/14

1. Press the APPS -> Software Update -> Update and wait for a link to appear "Back to the Main Page". Do not close the GUI so you can track the update progress.

2. Reboot the unit and wait a few minutes for the system to restart.

3. In /settings/Squeezelite name the player Sonore-Squeeze and press save. Wait for the page to refresh.

4. In /settings/MPD name the player Sonore-MPD and press save. Wait for the page to refresh.

5. In /settings/DLNA name the player Sonore-DLNA and press save. Wait for the page to refresh.

6. In /settings/Airplay name the player Sonore-Airplay and press save. Wait for the page to refresh.

Update notes:

1. Once you update you can not revert back to an older version.

 

Jesus R

[realmassy]

Thanks Jesus, will try to update, I've noticed there's a 1.2 version available and 1.1 is currently deployed. I'd be curious to try the MPD output, but I haven't found a way to configure the library folder. The directory is shared by a Windows machine, so i'd need to configure samba to access it. Any way to do it without a vortexbox server?

 

By the way, before getting the mini server I tried to configure a raspberry PI to be a MPD player, but didn't work :-( had issues with my dac, hiccups, buffering etc etc Not sure if the problem was hardware or software, but clearly is not the case with the SOTM :-)

[realmassy]

I've updated the software on the SOTM and fixed the names for the DLNA, Airplay, MPD and Squeezelite services. The Sonore-DLNA zone now appears immediately in JRiver.

But I've noticed a problem with the DAC (Ayre QB-9 DSD): if I turn the SOTM mini server on when the DAC is already switched on the playback doesn't start, even if the zome appears in JRiver. The DAC is also correctly listed in the system status page, but the playback simply doesn't start. Restarting the DAC fixes the problem.

Any suggestion?

[vortecjr]

Thanks Jesus, will try to update, I've noticed there's a 1.2 version available and 1.1 is currently deployed. I'd be curious to try the MPD output, but I haven't found a way to configure the library folder. The directory is shared by a Windows machine, so i'd need to configure samba to access it. Any way to do it without a vortexbox server?

 

By the way, before getting the mini server I tried to configure a raspberry PI to be a MPD player, but didn't work :-( had issues with my dac, hiccups, buffering etc etc Not sure if the problem was hardware or software, but clearly is not the case with the SOTM :-)

 

If you run a DLNA/UPNP server (JRiver or MinimServer) on your Windows computer you can server up the library folder to MPD. You will also need a DLNA/UPNP controller (Jriver, Audionet, and BubbleUPNP).

 

Jesus R

[vortecjr]

I've updated the software on the SOTM and fixed the names for the DLNA, Airplay, MPD and Squeezelite services. The Sonore-DLNA zone now appears immediately in JRiver.

But I've noticed a problem with the DAC (Ayre QB-9 DSD): if I turn the SOTM mini server on when the DAC is already switched on the playback doesn't start, even if the zome appears in JRiver. The DAC is also correctly listed in the system status page, but the playback simply doesn't start. Restarting the DAC fixes the problem.

Any suggestion?

 

You have to refresh the status page to determine if it really sees it. I have a DAC that seems to firmware to the sever, but it will only it once per power cycle. This may be something similar (I'm not sure) and it can't be helped on the server side. Your DAC may also have some kind of sleep mode. You can keep them both on all the time.

 

Jesus R

[Mark Manner]

I have the same problem with one DAC internal to my preamp, but not with another DAC that happens to be external. A bit of a pain to have to restart the DAC, but I don't think it is caused by the Miniserver. I noticed this same behavior when I was running usb from a pc straight into the preamp/dac.

[realmassy]

Jesus is probably right about the dac sleep mode: the Ayre goes on stand-by when the pc turns off and should restart when the pc is on. Possibly something doesn't get triggered and the dac stays in stand-by. Restarting the dac is not a big problem anyway.

And going back to the sound, I can confirm the initial impressions, very very positive. DSD is working fine too.

One more question Jesus: have you (or a customer) compared a linear psu to the sotm battery supply?

[Sam Lord]

...do you expect the SMS100 to be able to output DSD128 or DSD256?

 

...?

[vortecjr]

Jesus is probably right about the dac sleep mode: the Ayre goes on stand-by when the pc turns off and should restart when the pc is on. Possibly something doesn't get triggered and the dac stays in stand-by. Restarting the dac is not a big problem anyway.

And going back to the sound, I can confirm the initial impressions, very very positive. DSD is working fine too.

One more question Jesus: have you (or a customer) compared a linear psu to the sotm battery supply?

 

I don't have any feedback on this, but I would do one as it really improves things...

 

Jesus R

[vortecjr]

...?

 

It should do DSD128. I'm not sure about DSD256 except with NAA output.

 

Jesus R

[Sam Lord]

It should do DSD128. I'm not sure about DSD256 except with NAA output.

 

Thanks! I'll watch it closely...really I think this device is *exactly* what I need. Re DSD, there is so much excitement on the recording end by some of the best REs in audio...these guys at Gearslutz, and I don't mean punters but Tony Faulkner, Michael Bishop, etc are *over the moon* with the sound they're getting with DSD256 on the Merging Horus/Pyramix systems. Oh yeah, you said your piece there too!

Best regards

[planner]

I have just gotten a SMS-100 and realize that the device could actually make my Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0 play 24/192 files. The maximum resolution via USB input for the Dspeaker is 24/48. Does anyone knows how could this be possible? Is the SMS-100 doing some internal conversion or is the SMS-100 able to take full potential of the dspeaker? I am streaming via Jriver and have set the audio mode as original.

[vortecjr]

I have just gotten a SMS-100 and realize that the device could actually make my Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0 play 24/192 files. The maximum resolution via USB input for the Dspeaker is 24/48. Does anyone knows how could this be possible? Is the SMS-100 doing some internal conversion or is the SMS-100 able to take full potential of the dspeaker? I am streaming via Jriver and have set the audio mode as original.

 

Take a look at this configuration and compare it to yours.

 

 

Jesus R

[planner]

Take a look at this configuration and compare it to yours.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12483[/ATTACH]

 

Jesus R

 

It's the exact same configuration with mine.

[vortecjr]

It's the exact same configuration with mine.

 

With that verified...in DLNA mode the unit will automatically resample to the highest supported rate of the USB interface. This is not really a feature of the unit and more a default fallback setting in the player. This has not been tested and or optimized so the results may vary.

 

Jesus R

[dyohn]

(Ayre QB-9 DSD): if I turn the SOTM mini server on when the DAC is already switched on the playback doesn't start, even if the zome appears in JRiver. The DAC is also correctly listed in the system status page, but the playback simply doesn't start. Restarting the DAC fixes the problem.

Any suggestion?

 

This sounds like a common issue with any player using Squeezelite as the same behavior happens with my setup: Squeezelite player and Wavelength Brick DAC. In DACs designed to go into our out of standby based on USB input, something about the way these types of players operate does not trigger them properly. My player is not a SOtM Mini Server by the way but it operates on a similar platform. With your QB-9 leaving everything on all the time is only a power waste, but with my Brick leaving it on all the time is not an option as I'd like maximum life from the tube.

 

I've been communicating with Jesus and others bout this behavior by the way. According to Gordon Rankin (Wavelength designer) the DAC is designed to be connected to a PC or Mac USB output and to go into standby when the computer goes into sleep mode. These small Linux/Squeezelite players do not have a sleep mode, apparently, unless someone can engineer one into the OS...

[planner]

With that verified...in DLNA mode the unit will automatically resample to the highest supported rate of the USB interface. This is not really a feature of the unit and more a default fallback setting in the player. This has not been tested and or optimized so the results may vary.

 

Jesus R

 

Thanks for the help Jesus. I am just curious as technically the Dspeaker should be able to do 24/192. But with the current firmware, I can only get 24/48 via PC and anything above that, it doesn't play. So I was amaze when the sMS-100 could do it. But there are one or two songs which turns into white noise halfway playing.