Jump to content
IGNORED

Design a PC/Server for ROON and HQ Player


sgr

Recommended Posts

18 hours ago, Miska said:

I just finished upgrading one of my servers yesterday. This one can run upsampling to DSD256 using the new EC modulators. Sounds great with output to Holo Spring 2 (through DAC-UP ports and using standard USB3 cable)!

 

Here are the new components:

IMG_20190624_105426_2-s.thumb.jpg.9d876f9ccb5497d7001586e93c64979a.jpg

 

Motherboard is Gigabyte Z390 AORUS MASTER, CPU is i7-8086K and RAM is Kingston HyperX DDR4-2666 kit of 2 (CL12).

 

Here's the whole thing assembled, old parts are the case, Noctua NH-D9 CPU cooler (with Noctua PWM fans), Seasonic semi-passive cooled PSU, Intel SSD and RME HDSPe AIO. This machine runs Ubuntu Server 18.04 LTS and HQPlayer Embedded on it.

IMG_20190708_223552-s.thumb.jpg.413f24ea806a6c297487d41665f8e17e.jpg

 

Here it is powered up and running with the case still open:

IMG_20190708_223907-s.thumb.jpg.1f9466f4886b9b7176cef9015995b1dc.jpg

 

IMG_20190708_223914-s.thumb.jpg.f01078d08bc4bd5fe370c1ea203b228f.jpg

 

IMG_20190708_223920-s.thumb.jpg.a098fc4337ac335674269d12c306c0a5.jpg

 

IMG_20190708_223926-s.thumb.jpg.1a012377f1ca1b624abf1bb076ffdd2a.jpg

 

 

I read the Holo Spring II has a R2R architecture ; nevertheless you don't output PCM to its PCM stage ?

The one you recommend in your hardware list is the basic one or Kitsune or Level 2 edition?

Link to comment
6 hours ago, Le Concombre Masqué said:

I read the Holo Spring II has a R2R architecture ; nevertheless you don't output PCM to its PCM stage ?

The one you recommend in your hardware list is the basic one or Kitsune or Level 2 edition?

 

It is more like for example Denafrips with native conversion for both PCM and DSD.

 

Both Spring 1 and Spring 2 I have are Level 2 versions. Likely all three versions perform well, it is personal choice which one to get...

 

Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer

Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Hello @Miska and all NVidia GPU experts

 

I'm struggling to work out GPU compatibility with a motherboard.

 

Will this GPU:

https://www.asus.com/Graphics-Cards/ROG-STRIX-RTX2080-O8G-GAMING/

 

Work with this motherboard:

https://www.asrock.com/MB/Intel/Z390 Phantom Gaming 4/index.asp

 

With this case:

https://www.bequiet.com/en/case/1507

 

Or is that Asus ROG Strix RTX 2080 OC only compatible with Asus motherboard?

 

Anything else I need to be considering?

 

Appreciate anyone's advice

Link to comment

asdf100:

 

Just completed a similar system. Went with ASUS motherboard, but see no reason why the one you selected would not be compatible. Case just has to be deep enough to accommodate the GPU. It appears the one you selected is a midtower and should also be fine.

 

Graphics Card:

Same as you selected

 

Motherboard:

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/PRIME-Z390-A/

 

Case:

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Cases/Obsidian-Series®-500D-Premium-Mid-Tower-Case/p/CC-9011116-WW

Link to comment
8 minutes ago, sledwards said:

asdf100:

 

Just completed a similar system. Went with ASUS motherboard, but see no reason why the one you selected would not be compatible. Case just has to be deep enough to accommodate the GPU. It appears the one you selected is a midtower and should also be fine.

 

Graphics Card:

Same as you selected

 

Motherboard:

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/PRIME-Z390-A/

 

Case:

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Cases/Obsidian-Series®-500D-Premium-Mid-Tower-Case/p/CC-9011116-WW

 

Nice! I may even copy you if the price is ok at my end.

 

How are you cooling CPU?

 

I’m leaning to Noctua cooling fans (copying Miska).

 

And what RAM models did you get?

Link to comment
9 minutes ago, sledwards said:

asdf100:

 

Just completed a similar system. Went with ASUS motherboard, but see no reason why the one you selected would not be compatible. Case just has to be deep enough to accommodate the GPU. It appears the one you selected is a midtower and should also be fine.

 

Graphics Card:

Same as you selected

 

Motherboard:

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/PRIME-Z390-A/

 

Case:

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Cases/Obsidian-Series®-500D-Premium-Mid-Tower-Case/p/CC-9011116-WW

 

What memory did you get for this?

 

 

Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7s, 4 M&K ST-150Ts, 1 VCC-5; Amplification: 2 Vandersteen M7-HPAs, CI Audio D200 MKII, Ayre V-6xe; Preamp: Doshi Audio Line Stage v3.0; Phono Pre: Doshi Audio Phono Pre; Analog: Wave Kinetics NVS with Durand Telos composite arm; SME 3012R arm, Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement v2; Reel to Reel:  Technics RS-1500; Doshi Tape Pre-Amp; Studer A810, Studer A812, Tascam BR-20; Multi-channel: Bryston SP-3; Digital: Custom PC (Sean Jacobs DC4/Euphony/Stylus)> Lampizator Pacific

Link to comment
3 hours ago, asdf1000 said:

Hello @Miska and all NVidia GPU experts

 

I'm struggling to work out GPU compatibility with a motherboard.

 

Will this GPU:

https://www.asus.com/Graphics-Cards/ROG-STRIX-RTX2080-O8G-GAMING/

 

Work with this motherboard:

https://www.asrock.com/MB/Intel/Z390 Phantom Gaming 4/index.asp

 

With this case:

https://www.bequiet.com/en/case/1507

 

Or is that Asus ROG Strix RTX 2080 OC only compatible with Asus motherboard?

 

Anything else I need to be considering?

 

Appreciate anyone's advice

 

Motherboard doesn't matter that much, I'm using mostly Gigabyte motherboards. But the Strix graphics cards are huge. So you need a case that can take a full size card. That's one reason I went for a Fractal Design Define R.

 

Strix cards are very powerful but quiet, but the huge cooling solution comes with the price in size...

 

 

P.S. On my a bit older Xeon workstation I cannot use the newest graphics cards anymore. They need 8-pin aux/pcie power while my workstation has only 8-pin aux/pcie power.

Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer

Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers

Link to comment
On 8/12/2019 at 11:27 AM, sledwards said:

asdf100:

 

Just completed a similar system. Went with ASUS motherboard, but see no reason why the one you selected would not be compatible. Case just has to be deep enough to accommodate the GPU. It appears the one you selected is a midtower and should also be fine.

 

Graphics Card:

Same as you selected

 

Motherboard:

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/PRIME-Z390-A/

 

Case:

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Cases/Obsidian-Series®-500D-Premium-Mid-Tower-Case/p/CC-9011116-WW

 

What OS are you using?  I purchased the Prime Z390-A but Intel does not make a driver for that Ethernet controller for Windows Server 2016 or 2019.

 

Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7s, 4 M&K ST-150Ts, 1 VCC-5; Amplification: 2 Vandersteen M7-HPAs, CI Audio D200 MKII, Ayre V-6xe; Preamp: Doshi Audio Line Stage v3.0; Phono Pre: Doshi Audio Phono Pre; Analog: Wave Kinetics NVS with Durand Telos composite arm; SME 3012R arm, Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement v2; Reel to Reel:  Technics RS-1500; Doshi Tape Pre-Amp; Studer A810, Studer A812, Tascam BR-20; Multi-channel: Bryston SP-3; Digital: Custom PC (Sean Jacobs DC4/Euphony/Stylus)> Lampizator Pacific

Link to comment

@sledwards Some Seasonic Gold/Platinum PSU have become suspect in the last year or two.  This may have been corrected for 'being made today' PSU.  At the first sign of erratic behavior or audible distortion consider your warranty/replacement options.

 

This is in the US.  EU/*cough* UK models may differ or be less susceptible due to regulations.  Examining build date and web searches may be useful to you.  Not trying to cause a panic.

Link to comment
2 hours ago, dminches said:

 

What OS are you using?  I purchased the Prime Z390-A but Intel does not make a driver for that Ethernet controller for Windows Server 2016 or 2019.

 

You are going to have to hack the inf file or buy a separate NIC that has Server drivers (like I did).  Check out this link for example.

 

https://blog.workinghardinit.work/2017/06/19/installing-intel-i211-i217v-i218v-i219v-drivers-windows-server-2016-eufi-boot/

12TB NAS >> i7-6700 Server/Control PC >> i3-5015u NAA >> Singxer SU-1 DDC (modded) >> Holo Spring L3 DAC >> Accustic Arts Power 1 int amp >> Sonus Faber Guaneri Evolution speakers + REL T/5i sub (x2)

 

Other components:

UpTone Audio LPS1.2/IsoRegen, Fiber Switch and FMC, Windows Server 2016 OS, Audiophile Optimizer 3.0, Fidelizer Pro 6, HQ Player, Roonserver, PS Audio P3 AC regenerator, HDPlex 400W ATX & 200W Linear PSU, Light Harmonic Lightspeed Split USB cable, Synergistic Research Tungsten AC power cords, Tara Labs The One speaker cables, Tara Labs The Two Extended with HFX Station IC, Oyaide R1 outlets, Stillpoints Ultra Mini footers, Hi-Fi Tuning fuses, Vicoustic/RealTraps/GIK room treatments

Link to comment
1 hour ago, rando said:

@sledwards Some Seasonic Gold/Platinum PSU have become suspect in the last year or two.  This may have been corrected for 'being made today' PSU.  At the first sign of erratic behavior or audible distortion consider your warranty/replacement options.

 

This is in the US.  EU/*cough* UK models may differ or be less susceptible due to regulations.  Examining build date and web searches may be useful to you.  Not trying to cause a panic.

 

Thanks for the heads up rando. Hopefully they have fixed any issues. It was highly recommended when I bought it.

Link to comment

Looking to build my own PC for running HQP with new EC modulators. Note that I do NOT want to build fanless because fan noise isn't an issue for me (server in a different room, and hardwired via ethernet > high-end router > switch > and finally through a FMC before hitting uRendu).

 

This build is also multi-use (business apps, and photo processing), so not interested in a stripped-down machine for just music server.  

 

My endpoint is an UltraRendu into a Denafrips Terminator (w/ new board) or Mytek Manhattan II. I also have a Singxer SU-1 (or may get SU-2) if needed... and also have a Lavry DA2002 (24/96 only, so not worried about PC bottleneck to feed that with HQP).

 

I didn't go for a super-high-end Graphics card, because it appears it's not adding much to the deal unless also running convolution (I don't). 

 

Lastly, another purpose for this PC is for running Photoshop with very large layered files (61 MP camera for landscape photos). The difference between Photoshop running on this vid card vs a 2080Ti isn't going to yield much, based on my research. My thinking here is to go with best processor, fast OS drive, reasonably fast memory, lots of cooling capacity, and allow myself an upgrade path with vid card(s) down road, if I move towards needing for > HQP 256 and/or convolution. 

 

As for storage, other than the boot drive, and other drive for everyday files/dropbox, I'll likely use several 6-10 TB mechanical drives for my music and photo library, which is currently in excess of 10 TB. SSD for this doesn't make sense, since I can easily back-up to high cap (but slow) portable USB 3.0 drives...

 

I've never built my own PC before, so open to any input on areas that might be overkill (for now) or areas that I could improve upon for best Roon > [local media | Tidal | Qobuz] > HQP (w / EC mods) > ethernet > UltraRendu > DAC setup.  I run Windows 10 Pro, and would stay with that on this machine... 

 

Here are the parts I've targeted, thus far: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/chrisvh/saved/

 

Thoughts?

Link to comment
7 hours ago, tboooe said:

You are going to have to hack the inf file or buy a separate NIC that has Server drivers (like I did).  Check out this link for example.

 

https://blog.workinghardinit.work/2017/06/19/installing-intel-i211-i217v-i218v-i219v-drivers-windows-server-2016-eufi-boot/

 

Thanks.  I did have an optical Intel card which is working but it would be easier to use the Ethernet controller on the mobo.

 

Which card did you buy?

 

Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7s, 4 M&K ST-150Ts, 1 VCC-5; Amplification: 2 Vandersteen M7-HPAs, CI Audio D200 MKII, Ayre V-6xe; Preamp: Doshi Audio Line Stage v3.0; Phono Pre: Doshi Audio Phono Pre; Analog: Wave Kinetics NVS with Durand Telos composite arm; SME 3012R arm, Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement v2; Reel to Reel:  Technics RS-1500; Doshi Tape Pre-Amp; Studer A810, Studer A812, Tascam BR-20; Multi-channel: Bryston SP-3; Digital: Custom PC (Sean Jacobs DC4/Euphony/Stylus)> Lampizator Pacific

Link to comment
9 hours ago, sledwards said:

How about this?

 

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/22283/Intel-Ethernet-Adapter-Complete-Driver-Pack

 

Says it supports the 1219V controller on the Prime Z-390 motherboard and Server 2019.

 

I will try that one.  I tried several others to no avail.

 

Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7s, 4 M&K ST-150Ts, 1 VCC-5; Amplification: 2 Vandersteen M7-HPAs, CI Audio D200 MKII, Ayre V-6xe; Preamp: Doshi Audio Line Stage v3.0; Phono Pre: Doshi Audio Phono Pre; Analog: Wave Kinetics NVS with Durand Telos composite arm; SME 3012R arm, Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement v2; Reel to Reel:  Technics RS-1500; Doshi Tape Pre-Amp; Studer A810, Studer A812, Tascam BR-20; Multi-channel: Bryston SP-3; Digital: Custom PC (Sean Jacobs DC4/Euphony/Stylus)> Lampizator Pacific

Link to comment
On 8/16/2019 at 8:52 PM, ChrisVH said:

Here are the parts I've targeted, thus far: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/chrisvh/saved/

 

Thoughts?

 

A very nice system. The CPU Intel Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core I have synonymous and I can recommend. Likewise, I have an ASUS gaming board, which has very good components and a variety of settings. I'm using ASUS RAMCACHE III very successfully, which loads frequently used program files into the fast RAM. Even Corsair and be quiet! I equipment parts can highly recommend .

 

My suggestion would be to streaming Music with a dedicated USB card to DAC. I'm using JCAT USB & NET Card FEMTO.

 

Cutting down Windows 10 with AudiophilOptimzer 3.00 is certainly a good idea.

Link to comment

Looks like you found a gaming site and got funneled right into expensive juvenalia.  Honestly that build is a mess.  Glad you asked for constructive thoughts before tearing out your CC. :)

 

RAM - RGB pointlessly massive heatsink festooned ridiculously wasteful choice.  In every conceivable manner there exists wildly better options you should pursue.

 

Water cooling - Good till it's not.  Not good unless you are sitting staring into a clear sidepanel at all times.  The leaks/spray may come 5 seconds after first boot or a year on.  Make no mistake they are inevitable even/especially with AIO.  This was step one down a bad path of logic you tried to compensate for later.

 

SSD + NVMe (without heatsink!!!!!) + HDD - You do know M.2 removes SATA ports on the board and NVMe are notoriously hard to cool under load?  Unless you are spending many hours a day in post sorting thousands of new photos... take a sip of coffee in that three seconds you left on the table.  Balancing 10's of TB's will be challenging enough.  Then there is audio considerations.  

 

PSU - Max OC gaming choice full of dirty noisy ugly raw power w/ all the bells and whistles + big reassuring warranty and platinum rating.  🤑  If that site nails one thing it's power needs.  A good suggestion is look what is being used in the best photo or audio servers and choose whichever fits your larger use around 850w.

 

Case - So if you don't have three fans on high noisily sucking air through a radiator or a NVMe drive trying to melt through the mb... Why not get a case that works better for you that also allows reasonably quiet air cooling in an easily tuned positive pressure environment.  In other words there are better options if you are willing to spend half as much.  Especially if you don't insist on the image conscious decision to own the latest and greatest selfsame box instead of one wearing last year's facade.  In the right environment the case you chose is a highly refined foundation.  Workstation/server load use is not it.

 

Fans - Continuing on from CPU cooler/case.  If you do go with an AIO, replace all three fans on the radiator with the best performing yet quiet option you can find.  Otherwise this a highly complex and personal topic subject to case design, hardware installed, and available airways.  Positive pressure is your friend and the enemy of hardware killing dust. 

 

Experiment, don't just buy expensive jewelry hardware and expect it to magically all work perfect together.  It will work light years better than in years past, but not optimally.

Link to comment
12 minutes ago, rando said:

Fans - Continuing on from CPU cooler/case.  If you do go with an AIO, replace all three fans on the radiator with the best performing yet quiet option you can find.  Otherwise this a highly complex and personal topic subject to case design, hardware installed, and available airways.  Positive pressure is your friend and the enemy of hardware killing dust. 

How does one create positive pressure in a case without adding dust? Seriously. I work in a dusty wood shop, and would love some suggestions.

Forrest:

Win10 i9 9900KS/GTX1060 HQPlayer4>Win10 NAA

DSD>Pavel's DSC2.6>Bent Audio TAP>

Parasound JC1>"Naked" Quad ESL63/Tannoy PS350B subs<100Hz

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



×
×
  • Create New...