Paul Pang musicserver/pc my experiences

[andervt]

I take no pleasure in doing this, but I feel that it`s my duty to warn other enthusiasts.

 

 

I ordered the top of the line fully assembled and set up musicserver from Paul Pang 08.01.2015.

The server was payed in advance through Paypal as requested by PPA, and deliverytime was 30 days.

After 10 weeks the server had not materialised, but I had received the external powersupply with transformers.

The posersupply had damaged corners on frontplate when I received it.

My mails regarding delivery was not answeared.

 

 

I contacted Paypal to make a complain and claim my money back, after first sending mails to Paul Pang and informing what I felt I had to do.

After some weeks I got the money back through Paypal.

 

 

18.06.2015 I contacted Paul Pang again and asked what happened, if he was well etc.

He told me he had not been well, but he was ready to deliver a musicserver now.

I ordered a musicserver again.

29.07.2015, after 5 weeks and several unansweared mails I received a tracking number for the package.

I received the musicserver 04.08.2015.

 

 

 

 

I was not able to play music through the PPA usb card, and the music disc came and went.

When connecting dac to motherboard I was able to play music if musicdisc was in the mood.

There was ore and more boot problems, and after a couple of days I was not able to boot the server at all.

 

 

10.08.2015 I returned the server to PPA for repair.

27.11.2015 after 7 weeks and lots of unansweared mails I received the server after rapair.

 

 

After first boot and dac usb driver installation I was able to play music through the PPA usb card.

Tha day after I was not able to play through PPA usb card, and there was a lot of boot problems.

When connecting to usb on motherboard I was able to play if I managed to boot the server.

The boot problems got worse and worse, and after a few weeks I was not able to boot the server at all.

During these weeks I sent several mails to Paul what to do, but they where not answeared.

I tried to install a fresh Windows 10 to see if I was able to boot, but after installing and startup I get the message "disc error".

 

 

Can anyone help getting in contact with Pang?

Does anyone have similar problems?

Greateful for any help.

[andervt]

Sorry to hear of your problems. What is music disc? A CD?

Sounds like your SSD OS is on the blink or done. But you we're able to do a fresh install??? The clock is bad???

 

I would recommend you go thru Phil.

 

English is not my first language, but I am doing my best. With music disc I mean the SSD dedicated to storing music files.

I had to try several times to make the fresh Win 10 installation, so maybe I was "lucky" to make the installation.

It can be the OS SSD that is the problem, but I guess it can be the motherboard to. This is clock modified also.

 

I have not tried to replace anything since I have been waiting and hoping for Pang to sort this out.

 

Who is Phil?

[andervt]

Adding a little extra infromation regarding the music server experience.

 

I received the server fully assembled and software installed from Pang. Win 10 and Foobar.

Both first time I received it, and second time after "repair" I did not connect it to the internet to avoid updates to Win 10 os or other updates before testing it out. I did not install any software except the usb driver for my dac.

The server still malfunctioned both times.

Because of this, it is quite clear to me that it is not a user related error which of course could be an issue with a server like this.

 

Best Terje

[andervt]

I'm a luckier man then you are. Though I waited 10 months to receive my server, it works perfectly fine. Sounds to me The OS SSD is giving the problems. Which one are you using? The TCXO or OCXO? If OCXO, there is an issue in booting if the SSD board is powered before the clocks. I'm using separate PSU to power the SSDs. Thus, I have to power up the server first, then power the SSDs, then boot up.

 

Hi Planner

Both SSDs are OCXO. I don't know how they are powered up since it is all built by Pang, and I have not wanted to do anything with it to avoid being accused for making the problems myself.

First time I received the server it was problems with the music SSD falling out, or not getting detected at boot.

And both times the PPA OCXO usb cards have not been working with my dac, although motherboard usb have worked.

 

Since I cant get in contact with Pang anymore, I guess I will have to start throwing out his modified parts and replace one and one with standard parts to see if I at least can make the server work.

 

Very sad to spend one year, thousands of dollars and lots of frustration to end up with this result.

[andervt]

Sounds like SSD or their associated clock problems. They are sensitive to power supply and start-up sequence issues. Could be the SATA cables as well. Do you know which cables he used?

 

I'm debating whether to post about my issues with PPA. I too have a recent large investment in his parts and have had my share of issues. The fact that Pang doesn't answer emails just exacerbates the problem.

 

To add, if you have the case open, try replacing a SATA cable with a standard cheap cable and see if that does anything. If not, simple enough to put the old one back. While in there first check the existing cables are making good contact. Even if they seem ok, I found that moving the cable a bit can sometimes improve the connection. The mechanical connection seems better than the electrical one.

 

Careful with this though, the mechanical connection to the SSD on his cables can be a very tight fit and you don't want to damage the SSD part of the connection.

 

Thank you for your tips Kilroy.

 

I have not yet opened the case. Was hoping to the last that Pang should take contact.

I will try out your suggestions with cabels. It is black sata that are used, but without the metal plugs he told me when I was waiting for the server to come back from repair.

 

I really appreciate small players in hifi like Pang, and thought about posting this for a long time.

I am sorry to do it, but there are limits to my patience, and I find not responding to emails from a customer that have had so much problems unacceptable.

I hope to find a solution to my problem, and that Pang keeps going, but he can not run his business in this way.

[andervt]

I fully understand what you are saying ElviaCaprice.

The first time I received the server I opened and checked without finding something.

But I will start trouble shooting this time also, there is no other alternative :-(

[andervt]

Thank you for your constructive support ElviaCaprice, Kilroy and 3Dee.

 

The motherboard is Asus B85M-G.

Tha SATA cables turned out to be red this time when I opened.

Both SSD's, motherboard and usb card have OCXO clocks.

I visually checked all Connections, and it all looked very good. All connections was secured With melting glue.

Checked OCXO's and they all was hot after a short time. Power ok.

Disconnected power to Music SSD and usb. Not able to boot.

Changed SATA cabel for OS SSD with standard. Server now booted.

Connected Music SSD and usb card Power. OK.

Reinstalled PPA SATA cabel on OS SSD. Server still working.

I therefor assume there have been a bad connection in sata. A much simpler problem then I imagined.

Thank you again for Your advices.

 

But there is another problem.

I am still not able to connect to my dac With the PPA V4 usb card. Have reinstalled Renesas drivers from link on PPA pages with no result.

When connecting the dac to usb on motherboard everything works fine.

The dac is April Music Stello D700 Reference DSD dac, and uses Xmos chip and Thesycon usb software.

See picture from device manager below when dac is Connected to PPA usb card.

Has anyone had similare experiences? Suggestions to things I could try?

[andervt]

Hi Kilroy

I have nothing between server and dac except usb cable.

 

Theyscon and Xmos are related to my dac yes.

 

As you say there is a warning in Device manager under "other Devices - Xmos subdevice". I am not shore what this means, but when rightclickig on it I get up a New Message. See Picture.

This says driver for this Device not installed.

Driver is installed, and that dac Works fine when Connected to motherboard should indicate that driver is ok I thought?

Shall try some more with the driver. It is the newest avaliable.

[andervt]

Done some testing with drivers uninstall reinstall etc., but have not been able to make this work.

Hav posted a separate thread regarding the usb connectio problem as you adviced Kilroy.

Hopefully this will get more attention.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f10-music-servers/digital-analogue-converter-ppa-music-server-ppa-v4-universal-serial-bus-industry-standard-cables-connectors-and-communications-protocols-between-computers-and-electronic-devices-card-connection-problem-27377/#post505318

[andervt]

Pang finally replyed, and is sending me a new PPA v4 usb card.

This will hopefully solve the remaning usb problems.

[andervt]

Pang sent me an email 26.01.2016 and promised to send me a new usb V4 card 29.01.2016.

I have still not received any card.

I sent him an email a few days ago, and asked if it was sent but have not received any reply.

So there is nothing new to report unfortunately.