A novel way to massively improve the SQ of computer audio streaming

[mozes]

6 minutes ago, AmusedToD said:

 

Well, that’s not new, even in high end audio. For example Jeff Rowland is a firm believer in switching mode power supplies with filtering. All of his products in the current lineup (even the M925 monoblocks with a price of $50k or more) use high efficiency SPMS.

Linn as well

[Cornan]

26 minutes ago, mozes said:

The only concern is maybe the high frequency noise that these switching PSUs kick back to the AC mains. To deal with this concern, I have Dave on a dedicated line by itself since it is my DAC/PRE/Amp.

 

The way I see it the high impedance noises is only present when Ethernet devices is powered (router and network switch). Easily cured by a JSGT at the output of the SMPS. Other devices (streamers included) can be supported by LT3045s in series. Try to add a JSGT to a non-ethernet device with LT3045s and you probably know what I mean. ?

[elan120]

1 hour ago, Johnseye said:

 

I agree, it is difficult to generalize.  The theory behind low power is that high power introduces more noise and is more difficult to power with an LPSU.  Using a switching PSU again introduces more noise.  Are there benefits that components with higher power bring to the table, yes.  One I can think of is with upsampling to DSD512.  However this is the only situation I know of where more power can be used for better SQ.  Otherwise introducing more power means more noise.

This is one area that I have been pondering for a short while also, and not sure what the difference it truly has.  By reading listening impressions from this thread, it appear that either trifecta or low power sCLK-EX server show similar or at the same level of sound quality, where in trifecta setup, most of attentions are in the three sCLK-EX re-clocked devices, and not much discussion in the server side.  My discussion with SOtM about the two options listed below where option-1 starts sCLK-EX re-clocking cycles from mobo system clock, where option-2 put all re-clocking cycles further back, bypassing PC altogether, and their feeling is option-2 should yield better result then option-1.  This leads me to think, in a very generalized way, as long as multiple sCLK-EX re-clocking cycles are done right before signal entering DAC with good quality power supplies, prior signal quality can be (somewhat) bypassed.  I hoping to get option-2 going soon once few more confirmation are received from SOtM, and hopefully (my part of wishful thinking) this will result in similar sound quality as either trifecta or low power sCLK-EX server, where high power PC can be used.

 

1.  PC (sCLK-EX output-1 to replace PC system clock / sCLK-EX output-2 to replace stock txUSBexp oscillator) > Singxer SU-1 (sCLK-EX output-3 to replace USB input clock (24.000MHz) / output-4 to replace both 22.5762MHz/24.576MHz oscillators with SEL0 connected).

 

2.  PC (sCLK-EX output-1 to replace stock txUSBexp oscillator / sCLK-EX output-2 to replace stock ) > Singxer SU-1 (sCLK-EX output-3 to replace USB input clock (24.000MHz) / output-4 to replace both 22.5762MHz/24.576MHz oscillators with SEL0 connected).

[ElviaCaprice]

Further back, another poster said SOtM suggested that modifying the PC mobo with a sCLK-EX would be preferred over SOtM products further down the stream only.  

I think SOtM products is the key, if your going to introduce another non sCLK-Ex component after the server, then that component takes precedence, since it would negatively effect sCLK-EX components upstream.  

My preference would be to eliminate any complications downstream by eliminating those components and simplifying the system.  Thus a sCLK-EX server with tops one added component downstream to utilize all the sCLK-EX points from a single card.  Even that is unnecessary if one can utilize a USPCB from the tXUSBexp card on the sCLK-EX server direct to DAC.  Such a short run would keep from any electrical interferences from conjoining to the stream.

 

[Johnseye]

1 hour ago, AmusedToD said:

 

Well, that’s not new, even in high end audio. For example Jeff Rowland is a firm believer in switching mode power supplies with filtering. All of his products in the current lineup (even the M925 monoblocks with a price of $50k or more) use high efficiency SPMS.

 

1 hour ago, mozes said:

Linn as well

 

The Benchmark amp I use, which is the lowest noise amp on the market, also uses an SMPS.  I don't know if I would call it common in the realm of PC and network hardware.  It is more common in audio equipment, which is why you are pointing this out.  However, we are talking about customized PC and related hardware.

 

Here's what Benchmark has to say about the PSU in their amp.

 

INNOVATIVE LOW-NOISE POWER SUPPLY

 

Most high-quality power amplifiers have linear power supplies, large toroidal transformers, and large banks of energy-storage capacitors. These linear supplies are usually unregulated and the capacitors help to remove ripple produced by the audio and by the AC line. In contrast, the AHB2 uses a tightly regulated resonant switching power supply that includes a very fast control loop. This control loop responds to audio-frequency load changes and keeps the supply voltage constant without the use of a large bank of capacitors. This active regulation is much more effective than capacitive energy-storage. Consequently, the peak power output of the AHB2 does not vary with line voltage or audio loading. The power supply rails maintain a constant voltage during audio peaks.

The power supply in the AHB2 switches at frequencies that are well above audible frequencies. This eliminates mechanical hum while significantly reducing the strength of stray magnetic fields. For a given amount of power, magnetic field strength decreases as switching frequency increases. The lower field strengths also provide a significant reduction in size. High-frequency transformers and coils are also much smaller than line-frequency components. This size reduction contributes to the small physical size of the AHB2.

The switching power supply used in the AHB2 is a zero-voltage switching, resonant power converter. This means that the power devices in the supply switch near zero voltage and zero current, eliminating the large switching transients produced by conventional switching power supplies. The power supply in the AHB2 is actually much cleaner and quieter than a conventional linear supply. 

The power supply In the AHB2 is well over 90% efficient, much more efficient than linear supplies. This means that little power is lost to heat.

[Cornan]

2 minutes ago, Johnseye said:

 

 

The Benchmark amp I use, which is the lowest noise amp on the market, also uses an SMPS.  I don't know if I would call it common in the realm of PC and network hardware.  It is more common in audio equipment, which is why you are pointing this out.  However, we are talking about customized PC and related hardware.

 

Here's what Benchmark has to say about the PSU in their amp.

 

INNOVATIVE LOW-NOISE POWER SUPPLY

 

Most high-quality power amplifiers have linear power supplies, large toroidal transformers, and large banks of energy-storage capacitors. These linear supplies are usually unregulated and the capacitors help to remove ripple produced by the audio and by the AC line. In contrast, the AHB2 uses a tightly regulated resonant switching power supply that includes a very fast control loop. This control loop responds to audio-frequency load changes and keeps the supply voltage constant without the use of a large bank of capacitors. This active regulation is much more effective than capacitive energy-storage. Consequently, the peak power output of the AHB2 does not vary with line voltage or audio loading. The power supply rails maintain a constant voltage during audio peaks.

The power supply in the AHB2 switches at frequencies that are well above audible frequencies. This eliminates mechanical hum while significantly reducing the strength of stray magnetic fields. For a given amount of power, magnetic field strength decreases as switching frequency increases. The lower field strengths also provide a significant reduction in size. High-frequency transformers and coils are also much smaller than line-frequency components. This size reduction contributes to the small physical size of the AHB2.

The switching power supply used in the AHB2 is a zero-voltage switching, resonant power converter. This means that the power devices in the supply switch near zero voltage and zero current, eliminating the large switching transients produced by conventional switching power supplies. The power supply in the AHB2 is actually much cleaner and quieter than a conventional linear supply. 

The power supply In the AHB2 is well over 90% efficient, much more efficient than linear supplies. This means that little power is lost to heat.

Wow. Even how impressive that was I could'nt even finish it understanding it all. I am 100% sure you've got it all right, but did it prove your point? I don't think so! It was just to much "jitter" there that covered the truth. I am normally quite resistant to "jitter" on forums, but find your point quite hard to follow. I do beleive you, but I do not follow you so to speak.

[Johnseye]

3 minutes ago, Cornan said:

Wow. Even how impressive that was I could'nt even finish it understanding it all. I am 100% sure you've got it all right, but did it prove your point? I don't think so! It was just to much "jitter" there that covered the truth. I am normally quite resistant to "jitter" on forums, but find your point quite hard to follow. I do beleive you, but I do not follow you so to speak.

 

Simply stated, my point was that manufacturers in the audio industry pay closer attention to noise from power supplies than other industries like computer and network.  I didn't say anything about jitter, unless you were using that term to describe the Benchmark information.

 

What information you didn't finish or understand was from Benchmark.  Maybe this will help you.

 

 

[Cornan]

4 minutes ago, Johnseye said:

 

Simply stated, my point was that manufacturers in the audio industry pay closer attention to noise from power supplies than other industries like computer and network.  I didn't say anything about jitter, unless you were using that term to describe the Benchmark information.

 

What information you didn't finish or understand was from Benchmark.  Maybe this will help you.

 

 

Thanks, much better! My use of "jitter" for this reason was more of the confusion it brought to the table than real jitter. It is very obvious that network devices take away some. Using JSGT is likely a way to remove that crud. Using the same method on non-ethernet devices will likely end up worse IME.

The "funny" thing is that this is closely attached to grounding boxes which are not that commonly accepted here at CA. The same thing applies to JSGT as external grounding boxes IME. I have experimentet with external grounding boxes for roughly 6 years without knowing why or how. John Swensons JSGT have actually brought me closer to the truth. High impedance noise.

 

[Lebouwsky]

Which motherboard can be adviced for low power, high quality, long endurence server? Prefered format is mini atx or smaller, with at least 1 pci-ex slot for Sotm usb card.

 

[Cornan]

2 minutes ago, Lebouwsky said:

Which motherboard can be adviced for low power, high quality, long endurence server? Prefered format is mini atx or smaller, with at least 1 pci-ex slot for Sotm usb card.

 

 

Who says that low power will prevail in the end? IME low power is outstanding until you add dual floats (dual isolations). With dual floats not even battery supply will stand a chance.

[mozes]

Today I had some time to compare the playback of local files of:

1-Intel SLC 64GB SSD powered by SATA port of motherboard (sPS-500)+SOTM SATA filter II

2-Seagate 2TB HDD powered by a TP-link powerbank connected via USB to tX-USBexp. USB cable is Elijah audio which has separate wires for power, ground and data.

 

I thought that option 2 will be a clear winner with no contest, but I was surprised. It was very very close that I had to test 4 tracks back and forth like 4-5 times for each track. It was so close that I was worried about my placebo effect.   However, I can declare that option 2 is marginally better by around 2-3% only. No, I didn't do blind testing for those who are interested. These are only my subjective ears.

 

My recommendation is that you really don't need a second tX-USBexp, if you have the sCLK-EX board in your server and you got the main clock and other LAN clocks modded, then you are in a very good position. NO need to go any further!

 

Just spend $65 on the SATA filter II as this is an amazing little tweak. If I had my SSD powered externally, then I wouldn't be surprised if there were no differences at all. One caveat here, I use Jriver and play decoded files from memory, so this may have an impact on my results.

 

[LTG2010]

13 minutes ago, mozes said:

My recommendation is that you really don't need a second tX-USBexp, if you have the sCLK-EX board in your server and you got the main clock and other LAN clocks modded, then you are in a very good position. NO need to go any further!

Many thanks for  testing.

[ElviaCaprice]

2 hours ago, mozes said:

Today I had some time to compare the playback of local files of:

1-Intel SLC 64GB SSD powered by SATA port of motherboard (sPS-500)+SOTM SATA filter II

2-Seagate 2TB HDD powered by a TP-link powerbank connected via USB to tX-USBexp. USB cable is Elijah audio which has separate wires for power, ground and data.

 

I thought that option 2 will be a clear winner with no contest, but I was surprised. It was very very close that I had to test 4 tracks back and forth like 4-5 times for each track. It was so close that I was worried about my placebo effect.   However, I can declare that option 2 is marginally better by around 2-3% only. No, I didn't do blind testing for those who are interested. These are only my subjective ears.

 

My recommendation is that you really don't need a second tX-USBexp, if you have the sCLK-EX board in your server and you got the main clock and other LAN clocks modded, then you are in a very good position. NO need to go any further!

 

Just spend $65 on the SATA filter II as this is an amazing little tweak. If I had my SSD powered externally, then I wouldn't be surprised if there were no differences at all. One caveat here, I use Jriver and play decoded files from memory, so this may have an impact on my results.

 

What would be nice to know, is can you run the OS, Windows 10, from the external USB drive via the tXUSBexp pcie card?  What effect would this be on SQ?  

I agree, the data is more than likely not a big issue and one can go via SATA port direct, throw in the SATA II filter if so inclined, it probably wouldn't make a big difference?

 

It's the OS that I would like to compare.

[mozes]

39 minutes ago, ElviaCaprice said:

What would be nice to know, is can you run the OS, Windows 10, from the external USB drive via the tXUSBexp pcie card?  What effect would this be on SQ?  

I agree, the data is more than likely not a big issue and one can go via SATA port direct, throw in the SATA II filter if so inclined, it probably wouldn't make a big difference?

 

It's the OS that I would like to compare.

Honestly, I am not sure how to install the OS on the external HDD. I tried but the PC kept crashing. If anyone can help and guide me how to do it. I will be glad to test it and post my findings.

[seeteeyou]

8 hours ago, mozes said:

Honestly, I am not sure how to install the OS on the external HDD. I tried but the PC kept crashing. If anyone can help and guide me how to do it. I will be glad to test it and post my findings.

 

It's gonna be mighty interesting if someone were able to give Roy's #1 media for best SQ and lowest noise - SLC CF cards with Lexar HR-1 Compact Flash Hub a try

 

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/30376-a-novel-way-to-massively-improve-the-sq-of-computer-audio-streaming/?page=153&tab=comments#comment-724987

 

4 Tools To Create Windows To Go USB Of Windows 10
http://www.intowindows.com/4-tools-to-create-windows-to-go-usb-of-windows-10/

 

Rufus
https://rufus.akeo.ie/?locale=e

 

Create Windows To Go from any Windows 8/8.1/10 using Rufus
http://borncity.com/win/2015/02/09/create-windows-to-go-from-any-windows-88-110-with-rufus/

 

How to Create A Windows To Go USB (Guide)
https://beebom.com/how-create-windows-to-go-usb/

 

How To Run A Portable Version Of Windows From A USB Drive
https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2014/04/how-to-run-a-portable-version-of-windows-from-a-usb-drive/

 

Windows To Go: feature overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/planning/windows-to-go-overview

 

Creating a Portable Windows 10 Environment with Windows To Go
https://download.microsoft.com/download/7/F/A/7FA13A2A-5780-448C-BAD0-440543AD43FC/5614_Creating_a_Portable_Windows_10_Environment_External_WSG.docx

 

What is Windows To Go?
https://www.easyuefi.com/wintousb/faq/en_US/What-is-Windows-To-Go.html

 

WinToUSB
https://www.easyuefi.com/wintousb/

 

Create Windows 10/8/8.1/7 Bootable USB with AOMEI Partition Assistant
https://www.disk-partition.com/lib/wintogo.html

 

Aomei Partition Assistant review: Windows to Go no longer just for Enterprise users
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2152040/aomei-partition-assistant-review-windows-to-go-no-longer-just-for-enterprise-users.html

[lmitche]

9 hours ago, mozes said:

Honestly, I am not sure how to install the OS on the external HDD. I tried but the PC kept crashing. If anyone can help and guide me how to do it. I will be glad to test it and post my findings.

Here is what works for me.

 

Make a normal bootable win10 install on to a hard disk connected via sata.  Once done, remove the HDD, place in a USB 3 enclosure, and then attach it to another windows 10 machine via USB 3.  Now run wintousb as referenced above. The wintogo tool is in the tools menu.  Once done the drive should be bootable.

[mozes]

2 hours ago, seeteeyou said:

 

It's gonna be mighty interesting if someone were able to give Roy's #1 media for best SQ and lowest noise - SLC CF cards with Lexar HR-1 Compact Flash Hub a try

 

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/30376-a-novel-way-to-massively-improve-the-sq-of-computer-audio-streaming/?page=153&tab=comments#comment-724987

 

4 Tools To Create Windows To Go USB Of Windows 10
http://www.intowindows.com/4-tools-to-create-windows-to-go-usb-of-windows-10/

 

Rufus
https://rufus.akeo.ie/?locale=e

 

Create Windows To Go from any Windows 8/8.1/10 using Rufus
http://borncity.com/win/2015/02/09/create-windows-to-go-from-any-windows-88-110-with-rufus/

 

How to Create A Windows To Go USB (Guide)
https://beebom.com/how-create-windows-to-go-usb/

 

How To Run A Portable Version Of Windows From A USB Drive
https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2014/04/how-to-run-a-portable-version-of-windows-from-a-usb-drive/

 

Windows To Go: feature overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/planning/windows-to-go-overview

 

Creating a Portable Windows 10 Environment with Windows To Go
https://download.microsoft.com/download/7/F/A/7FA13A2A-5780-448C-BAD0-440543AD43FC/5614_Creating_a_Portable_Windows_10_Environment_External_WSG.docx

 

What is Windows To Go?
https://www.easyuefi.com/wintousb/faq/en_US/What-is-Windows-To-Go.html

 

WinToUSB
https://www.easyuefi.com/wintousb/

 

Create Windows 10/8/8.1/7 Bootable USB with AOMEI Partition Assistant
https://www.disk-partition.com/lib/wintogo.html

 

Aomei Partition Assistant review: Windows to Go no longer just for Enterprise users
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2152040/aomei-partition-assistant-review-windows-to-go-no-longer-just-for-enterprise-users.html

Thanks a lot will try it

[mozes]

1 hour ago, lmitche said:

Here is what works for me.

 

Make a normal bootable win10 install on to a hard disk connected via sata.  Once done, remove the HDD, place in a USB 3 enclosure, and then attach it to another windows 10 machine via USB 3.  Now run wintousb as referenced above. The wintogo tool is in the tools menu.  Once done the drive should be bootable.

Thanks Larry will download wintogo.

[lmitche]

2 minutes ago, mozes said:

Thanks Larry will download wintogo.

Mozes, the software is called wintousb from easyuefi.  It enables wintogo a windows feature for hdd boot over USB 3.

[seeteeyou]

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/30376-a-novel-way-to-massively-improve-the-sq-of-computer-audio-streaming/?page=39&tab=comments#comment-637960

Quote

I am presently inclined to move completely to compact flash storage using a series of 512GB compact flash cards. It turns out the type 1 compact flash cards draw considerably less power than all SDXC cards (up to 10x less!) and thus far, I am finding a 32GB CF card to sound better (by a small but very noticeable margin) than any SD or microSD card that I have.

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/30376-a-novel-way-to-massively-improve-the-sq-of-computer-audio-streaming/?page=39&tab=comments#comment-637982

Quote

I have noticed some SDXC cards can draw as much as 0.6A and so a 64GB SDXC card potentially could draw nearly 10x more current than even a 512GB type 1 CF card! SD cards consume fewer watts than SSDs but because most SD cards are 3.3V devices (as opposed to 5V devices), the more power hungry SD cards (the very fastest ones) actually draw the same amount of current as an SSD. 

 

I just checked how far one could go in terms of stripping Windows way down, it's OK to get away with 4GB and 8GB for Windows 7 and Windows 10 respectively

 

 

Let's say we're comparing those ULTRA expensive SLC industrial flash memory cards, both CF and SDHC turned out to share very similar current values

 

https://swissbit.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/swissbit_product_brochuere_012016.pdf#page=17

https://swissbit.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/swissbit_product_brochuere_012016.pdf#page=19

https://swissbit.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/swissbit_product_brochuere_012016.pdf#page=21

 

For those of us who are willing to burn (somewhat) serious cash, we could take a look at the numbers of 8GB ones (i.e. good for stripped down Windows 10) that are 50 mA and 60 mA for read and write respectively

 

https://www.mouser.com/Swissbit/Memory-Cards/S-450-Series/_/N-1yxuk4qZ9x4nsZ1ypydci

https://www.mouser.com/Swissbit/Memory-Cards/S-450u-Series/_/N-1yxuk4qZ9pk9fZ1ypydbc

https://www.mouser.com/access/?pn=922-605233

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2057950.pdf#page=4

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2372560.pdf#page=10

 

Since we're able to write-protect SD cards with ease, we could fit some of our favorite albums on 1GB / 2GB ones that would consuming ONLY 28 mA a piece

 

https://www.mouser.com/Swissbit/Memory-Cards/S-200-220-Series/_/N-9pk9f?P=1ya6zu6Z1yxuk4q

https://www.mouser.com/Swissbit/Memory-Cards/S-200u-Series/_/N-1yxuk4qZ9pk9fZ1yxjhwh

https://www.mouser.com/access/?pn=922-603989

https://www.mouser.com/access/?pn=922-603991

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2053113.pdf#page=4

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2053114.pdf#page=3

 

Of course we still need to pay attention to the difference between typical values and the maximum as shown in those datasheets linked above. Not to mention that we're talking about $35 for 1GB / $60 for 2GB / $127.5 for 8GB since all of them are industrial flash memory cards with SLC chips.

[lmitche]

1 hour ago, mozes said:

Thanks Larry will download wintogo.

Mozes, you may want to consider using an Intel Optane as a boot SSD. If you don't have a m.2 slot in your motherboard you can obtain a pcie board with an m.2 slot.

 

SQ impact comes from two properties of the Optane stick, first it is extremely quiet, and second it is the fastest drive on the planet for the frequent 4k random io used in Windows. I know at least five people who have successfully completed an Optane boot installation and each is very happy with the results.

[BigGuy]

14 hours ago, mozes said:

Today I had some time to compare the playback of local files of:

1-Intel SLC 64GB SSD powered by SATA port of motherboard (sPS-500)+SOTM SATA filter II

2-Seagate 2TB HDD powered by a TP-link powerbank connected via USB to tX-USBexp. USB cable is Elijah audio which has separate wires for power, ground and data.

 

I thought that option 2 will be a clear winner with no contest, but I was surprised. It was very very close that I had to test 4 tracks back and forth like 4-5 times for each track. It was so close that I was worried about my placebo effect.   However, I can declare that option 2 is marginally better by around 2-3% only. No, I didn't do blind testing for those who are interested. These are only my subjective ears.

 

My recommendation is that you really don't need a second tX-USBexp, if you have the sCLK-EX board in your server and you got the main clock and other LAN clocks modded, then you are in a very good position. NO need to go any further!

 

Just spend $65 on the SATA filter II as this is an amazing little tweak. If I had my SSD powered externally, then I wouldn't be surprised if there were no differences at all. One caveat here, I use Jriver and play decoded files from memory, so this may have an impact on my results.

 

Mozes, can you provide more details on use of a SATA filter, e.g., applicability, availability, simplicity of install?

[ElviaCaprice]

3 hours ago, lmitche said:

Mozes, you may want to consider using an Intel Optane as a boot SSD. If you don't have a m.2 slot in your motherboard you can obtain a pcie board with an m.2 slot.

 

SQ impact comes from two properties of the Optane stick, first it is extremely quiet, and second it is the fastest drive on the planet for the frequent 4k random io used in Windows. I know at least five people who have successfully completed an Optane boot installation and each is very happy with the results.

Hi Larry,

First off, Mozes already has a mobo modified with sCLK-EX that doesn't have the m.2 slot.  Reason being that he opted (my suggestion) for the mini PCIe slot so as to add a second tXUSBexp card, which is probably a better option than Optane.   Now he can use any drive for the OS and gain the benefit of the filtering, reclocking of the tXUSBexp card.  Shall be interesting to hear how a OS drive SQ is impacted in this configuration.

 

Second, from my understanding of your other thread concerning the Optane SSD is that you need a higher power mobo with the proper PCIe lane speed/archetecture to use the Optane SSD properly?  That of course wouldn't suit a low power mobo ideology here, which I'm sure doesn't exist with these proper specs.  

 

Third, is speed of the OS drive a real concern here for audio playback?

[mozes]

2 hours ago, lmitche said:

Mozes, you may want to consider using an Intel Optane as a boot SSD. If you don't have a m.2 slot in your motherboard you can obtain a pcie board with an m.2 slot.

 

SQ impact comes from two properties of the Optane stick, first it is extremely quiet, and second it is the fastest drive on the planet for the frequent 4k random io used in Windows. I know at least five people who have successfully completed an Optane boot installation and each is very happy with the results.

Both the PCIe and mPCIe slots are occupied with two tX-USBexp cards. Optane is in my mind but I think I will have to plan this for a new motherboard that accomodates it. Let see in the near future how the new breed of motherboards will look like. I want to enjoy my server for sometime now  

[mozes]

1 hour ago, BigGuy said:

Mozes, can you provide more details on use of a SATA filter, e.g., applicability, availability, simplicity of install?

The SATA filter I am using is the SOTM SATA II filter. It is plug and play, takes 5 sec to install. It is plugged to the SSD/HDD and the SATA/power cables coming from the motherboard plug to its other side.