Antipodes DX Gen3 vs Innuos Zenith MkII SE

[Bazinga]

I am using a DX2 and getting ready to have it upgraded to the DX3 , I use it with a Totaldac Twelve with the new GIGAfilter 

[magnuska]

I received the new Antipodes EX yesterday. I can confirm that it works fine the  Vinnie Rossi LIO DAC 2.0.

 

 

[rickca]

18 minutes ago, magnuska said:

I received the new Antipodes EX yesterday. I can confirm that it works fine the  Vinnie Rossi LIO DAC 2.0.

 

Interesting.  @flkin and @Kritpoon reported problems getting the Antipodes DX Gen 3 to work with the LIO DAC 2.0.  I wonder what Antipodes has changed.

[magnuska]

1 minute ago, rickca said:

Interesting.  @flkin and @Kritpoon reported problems getting the Antipodes DX Gen 3 to work with the LIO DAC 2.0.  I wonder what Antipodes has changed.

Yes thats why I thougth it was well worth mentioning.  Sometimes it can be a bit tricky to get it work , in what sequence and so on. Don`t know if the new V4 board helps too?  ( is the DX Gen 3 V4 board?)

[FredM]

31 minutes ago, magnuska said:

I received the new Antipodes EX yesterday. I can confirm that it works fine the  Vinnie Rossi LIO DAC 2.0.

 

 

Good to see the first EX's in actual use! Have you had the chance to compare it as a server and/or renderer with your Roonserver / SOtM front end?

[magnuska]

17 minutes ago, FredM said:

Good to see the first EX's in actual use! Have you had the chance to compare it as a server and/or renderer with your Roonserver / SOtM front end?

Hi Fred,

 

Yes I have. I use the EX as a renderer and my old Audiostore prestige as server. Connected direct ethernet with eachother. The prestige server is not as good as a CX but not bad either. It have ordinary HD but I guess around 180 GB  SSD cache. 

Anyway it was a major step up yesterday from cold. It simplifies the chain as well,  to only server - USB cable - DAC.

I have an ISO Regen /uptone LPS-1 ready for trial  too but frankly I don`t feel its gonna be needed - its that good already.

I

[FredM]

Great to hear, congratulations! Based on your signature, the EX replaces both the SMS-200 Ultra and tX-USB Ultra?? Then "amajor step up" from a cold start sound very promising, and a nice simplification as well.

[magnuska]

40 minutes ago, FredM said:

Great to hear, congratulations! Based on your signature, the EX replaces both the SMS-200 Ultra and tX-USB Ultra?? Then "amajor step up" from a cold start sound very promising, and a nice simplification as well.

Yes more or less. I have used both tx-usb ultra and ISO regen but not at the same time unfortunately could not get that working properly.

[Bazinga]

Anyone compared the DX2 to the DX3 I’m wondering if it’s worth the upgrade ? 

[nbpf]

On 3/7/2018 at 8:27 PM, FredM said:

...

 

2) Next month the Antipodes CX hits the market:

This is a €4000 server/renderder (exclusive the internal SSD storage), with usb and RJ45 outputs. With the RJ45 output a separate render der/NAA can be connected (such as the sMS-200 etc). From the Antipodes site: “The CX delivers stunning sound quality, exceeding the audio performance of even the excellent DX”. This looks very promising... The CX could well be THE one killer box front end:

a) a true one box solution, the CX has an internal psu

b) the total cost is lower (or at least similar) then the SOtM ‘stable’, which includes a modded switch, SOtM cables, psu’s, MacBook, etc (as mentioned in the description)

c) it is better then the Antipodes DX gen3 (so a possible extra notch compared with the full SOtM ‘stable’)

d) an obvious future upgrade path is available with the RJ45 output by connecting a separate (clocked) endpoint /NAA.

e) also important, Antipodes offers long term upgrade programs to excisting customers. 

 

If I don’t got things wrong/mixed up, I think my search for an one box killer front end is FINALY at the horizon. Or have I been reading all this with a tendentious hat on? I would appreciate to hear any sane thoughts..!!

 

Again, many thanks for your great write up!

The CX bare costs 4000 EUR, the EX bare costs 3000 EUR. Both have dedicated USB outputs and 2 RJ45 outputs. The EX comes with a basic internal DAC and with a less powerful CPU than the CX. Which one will perform better as a one-box server + renderer when no Roon, upsampling or transcoding are needed?

[Bazinga]

The DX is still the best one box solution 

[nbpf]

16 minutes ago, Bazinga said:

The DX is still the best one box solution 

Possibly, but my question is about CX vs EX, not about the best one-box solution!

 

[LTG2010]

On 3/19/2018 at 12:28 PM, Bazinga said:

Anyone compared the DX2 to the DX3 I’m wondering if it’s worth the upgrade ? 

DX2 has a jetway motherboard and SOTM USB output card (txUSBHubin )if I'm not mistaken. I assume the DX3 V4 is the new Asus board? but have they kept the SOTM USB card? It doesn't seem so - Its all a bit of a mystery.:)

[Bazinga]

I just orderd my upgrade DX 2  to DX 3 

[Bazinga]

All V4 Server Upgrades include: new V4 electronics, 8-GB memory, a new model-specific rear panel, onboard PS updates, internal cabling and hardware, current software updates/tuning, certification testing. "

 

"A Dedicated System SSD provides both sonic and logistical advantages by isolating the system's operating software from the music storage, increasing efficiency and decreasing overhead processing. "

 

This is far more than a simple option module change... essentially the server is gutted and completely re-built using the new components. 

 

From the Antipodes Audio website:

 

"We see the latest V4 technology as the most significant evolutionary step yet. Not only does it enable us to implement our latest thinking, but it marks the beginning of a key relationship with ASUS. The V4 technology in our current line-up is sourced from a specialist team within ASUS and, through that relationship, we are adapting boards that are based on ASUS boards. We consider ASUS to be the best manufacturer of computer motherboards. The boards we use are industrial grade boards that perform beyond the equivalent consumer boards and the boards are adapted to employ our noise reduction and management techniques. From our point of view the V4 technology is at the zenith of music server technology. We are excited by the possibility of moving as many of our existing customers to the new platform. "

[FredM]

2 hours ago, nbpf said:

The CX bare costs 4000 EUR, the EX bare costs 3000 EUR. Both have dedicated USB outputs and 2 RJ45 outputs. The EX comes with a basic internal DAC and with a less powerful CPU than the CX. Which one will perform better as a one-box server + renderer when no Roon, upsampling or transcoding are needed?

 

Perhaps you'll find your answers here:

http://www.antipodesaudio.com/music-server-models.html

[FredM]

38 minutes ago, Bazinga said:

I just orderd my upgrade DX 2  to DX 3 

 

Congratulations!! 

[nbpf]

2 hours ago, FredM said:

 

Perhaps you'll find your answers here:

http://www.antipodesaudio.com/music-server-models.html

Thanks, the explanations are a bit ridiculous but at least at Antipodes they seem to have recognized that some clarifications are needed. I guess we will have to wait for the full specs of EX and CX and for comprehensive tests of these new devices.  

[jay]

On 3/17/2018 at 3:51 PM, magnuska said:

Hi Fred,

 

Yes I have. I use the EX as a renderer and my old Audiostore prestige as server. Connected direct ethernet with eachother. The prestige server is not as good as a CX but not bad either. It have ordinary HD but I guess around 180 GB  SSD cache. 

Anyway it was a major step up yesterday from cold. It simplifies the chain as well,  to only server - USB cable - DAC.

I have an ISO Regen /uptone LPS-1 ready for trial  too but frankly I don`t feel its gonna be needed - its that good already.

I

 

Sorry, @magnuska, with the EX, can you confirm if you're using it as the server and renderer, or are you still using the Audiostore Prestige as the server?  Your later comment "simplifies the chain as well, to only server - USB cable - DAC" comment threw me.  Which combo did you land on?  Sorry if I'm misreading, but that seems to be contradictory.

 

And I think it would be an awesome piece of data as to whether the IsoRegen has any impact (positively or negatively).  Did you ever try that?

 

And what USB cable and DAC did you say you are using?

 

thanks!

[magnuska]

4 hours ago, jay said:

 

Sorry, @magnuska, with the EX, can you confirm if you're using it as the server and renderer, or are you still using the Audiostore Prestige as the server?  Your later comment "simplifies the chain as well, to only server - USB cable - DAC" comment threw me.  Which combo did you land on?  Sorry if I'm misreading, but that seems to be contradictory.

 

And I think it would be an awesome piece of data as to whether the IsoRegen has any impact (positively or negatively).  Did you ever try that?

 

And what USB cable and DAC did you say you are using?

 

thanks!

Hello  Sorry my post was a little unclear. Yes I do use the Antipodes EX as the renderer and the -Audiostore prestige as the server both with Roon. Connected with ethernetcablle. Only the Antipodes is  ethernet connected to my AQ Vox SE switch.As for the Iso regen I have not tried that with the EX.  Hope this helps!  /Magnus

[magnuska]

4 hours ago, jay said:

 

 

 

And what USB cable and DAC did you say you are using?

 

thanks!

I am using an Inakustik Reference USB to a Vinnie Rossi LIO 2,0 Dac. Audiostore prestige server is powered by a Sotm sps-500 with a silver ref DC-cable from Audiosensibillity. My AQVOX SE switch is powered by  LPS-1 /silver ref  DC-cable from Audiosensibility

[jay]

10 hours ago, magnuska said:

Hello  Sorry my post was a little unclear. Yes I do use the Antipodes EX as the renderer and the -Audiostore prestige as the server both with Roon. Connected with ethernetcablle. Only the Antipodes is  ethernet connected to my AQ Vox SE switch.As for the Iso regen I have not tried that with the EX.  Hope this helps!  /Magnus

 

10 hours ago, magnuska said:

I am using an Inakustik Reference USB to a Vinnie Rossi LIO 2,0 Dac. Audiostore prestige server is powered by a Sotm sps-500 with a silver ref DC-cable from Audiosensibillity. My AQVOX SE switch is powered by  LPS-1 /silver ref  DC-cable from Audiosensibility

Thanks, very helpful data points.  

 

I’m trying to read up an anyone who’s running Roon who’s actually ditched the renderer approach in lieu of a direct USB connection to the DAC for ultimate better sound.  The Antipodes products appear to still ultimately suggest two-box could be better.  It feels like the majority of folks who have done away with two boxes are ones who are using HQPlayer on mega-servers like the SGM or Chord Blu2 owners and doing massive upscaling feeding DSD DACs.  I’m not even sure those SGM folks aren’t also using renderers in the mix.

 

anyway, thanks for clarifying....

[austinpop]

25 minutes ago, jay said:

I’m trying to read up an anyone who’s running Roon who’s actually ditched the renderer approach in lieu of a direct USB connection to the DAC for ultimate better sound.  The Antipodes products appear to still ultimately suggest two-box could be better.  It feels like the majority of folks who have done away with two boxes are ones who are using HQPlayer on mega-servers like the SGM or Chord Blu2 owners and doing massive upscaling feeding DSD DACs.  I’m not even sure those SGM folks aren’t also using renderers in the mix.

 

 

Me.

 

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/30376-a-novel-way-to-massively-improve-the-sq-of-computer-audio-streaming/?do=findComment&comment=772006

 

[Celts88]

Latest info from Antipodes:

 

Antipodes is sharing one of the new Superior DemoCabins at Munich 2018, Hall 4, W12 with Aequo Audio loudspeaker manufacturers. We will focus on the new X-Series Modular Solution range - the CX, EX, P1 & P2.  We are taking this opportunity to officially launch the CX Music Server and to pre-announce the P2 platform.

The P2 is being pre-announced very early, so that customers can understand how the new Modular Solutions fit together.  The P2 modules will not be available until late in 2018.

 

Please open the PDF brochure below for an explanation of the Modular solutions, and visit our home page for more information on these developments. 

 

 

              Antipodes, X-Series-Modular.pdf

[matthias]

On 11.4.2018 at 1:52 AM, Celts88 said:

Antipodes is sharing one of the new Superior DemoCabins at Munich 2018, Hall 4, W12 with Aequo Audio loudspeaker manufacturers.

 

Interesting to compare to Innuos Zenith Statement in Hall 1, B12.

 

Matt