linear regulator after pico or seperate power supply?

[the_doc735]

5 hours ago, the_doc735 said:

In a nutshell:

 

JCAT Audio PC Chassis

JCAT 400W PC Linear Power Supply [same as HDPlex!] 5mV ripple.

Asus PZ87 [Micro] ATX Mobo

Intel Core i7 2700k CPU (TDP 95W!)

NB: Lower power in the CPU will mean less noise from the switching regulators on the motherboard and therefore better sound, but by all accounts i7 CPU’s sound better.

8GB ECC Industrial Grade Ram

Small capacity SATA SSD (for O/S, Audio apps.)

Separate storage for audio files.

NB: You could choose SSD, M2.SSD, (NVMe), USB Stick or a mechanical hard drive.  When it comes to sound quality there are a few hard and fast rules you should adhere to.

Specialist O/S SSD by PPA w/OCXO (uses lots of power & slow). You need to copy a clone version of an o/s installation onto this device.

JCAT SATA cable(s)

JCAT USB Card FEMTO w/JCAT 200W Linear Power Supply

JCAT NET Card FEMTO w/JCAT 200W Linear Power Supply

JCAT Reference USB Cable

JCAT USB Isolator & USB-ISO Cable

3M AB5100s chassis RFI/EMI absorber

JCAT M12 SWITCH GOLD [for networking]

 

Note: A far better approach will be to use a Pico PSU w/LPSU. Using a good Linear Power Supply with pico will sound far better than the usual pc SMPS. This is not a small difference it’s a night and day difference and it’s actually the first thing I tried for achieving better sound from a dedicated pc source.

 

*******************************************************************************

 

MY HTPC:

 

MSI Z370i GAMING PRO CARBON AC mini-ITX + Intel® HD Integrated Graphics 630.

Intel Core i7 Coffee Lake 8700 SE Gen.8 2.9GHz LGA1151 TDP 35W CPU.

Pink Faun i2s Bridge PCI-e (expansion/riser) Card.

Samsung (only 250GB) 960 M.2 (2280) Evo PCIe 3.0 (x4) NVMe 3D V-NAND SSD MZ-V6E250BW (x1).

Patriot Viper 4 16GB Dual Ch. DDR4 3000MHz PC4-24000 DIMM PV416G300C6K.

Streacom st-fc9b-opt-alpha PC Fanless Chassis.

Paul Hynes/Teddy Pardo LPSU’s [12 nV ripple].

 

I don’t need anything related to USB because I use i2s.

I don’t need anything related to networking because I don’t use the PC for this purpose.

I don’t need SATA cables because the NVMe SSD M.2. plugs direct to mobo.

 

I am told on this forum (C.A.) that I don’t need OCXO for this PC because the master clock is in the DAC, in my setup, and that the Crystek 575 in my DAC is already a very high quality clock which would require ‘a ton of money’ for any significant improvement. Moreover, there are apparently ‘buffers’ between the clocks that negate any errors. So, this means that fitting an OCXO to the PF i2s PCIe card would be pretty pointless as it’s not the master clock in the chain and I am not aware of anyone who has successfully fitted OCXO clocks to a commercial mobo, even paul pang withdrew his product due to incompatibility issues.

 

I have not used any 3M AB5100s chassis RFI/EMI absorber, or similar.

 

Music storage is external. Currently using USB v3 memory stick. Does anyone have any ideas about what is the best external storage for music files? 

 

Oh yes! ~ forgot the: QED HDMI/i2s v2.0 Reference/Graphite cable (PC > DAC); interface/interconnect cable. Don't need to spend ridiculous amounts of money (£xxxx) on a cable, wink wink!

 

[the_doc735]

33 minutes ago, look&listen said:

PC configured to NAS functions

Windows Server 2016

 

You have Google? Use it!

Umm? typical 'cop out'. Why guess & search? Isn't 'the poster' capable of explaining themselves in full? Lazy!

[the_doc735]

6 hours ago, billg said:

I use a dedicated network file server.  I definitely prefer it to the qnap nas I previously used.

What technical evidence do you have to back up your preference?

OR:

is it a preference 'BY EAR ONLY'?

 

....did you do a blind test (i.e. before/after)?

 

Sounds like: "a sledge hammer to crack a nut" solution to me! All that gear! More complications, more issues, more hardware, more software, more noise/ripple, requiring more (SoTM ) filters to clean it all back up again? "Miniserver", surely that amounts to no more than a second mini PC? Why? And! ~ if it's wireless (WLAN), then there is more airborn noise pollution to deal with as well, e.g. local radio waves from everywhere/anywhere getting into your music!

 

i.e. network file server + windows 2016 on ssd + Audiophile Optimizer + SoTM noise filter + minimserver! "OTT"? How about: eSATA SDD? (wired).

[the_doc735]

If you say you have a good solution, you are obliged to explain why it is 'good'. (Obviously).

[the_doc735]

7 hours ago, billg said:

It's probably a good idea to read the thread I posted earlier. You'd learn how the music/file server is set up and some of the reasons it's a good approach, such as isolating the player from potential digital jitter and electrical noise contamination from the HDD (using wired ethernet connections). It hosts Minimserver which serves up the music library and performs any format conversions and dsp, thereby offloading these tasks from the player pc. Being on the home network, the music library is available to both my systems and to any mobile device, and externally if I wanted to open a port in the firewall. 

 

I have mounted the hdd inside the player pc, externally, in the nas, and now in the music server pc. The music server pc makes sense to me and IMO it sounds the best. I did some A/B comparisons but they can give false results and I don't rely on them. I prefer to listen over a period of time. I can't afford several Tb of SSD or I'd use them in the server instead of a hdd. 

 

Windows 2016 server is great OS when it is optimised for audio. AudiophileOptimizer and Fidelizer help achieve this and if you haven't heard of them I recommend you visit their websites and forums. You plan to use I2S (which I would like to try myself) so you won't use Jplay like I do. 

 

What OS and player software are you planning to use? You've obviously given a lot of thought on the hardware for a single pc player, but that's only half of the solution.  

 

Many Thanks!

I've followed windows ever since its inception and re-jigged windows XP CD's to customise them, back when that was the current O/S from MS.

Now I'm on windows 10/64 PRO. I have tried several players over the years and at the moment using foobar.

Graphic EQ32 Studio PRO 2017v, Enhancer 0.17v, Foobar2000 1.3.16v, VB-Audio ASIO Bridge - Hi-Fi (virtual) Cable Control Panel 1.0.0.7v, Windows Volume Mixer, Windows Sound Profile (panel). MS Windows 10/64 bit.

Sorry but I can't find "the thread you posted earlier"? Are you the thread creator, O/P?

[the_doc735]

46 minutes ago, the_doc735 said:

Many Thanks!

I've followed windows ever since its inception and re-jigged windows XP CD's to customise them, back when that was the current O/S from MS.

Now I'm on windows 10/64 PRO. I have tried several players over the years and at the moment using foobar.

Graphic EQ32 Studio PRO 2017v, Enhancer 0.17v, Foobar2000 1.3.16v, VB-Audio ASIO Bridge - Hi-Fi (virtual) Cable Control Panel 1.0.0.7v, Windows Volume Mixer, Windows Sound Profile (panel). MS Windows 10/64 bit.

Sorry but I can't find "the thread you posted earlier"? Are you the thread creator, O/P?

Thinking of trying win. server 2016, + optimizer, Fidelizer, + XXHE.

Music/file server, would this be anything like "FCoE"?

[the_doc735]

4 hours ago, Tomslin said:

Strange standpoint imo. Possibly I'll do it if I'm going to sell something (for money). But this is just a discussion forum and everything is free.

Not really. I prefer: "this is good because............."; rather than, "this is good" (PERIOD).

[the_doc735]

58 minutes ago, Tomslin said:

I explain one thing, you say "thanks" as answer. I explain next, again "thanks". and so it keep on and it's fully accepted. When "the barrel is full", you will drop all content again and start over. I'm not sure if you do not want or can understand. But honestly, I don't care either.

I am just looking at things from various points of view, to gain a better understanding overall. Everyone has to start somewhere.

[the_doc735]

@billg 

"I use a dedicated network file server now. It has windows server 2016 on a SSD with  Audiophile Optimizer. The music files are on an internal HDD with a SOtM noise filter?. It performs any format conversions and DSP, thereby offloading these tasks from the player PC. 

I previously did mount the HDD inside the player PC, externally, and in a NAS. I definitely prefer the file server to the Qnap NAS I previously used. I can't afford several Tb of SSD or I'd use them in the file server instead of a HDD."

 

What make/model of file server do you have?

[the_doc735]

9 hours ago, Tomslin said:

I explain one thing, you say "thanks" as answer. I explain next, again "thanks". and so it keep on and it's fully accepted. When "the barrel is full", you will drop all content again and start over. I'm not sure if you do not want or can understand. But honestly, I don't care either.

I am very happy with all the bits of information you have imparted on my various threads, you have no reason to be angry with me! Your contributions are very welcome and each little part adds to my overall knowledge (base). Thankyou for the information so far! I am learning a little at a time, I am certainly NOT perfect in any way, but I always do my best despite a medically diagnosed memory defect which I have had all my life, AND YES! ~ PEOPLE DO MOCK ME AND MAKE FUN OF ME BECAUSE OF THIS DISABILITY!!

Sorry if I repeat myself sometimes!

[the_doc735]

2 hours ago, billg said:

The thread on building a music server is on the Jplay forum http://jplay.eu/forum/index.php?/topic/2403-jplaystreamer-how-to-improve-sound-quality-guide/

 

The "dedicated network file server" is the music/file server pc I built. It's a Lenovo M92p i5 with ssd for the OS, 8tb hdd with sotm noise filter for music files, 16GB ram, onboard network adapter. Wired ethernet to the router and player pcs. Software is windows server 2016, audiophileoptimizer, Minimserver, avconv (for transcoding). There are several hardware improvements I could make (psu, fanless) but there's more to  do on the player pcs first.

 

I run the music server and player pcs headless (no screen, keyboard or mouse) and use remote desktop for software upgrades/diagnostics. 

 

Jriver sounds good, esp the newest 64 bit versions and I run it on my 2nd system. It's very good at meta data. For my main system I use JplayStreamer (usb only) with bubbleds as control point on my android tablet. I'm told hqplayer is great sounding too.

 

Good luck.

Thank you for very good extensive reply. I will need to read it several times to let it sink in (LOL!). Thanks for the link! Take Care! 

I do have a medically diagnosed memory defect which I have had all my life, AND YES! ~ PEOPLE DO MOCK ME AND MAKE FUN OF ME BECAUSE OF THIS DISABILITY!!

Sorry if I repeat myself sometimes!

 

PS:   yes I was thinking of using (headless) remote desktop control from my laptop, but didn't know if it was possible?

[the_doc735]

new thread:

usb-memory-stick-alternatives

[the_doc735]

@Tomslin 

...please respect the fact that I have NOT repeated the exact same question, over and over again in various threads. i.e. each one is a different 'angle' within the Hi-Fi subject as a whole, each one has its own concept and outcomes, each one is concentrating on a different aspect of the subject.

[the_doc735]

On 8/26/2018 at 10:46 PM, billg said:

I use a dedicated network file server. It's windows 2016 on ssd,  Audiophile Optimizer, music files on internal HDD with a SoTM noise filter, minimserver. I definitely prefer it to the qnap nas I previously used.

Of course you can trick this out forever with linear power supplies, network cards, cables, etc. 

The "dedicated network file server" is the music/file server pc I built. It's a Lenovo M92p i5 with ssd for the OS, 8tb hdd with sotm noise filter for music files, 16GB ram, onboard network adapter. Wired ethernet to the router and player pcs. Software is windows server 2016, audiophileoptimizer, Minimserver, avconv (for transcoding). There are several hardware improvements I could make (psu, fanless) but there's more to  do on the player pcs first. I run the music server and player pcs headless (no screen, keyboard or mouse) and use remote desktop for software upgrades/diagnostics. 

I am now thinking more of a NAS than a mini 2nd. PC like your M92 because:

it only has a power socket and RJ45.

It doesn't have loads of unnecessary outputs/inputs.

it doesn't have unnecessary audio/video circuitry and ports.

It doesn't have anything that will be unused and switched off anyway (with 'optimizer'). Which makes it much closer to a dedicated/built for the purpose unit that is made for Hi-Fi only i.e. no unnecessary electronic gadgetry like you would get in a 2nd. PC of any size. It just serves files, which is all we want it to do, pure and simple. Don't forget to stick the SSD's in it though! (& suppress the DC fan ripple noise). Also, power it with LPSU.

And of course, headless, with no screen, k/board, mouse.

 

DS218play