Building a DIY Music Server

[JackJohnson316]

On the Taiko website there is nothing listed under the “DIY” tab. Is Taiko going to continue selling their dc-atx? Anybody know? 

[BCRich]

19 minutes ago, JackJohnson316 said:

On the Taiko website there is nothing listed under the “DIY” tab. Is Taiko going to continue selling their dc-atx? Anybody know? 

I just checked. The dc/atx, both Mundorf Caps and the Noratel were all there.

[JackJohnson316]

23 minutes ago, BCRich said:

43 minutes ago, JackJohnson316 said:

 

I just checked. The dc/atx, both Mundorf Caps and the Noratel were all there.

Thanks for checking. I see them now as well. They must have been doing maintenance on their website when I checked. 

[Johnseye]

1 hour ago, JackJohnson316 said:

So far the price for the server chassis is $1490 plus shipping ($185 shipping more or less). Angelo is putting in the order soon, so reach out to him if you’re interested. I have no financial interest in this other than I’m buying too. There is also a ULPS chassis, but I’m not sure of the final price for that. 

 

I'd like to add that the more people who join this purchase will help drive the cost down from this.  The ULPS chassis is about the same cost IIRC.

[genvirt]

19 hours ago, MarcelNL said:

Hi Angelo, 

 

I added a copper plate of about a cm thickness to my Mk5 server to go under the heat pipe assembly, assuming correctly that it adds thermal stability, acting like a buffer with a small improvement sonically. Copper conducts heat well and fast, but there for sure is an amount where it becomes too much and it'll hinder heat transfer.

 

Your design may well do the same but with copper mass as buffer over the heatpipes..in the end it'll work fine.

Can You share the pics with us please ? TNX 

[JackJohnson316]

I finally managed to get my Dual sage DIY project started. I started with only one cpu connected with two sticks of cheap Amazon ram, just incase something went wrong. Then I added the other cpu. Then I added some hard drives, and the JCat ethernet and usb cards. Everything is running smoothly on Euphony Stylus. It started right up with no issues so far. 

 

Next I'll add the rest of the "quality" ram, Taiko atx, ULPS, and some good dc cables. I'm still waiting on some passive cooling units, so I'm temporarily using active cooling fans. They are louder than I want, but soon I can replace them with a fanless option.

 

The first music I played was from Billy Raffoul, 1975, and it totally left my Dac's internal streamer in the dust. And I haven't even tweaked or optimized anything yet, and the sound is amazing. I imagine things will continue to get better as it burns in and I optimize everything I can.

 

I'll update with pictures after I optimize everything, and move everything to a bigger case with passive cooling. I also plan to install Windows 11 Pro with Roon later this week. It will be interesting comparing this to Stylus V4. 

[Exocer]

1 hour ago, JackJohnson316 said:

I finally managed to get my Dual sage DIY project started. I started with only one cpu connected with two sticks of cheap Amazon ram, just incase something went wrong. Then I added the other cpu. Then I added some hard drives, and the JCat ethernet and usb cards. Everything is running smoothly on Euphony Stylus. It started right up with no issues so far. 

 

Next I'll add the rest of the "quality" ram, Taiko atx, ULPS, and some good dc cables. I'm still waiting on some passive cooling units, so I'm temporarily using active cooling fans. They are louder than I want, but soon I can replace them with a fanless option.

 

The first music I played was from Billy Raffoul, 1975, and it totally left my Dac's internal streamer in the dust. And I haven't even tweaked or optimized anything yet, and the sound is amazing. I imagine things will continue to get better as it burns in and I optimize everything I can.

 

I'll update with pictures after I optimize everything, and move everything to a bigger case with passive cooling. I also plan to install Windows 11 Pro with Roon later this week. It will be interesting comparing this to Stylus V4. 

Looking good.

 

Wait until you get proper cabling, lps, and passive cooling 😎.

[Exocer]

Speaking of proper cabling - @Nenon had mentioned stranded Mundorf Copper Angelique wire to me (I had already spotted it) but he encouraged me to try it. I like it A LOT. It actually replaced a glorious Mundorf SG cable on my USB card and I haven’t looked back. This will probably be what I go with for my ATX, EPS, DC input cabling in the new chassis.

 

[Johnseye]

19 minutes ago, Exocer said:

Speaking of proper cabling - @Nenon had mentioned stranded Mundorf Copper Angelique wire to me (I had already spotted it) but he encouraged me to try it. I like it A LOT. It actually replaced a glorious Mundorf SG cable on my USB card and I haven’t looked back. This will probably be what I go with for my ATX, EPS, DC input cabling in the new chassis.

 

 

Solid core? What diameter?

[Exocer]

7 minutes ago, Johnseye said:

 

Solid core? What diameter?

Mundorf CAW is now available in stranded form:

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-01/Mundorf ACS Angelique Copper Stranded Wires datasheet.pdf

 

I meant to mention in my post that the stranded CAW replaced the solid core SG. The solid core CAW did not replace the SG although it too is very good 😎.

 

[lwr]

12 minutes ago, Exocer said:

Mundorf CAW is now available in stranded form:

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-01/Mundorf ACS Angelique Copper Stranded Wires datasheet.pdf

 

I meant to mention in my post that the stranded CAW replaced the solid core SG. The solid core CAW did not replace the SG although it too is very good 😎.

 

Are you using stranded CAW to replace solid SG in signal cables as well as power cables?  

Are you saying that in these applications the stranded CAW has as exquisite an openness in the middle through highest frequencies as the SG?

[Exocer]

53 minutes ago, lwr said:

Are you using stranded CAW to replace solid SG in signal cables as well as power cables?  

Are you saying that in these applications the stranded CAW has as exquisite an openness in the middle through highest frequencies as the SG?

I have only tried stranded CAW on the dc cable feeding my usb card. I can’t comment on how it will compare to SG with signal cables or AC power cables. It’s affordable enough to do some exploration of your own. I have a diy 5awg solid core Mundorf CAW power cable that sounds wonderful and open, with a ton of dynamic expression capability. I use that at the wall feeding my power conditioner. If only I could afford to build a similar cable with SG 😎.

 

From my notes:

 

1. Stranded caw sounds very natural and balanced.

2. It is dynamic and flows well.

3. Maintains most of the “sweetness” I like about solid core CAW, while not losing as much resolution as solid core CAW vs SG.

 

I would rank solid core caw on the more “intimate” slightly less detailed side vs stranded caw capturing most of the positive traits of both and losing out on the extremes of both too. The stranded caw does not sound any more veiled vs the SG in my system which I considered to be more resolving than ever (compared to just a few months ago). Consider it an easier to work with happy medium of the two. 

[mikicasellas]

1 hour ago, Exocer said:

Mundorf CAW is now available in stranded form:

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-01/Mundorf ACS Angelique Copper Stranded Wires datasheet.pdf

 

I meant to mention in my post that the stranded CAW replaced the solid core SG. The solid core CAW did not replace the SG although it too is very good 😎.

 

 

Bro !

 

What size do you suggest for each ? :

 

-- ATX

-- EPS

-- PSU

[Exocer]

Just now, mikicasellas said:

 

Bro !

 

What size do you suggest for each ? :

 

-- ATX

-- EPS

-- PSU

Good question- I spoke with a manufacturer out in Budapest who I am cool with, who suggested using LARGER awg wire for ground vs the positive pole. 
 

Im not endorsing that approach but I will certainly try it with my new round of experiments. 
 

For ATX, EPS, PSU - I like Mundorf’s 15.5awg or if on a budget, Neotech 16awg.

[mikicasellas]

2 hours ago, Exocer said:

Good question- I spoke with a manufacturer out in Budapest who I am cool with, who suggested using LARGER awg wire for ground vs the positive pole. 
 

Im not endorsing that approach but I will certainly try it with my new round of experiments. 
 

For ATX, EPS, PSU - I like Mundorf’s 15.5awg or if on a budget, Neotech 16awg.

...You got me spinning !

 

Do you and Nenon concur that stranded sounded better than solid ( in a nutshell ? )

 

Thank you Bro !

[Exocer]

12 minutes ago, mikicasellas said:

...You got me spinning !

 

Do you and Nenon concur that stranded sounded better than solid ( in a nutshell ? )

 

Thank you Bro !

@Nenonhave you tried it yet?

[genvirt]

7 hours ago, Exocer said:

Speaking of proper cabling - @Nenon had mentioned stranded Mundorf Copper Angelique wire to me (I had already spotted it) but he encouraged me to try it. I like it A LOT. It actually replaced a glorious Mundorf SG cable on my USB card and I haven’t looked back. This will probably be what I go with for my ATX, EPS, DC input cabling in the new chassis.

 

Have You tried on ATX connector to use cooper wire for ground and silver one for positive pole?

R

[Exocer]

46 minutes ago, genvirt said:

Have You tried on ATX connector to use cooper wire for ground and silver one for positive pole?

R

Not yet. I may just try that though. @BCRichand I were just chatting about this.

[genvirt]

Really will be interesting….

[Jeremy Anderson]

On 4/23/2024 at 7:21 AM, JackJohnson316 said:

We should start another group chat to get the design finalized and determine how many are interested in a group buy. 

If these will work with my WS C621E SAGE I'm definitely interested. I've been using a basic PC with Noctua air cooling since I built it but have had limited luck finding an aftermarket heat-pipe solution. I'm also curious what case(s) or heat sink blocks people plan to use these with, as the heat's gotta go somewhere!

[MarcelNL]

40 minutes ago, Jeremy Anderson said:

If these will work with my WS C621E SAGE I'm definitely interested. I've been using a basic PC with Noctua air cooling since I built it but have had limited luck finding an aftermarket heat-pipe solution. I'm also curious what case(s) or heat sink blocks people plan to use these with, as the heat's gotta go somewhere!

just browse this thread, there are a few solutions ready made, a o HDPlex

[Johnseye]

3 hours ago, Jeremy Anderson said:

If these will work with my WS C621E SAGE I'm definitely interested. I've been using a basic PC with Noctua air cooling since I built it but have had limited luck finding an aftermarket heat-pipe solution. I'm also curious what case(s) or heat sink blocks people plan to use these with, as the heat's gotta go somewhere!

 

This is "the" case.  You can get in on the group buy now.

 

 

[kraftundkultur]

19 hours ago, Exocer said:

Good question- I spoke with a manufacturer out in Budapest who I am cool with, who suggested using LARGER awg wire for ground vs the positive pole. 
 

Im not endorsing that approach but I will certainly try it with my new round of experiments. 
 

For ATX, EPS, PSU - I like Mundorf’s 15.5awg or if on a budget, Neotech 16awg.

who is the manufacturer in Budapest, I live here and have not heard of it

[Exocer]

32 minutes ago, kraftundkultur said:

who is the manufacturer in Budapest, I live here and have not heard of it

I haven’t mentioned the name of the manufacturer 😎. Let’s connect offline just in case they want to keep their anonymity.

 

For clarity: the conversation discusses the use of heavier gauge ground wire than positive in a dc connection. 
 

edit: spoke with ceo of Core Audio Hungary (not sure if Budapest) and he’s ok with me sharing that tidbit of our convo.

[AngeloVRA]

TRX-50 Sage in DIY chassis. 

Video simulating placement in the DIY chassis and shows bottom panel mounting positions available for TRX-50 MB mounting holes. 
Apologies for size of file.