DIY Project High Performance Audio PC with high quality wiring

[StreamFidelity]

A sound comparison of the different Ethernet connections follows. The following were used

 

1. Ethernet (copper) from the mainboard
Chip Intel I219V (1 Gigabit Ethernet Connection)
The network card adapter (driver settings) was not optimized.

 

2. Ethernet (copper) from JCAT NET Card Femto
Chip Intel I350 (1 Gigabit Ethernet Connection)
The network card adapter (driver settings) was optimized.

 

3. Ethernet (fiber) from 10Gtek® 10GbE PCIE network card
Chip Intel 82599ES (10 Gigabit Network Connection)
The network card adapter (driver settings) was optimized.

 

I have heard well-known pieces:

Misa Criolla: Kyrie from Mercedes Sosa
A classic with the choir and the bass drum. And of course with the catchy voice of Mercedes Sosa.

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Radka Toneff
In the Burmester CD version, a low rumbling sound from turntable can be heard at the beginning (if the system is capable of it). 

Who I Am from Victory
Not a very well-recorded piece. I like to take it anyway, because the deep basses tend to boom when the connections are bad and the voice can be sharpened.

 

To make a long story short: The difference between the LAN connection from the motherboard to the PCIe cards was immediately audible. Less spatiality, the voices in the choir were not differentiated and Victory's voice had the unpleasant sharpness. When comparing the PCIe cards fiber optics and copper I would have expected a clear difference in favor of JCAT. What should I say? My relatively inexpensive fiber optic connection (2m) with a power supply from the mainboard and a "normal" 25MHz clock was absolutely on par. I wouldn't have thought so. 

 

My amateurish explanation: The galvanic isolation via fiber optics seems to make a big difference in my system. The clock is probably not that important on the LAN side, because in the end it goes via USB to the DAC. For systems that go to the DAC via Ethernet, it's probably different.  Maybe the higher bandwidth of the Intel chip 82599ES (10 Gigabit Network Connection) has its share. My SOtM switch is limited to 1 Gigabit and so the fiber optic controller has more headroom. As always, my findings and assumptions apply to my system and my ears!

[StreamFidelity]

On 4/8/2020 at 2:56 PM, StreamFidelity said:

I don't want it to be boring. 😄JCAT has released a new USB Card XE. 

 

Some technical highlights:

- Emerald OCXO (oven controlled oscillator) ±0.005 (±5 ppb) stability 
- ASM3142 USB 3.1 host controller
- LT3045 linear regulators and filters eliminate noise interference from a PC

 

 

The USB Card FEMTO installed in the fis Audio PC is priced significantly lower and remains as a product line. 

 

We will try out the new USB card with the OCXO clock.  

 

Stays tuned 👍

 

Today the USB Card XE arrived. As usual from JCAT in simple cardboard box and low & high profile bracket. The latter is pre-assembled.

 

For the first time, the JCAT USB Card has a heat sink.

 

As usual, there are two USB ports and one port for the external 5V/1A power supply that I use.

 

Of course I installed the new USB card right away and it worked. The card has been playing for several hours and I listen carefully. Although it burns in my fingers to write now something to the sound. 😄But I hold back as usual. The sound report and a comparison to the JCAT USB Card Femto will follow. 

[Marcin_gps]

2 hours ago, StreamFidelity said:

 

Today the USB Card XE arrived. As usual from JCAT in simple cardboard box and low & high profile bracket. The latter is pre-assembled.

 

For the first time, the JCAT USB Card has a heat sink.

 

As usual, there are two USB ports and one port for the external 5V/1A power supply that I use.

 

Of course I installed the new USB card right away and it worked. The card has been playing for several hours and I listen carefully. Although it burns in my fingers to write now something to the sound. 😄But I hold back as usual. The sound report and a comparison to the JCAT USB Card Femto will follow. 

Thanks for the report! Please keep us posted  

 

[WilliamWykeham]

My build is complete but before writing up my experience and impressions, I’m wondering if StreamFidelity or others can help identify whether I’ve done something wrong while assembling the case.  Posting publicly in case this is helpful to other first time assemblers.

 

I followed StreamFidelity’s postings in almost all details except that the motherboard is the cheaper Asus Hero WiFi version.  Also my build is Roon Core plus HQplayer on a single device which is sent to a SMS200.

 

My issue is that my CPU temperature is pushing 95C when upsampling to DSD256, ASDM7EC, while StreamFidelity’s temp was reported in the low 50s.  Filter is poly sinc ext2.  I also tried the mp filter in StreamFidelity’s image a few pages back.  I used the thermal paste that came with the case.  I tried to apply just a thin layer in the case’s grooves per the manual, as well as in the heatsink’s grooves where the copper piping rests.  I used a pea sized drop for the CPU.

 

Anything jump out in images below?

 

 

[StreamFidelity]

2 hours ago, WilliamWykeham said:

My issue is that my CPU temperature is pushing 95C when upsampling to DSD256, ASDM7EC, while StreamFidelity’s temp was reported in the low 50s.

 

Was the thermal paste compound also applied to the solid copper block? I didn't use the paste from HDPLEX. 

 

Maybe it is not a problem of assemblings, but of the settings in BIOS? My overclocking ends at 4.1GHz. Which consumers are still active on maindboard? SATA drives for example draw a lot of power. I have deactivated this. 

 

Such a remote diagnosis is difficult. The temperature should not go that high. 

[WilliamWykeham]

3 hours ago, StreamFidelity said:

 

Was the thermal paste compound also applied to the solid copper block? I didn't use the paste from HDPLEX. 

 

Maybe it is not a problem of assemblings, but of the settings in BIOS? My overclocking ends at 4.1GHz. Which consumers are still active on maindboard? SATA drives for example draw a lot of power. I have deactivated this. 

 

Such a remote diagnosis is difficult. The temperature should not go that high. 

 

I applied thermal paste only to the CPU and not to the solid surface of the heat sink - this is the only instance where I departed from the manual, and was based on tutorials I watched online about applying thermal paste.

 

After thinking about this some more, I believe the issue is that I did not apply enough thermal paste to the CPU.  It was several weeks ago, but I think I may have allowed the guidance against applying too much to have led to apply not enough.

 

I will likely order some high quality paste and disassemble the heat sink in the next week or so to redo.  In the meantime I’ll upsample to 128.  

 

SATA is disabled.  I had forgotten that I boosted the CPU frequency to 4.4 as I was getting dropouts at 256 with the EC modulator.  Nevertheless, when I was listening to 128 with the CPU at 4.1 and not getting dropouts, the CPU temperature was in the mid-70s, so still too hot relative to your build.  128 sounded so good, I just had to hear 256!

[WilliamWykeham]

Just a quick update - I discovered that the dropouts were occurring because of Roon.  I noticed in Task Manger that while a Roon window was active, the “3D” GPU graph would show 50%.  Minimize the window, usage goes to zero and the dropouts stop.   I’ve been listening for the last 20 minutes, a 44.1khz, 16bit file upsampled to DSD 256, poly-sinc-ext2, ASDM7EC (Zhu Xiao-Mei).  Amperage on the Keces fluctuates anywhere between 3.0 and 4.0.  Temperature ranges between 70-75 C at 4.1GHz.  Not high enough I think for me to redo the heatsink.  Maybe I’ll investigate Bios some more.  

 

 

[StreamFidelity]

13 hours ago, WilliamWykeham said:

I noticed in Task Manger that while a Roon window was active, the “3D” GPU graph would show 50%.  

 

Is the graphics driver up-to-date? How many processes are displayed in the Task Manager? Check Latencymon to see if audio can be executed without interference. 😉

[WilliamWykeham]

10 hours ago, StreamFidelity said:

Is the graphics driver up-to-date? How many processes are displayed in the Task Manager? Check Latencymon to see if audio can be executed without interference. 😉

 

Interestingly Task Manager said the graphics driver was the most recent, but Intel’s website said it was 6 months outdated.  So I’ve updated but Roon still sucks up GPU resources, only when viewing albums (not when I’m in Settings for instance).

 

But my bigger issue now is that in my one-box implementation direct to the dac, I need a replacement for Wasapi but AISO is taken by the dac.  I’m trying to compare PCM to DSD in the same implementation.  In a 2 box implementation, I can get DSD working optimally and in a one box implementation I can get PCM optimally (poly-sinc-long-lp upsampled to 1411.2 Mhz, minimal processor usage, temp stable at 55 C).  

 

I have 70 processes running after AO and your recommendations.  

 

 

 

 

 

[StreamFidelity]

13 hours ago, WilliamWykeham said:

I have 70 processes running after AO and your recommendations.  

 

It's already looking very good. 👍

 

I prefer the 2 box implementation. Roon consumes very few resources and can therefore be run on a NAS. This brings a lot of silence to my system.

[WilliamWykeham]

Actually I could not get EC modulators to function earlier today; I was not able to see tiny settings in windows Remote Desktop on a Mac and didn’t have the EC filter selected.

 

Im leaning toward a fresh install from the start with Windows, I’m not sure what to do about my latency problem otherwise, and I can’t repair a windows in AO making the interface impossible.  

[StreamFidelity]

14 hours ago, WilliamWykeham said:

Im leaning toward a fresh install from the start with Windows

 

You have big problems. NT Kernel can be anything. I'm afraid you'll have to reinstall if you don't want to spend hours looking for the problem. Then try it first without AO.

 

Are there still temperature problems? Does the CPU really sit firmly in the socket? I would go through that again and above all distribute the heat paste correctly.

[StreamFidelity]

JCAT USB Card XE vs. JCAT USB Card FEMTO

 

Here a comparison of the two cards. Above the smaller JCAT USB Card FEMTO and below the JCAT USB Card XE.

 

 

 

I didn't want to describe this sound impression immediately, but let it set first. Especially since Marcin from JCAT recommends to burn in 200h. From time to time I also have to slow down my enthusiasm. 😄

 

What I heard about the JCAT USB Card XE has exceeded my expectations: An audibly cleaner sound image, better three-dimensionality, more precise bass range, very fine resolution in the trebles. 

 

Yesterday I changed to the JCAT USB Card FEMTO again, but I couldn't listen any further. This morning I had forgotten this again and was surprised about the smaller space. I was disappointed. What a great relief when I noticed that I heared with the JCAT USB Card FEMTO. 😃After plugging it into the JCAT USB Card XE it was the magic moment again. A much better location of individual instruments. Very precise and yet very homogeneous. A flowing voice, especially from women, just beautiful to kneel down.

 

The inclined reader may think, how often I read this in the forums. It can't be that there are always new sound enhancements described. Was the system bad before? Certainly not. But like many others, I have the feeling that only a comparison with something better reveals the shortcomings of the old system. And admittedly. My previous sound descriptions of the different Ethernet connections were marginal in my listening test compared to this one. In terms of sound, the different USB connections have a similar dimension for me as my test with the room correction or with different speaker cables.

 

The JCAT USB Card FEMTO is certainly a very good card but the JCAT USB Card XE enhances the sound considerably. And maybe it's a key for the last meter to the DAC regarding the much improved clock and the better power supply.

 

Great job @Marcin_gps

[Marcin_gps]

Thanks for the report @StreamFidelity 

 

I'm glad you like it. Even I didn't expect it will to sound SO MUCH better. 

[Mellowman]

The new JCAT USB XE card arrived this afternoon.

 

Honestly, having worked for years on the development of various music servers, the latter by implementing colossal means (especially in terms of dedicated power supplies), I thought I had reached a kind of  "Nirvana" sound, and did not really know how I could go even further, the listening results being already superlative.

 

Also, my curiosity was piqued when Marcin O announced the release of a new USB card, adding to the range of excellent JCAT products, of which I have happily used several elements for many years.

 

So I was one of the first to order it, eager to check for myself if it was able to further improve my system, and if so, how?

 

Once integrated into CARUSO (http://jplay.eu/forum/index.php?/topic/3320-no-dual-pc-but-single-pc-in-double-chassis/), replacing the excellent FEMTO, I start the machine in order to finalize the software installation, update the dedicated driver (via Snappy Driver), relaunch Audiophile Optimizer 3 and particularly, check that I all audio settings have not changed.

 

Finally, I can listen to a first track!

 

The card is cold, has no burn in. Despite this, the result is already higher than the one obtained by the FEMTO USB card coupled to the JCAT USB Isolator:

 

·         What first jumps to my ears: the sound stage is further back!

·         This is accompanied by better placement in depth, combined with better precision in the placement of instruments.

·         We can hear even better the information concerning the room where the recording was made

·         The quality of the tones, already excellent before, is also progressing, especially in the grain of the strings (cellos and double basses).

·         The benchmark pieces are linked and confirm that the gain is noticeable on very different musical styles!

 

 These first impressions confirm that Marcin O is a leader in the dematerialized music field, and one of the very few working in both the software and hardware fields.

 

 

Thinking of getting the most out of your DAC? Well... you will have to revise your judgment, because the JCAT XE USB card still pushes the limits away.

 

This confirms that it is essential to take care of its source, as far upstream as possible, because what does not come out at this level can never be recreated downstream, whatever the quality of your DAC.

 

 

So yes, in my opinion, the JCAT XE USB card is an almost essential purchase, and its price seems largely justified, in view of what it brings.

[adamaley]

It'll be interesting to get a comparison between the new Jcat XE card and the Pink Faun USB + Ultra OCXO.

[ASRMichael]

11 minutes ago, adamaley said:

It'll be interesting to get a comparison between the new Jcat XE card and the Pink Faun USB + Ultra OCXO.

I have PF ultra usb. Was thinking of asking Pursuit of perfect system to compare the PF v JCAT (terry has the new card). I could review but very costly for me to buy both. 

[WilliamWykeham]

On 4/20/2020 at 9:03 AM, StreamFidelity said:

 

You have big problems. NT Kernel can be anything. I'm afraid you'll have to reinstall if you don't want to spend hours looking for the problem. Then try it first without AO.

 

Are there still temperature problems? Does the CPU really sit firmly in the socket? I would go through that again and above all distribute the heat paste correctly.

Reinstalled windows.  Problem is caused by AO even with Express and is not reversible, required a 3rd windows install, works great otherwise.  Will probably redo heat sink anyway.   70-75C with ASDM7EC 256 poly sinc ext2, all cores synced at 4.1.   I’ve just started using closed form 16M; now this is the filter for me.  Followed by poly sinc long lp.

[StreamFidelity]

The thread is "DIY project High Performance Audio PC with high quality cabling". It is time to write about the cables that I have now received. 😉

 

Bernd tried a lot and rejected some. For example, different types of gold-plated Molex pin connectors. Not all of them were really gold-plated. Compared to my previously used DC / ATX cables, the new ones snap in much better and hold up very well.

 

The 24PIN and 8PIN Molex cables have a marked running direction.

 

Bernd rejected a plug connection between the DC cable and the internal Molex PINs. Plugs and sockets have contact resistances. Why not give it up right away? Said and done! There are two DC cables on it, as we are optionally planning a double power supply (from two Keces P8) for the fis Audio PC.

 

It continues with the DC cable for the 5V connection to the JCAT USB and NET cards.

 

 

It was time to finish building the fis Audio PC. It was very difficult to attach the back wall with the three PCI Express cards. Overall, I'm very happy with the look.

 

More importantly, how does it sound? Patience, it's time for a burn-in phase. 👍

[Nenon]

This is turning out really nice. 

 

On 4/23/2020 at 8:02 AM, StreamFidelity said:

It was very difficult to attach the back wall with the three PCI Express cards.

YES!!! I guess I am not the only the one thinking that removable back plate is the worst part of this otherwise excellent H5 case. 

[WilliamWykeham]

20 minutes ago, Nenon said:

This is turning out really nice. 

 

YES!!! I guess I am not the only the one thinking that removable back plate is the worst part of this otherwise excellent H5 case. 

I had an impossible time with it too.  Still not sure if the PCIe card is seated correctly.  

[StreamFidelity]

18 hours ago, Nenon said:

This is turning out really nice. 

 

Thank you! 

 

I sawed off the metal web above on the back plate, so the PCIe cards can be replaced quite easily. 😁

[Nenon]

1 hour ago, StreamFidelity said:

I sawed off the metal web above on the back plate, so the PCIe cards can be replaced quite easily. 😁

 

Good idea! 

[adamaley]

2 hours ago, StreamFidelity said:

 

Thank you! 

 

I sawed off the metal web above on the back plate, so the PCIe cards can be replaced quite easily. 😁

Can we get a closeup shot of this?

[Nenon]

You can see it if you zoom in the picture above.