First music server - is my spec rubbish?

[TimF]

So here's my first attempt at a spec, I've done some extensive reading on here to come up with this but I still have a few gaps. I suspect I've made some mistakes and improvements are possible. I've added rough UK prices too, if I've chosen something too expensive that isn't necessary and should upgrade elsewhere it'd be useful to know. I wanted to go ATX and full size case so that I could tweak in the future and not worry about space.

 

Cheers, Tim

 

• HDPLEX H5 case ATX Size (400) (not readily available so may not the best choice)
• Apacer RAM x4 2666MHz Apacer RAM (200)
• https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Apacer/D3123185S001?qs=Cb2nCFKsA8prqNusSnCNZw==  
• Intel Optane Memory H10 1TB M.2-2280 SSD (200)
• NET Card FEMTO (400)
• JCAT USB Femto - already purchased - I know there are better options
• HDPLEX 500W ATX Linear Power Supply - already purchased (external one)
• Software - No idea! I use Tidal and could rip some CDs later on

 

AMD Option:

• Ryzen 9 5900X - selected due to large cache size (70mb) (500)
• Motherboard - not sure ideally ATX

Intel Option 

• Intel Core i9-9900k (300)
• Motherboard - ASUS ROG Maximus XIII? (400) - a bit of a guess this one

 

DAC is Lampizator Golden Gate 2 (using USB)
Other kit is ARC amps and Focal Utopia speakers

[TimF]

Thanks guys. I have a couple of good usb cables and have picked up a isoregen. I have no external clock for the iso or psu budgeted. 
 

I will try upsampling (not done this before). Dac does DSD 256. 
 

Any views on intel versus amd ? Motherboard advice ? Still missing software options too. 
Streacom looks like a possible alternative case too. 
 

thanks ! 

[TimF]

Reading further the network card choice and power strategy look sub optimal. 

[TimF]

Thanks, I'd like to go expensive but not madness levels so probably around 5k (uk pounds). Seems like major problem is mixing and matching LPSU's so that's my next challenge, to optimise this without needed all top of the range ones in place. Any place I can find which specific mix of LPSU's works?

[TimF]

48 minutes ago, Nenon said:

Use the Taiko ATX and a DIY unregulated LPS. 

 

https://taikoaudio.com/taiko-2020/product/taiko-audio-dc-dc-atx/

 

 

It hardly gets better than that. 

 

Hey thanks Nenon, can you build the power supplies? I hear from others to go for the V2 but unclear of overall prices. I am legendary at being bad at soldering and messing with the mains could be a bad idea! Cheers Tim

[TimF]

Getting there after a lot more reading! thanks all for your patience and current answers.... A few questions. I've tried to split these out so they're not too hard to read.

 

CPU and motherboard

• Looking at CPU's the one I looked at is probably too high power consumption for passive cooling. I see the main ones are 3700X AMD and 9900K Intel. Others are the 10900K and 3950x. I am unclear whether new architecture is worth it due to cooling issues and potential underclocking requirements to run these.
• Asus Motherboard Intel Z590, ROG Strix Z590-E seems better than the older Z490 due to M2 memory interface with the processor only applicable to newer 10900K chip.
• Summary: Seems as if the older chips are ok given price versus performance?

USB

• JCAT USB Femto that I own seems like a big downgrade on the newer card and should be changed?

POWER

• HDPLEX 500W ATX external Linear Power Supply that I own is ok but not great - I may start out with this just to try it
• Taiko ATX and unregulated PSU make sense but who can build the unregulated PSUs (UK?)
• To power the 5v Network and 5v USB cards seems as if I need another decent external power supply, is this correct or can the Taiko handle this well?
• If I can't get an unregulated PSU would it be madness to use the HDPLEX to power its DC input then use the two 5v feeds for the network and USB cards???

Thanks, Tim

 

[TimF]

Can anyone answer the above stuff? 😆

[TimF]

Finally back to the forum. New hd plex case is here! 
 

I now have the hd plex external 500W psu, standard jcat usb and network cards. What would you recommend for a spec now? Motherboard and cpu in particular, ram still the same? 

Thanks 

 

[TimF]

Great thanks. I can see a large difference in price between the x570 and 690. How much difference are we talking?