Article: SOtM Launches sMB-Q370 Motherboard

[The Computer Audiophile]

It has arrived :~)

 

 

[Gavin1977]

1 hour ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

It has arrived :~)

 

 

Great - is this SoTM’s demo unit or your own build?  Need to get an audiophile supply on it.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just now, Gavin1977 said:

Great - is SoTM’s demo unit or your own build?  Need to get an audiophile supply on it.

SoTM's demo unit.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Been listening to this all night. Really love what I hear. 
 

I booted from a USB stick running HQPlayer Embedded. I’m upsampling everything to DSD256 using the ASDM7ECv2 modulator. 
 

Im also connecting straight to the DAC via USB connected to the SOtM USB card, rather than send audio to an NAA over the network. 

[Luvdac]

On 8/14/2022 at 7:47 AM, The Computer Audiophile said:

Been listening to this all night. Really love what I hear. 
 

I booted from a USB stick running HQPlayer Embedded. I’m upsampling everything to DSD256 using the ASDM7ECv2 modulator. 
 

Im also connecting straight to the DAC via USB connected to the SOtM USB card, rather than send audio to an NAA over the network. 

It would be an interesting comparison between jcat xe usb card and the half as expensive sotm card and see how they perform in the sotm motherboard.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi guys, I used the SOtM motherboard and PC quite a bit in this review - 

 

[Luvdac]

I bit the bullet! 

[Boomboy]

Nice work .. it's probably my next purchase . Please share your thoughts and components used when your ready .

[Luvdac]

The HDplex 500watts lpsu arrived today. Still waiting on the Silverstone fanless case. Sourcing a 65watts tdp cpu was a challenge but I managed to source a core 7 gen 9.

The 95watts tdp cpu's are more readily available but I want to run it fanless.

Also on the way are the usb and ethernet cards from JCAT. The Top tier ones. I hope to have it all assembled and running by the end of the month.

[botrytis]

Most of those Core 7 Gen 9 are closer to 125 watt tdp - Intel has been shown to way underestimate power usage.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Guys, the review is up!

 

 

[Gavin1977]

Appologies for being cynical - but no comparisons and another 5* review?

 

5* vs what exactly?

[The Computer Audiophile]

26 minutes ago, Gavin1977 said:

Appologies for being cynical - but no comparisons and another 5* review?

 

5* vs what exactly?

The starts is what the article is rated by anyone who wants to give the article stars. I don't control that. 

 

Comparing motherboards wold be huge undertaking that I wan't prepared to spend that much time on. I understand the desire for such a review though.

[R1200CL]

23 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Comparing motherboards wold be huge undertaking that I wan't prepared to spend that much time on. I understand the desire for such a review though.

Just one similar random pick is OK. 

[Gavin1977]

39 minutes ago, R1200CL said:

Just one similar random pick is OK. 

Yep - without it we’re clueless and the review has no meaning/insight

[botrytis]

9 minutes ago, Gavin1977 said:

Yep - without it we’re clueless and the review has no meaning/insight

 

Well, remember this chipset/CPU is 8th generation and we are currently at the 13th Gen of Intel CPU's. Just saying old tech, with old issues, that were fixed in the up-and-coming generation of CPU/Chipsets.

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just now, botrytis said:

 

Well, remember this chipset/CPU is 8th generation and we are currently at the 13th Gen of Intel CPU's. Just saying old tech, with old issues, that were fixed in the up-and-coming generation of CPU/Chipsets.

 

Which issues were fixed?

[The Computer Audiophile]

15 minutes ago, Gavin1977 said:

Yep - without it we’re clueless and the review has no meaning/insight

This is a pretty narrow view of the world. 

 

If the only thing you're looking for is a sonic comparison head-to-head versus another motherboard, that's ignoring many other items I mentioned in the review. That's OK, I can't please everyone. 

 

Have you ever needed support from ASUS? I have. I know what the experience is like. 

 

How do you suggest someone sets up a comparison of the sMB-Q370, using the same parts that I did, with another motherboard?

[Gavin1977]

21 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

This is a pretty narrow view of the world. 

 

If the only thing you're looking for is a sonic comparison head-to-head versus another motherboard, that's ignoring many other items I mentioned in the review. That's OK, I can't please everyone. 

 

Have you ever needed support from ASUS? I have. I know what the experience is like. 

 

How do you suggest someone sets up a comparison of the sMB-Q370, using the same parts that I did, with another motherboard?

I personally think a comparison with any other motherboard would have been fine, even your CAPs server?

 

I run 8086k, so could compare.

 

Credit to Hans Beckhuyzen - he did provide comparison, but a commercial streamer, and not a DIY product.  But still gives an idea about it’s relative performance.  Trouble was with his review that it’s the same rig you are using - just a regular ATX power supply.  What the computer audiophile peers want (that you’re the lead of) is a review that try’s this with a proper linear power supply and also the suggested SoTM clocks into the mix.  Let’s see how this thing scales!

 

Sorry, but I’m just very disappointed with the review.  Nobody has yet given this product the attention it deserves and it’s a missed opportunity.

 

(I’ve actually had good support from ASUS prior - but that’s not what I’m really interested in - sound quality is the big deal).

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 minutes ago, Gavin1977 said:

I personally think a comparison with any other motherboard would have been fine, even your CAPs server?

 

I run 8086k, so could compare.

 

Credit to Hans Beckhuyzen - he did provide comparison, but a commercial streamer, and not a DIY product.  But still gives an idea about it’s relative performance.  Trouble was with his review that it’s the same rig you are using - just a regular ATX power supply.  What the computer audiophile peers want (that you’re the lead of) is a review that try’s this with a proper linear power supply and also the suggested SoTM clocks into the mix.  Let’s see how this thing scales!

 

Sorry, but I’m just very disappointed with the review.  Nobody has yet given this product the attention it deserves and it’s a missed opportunity.

 

(I’ve actually had good support from ASUS prior - but that’s not what I’m really interested in - sound quality is the big deal).

 

For a proper comparison, the only item that can be different is the motherboard. I just can't setup two identical computers, with all the cards and clocks and linear supplies like I used, and compare them. It isn't practical for A/B testing. Any other testing is just a claptrap. 

 

CAPS is a completely different thing than this. A comparison would make zero sense.

 

I completely understand that everyone wants more. More comparisons, this PSU that PSU, this RAM that RAM, etc... I have to set a limit somewhere, and let the extremely detailed discussions take place in the forum. 

 

 

[R1200CL]

1 hour ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

CAPS is a completely different thing than this. A comparison would make zero sense.

So is there a difference?

 

At least it may tell us it’s possible to achieve better SQ with different and more expensive methods. 
 

Or maybe the difference is negligible. 

[botrytis]

2 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Which issues were fixed?

It has to do with the BIOS used in that and 9th generation CPU' motherboards.

 

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/high-severity-bios-flaws-affect-numerous-intel-processors/

 

There are still Spectre and Meltdown flaw issues with these CPU's. Also, nothing earlier is supported by Win 11.

[The Computer Audiophile]

59 minutes ago, botrytis said:

It has to do with the BIOS used in that and 9th generation CPU' motherboards.

 

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/high-severity-bios-flaws-affect-numerous-intel-processors/

 

There are still Spectre and Meltdown flaw issues with these CPU's. Also, nothing earlier is supported by Win 11.

Ah, not a big deal in my opinion. There are always flaws found. For a home music server, not a show stopper. 

[Patatorz]

3 hours ago, botrytis said:

 

Well, remember this chipset/CPU is 8th generation and we are currently at the 13th Gen of Intel CPU's. Just saying old tech, with old issues, that were fixed in the up-and-coming generation of CPU/Chipsets.

 

Goes up to 9th generation. Using right know with a i9-9900k under win11, Audiolinux and Gentooplayer.

[Luvdac]

Done! With jcat usb and ethernet xe cards and a jcat pico nano before the usb card. Powered by an hdplex 500w atx lpsu. The jcat usb card connects to an external hdd powered by an ifi 12v 4A power elite psu with custom pure silver dc cable, as well as to a gustard u18 with a custom pure silver usb cable. The u18 feeds a gustard x26 pro. The hdplex harness is soon to be replaced with hand drawn 99.99% solid core silver cabling.

Initial impressions are very good with windows 10 and roon. A definite step up from a similar arrangement, ( same usb and ethernet cards from jcat, same silver cabling except for the ifi psu) using a run o the mill aorus gigabyte motherboard and coffee lake cpu. Deeper, and better soundstage, improved dynamics etc...BUT...the magic, to my ears lies in the silver cabling. When I changed the stock cable of the psu feeding the external hdd to pure silver, the change was apparent. More analog is the best way to describe it. As for the sotm motherboard, it's well worth the asking price to my ears.