AfterDark. Constellation Giesemann X1 Ethernet Server Adapter

[AfterDark.]

AfterDark. Constellation Giesemann X1 Ethernet Server Adapter 

 

The very first Ulimate Audiophile network card which build in 10M Master Clock Sync Module for Audiophile.

 

We performed real listening test and music playback is approaching perfection, it is so much refine and organic with X1 and Giesemann EVA OCXO Reference Master Clock.  

 

Listening impression will be demostrated in YouTube very soon. 

 

Purchase Link for X1

 

 

The design is based on the unique material on shielding layer, selection on Carbon Fiber, the product research and development on Giesemann OCXO product since 2021. AfterDark. take a further step to design the world's first audiophile network card which can accepting 10M Master Clock input for Audiophiles who would like to paid extraordinary attention to the master clock arragements (as well as providing developed clocksync and external reference clock options for EtherREGEN) to minimize timing error to unprecedented levels. 

 

The quality of the Network Card is crucial to deliver the optimal sounding for Music Server, which ensure the intergrity of music data at the very first transfer via Network. The Constellation Giesemann is designed along with the mind that temperature perturbation, vibration shock, and electromagnetic interference (EMI), and the use of separated Giesemann Clock Sync Modules will provide the best isolation for re-clocking performance.

 

 

 

The Giesemann Clock Sync motherboard is located at the middle and mounted on Carbon Fiber audiophileMAT to maximise the performance for Giesemann Clock Sync Module (GCSM) for Constellation Giesemann Network Card. The grounding arrangement and 5V DC port slot is located on the bottom of the PCIe card to provide the best electronic contact for the clock module. 

 

The Constellation Giesemann X1 Network Card is balance in sounding, no excessive mid and bass. The mid-range is sweet and background is full of darkness with trace of micro details. Soundstage is deep and instrument opened up nicely on music, the bass is just right. Overall Constellation Giesemann Network Card is very musical, airly and provide the state of art resolution in music. Highly recommended. 

 

 

What is special about X1?

 

• The Netword Card is tailor made to use 10M Master Clock to optimise sounding.  Audiophile can make use of their 10M Master Clock to provide the master sync for the audiophile system. Using the single Master Clocking system can achieve the best possible sound quality for both Roon Server on NIC and Switches and Network Player. Improves music playback from Roon (Tidal, Qobuz) and files on local network. 

 

• 10M Master Clock Signal can be either Square Wave or Sine Wave
  • Full supports for all AfterDark. Giesemann Master Clock, Mutec Master Clock and Cybershaft Master Clock 
  • 50 ohms or 75 ohms input version can be choose when order.  

 

• The Standard Version of BNC port is used to input external 10M Master Clock. This arrangement and design would ensure Audiophile can use their very best exotic BNC Clock cable without any BNC to SMA adaptor which may caused loss of information in clock signals. Incredible sound quality improvements for any music server.  

 

• The Enterprise level high quality Intel I350-T2V2 Ethernet Controller is used. The V2 chipset is the new generations of I350-T2, the heat is much lower and lower powered. Lower heat means lower noise floor and smoother sounding. The hardware of Intel i350 is well known to provide much better stability and this can provide the best support for operating system: Windows (all editions and Linux of UBuntu, Snakeoil). Plug and Play of any PC with PCIe slot. 

 

• Audio Grade Electrolytic, aluminum electrolytic is used for sound tuning 

 

 

• The power section of Gisemann Clock Sync Module (GCSM) is separated power by external LPS at 5V 2A. It eliminates computer as source of powers. For lowest noise and best sounding using Farad Super 3 power supplies. 

 

 

• Two audiophile grade network ports supports up to 1Gbit connection speed.  Audiophile can make use of software network bridge function to connect one port for incoming data from router and other port to connect the music streamer directly. The noise floor will be much quieter and details on background will improves. 

 

 

Why use OCXO Master Clock? 

You will get an improvement in dynamic's, a lower noise floor and more natural flow in the sound.

• For us a OCXO Master Clock is one of the most important factor's in ensuring the best possible sonic platform for any hifi system!

 

• The Giesemann Master Clock is designed for high precision audio equipment to enhance the integrity of the signal, the top of the line Giesemann OCXO ensure the accuracy of the master clock prodvide a time domain reference for reading data, its transfer and decoding. As a result, the Master Clock could minimize jitter and ensure the improvement on sounding.

 

• The Giesemann EVA OCXO Master Clock is designed to generate a very accurate, ultra low phase noise 10M Master Clock signal that delivers more accurate transfer and conversion of digital signals.

 

• The addition of the external 10M Master Clock can improve the soundstage and details of the Music Server, the extraction of details from the background is just amazing and help to achieve optimal music playback with enhanced timbre, full tone, and escpecially pace, rhythm and timing. 

 

 

Purchase Link for X1

 

Technical Specification:

 

• Ultra - Low Noise Linear LT3042 Regulators and filters eliminate the noise interferences from a PC
• Duelund Audio Cable is used to connecting the DC power to Giesemann Clock Sync Module (GCSM)  
• DC Port at 2.1mm (Germany Made) 
• Required to power with external LPS rated at 5V 2A
• Audio Grade Electrolytic, aluminum electrolytic is used for sound tuning 
• 10M Master Clock input of BNC is required to connect to the board for full operation. 
• Master Clock accepts either Square Wave or Sine Wave 
• Choice of impedance of 75 ohms or 50 ohms to choose for 10M input 
• Superior OCXO signal isolation, industrial grade IPEX cable for signal transmittion to motherboard. 1st Layer of aluminum foils for High Frequency (HF) Effective shielding. SFS-PE (Foam-Skin Polyethylene) insulated and 2nd layer of copper wire braiding. This will prevent external noise from getting to the signal conductors, shields the shield of the cable to further prevent the ingress of noise (RFI, etc.) into the signal wires.
• Layer of Carbon Fiber Shielding (CFS) for EMI shielding, Carbon Fiber protection provide the highest standard of shielding material which mainly used for industrial and most demanding engineer on special project.  
• “Extra Arrangement on Grounding Wire” the grounding braid outside of the 10M cable was connected by IPEX connector for best connectivity on clock signal witin industrial standard. 
• Industrial Version of Intel i350 V2 Ethernet Controller 
• Highest Industrial Grade with wide range of extreme operating temperature -40C to +85C.  
• Gold Plated high performance EMI Shielded RJ-45 connectors.
• All Windows editions and Linux OS Supports 
• All x4 - x16 lane PCIe 2.0 to 4.0 slots supported
• All modification hand made in Hong Kong by AfterDark.

 

 

For Audiophiles who like to optimise the sound on software levels, the Tips and Tweaks is attached for audiophilestyle's members   

X1 Sound Tuning Tips and Tweaks for Intel PROSet Adapter Configuration Utiltiy.pdf

[Mantheunknown]

Hi 

 

Only RJ45 no SFP choice possible?  Want to feed my FITLET w/o a FMC in between.

Can one use a T connection on the clock output to feed 2 different items at the same time.  Or should one get a clock with three discrete BNC connections.

 

Good stuff

Thanks

[AfterDark.]

15 minutes ago, Mantheunknown said:

Hi 

 

Only RJ45 no SFP choice possible?  Want to feed my FITLET w/o a FMC in between.

Can one use a T connection on the clock output to feed 2 different items at the same time.  Or should one get a clock with three discrete BNC connections.

 

Good stuff

Thanks

 

Hi! Mantheunknown,

 

There will be "SFP version" later within this month.

 

For Master Clock in Sinewave at 50ohms, the spliter (transfomer type) can be used. For best result, use 3 discrete BNC connections. 

 

Thanks and have a nice day.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark. 

[Mantheunknown]

GREAT!

Looking forward to it.

Thank you

Cheers

[AfterDark.]

Hi! 
 

We are delighted to share some setting on Intel PROset Apps, which may be useful for audiophile to optimise sounding on Windows OS and Linux.

 

 

X1 Sound Tuning Tips and Tweaks for Intel PROSet Adapter Configuration Utiltiy.pdf

 

Thanks and have a nice weekend.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark.

[AfterDark.]

Hi All,

 

We are delighted more X1 user experience significant improvements with this beautiful card with their help with external 10M master clock.

 

X1 user is welcome to share their internal photos with their music server too.

 

Enjoy Music with AfterDark.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark.

 

[Zauurx]

Card supplied with low-profile adaptor for HDPlex chassis (for example) ?

[AfterDark.]

Yes, there will be short low-profile version for HDPlex Chassis. This version is requires two slots. One extra slot for BNC 10M Clock input. 

[AfterDark.]

Since we have some Audiophile request to use this network card at the office, or the location cannot access to external master clock. 

 

We designed this internal OCXO version for serious Audiophiles. This version is avaliable to purchase now. 

 

Purchase Link

 

The Giesemann Clock Sync Module (GCSM) is build in OCXO. 

 

The Special Edition for HDPlex Chassis Edition - Internal 2.54 Molex DC Socket

 

[Atriya]

On 2/17/2023 at 8:06 PM, AfterDark. said:

Hi! 
 

We are delighted to share some setting on Intel PROset Apps, which may be useful for audiophile to optimise sounding on Windows OS and Linux.

 

 

X1 Sound Tuning Tips and Tweaks for Intel PROSet Adapter Configuration Utiltiy.pdf 970.36 kB · 77 downloads

 

Thanks and have a nice weekend.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark.

 

Thanks Adrian. I have bought the X1 with built-in OXCO, and am trying to configure it optimally. The PROset apps cannot be installed on Windows 11 as mentioned here:

 

Support Information for Intel® PROSet and Intel® Advanced...

 

However, many of the same settings (but not all) are available in the "Advanced" tab of the network adapter Properties window.

 

Some questions and concerns:

 

1. When connecting router to one LAN port and the audio streamer directly to the other LAN port, is it fine to "bridge" the two ports together by right clicking with both selected and creating a bridge? This allows Roon to detect the streamer.
2. Is there a preference for which should go in which port? I.e., router in #1 and streamer in #2 vs. router in #2 and streamer in #1.
3. Should the tweaks described in your PDF (applied in PROset or the "Advanced" tab) be applied to the router-connected port, or the streamer-connected port, or both?

[AfterDark.]

Hi! Atriya,

 

Happy New Year!!!

 

Thanks for your message and questions. 

 

As per conversation, there is some technical way to make the dual NIC which we have done long time ago. Recently, we found a proper way to make two port as network bridge as below: 

 

We recommended port 1 to the router, and port 2 to streamer.

 

1. Assign your Streamer at Port 2 a static IP (e.g. 172.168.1.28) that is outside the DHCP range of the router and note down all details. The batch command ipconfig /all may help.
2. Use the Winkey+X to open the Power User menu and select "Network Connections"
3. Click "Change adapter options.
4. Select both network port adapters
5. Right-click the selection and click "Bridge Connections".
6. At this point, the Music Server at Port 1, should have access to the network and internet with the IP address information allocated by the router via DHCP, but the Windows computer hosting the bridge at port 2 to streamer won't have internet.  
7. Now right-click the "Network Bridge" in Windows, select Properties, click "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and select Propertie and Assign the previous static IP address. (e.g. 172.168.1.28) 
8. Finally, choose and tick Port 2 of the Adapters from the pull down list at the "Network Bridge" under Properties (e.g. Ethernet 1 at Port1 and Ethernet at Port 2) 
9. The port 2 will be sucessfully bridge and access to internet from port 1. 

 

https://superuser.com/questions/1801822/windows-dual-nic-bridge-interfaces

 

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-set-and-manage-network-bridge-connection-windows-10

The tweak can be applied to both ports and it makes a differences in sounding.

 

Thanks and have a nice day.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark. 

[AfterDark.]

We just complete the build for X1 Ethernet Server Adapter and U1 USB card for one Audiophile. He is using the HDPlex ATX power supply for his music server.

 

We made to order the new SATA power plug for him. The dc cable is using Duelund Audio from Holland. Very smooth sounding and almost become standard wire we use everyday.

 

We are quite happy to made to order the new option for most customers with different requirements. The new option for Internal SATA Power Plug is added today.

 

Purchase Link