CuBox Project X

[Kunter]

Kunter,
could you give us an outline of the set-up you think you're aiming for? I know things are likely to change en route (they always do), but presumably you have a destination in mind.
Apologies if you've already spelt this out elsewhere and I've missed it.
I'm planning to go down a slightly different route, with a Windows Intel NUC running JRiver, loaded with 2TB SSD and all manner of software settings to optimize for audio. This will connect to the Dev via ethernet.
Matt

Matt,

The idea is pretty simple actually and totally inspired by TotalDac...

My experience, the less software running on a dedicated PC, keeping information busses free as much as possible, produces better results in audio. And most of the "why" beats me.

I have been using Windows and Mac devices and its all about stopping unnecessary services, giving priority to audio over other processes (on a regular mac for example, an average of 100-120 different processes run all the time, with 5 times many threads, all asking for processor time, data bus bandwidth etc), and cleaning out the power supply. The laptops I use sound better without the charger plugged in, running on batteries, screens turned off. Also, playing files from the disk where the operating system resides is a big no no...

TotalDac server is also using a PC in the unit to get data from external storage, and pushing it to its USB output, which then is connected to the input of a, seemingly very high quality, data reclocker. This is then output in AES/EBU (or S/PDIF) format to DACs. And it is attacking the good pc issue from a completely different angle, using a very simple architecture device which requires minimal power, very simple bare minimum software with no bells and whistles (linux variants in this case) which have almost no business other than sending decoded music data out.

Since the main issue is to get the data out on USB mainly unharmed, and our friends experience say the result on TotalDac server is prima, and since no device in the world can save lost data, my assumption is even without the reclocker engaged, the audio output from the PC portion of the server should be high quality. (hence my question to Guillaume)...

And since all the HW and SW of TotalDac server is seemingly off the shelf, Cubox and Mubox) I will try to see if I can replicate the situation at home, and in the end, get an updated Squeezebox like device, which just reads data from external storage, renders it, and sends it to Devialet USB input, which is supposed to be good as well...

The main caveats are:
- Clean power supply: I will attack this with Linear or Battery power supplies. To power a CuBox, a very low power PS would be enough hence easing up the design, therefor reducing cost
- Good external storage: new Cubox has eSATA interface,which is supposedly better (read faster, less prone to interface, and in a different path than the USB which will be used to output data) than any other alternative
- Silent: no moving parts or fans on the device, so no problem
- Eliminate EMI: TotalDac has a Transformer MuMetal cover above the CuBox. I will do the same. Easy to find.

My plan is, I will be able to put the CuBox very close to Devialet, connect external storage and manage everything via iPad (MPaD), connect high quality USB cable to Devialet, et voila, audio bliss..

We will see... Any ideas/suggestions welcome.

cheers,

Kunter