12-Jun-2014, 12:00
For Devialet AIR (now using ethernet after upgrading the D-Premier to 250 specs) I am using a 24/7 powered on "NAS" PC running Windows 8.1. This machine is in a different room in my house and is also used as an email server, storage and backup server, Sickbeard/CouchPotatoe/NZB usenet download machine, etc. etc. I did tweak it somewhat for audio but I have decided to build a separate 100% dedicated playback server now that the Devialet also offers me ethernet and USB.
For the dedicated machine I will re-use my existing fanless HTPC case (Streacom FC5 WS EVO) which is already near the Devialet. I will swap the insides for more current hardware and a low power CPU.
So yesterday I ordered the following hardware
mainboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5
CPU: Intel Core i3-4350T 35W dual core 3.1gHz hd4600
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LP CML8GX3M2A1600C9B 2x4GB
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 500GB
2nd NIC: Intel Gigabit CT Desktop Adapter
The mainboard has a nice option "DAC-UP" which isolates certain USB ports and uses a better low noise and isolated power source for those ports. You can also turn of the USB bus power to these ports. I'm not sure if the Devialet supports this and did ask somewhere else on the forum but I will find out soon now!
I use ethernet AIR as my main input for music (And will probably remain to so) but did connect the USB output of the Devialet to the HTPC for quick and easy 2.0 stereo sound for watching TV series, Youtube etc.
Later (I'd like to determine how much power it uses first) I will probably buy a small linear power supply for this PC to drive the PicoPSU or will look at a linear PSU that provides the different needed voltages to circumvent the PicoPSU as well. I'm looking at products of Teddy Pardo, TeraDak, HDPlex, Item Audio and others.
Also I'll probably start experimenting with Windows 2012 Server R2 plus AudiophileOptimizer vs. Windows 8.1 Pro.
As the music server will be near to the Devialet and will store my music locally I could also start experimenting with direct ethernet connections (no active network equipment between Devialet and this server) and " audiophile" network and USB cabling.
So enough to do on the rainy 'inside' days!
For the dedicated machine I will re-use my existing fanless HTPC case (Streacom FC5 WS EVO) which is already near the Devialet. I will swap the insides for more current hardware and a low power CPU.
So yesterday I ordered the following hardware
mainboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5
CPU: Intel Core i3-4350T 35W dual core 3.1gHz hd4600
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LP CML8GX3M2A1600C9B 2x4GB
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 500GB
2nd NIC: Intel Gigabit CT Desktop Adapter
The mainboard has a nice option "DAC-UP" which isolates certain USB ports and uses a better low noise and isolated power source for those ports. You can also turn of the USB bus power to these ports. I'm not sure if the Devialet supports this and did ask somewhere else on the forum but I will find out soon now!
I use ethernet AIR as my main input for music (And will probably remain to so) but did connect the USB output of the Devialet to the HTPC for quick and easy 2.0 stereo sound for watching TV series, Youtube etc.
Later (I'd like to determine how much power it uses first) I will probably buy a small linear power supply for this PC to drive the PicoPSU or will look at a linear PSU that provides the different needed voltages to circumvent the PicoPSU as well. I'm looking at products of Teddy Pardo, TeraDak, HDPlex, Item Audio and others.
Also I'll probably start experimenting with Windows 2012 Server R2 plus AudiophileOptimizer vs. Windows 8.1 Pro.
As the music server will be near to the Devialet and will store my music locally I could also start experimenting with direct ethernet connections (no active network equipment between Devialet and this server) and " audiophile" network and USB cabling.
So enough to do on the rainy 'inside' days!
PS Audio P3, Shunyata ΞTRON Alpha Digital and HC/Furutech power cables, Paul Hynes SR7EHD-MR4, DIY Roon Server & Roon Endpoint running AudioLinux Headless, Phasure Lush^2 USB cable, Audioquest Diamond RJ/E ethernet, Uptone Audio etherREGEN, Mutec MC-3+ USB, Shunyata ΞTRON Anaconda Digital XLR AES/EBU, Devialet Expert 250 Pro CI, Nordost Tyr Reference LS cables, Von Schweikert VR-5 SE Anniversary Edition, Anti-Mode Dual Core 2.0, JL Audio Fathom F112. More detail here.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands