Hi Invader,
Sorry for my late reply, I haven't visited the forum this last weekend. No problem of course for you to ask some questions, that's what a forum is for, sharing experiences/knowledge!
Cool that you're building a similar system, I'm sure you wont be disappointed when you get it up&running, but please don't hold me accountable if it's not what you expected!
To answer your questions:
- Correct, you have a sharp eye! I indeed removed and replaced one of the large heatsinks of my Gigabyte motherboard. I think it's there mostly for esthetic reasons and perhaps to cool the load caused by big, powerful CPU's but I nonetheless indeed decided to replace it later (it ran fine without) with the small black heatsinks. I bought these at Reichelt.nl (German company but serving the Dutch market) when I ordered the EMO Systems LAN isolator, only they sold it. But you can find these heatsinks at most electronics retailers. At Reichelt you can find them searching for 'ICK SMD E15'. I also ordered a sheet of double sides adhesive thermally conductive foil. 'WL FOLIE 404 11'
- The Anker will be replaced soon here by a JCAT battery PSU (I should receive it next Wednesday) but the Ankers are quite popular and do their jobs. Be sure to order a first generation one though, my SSD doesn't work with the 2nd generation version that I also bought. To connect the Anker battery you'll have to make your own cable or modify an existing USB cable and SATA power cable. I did the latter and found a 'freebie' USB cable, cut of the USB B connector and soldered the red and black wires inside the USB cable to the red and black wires of a SATA power cable I also had as a spare. This of course is the quick&dirty way, you could also buy a USB connector (kit), some wire and a SATA power connector and crimp/solder it together. If you'll use an existing SATA power cable (see picture below) you can remove the yellow and one black cable. If yours also has the orange cable (most don't) you can remove that as well.
![[Image: sataindex.jpg]](http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/sataindex.jpg)
- I bought the PPA Red SATA cable though Audiophil's mini store. He offers it with a discount but the cable is shipped by PPA directly from Taiwan. I didn't have to pay import duties/VAT etc. You can find the store here: https://www.highend-audiopc.com/store.html
How are you going to power the machine?
Good luck with the building and if there's anything else you'd like to ask, shoot!
edit: I am comtemplating whether I should replace my current i3 processor with a low powered i5, like the 4590T (35W) or maybe the 45W TDP Core i5 4690T. People seem to prefer a more powerful quad core processor (like this i5 or an i7) over an i3 and it would also be(come) handy/needed if and when someone decides to use a player like HQPlayer that can convert all audio to DSD formats. Likewise I have recently swapped my Corsair memory modules for low latency CL7 RAM modules from G.Skill (they are mentioned in the start post of this topic).
edit 2: I've also disconnected al unnecessary cable inside the streacom case (no IR remote board, USB3 connectors). Also not shown, I have used the eSATA enclosure that I initially bought for the CuBox as a nice EMI/RFI shielding case inside the server. I haven't used the connectors of the enclosure, I use it as a nice sturdy aluminum shield only.
Sorry for my late reply, I haven't visited the forum this last weekend. No problem of course for you to ask some questions, that's what a forum is for, sharing experiences/knowledge!
Cool that you're building a similar system, I'm sure you wont be disappointed when you get it up&running, but please don't hold me accountable if it's not what you expected!
To answer your questions:
- Correct, you have a sharp eye! I indeed removed and replaced one of the large heatsinks of my Gigabyte motherboard. I think it's there mostly for esthetic reasons and perhaps to cool the load caused by big, powerful CPU's but I nonetheless indeed decided to replace it later (it ran fine without) with the small black heatsinks. I bought these at Reichelt.nl (German company but serving the Dutch market) when I ordered the EMO Systems LAN isolator, only they sold it. But you can find these heatsinks at most electronics retailers. At Reichelt you can find them searching for 'ICK SMD E15'. I also ordered a sheet of double sides adhesive thermally conductive foil. 'WL FOLIE 404 11'
- The Anker will be replaced soon here by a JCAT battery PSU (I should receive it next Wednesday) but the Ankers are quite popular and do their jobs. Be sure to order a first generation one though, my SSD doesn't work with the 2nd generation version that I also bought. To connect the Anker battery you'll have to make your own cable or modify an existing USB cable and SATA power cable. I did the latter and found a 'freebie' USB cable, cut of the USB B connector and soldered the red and black wires inside the USB cable to the red and black wires of a SATA power cable I also had as a spare. This of course is the quick&dirty way, you could also buy a USB connector (kit), some wire and a SATA power connector and crimp/solder it together. If you'll use an existing SATA power cable (see picture below) you can remove the yellow and one black cable. If yours also has the orange cable (most don't) you can remove that as well.
- I bought the PPA Red SATA cable though Audiophil's mini store. He offers it with a discount but the cable is shipped by PPA directly from Taiwan. I didn't have to pay import duties/VAT etc. You can find the store here: https://www.highend-audiopc.com/store.html
How are you going to power the machine?
Good luck with the building and if there's anything else you'd like to ask, shoot!
edit: I am comtemplating whether I should replace my current i3 processor with a low powered i5, like the 4590T (35W) or maybe the 45W TDP Core i5 4690T. People seem to prefer a more powerful quad core processor (like this i5 or an i7) over an i3 and it would also be(come) handy/needed if and when someone decides to use a player like HQPlayer that can convert all audio to DSD formats. Likewise I have recently swapped my Corsair memory modules for low latency CL7 RAM modules from G.Skill (they are mentioned in the start post of this topic).
edit 2: I've also disconnected al unnecessary cable inside the streacom case (no IR remote board, USB3 connectors). Also not shown, I have used the eSATA enclosure that I initially bought for the CuBox as a nice EMI/RFI shielding case inside the server. I haven't used the connectors of the enclosure, I use it as a nice sturdy aluminum shield only.
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
