Unfortunately somehow the slight bright-/thinness I experienced before crept back in. Don't know yet for sure why it was gone for a short while directly after increasing the voltage of the SR7 output feeding my SMS-200. (http://devialetchat.com/showthread.php?t...9#pid58369). Could be multiple reasons, the solution could also be simple: go back to the "non-direct" network connection (so music server and SMS-200 both back, connected to an ethernet switch). I would however sacrifice the additional clarity, transparancy and incredible detail that setup gives me so it's better to keep looking for a/the cause(s). Most likely I've exposed a new bottleneck, which could be the FMC's or the music server (standard non-optimized hardware, fans, spinning disks, SSD, big SMSS power supply)
I've been looking at some options for a music server to possibly replace my DIY NAS. I mentioned it before, when I put a music server back into the living room I'd like to power it using 12V from the Hynes SR7 PSU.
This 12V requirement limits my options somewhat:
1. use a PicoPSU (or PicoPSU style) in a regular mainboard that can be powered with 12V. I could use my previous optimized music server (dismantled mosty, now HTPC) for this purpose.
2. Buy an Intel NUC/Mac Mini
3. Buy a Chinese mini PC like the ones here: https://eglobal.aliexpress.com/store/all...0.0.xNPQvS
4. Buy a mini PC of the better known brands like Gigabyte, Acer, etc.
5. Build one small, energy efficient but powerful machine myself using a thin-ITX mainboard that accepts 12V
I'm skipping options 1 & 2. Option 1 because of reliability and quality issues. Option 2 because I'm not a fan of the NUC/Mac. Not fanless, overpriced, too limited, too small. Same goes for option 4 except the overpriced part.
Option 3 could be a nice 'low cost' option. For example a complete system with low powered (15W TDP) 7th Gen Intel Core i7 7500U dual core CPU for about €370 excluding RAM/storage including shipping. (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product...80790.html). No idea about its quality though. Can easily rip out the WiFi and SD card reader. No room for an additional NIC or PCIE, M.2 cards though or any other stuff.
Option 5 is what I oriented on further today. It would give me maximum flexibility using well known brands I trust.
Case: HDPlex H1.S ~$189 + $9 for thin ITX backplate (http://www.hd-plex.com/hdplex-h1.s-fanle...-case.html)
Mainboard:
Gigabyte GA-H110TN-E (single onboard NIC) ~€120 http://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-H...-rev-10#ov
Gigabyte GA-H110TN (dual onboard NIC) ~€165 http://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-H110TN-rev-10#ov
Both have a PCIE (4x) expansion slot to install a NIC or USB card so the -E version which has the least unnecessary other options would be preferred. Cheaper too.
CPU:
Preferred a latest 7th generation S1151 Kaby Lake one with a TDP of 35W. Sweet spot CPU's for me would be one of these where I currently favour the i5 one.
Intel Core i3-7100T dual core @ 3,4GHz, 4MB L3 cache (~€132)
Intel Core i5-7600T quad core @ 2,8GHz-3,7GHz, 6MB L3 cache (~€242)
Intel Core i7-7700T quad core/hyperthreading @ 4 @ 2,9GHz-3,8GHz, 8MB L3 cache (~€335)
Storage: I would start with my recently bought 1TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD and see from there
Memory: 2x4GB kit of DDR4 memory. Nothing special, something like Corsair Value Select CMSO8GX4M2A2133C15 (~€65)
I can install my current PCI-E Intel I210 NIC in the PCIE 4X slot or upgrade it to either a fiber NIC or dual 1Gbs NIC.
Could also upgrade the mainboard clocks!
No rush, these are the first ideas that formed over the past few weeks but I'll all think it over without any pressure over the coming days/weeks!
I've been looking at some options for a music server to possibly replace my DIY NAS. I mentioned it before, when I put a music server back into the living room I'd like to power it using 12V from the Hynes SR7 PSU.
This 12V requirement limits my options somewhat:
1. use a PicoPSU (or PicoPSU style) in a regular mainboard that can be powered with 12V. I could use my previous optimized music server (dismantled mosty, now HTPC) for this purpose.
2. Buy an Intel NUC/Mac Mini
3. Buy a Chinese mini PC like the ones here: https://eglobal.aliexpress.com/store/all...0.0.xNPQvS
4. Buy a mini PC of the better known brands like Gigabyte, Acer, etc.
5. Build one small, energy efficient but powerful machine myself using a thin-ITX mainboard that accepts 12V
I'm skipping options 1 & 2. Option 1 because of reliability and quality issues. Option 2 because I'm not a fan of the NUC/Mac. Not fanless, overpriced, too limited, too small. Same goes for option 4 except the overpriced part.
Option 3 could be a nice 'low cost' option. For example a complete system with low powered (15W TDP) 7th Gen Intel Core i7 7500U dual core CPU for about €370 excluding RAM/storage including shipping. (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product...80790.html). No idea about its quality though. Can easily rip out the WiFi and SD card reader. No room for an additional NIC or PCIE, M.2 cards though or any other stuff.
Option 5 is what I oriented on further today. It would give me maximum flexibility using well known brands I trust.
Case: HDPlex H1.S ~$189 + $9 for thin ITX backplate (http://www.hd-plex.com/hdplex-h1.s-fanle...-case.html)
Mainboard:
Gigabyte GA-H110TN-E (single onboard NIC) ~€120 http://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-H...-rev-10#ov
Gigabyte GA-H110TN (dual onboard NIC) ~€165 http://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-H110TN-rev-10#ov
Both have a PCIE (4x) expansion slot to install a NIC or USB card so the -E version which has the least unnecessary other options would be preferred. Cheaper too.
CPU:
Preferred a latest 7th generation S1151 Kaby Lake one with a TDP of 35W. Sweet spot CPU's for me would be one of these where I currently favour the i5 one.
Intel Core i3-7100T dual core @ 3,4GHz, 4MB L3 cache (~€132)
Intel Core i5-7600T quad core @ 2,8GHz-3,7GHz, 6MB L3 cache (~€242)
Intel Core i7-7700T quad core/hyperthreading @ 4 @ 2,9GHz-3,8GHz, 8MB L3 cache (~€335)
Storage: I would start with my recently bought 1TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD and see from there
Memory: 2x4GB kit of DDR4 memory. Nothing special, something like Corsair Value Select CMSO8GX4M2A2133C15 (~€65)
I can install my current PCI-E Intel I210 NIC in the PCIE 4X slot or upgrade it to either a fiber NIC or dual 1Gbs NIC.
Could also upgrade the mainboard clocks!
No rush, these are the first ideas that formed over the past few weeks but I'll all think it over without any pressure over the coming days/weeks!
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