04-Nov-2014, 12:03
(03-Nov-2014, 17:34)Antoine Wrote: In June I wrote:
(10-Jun-2014, 17:40)Antoine Wrote: Earlier I wrote I would test the different inputs myself as well but I haven't got to that yet. Also on computeraudiophile.com I've read way too much about tweaking the music server when using USB (while there seems to be no real need for that when using ethernet). I've read about special SATA cables, SATA filters, separate USB PCIe interface cards, 3 way/voltage linear PSU's, special motherboards, motherboard clock replacements etc. etc. etc. which isn't really a path I'd like to take. It's too much 'OCD' for me!
And I was wrong I did take the path...
Today the PPA Audio Red SATA cable came in so I could (almost) finish my PC music server. I'm VERY satisfied with the end result, it's easily the best sound I've ever heard in my home. The same goes for musical enjoyment.
I'd recommend this setup to anyone who's not "afraid" of PC's and it internals.
All the clichés below apply but I feel they're true and I now get both the "intellectual" view (ability to hear everything in the music) and rewarding musical qualities at the same time. This is something I (have) always search(ed) for. Before I'd missed out somewhat on the musical qualities. Each and every recording is enjoyable now, even the harsh/compressed bad ones but they can be differentiated even more also.
- Bigger soundstage/better staging, holographic imaging, larger 3D-effect
- Very well defined bass, deeper and more powerful
- Lifelike, fluid and very precise, transparant sound reproduction
- Natural air, timbre and image density
- No more harshness, digital sounding music -> analog sound quality
- Very low "noise floor" / black backgrounds
- Exceptional detail and both micro and macro dynamics
- Parts of the music can be easier heard separately but no particular aspects really draw attention to itself allowing to enjoy it as a whole as well.
For those not easily shocked at seeing the inside of a PC mutilated see the attached picture. And yes, it's very OCD and not very pretty!!
What you can see is star grounding of some (partially or fully) shielded components like the JCat USB interface card and RAM, shielded DC cables and PCIe riser cable, case and mainboard. Below the aluminum plate at the front is the HDPlex DC ATX converter.
Still to do:
- install better DC power cable to SSD disk (parts are in house)
- experiment with EMI absorption material like 3M AB5100S
Impressive stuff Antoine!
Guillaume
Industry disclosure: UK distributor for Shunyata Research
220 PRO, totaldac d1 server with additional external power supply, totaldac d1-seven, Echole PSU for Totaldac, Wilson Audio Sasha 2, Shunyata Research cables, Shunyata Hydra Alpha A10 + DPC-6 v3, Various Entreq ground boxes and cables, Entreq Athena level 3 rack, 2 X SOtM sNH-10G with sCLK-EX + 10MHz Master Clock input + sPS-500 PSU, i5 sonicTransporter w/ 1TB SSD
UK