26-Jul-2015, 12:37
Yes, it's much better than the Aries. (don't know this from personal experience but from following the different forums)
Add a Uptone Audio USB Regen, a JCAT battery PSU (to power the SSD and USB card with) and replace the SoTM USB card with a JCAT USB card. Also use a Paul Pang SATA cable if your budget allows for it.
Use Windows Server 2012 R2 and Audiophile Optimizer as the OS and try out JPlay (you can use this with Roon as well).
Playback of locally stored media files sound better. SSD is better than HDD.
To save costs you could settle on a lower TDP CPU and 8GB of RAM. However if you're planning on using software like HQPlayer you'll need the processing power. If you target your machine to become a Roon Core installation you're better of with a Core i5 or i7 CPU with integrated graphics. You can't use a Xeon with Roon (no integrated graphics) unless you install a discrete graphics card.
However don't do all this if you're not fully comfortable with and around computer hard- and software and reading a lot about it being applied in this way.
Another disclaimer, developments go very FAST in this area. It could be that todays top of the bill system isn't that anymore tomorrow.
Don't try to justify it all using common computer knowledge and the 'bits are bits' theory like I once used to, there's simply more to it and some of the things that seem crazy actually work. Perhaps just start with the basics and then expand when you get the hang of it all.
My $.02.
Add a Uptone Audio USB Regen, a JCAT battery PSU (to power the SSD and USB card with) and replace the SoTM USB card with a JCAT USB card. Also use a Paul Pang SATA cable if your budget allows for it.
Use Windows Server 2012 R2 and Audiophile Optimizer as the OS and try out JPlay (you can use this with Roon as well).
Playback of locally stored media files sound better. SSD is better than HDD.
To save costs you could settle on a lower TDP CPU and 8GB of RAM. However if you're planning on using software like HQPlayer you'll need the processing power. If you target your machine to become a Roon Core installation you're better of with a Core i5 or i7 CPU with integrated graphics. You can't use a Xeon with Roon (no integrated graphics) unless you install a discrete graphics card.
However don't do all this if you're not fully comfortable with and around computer hard- and software and reading a lot about it being applied in this way.
Another disclaimer, developments go very FAST in this area. It could be that todays top of the bill system isn't that anymore tomorrow.
Don't try to justify it all using common computer knowledge and the 'bits are bits' theory like I once used to, there's simply more to it and some of the things that seem crazy actually work.
Perhaps just start with the basics and then expand when you get the hang of it all.My $.02.
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
