07-Jan-2017, 16:20
Hey guys, I admit it's been very quiet here and that's because of one simple reason: I didn't change anything! So sorry to "prove you wrong" Soniclife!
I've only enjoyed my system by listening to music and I haven't even compared the SoTM SMS-200 to the mR yet. So the SMS-200 has been in place since first connecting it.
One thing I did do this week, something that's been on my to do list for quite some time, was exchange the 500GB SSD disk in my previous music server with the 120GB SSD in my 'NAS' PC (which also holds 2x3GB harddisks). Now all my CD rips are stored on a SSD (I own little over 700 albums so that fits) so the harddisks can spin down to save power. My previous music server is only used for video streaming duties nowadays so a 30GB SSD would already be enough. Using the free but excellent EaseUS backup software I could easily migrate/clone both the installations without reinstalling the operating systems etc.
This week I also bought a 20 meter long OM3 fiber cable to experiment with something Romaz brought up on CA. He found that a direct connection to the mR/SMS-200 from his music server, bypassing any active networking equipment like switches and routers significantly improved SQ. It's something that's very counterintuitive to me but cheap enough to try. Of course the way I planned it is not fully equal to what he did since I plan to keep using fiber (my Roon Core server runs on the NAS PC which is in a different room) and thus FMC's, though I did look for fiber ethernet NIC's for in my NAS PC so I would only need one FMC. More info on what Romaz found here: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f10-mu...ndu-31110/
When I feel that "tinkering itch" again to either connect the fiber cable or compare the SMS-200 to mR I'll report back my results.
I've only enjoyed my system by listening to music and I haven't even compared the SoTM SMS-200 to the mR yet. So the SMS-200 has been in place since first connecting it.
One thing I did do this week, something that's been on my to do list for quite some time, was exchange the 500GB SSD disk in my previous music server with the 120GB SSD in my 'NAS' PC (which also holds 2x3GB harddisks). Now all my CD rips are stored on a SSD (I own little over 700 albums so that fits) so the harddisks can spin down to save power. My previous music server is only used for video streaming duties nowadays so a 30GB SSD would already be enough. Using the free but excellent EaseUS backup software I could easily migrate/clone both the installations without reinstalling the operating systems etc.
This week I also bought a 20 meter long OM3 fiber cable to experiment with something Romaz brought up on CA. He found that a direct connection to the mR/SMS-200 from his music server, bypassing any active networking equipment like switches and routers significantly improved SQ. It's something that's very counterintuitive to me but cheap enough to try. Of course the way I planned it is not fully equal to what he did since I plan to keep using fiber (my Roon Core server runs on the NAS PC which is in a different room) and thus FMC's, though I did look for fiber ethernet NIC's for in my NAS PC so I would only need one FMC. More info on what Romaz found here: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f10-mu...ndu-31110/
When I feel that "tinkering itch" again to either connect the fiber cable or compare the SMS-200 to mR I'll report back my results.
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