DIY Music Server
Posted by: Hook on 21 March 2010
Have been enjoying the Naim DAC/XPS2 for a few weeks now, and decided to try adding a DIY PC-based music server as a source. Hopefully this experience will be of interest to others considering doing the same.
Wasn't smart enough to figure out which parts to order on my own. Fortunately, Chris Connaker of computeraudiophile.com (and of Minneapolis -- you go home boy!) has already done that.
I followed Chris's blueprint for a Computer Audiophile Pocket Server (CAPS). I was intrigued by his design goals: silent, great sound, no moving parts, easy to operate, easy to assemble, small size, etc. He also wanted it to be future-proof, so bit-perfect playback of 16/44.1, 24/44.1, 24/88.2, 24/96, 24/176.4, and 24/192 was required. The design is based on an Intel Atom motherboard, and the price target is $1500.
Chris's favorite audio card is the Lynx AES16 PCI card. And while the Lynx FAQ page says do not connect to a S/PDIF DAC, I did read where others got this to work using a D-sub25 to XLR cable along with a Canare XLR to BNC connector. This connector is also a 100-to-75ohm impedance transformer, and reduces the 5V input voltage down to 1V output (so as to not fry the DAC). Almost tried this, but finally decided it was too much monkeying around. I went instead with an audio card from RME. Thank you Eloise for that recommendation!
I actually made two changes to the blueprint: 1) Logic Supply M350 case (the great looking OrigenAE case is back-ordered), and 2) RME Hammerfall DSP 9632 (PCI). Seeing as how BNC seems to be the preferred route to the DAC, I followed Chris's recommendation to use Redco Audio to custom build a D-sub9 to BNC cable. They did a nice job, and at a very reasonable price. These two changes brought my CAPS cost down to $1050.
Also followed Chris's recommendation of Windows 7 and J River Media Center 14. His instructions give plenty of setup advice for getting bit-perfect output from this combo. Thus far, JRMC 14 is proving to be much more stable and easy to use than Mediamonkey 3.2, which I've used since last summer. JRMC 14's support of WASAPI is rock solid so far. Am also loving its perfect support for gapless playback (works just like a CD player -- space between tracks when there is supposed to be, yet no gaps on live albums).
Chose Windows 7 Professional so that Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) could be used for control. Am using an MSI netbook (via a wireless N router), and it works great -- hardly any lag during scrolling. The CAPS server is hard wired to the same router via 1Gb ethernet. My music files are FLAC level 0, and stored on a Buffalo Linkstation (2 mirrored 2GB drives). Most are 16/44, but also have downloaded a few 24/88.2 and 24/96 albums. Just love seeing the DAC's hd light come on! No JRMC 14 settings to change for playback of different resolutions -- it just works.
This CAPS server is the best sound I have ever heard in my listening room. My frame of reference includes Oppo BDP-83SE, used both as a digital transport to the DAC, as well as an analog stereo source (SACD, Blu Ray). Also have a laptop connected via USB through an M-Audio Transit to the DAC (Mediamonkey, Rhapsody, internet radio). To my ears, the sound from the CAPS server is clearer, and more extended in both bass and treble than my other digital sources. And as you DAC owners know, the soundstaging is crazy good. I have not listened to NAIM CDP's at home -- only at a dealer -- so it makes it difficult to know how much I am missing out on more traditional NAIM virtues like PRAT. My other point of comparison is a P3-24/Stage N/Flatcap XS. Am a big fan of the vinyl experience, and while the Rega's midrange is quite appealing, I now strongly prefer the CAPS/DAC/XPS2 in almost all other respects.
If you are new to the world of computer sand computer audio, please do be put off by the details of the hardware build and the software install. It was not very difficult to do - all you need is a screwdriver and a grounding strap - and there are so many places to go for help. This was my first attempt at DIY from scratch. Using Chris's instructions, and the manuals from Intel and RME, the assembly took me an hour or so. The Windows 7 and JRMC 14 installs are quick and easy (fyi, I used a USB DVD drive -- no internal drive, no moving parts in the CAPS server). Chris clearly describes the option settings for the operating system and for the media center software in order to ensure bit-perfect playback. There are a ton of options for the RME card (it was built for pro audio), but the default settings seem to work just fine.
The dumbest mistake I made during this process happened early on. Everything had arrived except for the custom BNC cable, so I used an OptiChord Toslink cable to get started. Got everything built, installed, configured, etc., but no sound. Took about 30 minutes of head scratching before I realized I had inserted the OptiChord into the RME card's Toslink input instead of its output). Duh. A quick switch and I was off to the races.
My next step will be to explore using my Nait XS's Tape output for recording vinyl using the RME card. Wish it had a Tape Monitor function -- oh well. Also wish Pure Vinyl was available on PCs, but it is not. So vinyl recording software is TBD. Anyone have a recommendation? Thanks.
Am really glad I did this. Am convinced it is a low risk/high reward option for very good digital music playback. Was a relatively painless earning experience, and am now enjoying the results tremendously. Sorry for the longish post -- again, hopefully this experience was worth sharing.
Hook
Wasn't smart enough to figure out which parts to order on my own. Fortunately, Chris Connaker of computeraudiophile.com (and of Minneapolis -- you go home boy!) has already done that.
I followed Chris's blueprint for a Computer Audiophile Pocket Server (CAPS). I was intrigued by his design goals: silent, great sound, no moving parts, easy to operate, easy to assemble, small size, etc. He also wanted it to be future-proof, so bit-perfect playback of 16/44.1, 24/44.1, 24/88.2, 24/96, 24/176.4, and 24/192 was required. The design is based on an Intel Atom motherboard, and the price target is $1500.
Chris's favorite audio card is the Lynx AES16 PCI card. And while the Lynx FAQ page says do not connect to a S/PDIF DAC, I did read where others got this to work using a D-sub25 to XLR cable along with a Canare XLR to BNC connector. This connector is also a 100-to-75ohm impedance transformer, and reduces the 5V input voltage down to 1V output (so as to not fry the DAC). Almost tried this, but finally decided it was too much monkeying around. I went instead with an audio card from RME. Thank you Eloise for that recommendation!
I actually made two changes to the blueprint: 1) Logic Supply M350 case (the great looking OrigenAE case is back-ordered), and 2) RME Hammerfall DSP 9632 (PCI). Seeing as how BNC seems to be the preferred route to the DAC, I followed Chris's recommendation to use Redco Audio to custom build a D-sub9 to BNC cable. They did a nice job, and at a very reasonable price. These two changes brought my CAPS cost down to $1050.
Also followed Chris's recommendation of Windows 7 and J River Media Center 14. His instructions give plenty of setup advice for getting bit-perfect output from this combo. Thus far, JRMC 14 is proving to be much more stable and easy to use than Mediamonkey 3.2, which I've used since last summer. JRMC 14's support of WASAPI is rock solid so far. Am also loving its perfect support for gapless playback (works just like a CD player -- space between tracks when there is supposed to be, yet no gaps on live albums).
Chose Windows 7 Professional so that Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) could be used for control. Am using an MSI netbook (via a wireless N router), and it works great -- hardly any lag during scrolling. The CAPS server is hard wired to the same router via 1Gb ethernet. My music files are FLAC level 0, and stored on a Buffalo Linkstation (2 mirrored 2GB drives). Most are 16/44, but also have downloaded a few 24/88.2 and 24/96 albums. Just love seeing the DAC's hd light come on! No JRMC 14 settings to change for playback of different resolutions -- it just works.
This CAPS server is the best sound I have ever heard in my listening room. My frame of reference includes Oppo BDP-83SE, used both as a digital transport to the DAC, as well as an analog stereo source (SACD, Blu Ray). Also have a laptop connected via USB through an M-Audio Transit to the DAC (Mediamonkey, Rhapsody, internet radio). To my ears, the sound from the CAPS server is clearer, and more extended in both bass and treble than my other digital sources. And as you DAC owners know, the soundstaging is crazy good. I have not listened to NAIM CDP's at home -- only at a dealer -- so it makes it difficult to know how much I am missing out on more traditional NAIM virtues like PRAT. My other point of comparison is a P3-24/Stage N/Flatcap XS. Am a big fan of the vinyl experience, and while the Rega's midrange is quite appealing, I now strongly prefer the CAPS/DAC/XPS2 in almost all other respects.
If you are new to the world of computer sand computer audio, please do be put off by the details of the hardware build and the software install. It was not very difficult to do - all you need is a screwdriver and a grounding strap - and there are so many places to go for help. This was my first attempt at DIY from scratch. Using Chris's instructions, and the manuals from Intel and RME, the assembly took me an hour or so. The Windows 7 and JRMC 14 installs are quick and easy (fyi, I used a USB DVD drive -- no internal drive, no moving parts in the CAPS server). Chris clearly describes the option settings for the operating system and for the media center software in order to ensure bit-perfect playback. There are a ton of options for the RME card (it was built for pro audio), but the default settings seem to work just fine.
The dumbest mistake I made during this process happened early on. Everything had arrived except for the custom BNC cable, so I used an OptiChord Toslink cable to get started. Got everything built, installed, configured, etc., but no sound. Took about 30 minutes of head scratching before I realized I had inserted the OptiChord into the RME card's Toslink input instead of its output). Duh. A quick switch and I was off to the races.
My next step will be to explore using my Nait XS's Tape output for recording vinyl using the RME card. Wish it had a Tape Monitor function -- oh well. Also wish Pure Vinyl was available on PCs, but it is not. So vinyl recording software is TBD. Anyone have a recommendation? Thanks.
Am really glad I did this. Am convinced it is a low risk/high reward option for very good digital music playback. Was a relatively painless earning experience, and am now enjoying the results tremendously. Sorry for the longish post -- again, hopefully this experience was worth sharing.
Hook
Nice one.
I also built a silent PC a month or so ago. Mine was based on the architecture for the CMP2 system, using a ESI Juli@ PCI card.
I've experimented with various bit perfect Windows players and have settled on Linux with MPD as the best player tested so far. Because it's running as a service it's easy to connect a client from pretty much any device.
Happy listening
I also built a silent PC a month or so ago. Mine was based on the architecture for the CMP2 system, using a ESI Juli@ PCI card.
I've experimented with various bit perfect Windows players and have settled on Linux with MPD as the best player tested so far. Because it's running as a service it's easy to connect a client from pretty much any device.
Happy listening