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#1 mdskier

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Posted 24 July 2019 - 05:10 PM

First off I would like to thank all of you participating in this forum for the valuable information.  Yes I have been lurking for a longtime.  :)
 
My current CAT is a Asrock ITX motherboard with a Intel I7, a SSD and HDPlex 100W LPS running Win 10, Jriver, A.O. 3.0 and Fidelizer 8.4.  My library is housed on a Synology NAS.
 
So here is my new system build.
 
Case: HDPlex H5 2nd Gen
Motherboard: SUPERMICRO MBD-X11SCA-F-O 
Processor: Intel E-22XX
Ram: Apacer ECC DDR4 2666
SSD: Apacer SLC
Power Supply: HDPlex 200W LPS 
 
JCAT Usb FEMTO
JCAT Net Card FEMTO
 
Already have
JCAT Reference SATA Cable 
 
I am sure I could crazy but here this is a good start.  :)
 
More to follow as I source the components.

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#2 Thuan

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Posted 24 July 2019 - 05:34 PM

This is a very good start. What about router, OS, and optimization software?
WS2019 core, AO3 (1A/2D), JPLAY/JCAT XE/iOS, ES/TC, Xeon CPU, Industrial ECC RAM, Gustard X26, Singxer SU6, Linkwitz Pluto 2.1+

#3 mdskier

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Posted 25 July 2019 - 08:26 AM

This is a very good start. What about router, OS, and optimization software?

 

Router - not sure at this point.  Any recommendations?  I might build a second dedicated system so I can do a dual system.  We will see how this whole thing plays out.

 

As for the OS and Optimization software, I am leaning towards a Windows server flavor, TBD, and A.O and Fidelizer.   Basically I want to get the software setup and after that it needs to have minimal amount of maintenance requirements so I can enjoy music.



#4 Thuan

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Posted 25 July 2019 - 01:15 PM

Take a look at "in search for the best sounding router" topic started by Marcin, May 19 2019.
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WS2019 core, AO3 (1A/2D), JPLAY/JCAT XE/iOS, ES/TC, Xeon CPU, Industrial ECC RAM, Gustard X26, Singxer SU6, Linkwitz Pluto 2.1+

#5 genvirt

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Posted 28 July 2019 - 04:56 AM

 

First off I would like to thank all of you participating in this forum for the valuable information.  Yes I have been lurking for a longtime.  :)
 
My current CAT is a Asrock ITX motherboard with a Intel I7, a SSD and HDPlex 100W LPS running Win 10, Jriver, A.O. 3.0 and Fidelizer 8.4.  My library is housed on a Synology NAS.
 
So here is my new system build.
 
Case: HDPlex H5 2nd Gen
Motherboard: SUPERMICRO MBD-X11SCA-F-O 
Processor: Intel E-22XX
Ram: Apacer ECC DDR4 2666
SSD: Apacer SLC
Power Supply: HDPlex 200W LPS 
 
JCAT Usb FEMTO
JCAT Net Card FEMTO
 
Already have
JCAT Reference SATA Cable 
 
I am sure I could crazy but here this is a good start.  :)
 
More to follow as I source the components.

 

Hello!

It's very good set up and was recommended so by Marcin, but I tried to find some on line store for ordering and cant find any especially for Apacer Ram.

Processor better to be of TDP 35W

Thank You!



#6 mdskier

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Posted 01 May 2020 - 03:40 PM

So I ordered the following today.

 

Supermicro MBD-X11SCA-F

Apacer ECC Ram 4gig x 2


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#7 mdskier

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Posted 12 September 2020 - 08:51 AM

Update - This build is still in progress.

 

I have a Apacer SLC SSD that I need to add.  Waiting for my JCAT fix including NetCard Femto, USB Card Xe, DC Cables, Net isolator and another SATA Cable.  Looking forward to completing this project.

 

Do I have the JCAT Reference Cable direction installed properly?

Attached Files


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#8 Marcin_gps

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Posted 14 September 2020 - 09:51 AM

Yes, it's correct :)


JPLAY for iOS: the new reference hi-fi app. 


JCAT: streaming specific products for high-end audio
 
Join Computer Audio Enthusiasts group on facebook

#9 mdskier

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Posted 04 October 2020 - 04:51 PM

 Received the rest of my hardware from Marcin last week.  Connected everything up, loaded Windows Server 2019 GUI and JRiver.  Gave it a test run to make sure everything was working and WOW it sure is.  Very pleased, no A.O. or Fidelizer installed not needed at this time.  Can't give specifics how each improves the sound but together this is the way to go.

 

Asked my wife for her impressions.  More detailed, better soundstage, clearer voices and more better bass then our previous CAT. I AGREE!

 

Case: HDPlex H5 2nd Gen

Motherboard: SUPERMICRO MBD-X11SCA-F-O 
Processor: Intel E-2204G
Ram: Apacer ECC DDR4 2 X 4 GIG
OS SSD: Apacer SLC 64Gig
DATA SSD: Samsung 1TB
Power Supply: HDPlex 300W LPS 
 
JCAT Usb XE Card
JCAT Net Card FEMTO Card
JCAT Net Isolator
JCAT DC Cables
JCAT Reference SATA Cables x 2

Attached Files


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#10 Marcin_gps

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Posted 05 October 2020 - 01:05 PM

Excellent build! 


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JPLAY for iOS: the new reference hi-fi app. 


JCAT: streaming specific products for high-end audio
 
Join Computer Audio Enthusiasts group on facebook

#11 vlaag

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Posted 23 October 2020 - 09:15 AM

After switching some hardware beause of coil whining around the CPU I decided to buy this board instead:

Case: HDPlex H5 2nd Gen & Motherboard: SUPERMICRO MBD-X11SCA-F

 

I still hear audible high pitch noise coming from the computer, worrying that it will affect the sound quality.

 

Is this normal for the CPU to squak a bit ?



#12 Marcin_gps

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Posted 23 October 2020 - 06:02 PM

After switching some hardware beause of coil whining around the CPU I decided to buy this board instead:

Case: HDPlex H5 2nd Gen & Motherboard: SUPERMICRO MBD-X11SCA-F

 

I still hear audible high pitch noise coming from the computer, worrying that it will affect the sound quality.

 

Is this normal for the CPU to squak a bit ?

Hmm, it is normal at close proximity. 

 

If you don't want any switching regulators, you will have to wait for JCAT streamer/server... ;)


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JPLAY for iOS: the new reference hi-fi app. 


JCAT: streaming specific products for high-end audio
 
Join Computer Audio Enthusiasts group on facebook

#13 vlaag

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Posted 27 October 2020 - 05:47 PM

Thx. I fixed the noise by changing some settings in the BIOS. It is now totally silent.
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#14 amolan

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Posted 27 October 2020 - 07:08 PM

Hi Vlaag,

 

Could you please share what did you change in the Bios settings ? Thanks.



#15 Maerio

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Posted 07 November 2020 - 02:21 PM

Thx. I fixed the noise by changing some settings in the BIOS. It is now totally silent.


Hello . I would also like to know the secret of these settings.
 

#16 vlaag

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Posted 07 November 2020 - 09:48 PM

I will check and come back to this to what is changed from default settings. I know I changed multiple things but for sure disabled the C states and graphic card from the cpu.

#17 JossDSD

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Posted 23 November 2020 - 06:30 AM

Hi Marcin!

 

I'm new in the forum. For a few months I have been learning to mount my first dual pc system. After reading a lot on one side and the other, I have decided to mount the following in the next few months, with Windows Server 2019 Datacenter core mode, Jplay Femto, MinorityClean, AO, Fidelizer, Process Lasso, on RAMdisk:

 

2x Streacom FC9 Alpha

2x Supermicro X11SCL-F

2x Intel Xeon E-2236

2x 2x8GB ECC RAM Apacer DDR4-2666 MHz UDIMM (Industrial RAM Extended Temperature Range D31.23245S.001)

Intel Optane 905P SSD 960 GB AIC PCIe x 4 3D Xpoint, for music. (My discotheque is small) https://www.amazon.c...?language=en_US

JCAT USB Card XE

2x JCAT NET Card XE

JCAT Signature USB Cable

JCAT Signature LAN Cable GOLD (to connect audio-pc and control-pc)

Some JCAT NET Isolators

Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X and Ubiquiti UAP-AC-LR

Some JCAT Reference LAN Cable GOLD (to connect contol-pc, net isolators, Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X, Ubiquiti UAP-AC-LR)

JCAT Optimo 3 Duo for usb and net cards. (One output for the usb card xe and the other for the 2 net cards xe )

2x JCAT Optimo ATX

2x JCAT USB + LAN Ground Conditioners

IFI Audio iSilencer+ on all usb connections that cannot be removed in bios.

 

Regarding this system I have several questions:

 

1.- What do you think of the system?

 

2.- Regarding the Streacom FC9 Alpha box,

I know that you have your audio-pc mounted with the HT4 thermal riser and I would like to know if you have the standard heat pipes that come with the box or you use the heat pipes extendeds LH4 .

 

3.- Intel Xeon E-2236,

a.- Is this the processor you currently recommend?

b.- With this processor and 2 x 8 GB of ram memory, can I do resampling superior to DSD with HQ Player fluently, if I ever use it?

c.- What do you think of the Xeon E-2278G?, ... 8 cores, 16 threads, 3.40 / 5.0 GHz basic frequency / turbo, 16 MB cache, TDP 80W, DDR4-2666 ECC, the bad the integrated graphics and that the manual of X11SCL-F says it only supports up to 6 core. There is no solution?

 

4.- Regarding the ram memory,

a.- Will there be enough space on the RAMdisk with 16 GB for WS2019 + Jplay Femto + MinorityClean + AO + Fidelizer + Process Lasso + Audirvana,if I ever use it, maybe HQ Player too?

b.- 1.-What do you recommend for RAMdisk, 4 x 4 GB or 2 x 8 GB? If you answer 4 x 4 GB, I know you recommend the model D31.23185S.001, right?

2.- And for 8 GB modules would it be the D31.23245S.001?

3.- I understand that the two models use the same type of ram and therefore have the same quality of sound, right?

d.- I have also seen in the photos you have published that you put ram modules in the 2 more slots close to the cpu, I think it's mono channel, is that the setting that sounds the best?

 

5.- JCAT Optimo 3 Duo,

a.- Can I feed with an output 2 net xe cards fluently?

b.- Will the noise coming of the whole network, also the ground noise from net card xe of control-pc go to the net card xe of audio-pc because they are powered by the same output?I already know about JCAT USB + LAN Ground Conditioner and JCAT NET Isolator but I suppose there will always be some of that noise.

 

6.- Jplay Femto,

I have purchased it and will activate it later. Is this discount still in effect on other Jcat products for being a Jplay user? http://jplay.eu/foru...rue/#entry32823 If it is still in effect, will I be able to benefit even if it is not activated?

 

My apologies Marcin for so many questions , but as you can see I am very green on this issue and I have many doubts. I also congratulate you for this website full of audiophile knowledge, and for the Jcat roducts, which in the absence of testing them on my part, They get such good reviews from everyone.

 

I await impatient to your answers !!

 

Regards cordials.



#18 Marcin_gps

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Posted 30 November 2020 - 03:52 PM

1. Looks good. I'd wait for the Optimo ATX PSU and a matching enclosure :)

2. Yes, I'd still use this CPU. 16GB RAM is plenty of upsampling although I have not used hqplayer extensively. 

3. 16GB should be enough for ramdisk and these applications. I'd use 2x8GB. Apacer wth latest Samsung IC, yes. I use dual-channel. 

5. Yes, 1.5A for each of the cards is enough. It is better to power components within one PC using a single optimo 3 duo. It will sound great in your configuration too. 

6. There are no discounts on JCAT products other than the current promotions in the webshop. With many items, we can negotiate disccount individually. 

 

Regards,

Marcin


JPLAY for iOS: the new reference hi-fi app. 


JCAT: streaming specific products for high-end audio
 
Join Computer Audio Enthusiasts group on facebook

#19 JossDSD

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Posted 04 December 2020 - 08:56 PM

Thank you very much Marcin for your advice, patience and kindness.
 
Regards. :)


#20 Kuni

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Posted 04 December 2020 - 10:55 PM

Joss, I have been playing a lot with ram windows or ramdisks previously. For testing purposes foobar ramdisk plugin is very close to get an impression of how it affects the sound. My experience that ramwindows is not necessarily a best choice and it is much depend on the system. Sound is airy, more soundstage and at the same time somewhat thinner. If you use thick power cables or have lots of bass from the speakers, then it might be a good choice.

Audio PC Core 2016 AO2.0, SOTM, Gustard U16, DAC DIY, Pass Labs XA160, Wilson Audio Sasha v2, Speaker Silver cables DIY, Qyaide.





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