Updated my ref server

Alrainbow

Well-Known Member
Dec 11, 2013
3,189
1,387
450
Hello all. I just updated my reference server and I would like to share
same main board and Zion 3.5 CPU
new OS is win 2016
new beta AO 2.2b5
now using 5 dedicated psu s as follows
two reg D.C. 5 supplies one for solid state OS
SEcond one is for two 1 TB solid state internal drives for music
hd plaex linear 1 psu 5 volt output for audio grade USB card
hd plex linear 2 with hd plex A 250 watt ATX converter board it regulates the 19 D.C. Linear output of one hdplex to power the main BOARD and CPU power only
running roon in both core for tablet remote and full
gui mode as well.
Plyaers used
j river
hq player
roon player
tidal desktop app
roon tidal app.
Its now compleltly hands off in non GUI mode all functions
of any programs are done from android tablet or iPad
or iPhone.
Sound has leaped up again. It's due to three reasons
one is better psu power and it's complete seperatiom of each device. What most may not know is each internal part of a computer each generate noise for processing
so if one D.C. Bus is used they each make noise for the others.
Keeping all separated is a must have for top digtal performance
next is the new win SER 2016 OS audio Phil says it's best one so far.
My server is triple boot meaning
at startup I can load
win 10 pro
win ser 2012
win 2016
all having AO software optimizing software with fid pro 7.9
win 10 pro stinks in comparisons to the win SER OS
AND win 2016 beats out 2012 hands down.
Last is HQ player is the best playback software by a margin
blows up j river and roon player.
Room is used to sort music files and directs player as well
what I have now is amazing digital reproduction in sound
while analog will always be the lead this digital for me is the frontier with my two dacs.
Many help I can give to others is welcomed.
 

elescher

Member Sponsor
Sep 12, 2010
201
1
0
New York
Hi Ken,

I have been using a SOtM-200 (now the new Ultra) with the modified ethernet switch (clock) that SOtM offers. I have pretty much maxed out everything wrt linear PSU's, etc, etc., and have always wondered if moving to Win 2016 (from 10 pro, AO., etc.), would yield better sonics. I have used HQplayer for many years and like you I have all my drives and OS powered with separate ext. Psu's because ~ 2 years ago I was using the Jcat USB straight to my DAC. Now with the SOtM in the chain, do you think that spending (more) resources on the computer end will benefit?

TIA.
 
Last edited:

Alrainbow

Well-Known Member
Dec 11, 2013
3,189
1,387
450
Not insulating but win 10
Stinks compared to win 2012 and win 2016 blows up 2012
Do it and AO a very easy addition. Just shrink the c partion about 30g it will create and drive or what ever is next.
Then download win 2026 evail and load it on new unallacated space. Simple
At boot up you get a window to choose what system to boot too.
I use win 2016 , AO and fid pro. If you went the linaer rout already you will be very surprised how much further you can go.
Hq player is the best player but exhausting to get there
J river is a simple way to get close as you may know.
Go for it. It's why I did a triple boot to see for myself what the changes are. Win 2016'AO AND fid pro hands down.
AO beta 2.0beta 5 rules
 

awsmone

Well-Known Member
Apr 6, 2014
1,616
513
435
Canberra Australia
Not insulating but win 10
Stinks compared to win 2012 and win 2016 blows up 2012
Do it and AO a very easy addition. Just shrink the c partion about 30g it will create and drive or what ever is next.
Then download win 2026 evail and load it on new unallacated space. Simple
At boot up you get a window to choose what system to boot too.
I use win 2016 , AO and fid pro. If you went the linaer rout already you will be very surprised how much further you can go.
Hq player is the best player but exhausting to get there
J river is a simple way to get close as you may know.
Go for it. It's why I did a triple boot to see for myself what the changes are. Win 2016'AO AND fid pro hands down.
AO beta 2.0beta 5 rules

That's interesting info

Thx
 

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