Introduction of my new Antipodes K50 Music Server

[velcro22]

Mark Cole from Antipodes advised that the replacement fuse for the K50 are the 3.15A for 110v and 2A for 230v. So they are 5x20mm Slow-Blow

Link here to Synergistic site

I would rather not speculate on the Amp for the K40. I assume it is similar but best for you to check.

 

[Maceear]

2AT 230v instead of the original 1AT 230v for the K50?

 

[Tuckia]

Maybe this is new, or I've been living under a rock, but the Antipodes website now says that the K50 has a "Fully-Isolated High-Precision OCXO Reclocker". The original version version K50 has a femto clock. Someone else in touch with Mark Coles said as much and the power supplies have been "upgraded" as well. Pricing has also increased.

However, it is still referred to as a K50, unlike the K40 which is now the K41. There is also a K21 unit.

Does anyone have any further insights about these changes? My first thought was supply chain issues, but maybe there is more to this.

 

[7ryder]

I remember seeing something on the Antipodes website that they had to make some changes to the K50 due to supply chain issues, but at that time, they weren't spelled out. FWIW, they have changed the connections on the back of the current K50 according to the website.

Compare the digital outputs on the current K50 page https://antipodes.audio/support/wp-content/uploads/k50bbs-1.jpg to this https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Antipodes_K50_IMG_1730_550pix.jpg

I had to send my K50 in for service and asked if it could be upgraded to the new digital outputs and was told by Mark Coles that it wasn't possible. Since I don't use I2S, I wasn't that concerned. However, I hope this doesn't mean that the "old" K50s can't be upgraded to take advantage of the new clock and power supply, because one of the reasons I bought the K50 is because of Antipodes upgrade philosophy.

 

[kennyb123]

I had to send my K50 in for service and asked if it could be upgraded to the new digital outputs and was told by Mark Coles that it wasn't possible. Since I don't use I2S, I wasn't that concerned. However, I hope this doesn't mean that the "old" K50s can't be upgraded to take advantage of the new clock and power supply, because one of the reasons I bought the K50 is because of Antipodes upgrade philosophy.

What that likely means is that the cost to switch out everything wouldn't justify the expense. When Antipodes offers an upgrade, they seem to want to make sure their customers get a nice upgrade. The changes to the K50 were forced on them due to parts shortages - it was reactive instead of proactive. Original K50 owners will get an upgrade down the line when they are ready to release something that will really move the needle for both you and those who are purchasing the revised model. I imagine that design is already underway.

 

[Macattack]

Of course, the $64K question is what happened with the SQ? OXCO vs Femto clock being one change that should have moved the needle - right?

 

[kennyb123]

Of course, the $64K question is what happened with the SQ? OXCO vs Femto clock being one change that should have moved the needle - right?

We would have to be able to refer to the page on their website where they explained things. It looks like they removed that page.

What I recall them saying was they tried really hard to find parts that would achieve the same level of performance as the parts they could no longer obtain, but were unable to. The end result was that the new parts actually improved the performance. I don't recall them saying how much of an improvement was attained.

I only recall them saying that the power supply was upgraded. Are you saying that you recalled them mentioning the clock changed too?

 

[Macattack]

…I only recall them saying that the power supply was upgraded. Are you saying that you recalled them mentioning the clock changed too?

I remember reading that but not where I read it. Pretty sure it was on their website. I will try and find it again.

 

[kennyb123]

I remember reading that but not where I read it.

You are probably right. Clocks were definitely amongst the parts that were constrained.

 

[Macattack]

I do know that using the AES output from the ‘latest’ K-50, ROON server with Squeeze Player from my NAS or the internal SSD yields the best SQ I have had in my room.

Though the differences between that connection route and the leveraging my Bricasti M21’s internal ethernet renderer are small. It’s more of a feeling the AES connection is a bit more relaxed, musical and has more feeling. This is with either a Clarus Crimson or AQ Wel AES / EBU cable. They are different from each other and a personal choice. I would lean toward the Clarus.

I will reinsert my souped up i3 server in my system today and make my decision to buy the K-50 or not.

 

[7ryder]

I do know that using the AES output from the ‘latest’ K-50, ROON server with Squeeze Player from my NAS or the internal SSD yields the best SQ I have had in my room.

Though the differences between that connection route and the leveraging my Bricasti M21’s internal ethernet renderer are small. It’s more of a feeling the AES connection is a bit more relaxed, musical and has more feeling. This is with either a Clarus Crimson or AQ Wel AES / EBU cable. They are different from each other and a personal choice. I would lean toward the Clarus.

I will reinsert my souped up i3 server in my system today and make my decision to buy the K-50 or not.

For me, using the K50 as a server only sounds best versus using the digital outputs, which isn't surprising given that the LAN input is the best on the new Linn KDSM. Kinda hate wasting the player computer though, but figured if I ever move on from the K50, it would be easier to sell it than a K40/41.

 

[speakerlust]

I would not be surprised if there has been several incremental changes over time with the K50 as various supply chain parts issues proved challenging. That could very well continue to play out for the near future as well. I would expect Antipodes has a database of what specifically was installed by serial number or serial number series, but very doubtful Antipodes would be open to sharing that info. I would not blame them for being reticent on this. They very well could be flooded with requests from owners wanting to know and requests to upgrade to the latest. With global uncertainties, the latest may not remain the latest either. Antipodes still needs to concentrate on availability for new unit sales and current K50 line is a very fine piece, regardless of possible internal parts variations. I agree with kennyb123 that eventually there will be a new model and an upgrade path to it, though upgrade path may not involve all variations in parts.

As has been noted above, the former information on Antipodes website regarding changes to the builds due to parts availability is no longer there. I applauded the transparency, but most probably resulted in surges of communication requests to them and dealers on this. It has to be tricky for manufactures on this. Eventually users will share pictures of the internals of their units, and earlier owners will respond that their units look different. Inherently, we all want the latest and greatest. Initially, I too wondered on this and experienced a level of FOMO. Sound production quality is really what is important, and the K50 is quite good on this.

I am curious about software advances Antipodes will be developing for their platforms. Again to preclude being inundated with requests for more info, including specifics on when, I think probable info from Antipodes will be pretty close to actual release date(s) in this area.

 

[Tyke]

For me, using the K50 as a server only sounds best versus using the digital outputs, which isn't surprising given that the LAN input is the best on the new Linn KDSM. Kinda hate wasting the player computer though, but figured if I ever move on from the K50, it would be easier to sell it than a K40/41.

My thought in buying a K41 to go with my DSM. It would have been a waste paying for all the non Ethernet stuff a Taiko or a K50.

 

[kennyb123]

As has been noted above, the former information on Antipodes website regarding changes to the builds due to parts availability is no longer there. I applauded the transparency, but most probably resulted in surges of communication requests to them and dealers on this. It has to be tricky for manufactures on this.

I suspect every manufacturer has had to substitute parts. I suspect even the K30 and the S series of today have different a few parts than the earlier models. Antipodes wouldn't have mentioned it though if the parts substitution didn't impact sound quality.

 

[7ryder]

My thought in buying a K41 to go with my DSM. It would have been a waste paying for all the non Ethernet stuff a Taiko or a K50.

Well, I got a good deal on a used K50 which makes it a little easier!

 

[Macattack]

If any of you K-50 owners use ROON server and Squeeze player, do you notice it misses a half beat on front of any song? It’s a bit annoying. Any solution?

 

[7ryder]

It doesn't when I use it that way

 

[Darmstadtium]

If any of you K-50 owners use ROON server and Squeeze player, do you notice it misses a half beat on front of any song? It’s a bit annoying. Any solution?

I don’t have this issue with Roon server and squeeze player But with roon player. I use resync delay setting to add a small delay in roon. It resolved this issue for me.
but I only get this when I manually change songs. When the song ends and the next song starts I don’t have this issue.

 

[Macattack]

Thank you.

 

[Adimon]

If any of you K-50 owners use ROON server and Squeeze player, do you notice it misses a half beat on front of any song? It’s a bit annoying. Any solution?

Did you try a reboot of Roon and the K50?
I had that issue in the past after an update.