Antipodes Audio - Updated Range and Upgrade Program - July 2023

[Ron Resnick]

Welcome to WBF, JJJS!

What a wonderful first post you wrote! Thank you for this review!

PS: I love the Amati Homage as a very natural sounding and musical and emotionally-engaging speaker!

 

[Ron Resnick]

Yes, I heard more detail and more distinct detail due to the overall very quiet background of the Oladra. . . . Ella on Round Midnight had that velvety layer attached to her voice which I missed on the Oladra.

It remain obviously personal references, but for me it was clear that a technically superior apparatus does not mean that the end result is more enjoyable music to my ears.

Bravo to you for performing this comparative audition and for following your ears!

Just because a component is more expensive does not mean that you or I or anyone of us will prefer it to the less expensive component.

Just because a component we own is upgraded to a new version does not mean that we necessarily will prefer the new version. (This is why I advise people not to upgrade automatically unless the person actually auditions the new version of his component and decides he actually prefers it to the prior version.)

I think that sometimes the more expensive component, or the new version of an existing component, increases resolution and detail, but such may not be an unambiguous improvement if somehow it impacts emotional connection or musicality in a countervailing, negative way.

PS: An example of this for me personally -- in a different context -- is that I tend to prefer the original boron cantilever versions of cartridges I like to the "new and improved" diamond cantilever version of the same cartridge.

 

[OLADRA]

Bravo to you for performing this comparative audition and for following your ears!

Just because a component is more expensive does not mean that you or I or anyone of us will prefer it to the less expensive component.

Just because a component we own is upgraded to a new version does not mean that we necessarily will prefer the new version. (This is why I advise people not to upgrade automatically unless the person actually auditions the new version of his component and decides he actually prefers it to the prior version.)

I think that sometimes the more expensive component, or the new version of an existing component, increases resolution and detail, but such may not be an unambiguous improvement if somehow it impacts emotional connection or musicality in a countervailing, negative way.

PS: An example of this for me personally -- in a different context -- is that I tend to prefer the original boron cantilever versions of cartridges I like to the "new and improved" diamond cantilever version of the same cartridge.

Antipodes ethos is all about the music, Antipodes aims to reproduce the sound of real voices and instruments in real spaces, rather than deliver a sound spectacular - we cannot emphasise this enough
We design for music lovers, so we won’t be drawn into competing on the specifications, designing for what we call ‘false detail’, or turning music into the aural equivalent of a special effects movie, because to do so would lose the emotional connection with the recorded performance. If that means we are not for everyone, then we are comfortable with that, because we figure we will be in the good company of other music lovers.

 

[OLADRA]

The Antipodes USB solution seems not to be PCIe based, can you shed some light on this?
Thx

Matt

Antipodes Audio approach differs from others, USB is taken directly off the Player board utilizing the USB Bus into its own output, for the previously mentioned, isolation, reclocking, and regeneration.

 

[matthias]

@OLADRA
What do you think about releasing a stand alone device with your new USB engine with one USB input and one USB output?
Thx

Matt

 

[OLADRA]

@OLADRA
What do you think about releasing a stand alone device with your new USB engine with one USB input and one USB output?
Thx

Matt

Hi Matt, We have discussed this and a plethora of other options internally, we have in the past released similar with the USB S20 Re-Clocker.
Currently we are focusing on the current range and getting the upgrades and new G4 models into customers racks.
Never rule anything out

 

[matthias]

This is my first review.

Great review, one question:
Was the Oladra the latest G4 or a former generation?
Thx

Matt

 

[OLADRA]

Great review, one question:
Was the Oladra the latest G4 or a former generation?
Thx

Matt

Original, there are no G4 OLADRA in the wild at present, shipping later in the month.

 

[matthias]

@OLADRA
Is it possible to stream via UPnP from a Macbook running Audirvana Studio to an G4 Antipodes K21?
Audirvana Studio is able to stream via UPnP to an endpoint, so the question is only about the K21.
Thank you

Matt

 

[OLADRA]

@OLADRA
Is it possible to stream via UPnP from a Macbook running Audirvana Studio to an G4 Antipodes K21?
Audirvana Studio is able to stream via UPnP to an endpoint, so the question is only about the K21.
Thank you

Matt

Hi Matt, Yes, what you propose is certainly possible, you may find that using local files on the K21 to be superior in sound, but if you are wedded
to the Audivarna Studio ecosystem, then UPnP playback to a K21 utilizing MPD in "end-point" mode would be the solution.

 

[matthias]

you may find that using local files on the K21 to be superior in sound

I do not have local files but would use Audirvana for streaming from Qobuz.
Can you suggest a superior sounding solution for streaming from Qobuz with the K21(no Roon please )?
Thx

Matt

 

[kennyb123]

Can you suggest a superior sounding solution for streaming from Qobuz with the K21(no Roon please )?

Squeeze provides Qobuz integration. Squeeze is the best sounding option in my humble opinion.

 

[matthias]

Squeeze provides Qobuz integration. Squeeze is the best sounding option in my humble opinion.

Did you try JPLAY for iOS with your Antipodes?
Thx

Matt

 

[kennyb123]

Did you try JPLAY for iOS with your Antipodes?

Not yet

 

[OLADRA]

Did you try JPLAY for iOS with your Antipodes?
Thx

Matt

Mixed feedback on the Antipodes forum regarding JPLAY, I have also yet to give it a go personally.
Echo @kennyb123 Squeeze with Qobuz sounds great, worth a test

 

[Darmstadtium]

how do I play with Jplay on my antipodes ?

 

[OLADRA]

how do I play with Jplay on my antipodes ?

Use MinimServer and MPD, there is a thread over on the Antipodes Forum.

 

[JJJS]

Any listening experiences yet with the updated machines?

 

[Darmstadtium]

Any listening experiences yet with the updated machines?

There are a couple over at Antipodes support forum in this thread

Antipodes support forum link

 

[matthias]

Any listening experiences yet with the updated machines?

Some interesting feedback here as well:

CX, EX, K, S, Oladra, Antipodes, Owners Unite

I thought I would start a thread were Antipodes owners could discuss tips and tricks.

www.head-fi.org

Matt