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e seal

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  1. Hi Jaypeecee, You are right. To use CAPS2 on wi-fi, you'll need a usb wi-fi dongle. Best regards, e seal
  2. There are several ways to accomplish remote control of CAPS2. For media playback, I use J River Media Center 17. J River has a nice app for android devices, Gizmo, that provides remote control through a wi-fi network. Since I already had a home wi-fi network, it made sense to go this route. For the android device on which to run Gizmo, I chose a Sony Tablet S. It is good sized without being too large or too small. In addition, the Tablet S can be programmed to operate my other remote-controlled audio system devices, such as CD transport, DAC, pre-amp, and power amp.
  3. Eloise is correct. The case described for CAPS 2 includes a display, which is not used. Since the publication of the original CAPS 2 article, the case manufacturer has made the case available without the display at a lower cost. This is how I bought it since I had no plan to use the display.
  4. Thanks for the heads-up on the new drivers. I updated my computer without any difficulty.
  5. PROBLEM RESOLVED. As one of the first to report a problem (more than a year ago) booting C.A.P.S v.2 with the two SoTM boards installed, I have tried five different power supplies and found that only two effectively resolved the problem. The first was a very inexpensive SMPS bought on ebay, and the second is the one that I'm reporting on now. Recently, I took delivery of a Paul Hynes SR7-EHD-12 linear regulated power supply that has no output current limiting. In the time I have had this supply it has booted my C.A.P.S. v.2 every time. This supply has a current rating of 10 A. continuous and in excess of 40 A. transiently. I have not had it long enough to comment extensively on the sound, but in the brief time I've listened to it, I am very favorably impressed. It certainly sounds better than the (very inexpensive) SMPS it replaced. In addition, it seems to be well-constructed. I have found only one draw back: Cost.
  6. Another vote for Pinnock and The English Concert
  7. Hi Joel,<br /> <br /> If my recommendations (below) don't work, may I suggest that you post your question under "Music Servers" in the forum. I think that your query will be seen by more readers there than here.<br /> <br /> I built a CAPS v.2, and use a external SATA hard drive to store music files on, so I have some experience with a configuration similar to yours. <br /> <br /> Is your operating system (presumably Win 7) on the solid state drive (usually Drive C:)or on your external hard drive? If it's on the hard drive, I think you would be best to transfer it to the solid stated drive (Drive C:).<br /> <br /> Once you are certain that the operating system is on Drive C:, go into BIOS and be sure that it is selected as the first boot device. At this point, leave the external SATA drive disconnected. Shut down the computer, and install the SATA drive. Be sure that the eSATA cable is pushed in all the way on both ends (computer and drive) and that the wall wart for the SATA drive is also installed so that the drive has external power. I have found that some eSATA connectors don't fit well into their sockets -- they either won't go in all the way without a good push, or they are loose. In either case it causes problems. Now, try booting the machine.<br /> <br /> <br /> Hopefully, this will resolve your problem.<br /> <br /> Best regards,<br /> e seal
  8. Hi Joel, When I completed my CAPS V2 about six months ago, I was also looking for an external drive with an eSATA port. I decided on an Other World Computing Mercury Elite-AL Pro external housing coupled with a Samsung 2TB HD294UI hard disc drive. In fact, I liked this solution so much that I eventually bought two. I use one as my working drive and the other as back-up. This combination is very quiet. I only hear it when the drive spins up to working speed (5400 rpm)-- it makes a cresecendo whine, but once up to speed I can't hear it unless I put my ear right next to the housing. The Mercury Elite-AL Pro is all aluminum and constructed quite well. It has four port options: Firewire 400, Firewire 800, USB 2.0, and eSATA. I use the last option with my CAPS. This combiination has two downsides, depending on your comfort level: You have to install the hard disc drive into the external housing, a process that involves six Phillips screws. Then, you have to configure the external drive for use with Windows OS. As delivered, it is configured for use with MAC OS. The step-by-step directions to change configuration are available at the Other World Computing web site. They are simple to follow, and the entire process takes less than 15 minutes. In the six months since using these external drives I have had no problems with them.
  9. Recently, I discovered a WiFi range extender that, unlike some computer peripherals, is incredibly easy to set-up. It is a Diamond Multimedia WR300N. I use WiFi in my audio system to control JMRC 17 with Gizmo via a Sony Tablet S. I also stream internet radio to my music system (Its great fun to listen to Radio Bartok from Budapest, even though I don't understand Hungarian!). I also use WiFi throughout my home for wireless(non-audio)computer access. The device consists of a "brick" about the size of three stacks of playing cards that requires a computer with internet access for set-up. The set-up takes about 5 minutes and is extremely straight forward. In fact, it takes almost as long to read the set-up instructions as it takes to do the actual set up. Once programmed, the device can be plugged into any outlet between the wireless router and the wireless device that needs a boosted signal. Before the booster was installed, parts of my 4500 ft^2 home had areas where the WiFi signal strength was 1-2 bars (out of 4), and the connection to the network would require several tries. With the booster installed, the signal strength is 4 bars and the connection to the network is immediate. Although I haven't tried it, the manufacturer states that the device can also be configured as a wireless access point, or as a wireless bridge device. It is available from Amazon, as well as from other sources. DISCLAIMER: I have no affiliation, financial or otherwise, with the manufacturers or sellers of devices mentioned.
  10. For the past several days, I have followed this thread with considerable interest. My grandfather, Robert Kinney, was a master violin maker/restorer/appraiser in the metropolitan New York City area from 1909 to 1959. His customers ranged from beginning students to very seasoned professional musicians (from the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Boston Symphony, among others). At various times, he had instruments in his studio from the major "Old Masters," such as Amati, Guarnari, and Stradivari. I was very fortunate to be able to play many of these instruments. He also maintained a large number of instruments in inventory for sale. The ususal practice was for a prospective buyer to audition them, which, of course, meant comparing them sonically to each other. Usually, this was not done blind, but on occasion it was done single-blind (It would not be possible to hide the identity of instuments from the player.) At times, I was the player, at other times, I was one of the listeners. An interesting aside: My grandfather was a master violin maker, but could only play enough to determine the quality of a violin -- he never had violin lessons! Many modern violins are the sonic equal of better known older violins. Certanly, my grandfather's instruments held their own against better known historic instruments. What many modern instruments lack; however, is centuries of mystique or cache. And in the world of classical music, this is a major factor among high-profile musicians. When the comparison is between high quality instruments, I really don't think that trying to identify the maker of a violin by hearing a single snippet played on each instrument is the best method for determing quality. That is not to say that they cannot be distinguished from each other; they can, but in my expereience, it requires hearing more than a snippet. It is necessary to hear a wider variety of music from each instrument to pinpoint its characteristics. Once the instrument is "characterized," its identity can be reliably determined on subsequent hearings. Selecting a violin is a lot like selecting audio components among audiophiles: It is a matter of matching the characteristics of the violin (or audio equipment) to the needs/desires of the auditioner, always factoring in the budget of the prospective buyer. I will forever be indebted to my grandfather for introducing me to classical music, a pursuit I immensly enjoy to this day. Nevertheless, I didn't follow in his footsteps -- becoming a master violin maker. Instead, I became a surgeon, and later in my career, a physician-scientist (I'm now retired). But, I have a very tangible attachment to my grandfather: I play the last instrument that he made, a copy of a 1741 Guarnari del Gesu made that he made in 1959. In addition, I play a circa 1760 anonymously-made French violin.
  11. these are hi rez concert hall organ recordings: From Linn Records: 1. The New Organ of the Philharmonie Mercatorhalle Duisburg, Iveta Apkalna (organist), Acousence Classics. 2. English Town Hall Organ Philharmonie Duisburg, Roland Maria Stangier (organist), Acousence Classics. Both recordings are available in a range of downloads from mp3 to 24 bit/192 kHz flac. I don't own these recordings, but I've listened to the excerpts provided by Linn and they seem to be quite good in both performance and sound quality. From Reference Recordings: HRx 101: Felix Hell (organist), Schoenstein organ at First-Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC, Lincoln, NB. This is a DVD-R 24 bit/176.4 kHz WAV file. I have this recording and it is simply spectacular on my system.
  12. As an owner of a DAC8 for the past seven months, I think I can comment on the queries that you pose: 1. When I bought my DAC8(June 2011)I was told by the salesman that he expected a "DAC8 Reference" version to be released "in about a year." He said that the reference version would likely have a tube output stage. It was a rumor at that time, and as far as I know it is still a rumor now, so take it for what it's worth. As for an upgrade path, I would hazard a guess that there will not be an upgrade. It's more profitable for companies to sell more complete product rather than to sell upgrades. 2. I'm running my DAC8 with a CAPS v.2 and the sound is superb. I think it is safe to say that when properly set-up it will sound better than a Ref CD8. 3. The ARC Windows driver is very solid. In the time I've owned my DAC8, I have had no problem with the ARC Windows driver.
  13. I'm pleased to share informaton about the Sony Tablet S. Thanks so much for all that you have shared with me, as well as with others, on this forum! Elston (e seal)
  14. I'm using a CAPS v.2 + JRMC 17 with a monitor, wired mouse, and wired keyboard for routine tasks. For listening, I use Gizmo on a Sony Tablet S. The Tablet S has IR remote control, which I use for those components that have this capability (CD transport, DAC, pre-amp, and power-amp). I'm very pleased with this set-up.
  15. extracampine,<br /> <br /> As a physician -- as well as being over age 65 -- I'm well aware of presbycusis. I certainly know that I have decreased high frequency hearing. I would agree that I might be unable to hear a high pitched hum from my C.A.P.S. v.2; however, I'm unaware of anyone else, especially younger audiophiles, who own a C.A.P.S v.2 reporting a hum of any type. It sounds like (no pun intended) that there is a defect in the C.A.P.S. that you have. Have you contacted Small Green Computer about this problem?<br /> <br /> e seal
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