TonyB

An excellent article!

Hi Chris, Did you have to do anything in sMS-200 set up to work with Berkeley Alpha USB? When I connect them together, the Alpha USB front indicator turns green. It means that Alpha USB sees USB from sMS-200. However, I am unable to start play on sMS-200. That happens when sMS-200 is not connected to USB DAC or when USB DAC does not have USB input selected. I am speculating that mMS-200 somehow does not correctly communicate with Alpha USB.

SOtM got back to me and informed me that no driver is required for tX-USB card. I have tested it on Windows 7 and it works.

I have an older SotM tX USB card. Unfortunately, the driver is gone and I could not find the driver anywhere. Would anyone have the driver for this card? Thanks.

I will use internal SSD drive for OS and server application. The less rotating drives inside a computer, the less internal electrical noise. The music library will be external in a multi drive enclosure. My music cannot fit on a single drive. Since the server and hard discs are going to be located in a separate room, the noise is not that much of an issue as long as I cannot hear it through a closed door. I will use another set of drives for back up.

I know that I want async USB or async Firewire DAC. As I see it, there is a hanful of good ones right now but I expect that there will be many more available in the future. The hard disc enclosure will be attached directly to the computer. If I use USB DAC, I will go with Firewire disc enclosure. And vice versa. Both Mac and PC will handle USB and Firewire. That is why I do not think that the async DAC disctates the computer selection. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I want to set up a head less remote computer server. The main objective is the highest SQ. The server will be only used to play music. I will be connected to the home router via Ethernet. The only reason for this connection is the ability to download cover art. Lack of Bluetooth/WiFi would be good in my eyes. The server will be connected to asynchronous USB or Firewire DAC. The DAC will have galvanic isolation between the USB/Firewire part and the converter part. The server will be located in a different room, about 6m (20ft) from the listening position. It means that Bluetooth keyboard and mouse should work from the listening position. There is a conduit going from the listening position to the server. This conduit can carry cabling between the server and the listening position. The first question is Mac vs. PC. I tried to read as many posts as I could: 1. One could use a PC similar to C.A.P.S. Since the server will be behind a wall, an absolute quietness is not a must. However, I prefer fan less design. The looks are not that important either since the server will not be visible. I would use an external linear DC supply or a battery to power it. 2. The other option is a Mac. From what I found, Mac is a bit softer sounding, more like analogue LP. That is a good thing for me. From what I found, MacBook is better sounding than Mac Mini. It could be due to MacBook running from batteries. (Is there a point to use a MacBook when I cannot see the screen?) Unfortunately, the latest MM has an internal power supply otherwise I would power it from an external 18V battery. One could also use Mach2 version of MM. The second question is the remote control. In my mind, the less RF around audio equipment, the better. For Mac, I could use: 1. Full remote with another Mac. Wired for MacBook, wireless for MacBook Air and MacBook.. 2. Remote screen with an iPad and wireless Mac keyboard and mouse 3. A computer monitor with a DVI extender and wireless Mac keyboard and mouse. The DVI extender can handle 25ft + 25ft distance. For PC, I could use: 1. A wired or wireless notebook. 2. Remote screen with an iPad. Keyboard and mouse are a bit of a problem, since 20ft is likely a bit too much for PC wireless and 25ft is too long for USB. 3. A computer monitor with a DVI extender. However, the keyboard and mouse are a problem as above. Which server and remote would you recommend? TIA, TonyB