How to optimize $5k or should I wait...

[FrankMA]

Hello,

I have embarked down the path of moving my music off my computer based setup (iMAC/USB Drive>Ethernet) and on to a dedicated music server.  Primarily I am looking for significantly improved sound quality. It will feed my PS Audio Jr DAC (I2s is probably the optimal method). Need at min 4TB in onboard storage. Prefer not to use a NAS or attached drives but am I missing something by not doing this). I have a sub-optimal ethernet path from my computer currently with multiple switches (various Netgear) to the audio system (no PSU upgrades). I have a lifetime Roon sub and want to stay with that. Prefer not to go down the spaghetti setup path if at all possible (is this really possible if I go USB?). 

 

I really need help optimizing my spend because this is a significant investment for me

 
Current budget is $5k

My 2CH audio system consists of:

PS Audio DirectStream Jr

Oppo BDP-105
Ayre K-5xe Pre
Conrad Johnson MF2500a Amp
Vandersteen Quatro Woods
AQ Niagara 1000
AQ cables

 

 

Currently under consideration (some may need to be used). Current favorites *:

 

*Innuos MKII Std (USB) - hopefully some shake loose from MKIII/Statement upgraders

*Sound Science Music Vault Ultra II (I2S)

Antipodes EX (USB)

 

Stretch:

*Pink Faun 2.16 (I2S) - can't afford the clocking upgrades of the 2.16x and I am worried about support if something goes wrong (expensive to ship back & forth)

Wolf Audio Alpha 2 (USB)

 

Based on my equipment/setup what is the best way to optimize this $5k?  Is there a better way to spend these $'s? What else should I consider for servers? Will I need to realistically save more?

 

Thank you in advance

 

[jaspal kallar]

Firsty great system !

"Innuos MKII Std (USB) - hopefully some shake loose from MKIII/Statement upgraders"

I don't have any experience myself with Innuos MKII Std but I've read that  Innuos MKII and MKII SE sounds better by adding a USB device eg like the SOtM tX-USBultra USB.  How much better I don't know.

Personally for me I don't want to add USB extra boxes in conjunction with power supplies if I'd chosen the Innuos MKII Std (USB).  

I wish Innuos would give an option to upgrade the USB in the Innuos MKII Std (USB).  It seems you have to go the the Statement for that.  

[ElviaCaprice]

Why not build your own optimized server with clocking and power for much less?  You can farm out the hard part, clocking to SOtM.  Use SOtM's USB card.  Buy separate power supplies.  Save a lot on doing your own build for the same or better SQ.  Plus your modular for future upgrades.  

Whereas these expensive servers are not very friendly to upgrades and loose a lot of value with the quickening market development.  

Plus you have better control over the software.  

[FrankMA]

1 hour ago, jaspal kallar said:

I don't have any experience myself with Innuos MKII Std but I've read that  Innuos MKII and MKII SE sounds better by adding a USB device eg like the SOtM tX-USBultra USB.  How much better I don't know.

Personally for me I don't want to add USB extra boxes in conjunction with power supplies if I'd chosen the Innuos MKII Std (USB).  

I wish Innuos would give an option to upgrade the USB in the Innuos MKII Std (USB).  It seems you have to go the the Statement for that.  

Definitely a concern if I go with the Innuos MKII jaspal

[tapatrick]

7 hours ago, FrankMA said:

Hello,

I have embarked down the path of moving my music off my computer based setup (iMAC/USB Drive>Ethernet) and on to a dedicated music server.  Primarily I am looking for significantly improved sound quality. It will feed my PS Audio Jr DAC (I2s is probably the optimal method). Need at min 4TB in onboard storage. Prefer not to use a NAS or attached drives but am I missing something by not doing this). I have a sub-optimal ethernet path from my computer currently with multiple switches (various Netgear) to the audio system (no PSU upgrades). I have a lifetime Roon sub and want to stay with that. Prefer not to go down the spaghetti setup path if at all possible (is this really possible if I go USB?). 

 

I really need help optimizing my spend because this is a significant investment for me

 
Current budget is $5k

My 2CH audio system consists of:

PS Audio DirectStream Jr

Oppo BDP-105
Ayre K-5xe Pre
Conrad Johnson MF2500a Amp
Vandersteen Quatro Woods
AQ Niagara 1000
AQ cables

 

 

Currently under consideration (some may need to be used). Current favorites *:

 

*Innuos MKII Std (USB) - hopefully some shake loose from MKIII/Statement upgraders

*Sound Science Music Vault Ultra II (I2S)

Antipodes EX (USB)

 

Stretch:

*Pink Faun 2.16 (I2S) - can't afford the clocking upgrades of the 2.16x and I am worried about support if something goes wrong (expensive to ship back & forth)

Wolf Audio Alpha 2 (USB)

 

Based on my equipment/setup what is the best way to optimize this $5k?  Is there a better way to spend these $'s? What else should I consider for servers? Will I need to realistically save more?

 

Thank you in advance

 

Worth mentioning but may be a bit left field and DIY for you:

http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4541&sid=ce157fd952ce83ca4d4f3f35c0b951dd

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DSD-STM32F407ZET6-SD-lossless-digital-dial-I2S-output-support-16Bit-24Bit-32Bit-192K-WAVE-FLAC-APE/32822764654.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.wFSdTF

 

Only costs $50 or so, and has a bit of a following over on TirNaHifi - runs off SD cards. I run one into the I2S input on my PS Audio Junior DAC and even without mods and case, no contest it is off the scale the best sounding source that I have tried.

[FrankMA]

1 hour ago, ElviaCaprice said:

Why not build your own optimized server with clocking and power for much less?  

Whereas these expensive servers are not very friendly to upgrades and loose a lot of value with the quickening market development.  

 

Agree this is a cheaper option Elvia but not sure I have the skill to build one at this point.  The rapid pace of development is certainly a concern as well as this get's north of $5k (maybe even north of $3k). The ability to upgrade would be value highly.  Antipodes has a path. Pink Faun/Sound Science as well although the PF has to go to Denmark....

[FrankMA]

14 hours ago, tapatrick said:

Worth mentioning but may be a bit left field and DIY for you

 

Hello tapatrick - that is a little outside the box approach for me. Appreciate the suggestion though

 

 

[tapatrick]

3 hours ago, FrankMA said:

 

??

[FrankMA]

I did pull the trigger on a new Innuos Zenith MKII 4TB for $5k. Too hard to pass up at 20% off the prior price. I am glad they shook free once the MKIII was announced.  

On the search for a USB cable to my PS Audio DSJr Dac

[FredM]

This one is new on my shortlist

http://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/cables-reviews/reviews-digital-cable/mad-scientist-black-magic-usb/

[FrankMA]

Hi FredM Looks interesting. I will put that on my list.

 

Also considering Audioquest Diamond, Light Harmonic Lightspeed 10G & Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7. Although I would like to  spend less....

[davide256]

This  thread on CA may prove useful, I see mention of the Lush USB cable

 

 

and this page with Austinpop's review

 

 

 

[FrankMA]

17 minutes ago, davide256 said:

Thanks Dave - I will definitely take a closer look at both of those threads for USB recommendations

 

 

 

 

[Ralf11]

I don't think you will get "significantly improved sound quality"  but the Lush and the long, long thread are your best shots at it from the direction you are headed.

 

How about more spendy Vandies?

[diecaster]

@FrankMA

 

If you don’t want use the Bridge II card built into your DirectStream Jr. DAC, I would recommend going with an ultraRendu feeding your DAC via USB. Ted Smith, the DAC designer, says that USB input is just as good as the I2S input if the source is good and the ultraRendu is great.

 

For the server I would go with a sonicTransporter i5 or i7 with a big internal spinner or use an external USB drive.

 

Ted Smith will tell you all of these expensive external word clocks are a waste of money with his DACs.

 

I am using Roon with a DirectStream DAC with a Bridge II card fed by  sonicTransporter i5. It sounds fantastic. 

[FrankMA]

@Ralf11 Thanks for the input. I am pretty happy with my Quatro Woods. Maybe a CT down the road

 

@diecaster I will definitely try ethernet to the Bridge II card. Interesting comment from Ted regarding clocks. I am locked into the Innuos MKII I just purchased

[FrankMA]

I ended up going with the Phasure Lush USB to start. Just placed my order

[Ralf11]

we'll await listening impressions