[rigman]

Originally Posted by ozzzy189

I had a thread closed down on here, 'lejonklou tundra power amp '
Head over to the lejonklou forum, click on the UK flag to change the language and read the tundra thread.
These things are comparable to linn klimax solos, they're near 8k a piece, and you need two.
The tundra is 2.8k, and is actually better according to the folks who've demoed it, than a klimax chakra twin, a two channel power amp around 7.5k.
I am definitely interested in listening to one when it's time to upgrade. I know hidden systems sell them.
It's a stunner.

I have my shortlist already for the power amps but thanks for the suggestion. How do you know its a stunner though if you have not heard one

Originally Posted by belloire

if those Classe pre/power are the ones i listened to not so long ago you won't be dissapointed. stunning! (but way out of my price range at this point )

that CAPS v2 looks interesting too, i've got most of the bits to try one here so perhaps a projects in on the cards.....

The Classe power amps are very expensive and the monoblocks are way more than I would spend not when you can get an ABamp with what are reputed to be the best caps you can buy, high quality components and more power for a lot less. I have 2 with lesser quality caps and they sound excellent. The Classe do look nicer though

Pricing up all the exact bits of the CAPS 2 server with a Wesena case comes up over £700 quid which is a lot for an Intel atom system. A lot of the cost comes from the USB card though.

[Gixxerblade]

You could do without the sotm usb card I believe as putting it through the pci slot creates its own issues, an alternative to the caps2 build if you want to keep costs lower which I've just built for a mate could be something like:
Silverstone sg05 case with psu - this is silent and light enough to be portable.
msi e350 board
4GB ram
slim dvd/cd
ssd drive + windows 7

That came to just over £300. Output that via usb into a quality asynch. dac and I think you would have a decent system to compare against your CD player.
There are lots of options as you are probably fully aware of by now, you could lose windows 7 and use ubuntu etc. here's another build that did use the sotm but changed a few other things:

Why did I hesitate for so long to build a CAPS 2 server ? - PC Based Audio & Multimedia Streaming - StereoNET Australia

If you aren't limited for space you could get something like what I use which is an OrigenAE x11 (discontinued but there are alternatives) which does look huge in the hi-fi rack but I've just measured it and it is "only" 170mm high so not even 1 Bryston 28 high!
I use this so I'm not limited to any hardware, I can use atx boards and large heatsinks without fans, pci cards fit in easily and I can get 5 hard drives in without a problem and I only use Seasonic psu. I use a wireless keyboard/mouse as my controller (and a Harmony 525 remote control - I can switch it on without getting off my arse lol) with a 40" led tv as the monitor but the android app works fine for me as well.

Or do as Legzr1 says and move the CD player into your living room and spend all the money on a pre/power or integrated and build yourself a CD changing robot.

This thread discusses some points such as hibernation and case lining (which I use) and such:
http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/inde...-a-difference/

I had read about the full blown CAPS setup being much better in sound quality than a normal PC/notebook. Having no experience with computer/streaming audio, I was skeptical. Compared to the standard acer netbook, this was a similar upgrade to getting a better amp/speakers. You are not really hearing your system at its full potential until you do this.
Averge listening volume on the Primare amp had to be reduced 5-6 steps, volume and dynamics were more pronounced.

The electrical RF of a motherboard must really be effecting the final USB output in some way. Jitter?

Logicprobe - Your earlier comment about using quality parts..... well consider the better system has a highly specced Seasonic P/S, a Gigabyte motherboard with 2"oz copper, extra stages of voltage regulation with solid state capacitors, and a SOTM USB card and Sata filter.
Compare that to the garbage parts that will be found in a $400 netbook. So I agree, it must be the quality of parts that effect the final output of sound.

Some comments on cases:
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f3...3/index10.html

[Gixxerblade]

This thread gives opinions on using the sotm and not:
CAPS lite anyone?

In general, I've found over the last year most people think it does improve the build but some people have said they prefer to just use a standard usb port possibly due to psu/pci issues.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f1...sb-card-10306/

[ozzzy189]

Because I have followed that thread from day one, there's a lot of highly regarded people, dealers, and linn users on that forum, and they all universally say it's the biggest bargain in hifi terms in years. It's actually better than a klimax twin at two and a half times the price.
So no, I haven't heard it, but coming from the guys who have, I can certainly pass on their thoughts, and that is what I did. It's a stunner!

[rigman]

I was asking a builder of audio computers if the SOTM could be fitted into his PC.
He suggests that the SOTM would be a waste of money and by using a Olimex USB isolator then it would be much cheaper and have exactly the same effect?
I am not that up on the technical side but I would be surprised if that was correct as everone would just go the much cheaper option?

Could that be correct?

thanks

[juggler]

Originally Posted by rigman

I was asking a builder of audio computers if the SOTM could be fitted into his PC.
He suggests that the SOTM would be a waste of money and by using a Olimex USB isolator then it would be much cheaper and have exactly the same effect?
I am not that up on the technical side but I would be surprised if that was correct as everone would just go the much cheaper option?

Could that be correct?

thanks

The isolator will isolate the pc from the USB cable. The SOTM card will provide a dedicated USB bus to the audio, incorporating some power line filtering and various other audiophile jargon.

Neither should be necessary or make a difference though I could see why the card could be tempting if you're set on using a non-asynchronous DAC.

[ChisChas]

Thanks for the reminder!

Post 27 was a long time ago

This has been a very interesting & lively thread, it's certainly got me thinking as to how/why I incorporate a ripped/streaming/pc source into my system.

I bought the McIntosh MCD1100 partly because it has 5 digital inputs and a very high quality DAC.

Rigman, there is a very flattering review of the Classe CP-800 digital pre-amp in Hi Hi Choice No 350.

You seem to be well on the way to making some exciting decisions.

Originally Posted by Gixxerblade

Chis, post 27 gives the budget at 3k.

[Gixxerblade]

The pci SOTM card does not provide galvanic isolation, some say that it adds jitter so isn't always incorporated either with this kind of solution or at the dac input.

As far as I can tell the main benefit is the control of ground noise as it provides a separate USB controller connecting directly to the PCI bus, the idea is a well isolated and regulated - using high quality regulators, dc power supply.

It would probably be something I added later if I bought a usb dac and needed something to blow extra dosh on but some people claim great improvements. There are too many variables involved to declare it will always be of benefit I would say.

Darren

This case is expensive but has a feature - a touch screen you may find useful in your circumstances - you can start foobar from it and then control it from the android app. The price has gone cuckoo bananas since I last looked at it though.

Origen S21T Demo Video - YouTube

Origenae AE S21 HTPC Case

Review | HTPC Reviews, Home Theater, Media PC Guide

I don't know whether you have the space or require a screen but here's another (harder to get in UK):

LUXA2 LM300 Touch Pro Multimedia PC - YouTube

[rigman]

Very nice cases

On the SOTM card thats pretty much what the builder said that it would only be of use for synch dacs and not asynch dacs it was a waste of money otherwise.

[rigman]

Just an update.

I bought a Liv Zen around 10 days ago and it has since been fed constantly with a diet of CD's. I have even had my wife into the swing of feeding it whenever she was there.

I also have a Classe CP800 on order which I will pick up on Saturday.

I have downloaded the apps (mpdroid) for android tab and apple ipod(Mpod) and managed to get them talking to each other. Hopefully it will be plug and play after this once I get the 800. I am going to use the asynch usb connection.

Problems - I have found that the Zen has changed its IP address a couple of times which has caused problems with the Android tablet as that relies of the right address for communication using MPdroid. I may try a different app which can always just see the zen on the network like the ipod can if I can find one. Suggestions are welcome.

happy days

[larkone]

It sounds like your Zen has not been allocated a static IP address, using DHCP instead so it is likely to change whenever you switch on the Zen and it connects to the router. Give your Zen a fixed IP and that will solve the problem. Difficult to explain exactly how to do this as do not know what router you have.

[audioenthusiast]

A good guess without knowing the router is IP address 192.168.1.1, username and password both admin. follow menus/instructions from there.

[Don Dadda]

Originally Posted by larkone

It sounds like your Zen has not been allocated a static IP address, using DHCP instead so it is likely to change whenever you switch on the Zen and it connects to the router. Give your Zen a fixed IP and that will solve the proble.

Spot on. you might need to include the assigned ip address in the static ip address range on the router as well as on the Zen itself. You also may need to add ip addresses for the Primary and secondary DNS. Which if the router ip is as audioenthusiast suggested (most likely as it is pretty much standard)) then the sencodary IP would be 192.168.2.1

[Arcam_boy]

That classe CP800 looks like an awesome pre-amp - excellent choice :-)

[rigman]

Originally Posted by larkone

It sounds like your Zen has not been allocated a static IP address, using DHCP instead so it is likely to change whenever you switch on the Zen and it connects to the router. Give your Zen a fixed IP and that will solve the problem. Difficult to explain exactly how to do this as do not know what router you have.

Originally Posted by audioenthusiast

A good guess without knowing the router is IP address 192.168.1.1, username and password both admin. follow menus/instructions from there.

Originally Posted by Don Dadda

Spot on. you might need to include the assigned ip address in the static ip address range on the router as well as on the Zen itself. You also may need to add ip addresses for the Primary and secondary DNS. Which if the router ip is as audioenthusiast suggested (most likely as it is pretty much standard)) then the sencodary IP would be 192.168.2.1

I have a sky router. The IP address sugested was correct but the user name and password was not. I normally change these so I will need to look for my book of passwords. The default is amin and the password sky.
I have managed to set up the IP addy, Gateway, Subnet mask in the Zen which seems to be stable enough (it assigned its own DNS) so just need to do the router.

I also had an email from Nuno (who sells the Zen) who saw my earlier reply on here. He has offered his services to set everything up remotely and also as much help as I need to get the Zen and the Classe working together sweetly. Excellent service.

Originally Posted by Arcam_boy

That classe CP800 looks like an awesome pre-amp - excellent choice :-)

Hi Mark,
seen your thread on how your new setup sounds with the Classe amp. Glad you are enjoying it. Looking forward to getting the 800 and amps tomorrow and doing a test of the USB asynch connection against my CD player playing the same tracks.

[juggler]

Originally Posted by rigman

seen your thread on how your new setup sounds with the Classe amp. Glad you are enjoying it. Looking forward to getting the 800 and amps tomorrow and doing a test of the USB asynch connection against my CD player playing the same tracks.

Very interested to hear the results of this test.. do post back

[Arcam_boy]

Any update please?

[rigman]

Hi I received the CP800 and amps on Saturday. It was, as I hoped, plug and play and I have found myself using Logitech media server as the front end on my Android tablet rather than MPdroid. I have yet to try my ipod touch.

I connected the Liv Zen via USB and I am using unbalanced phono connections to the amps due to not having any XLR leads available. The network setup has been a lot simpler than I thought it would be and I have had no trouble with connecting to the Liv. I even tried a few DVD's in it and last night tried to pick them up on my Oppo in the cinema room and they played across my network fine. Thanks to all the advice i have received from you guys and if a late 40's dinosaur like me can do it then anyone can.

I have only used the Zen up to now and probably spent around 15 hours listening over the weekend. The sound when I first put it all on was dull and uninspiring. After around a half hour it stated to really improve. I put the poor performance down to the gear being brand new and the amps being cold. Since then the gear has sounded excellent.

I am busy today but I do plan to hook up the CD player over the next couple of days. I will use analogue out of the CD into the CP800 and also try the Spdif and do some switching between then. I am also going to analyse the room using REW and play around with the PEQ settings.

I also need a rack for it all as well
Here is a pic of it so far.

I want to place it all in the space on the right hand side. The space is around 59 cms wide so is too small for most racks.

Outstanding rigman

[mykyll2727]

rigman,

I know you were getting the CP800 but did you buy the Classe monos as well?

[Arcam_boy]

I knew you kept mentioning new amps, but classe mono's!!

People say it a lot but that is genuinely my absolute dream system even if I won the lottery, apart from maybe 800D's but that really is stunning hopefully when I'm in my late fourties my 805's and Classe CAP2100 with turn in to 802D's and Classe Pre/Power

What rack you thinking of mate.

The guy who I'm getting the PAB rack off is in Sheffield which can't be a million miles from you.

[mykyll2727]

BTW are those the M300 or 600s?

[rigman]

The amps are the 300's. i originally ordered the 600's but they were not available for a few weeks. I was then offered the 300's. I think they were the better buy due to the size of the room and speakers. I think the 600 are probably more suited to the 800's and bigger rooms. I listen at moderate levels so no point in damaging my hearing just in order to justify spending the extra.

I did want monoblocks though with the separate power supllies and no crosstalk.

I deliberatly left off the talk of amplifiers as this thread was complicated enough without adding more questions to the mix. I was going to go for Nuvista Musical Fidelity which I used to have but despite a few wanted ads I did not get what I was looking for. I had a quite a few manwells from Spain telling me they had what I was looking for and can I pay by Western Union

Mark the rack you mention is too wide for the space. Pity as they look very nice.

I have been in contact with this guy and he is currently working on a quote. If the quote is goodI will get one for the left hand side gear as well to match.

NEW improved design Modular Rack

[belloire]

apparently Peters stuff is very nice..... have you tried Russ Collinson too, not cheap but stunning.....

[CJROSS]

Lovely system Rigman. Very very nice.

[mykyll2727]

rigman_beautiful system! PM sent.

[juggler]

Originally Posted by rigman

Hi I received the CP800 and amps on Saturday. It was, as I hoped, plug and play and I have found myself using Logitech media server as the front end on my Android tablet rather than MPdroid. I have yet to try my ipod touch.

I've found the paid-for remote apps (iPeng and Squeezecommander) rather better than Logitech's own, so definitely worth considering those, but the free iOS mPod app is now fine too.

[rigman]

Originally Posted by mykyll2727

rigman_beautiful system! PM sent.

PM replied to
Thanks for the commenst guys.
I will have a look at your suggestion Juggler.

I was hoping to do some testing done this afternoon but the sun has finally come out so looks like some garden work instead.

[Arcam_boy]

Send the sun over here so you can get in and listen to your system, raining here :-(

[rigman]

I have had some time this morning to do some comparison between my CD player and the Liv Zen server. I will say though I am not a reviewer who can waffle on for pages and pages without really saying anything. I will therefore just give a summary and keep it short.

The CD player was connected both on analogue outputs and using the digital output hence the player acting as a transport.

I had to match the levels as the CD player especially on the analogue was much quieter than the Liv zen. The CP800 allows levels to be matched by increasing or decreasing the input offset. Each input can be altered individually. The digital output also needed to be increased but only slightly.

The CD player is a Musical Fidelity Nuvista 3DCD which I have owned from new. It is hybrid valve tech and I have owned it from new which is around 12 years. It cost around £3.5k at the time if memory serves. It is very well built weight around 15 kilos and has a very good power supply and upsampling Dac.

The music used was REM Automatic FTP , Norah Jones Come awm, Tracey Chapman Crossroads and a few other various tracks and artists that I know very well.
The tracks were started around the same time and then the inputs were switched over. The CP800 when switched seems to attenuate the sound gradually increasing in volume until reaches the set volume in around 3 seconds.

The Live zen through the asynch USB is very clear and detailed. The highs are sharp and clear without being fatiguing. The bottom end was the same. Very to the point

The CD player through analogue sounded slight warmer with slightly duller top end and rounded transients with the attack and decay not being as sharp.
The CD player as a transport sounded very similar to the Zen except very very slightly less detailed.

The differences were nowhere near night and day and it took a lot of switching to make sure that my ears were not being decieved by my expectations. In normal listening it would be not enough of a difference to worry about when you just become absorbed in the music and go to that nice relaxed enjoyable place.

I would be very happy with either one. They both sound excellent with very slight differences. The Zen is obviously more convenient as I can now just sit on the couch and pick from a list which was the original intent.
One person earlier said he went back to CD as he stopped listening to full albums. I have found that I still listen to full albums and I cannot see myself stopping that.

My wife told me to sell the CD player but I dont think I will even though it is not going to get a lot of use now it feels like being told to sell a pet who has been part of the family for years. I have mixed emotions.

I am glad however the computer based system does not leave me wanting It sounds slightly more detailed but having my expensive CD bettered by a mini cheap PC is sobering but thats progress I suppose.

cheers