[this_is_vv]

Started Digital journey for some time ( Beginner   , Still Beginner ) .  Already had CAPS v3 topanga , running jriver and Bughead from it.  Now moving to something higher , in general this be an ongoing journey , not sure destination is intended.

First :Get a audio PC . Fanless , faster the better , dual sided ram for Hqplayer and can be powered by HDPlex linear power supply.  After lot of searching i was able to get a good deal on an
•    i7 4500u  PC
•   16gb DDr3 RAM .
•   128gb  SSD .
•   Power is supplied by HDPlex 100W linear power supply the PC and SSD.

As this is my Baseline PC. First Phase this will be configured as Single PC , this will connect to another PC which has 5TB hdd shared as music. Again the other pc in First phase only job is to act as a NAS server nothing more. Eventually we will get to dual PC ,Jplay and AO.

Also as this is digital the network is also important, currently the NAS is connected to a switch which has  a wireless router acting as Accesspoint and Audio PC is connected to wireless bridge. We will be moving towards a Fiber optic network down the line.

Before going into what i plan to do, it would be good to know what my system would be . I  currently have PureDAC from BMC, this goes to EAR 868 preamp into EAR 890 amp and finally to Omega 3 Alnico(internally wired with expensive furutech cable )  with dual subwoofer  on skylark stand. Sound from my earlier CAPS was amazing .

Every time i make a change i plan to listen couple of songs.  Some of them are

Coal Train
First time i saw your face

Will keep on adding. With every change i will try to tell what i felt. Hopefully i can be clear . If you like something specific in some song please share.

Phase 1 :

Basic: 
•   Install windows 10 on 60gb partition . Install Bughead and connect Pure dac and listen for some time.
•   Changes/addition : MX-U8   heard it makes an amazing upgrade . Should be delivered by Aug End.


Tweaks :
•   Put 3M 5050  Should help in EMI reduction. Inspired by  EMI reduction .
•   Sata cable shielding : For Reference .
•   Lan cable to be changed from Cat 5 to Cat7.
•   Sata Drive Filtering  : SATA Filter .

Again this a journey and i have no set destination, so this is just place i want to write down what i found that works for me or not.

Thanks
V

[*Scotty*]

Here is a link to the data sheet on the 3Μ™ AB-5000 Series EMI Absorber products.
http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/1/AB%20datasheet-268289.pdf
According to Data Sheet from 3M the maximum db attenuation occurs at a frequency of 1800MHz and is about 8dB of attenuation.
Here is the data on Stillpoints ERS Paper
SPECIFICATIONS
ERS shielding effectiveness (in dB attenuation):
10 Mhz - 49
100 Mhz - 48
200 Mhz - 62
400 Mhz - 53
800 Mhz - 54
900 Mhz - 50
1 Ghz - 49
2.4 Ghz - 53 (802.11B)
3.5 Ghz - 54
5.8 Ghz - 57 (902.11A)
7.5 Ghz - 61
10 Ghz - 66
17 Ghz - 55

Scotty

[this_is_vv]

So you suggesting we do it or not do it . ?? I plan to put this around USB cable which is digital signal and ram and components where the digital signal generates an emi

[*Scotty*]

You could certainly try it, it is reversible and you do an A/B/A listening test to determine if you have gotten any sonic improvements.
The same can be done with ERS paper which can be purchased in the form of a 1/2in wide a pressure sensitive adhesive back.
Your PC case could be entirely "papered" on its internal walls with ERS paper and definitely reduce the amount of stray RFI bouncing around in the case. Don't overlook the AudioQuest JitterBug in a couple of your USB ports. ERS paper is conductive, so if you use it inside
on the case walls it must not come off the walls and contact the circuit boards under any circumstances. 3M VHB tape could be used to attach it and this would be a fairly safe method of securing it to the walls.
http://www.amazon.com/TapeCase-Width-Length-Converted-Tape/dp/B007Y7E0CQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1438307927&sr=8-6&keywords=3M+VHB+tape
Scotty

[*Scotty*]

3M 5050 tape may pose a substantial barrier to cooling the RAM via convective cooling, carefully trimmed ERS "tape" might be more effective and pose less of a barrier to cooling convectively. I do not know if the RAM is effectively heatsinked when it is in place in its slot.
Scotty

[this_is_vv]

So first step is step up.

Thew New PC is really doing awesome, i have definately steup this time. Also found a cheap tweak , the basic sata cable was too short the sound was ok when i connected  to it. Then i had this cable lying around for my other pc I just changed ot it..

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10226&cs_id=1022602&p_id=5115&seq=1&format=2

the voice became dense with this little cable. Wel worth 3$ i spend on this. Next is to shield this cable and caps server tomorrow with the 3M strip coming


Will add some more details in next step.

V

[this_is_vv]

N ow playing for non stop 6 hours.absolutely love it. A definate buy. Couple of  tweaks and upgrade have made to serious upgrade from my last server.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Melodious-Audio-MX-U8-Ultimate-Interface/dp/B00W3IDN06
 
Sata power filter .
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Elfidelity-SATA-Hard-Disk-Power-Filter-Adapter-for-Computer-Audio-Enhancement-/111725680160?
 
HD Plex LPS .
 
SSD powered by 5v  USB power bank. It is absolute stunning.  I rather buy this PC with Linear power supply . RIght now Bughead is playing  any song without  any problem . A lot of life in the song.
 
Next i am adding
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009KB8IMM  and
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M1HOPO2 to absorb EMI.
 
Not sure what i am expecting, even in my current system i am darn happy.