HAL's Amazingly Incredible Nearly Prototype Music Server

pansixt · « **Reply #180 on:** 25 Oct 2012, 10:43 pm »

As I PM'd HAL, setup time was 50 minutes total including downloading the drivers for the M2Tech hi-Face EVO interface.
I needed this due to the lack of USB input on my AVA Vision EC DAC.
Foobar2000 immediately recognized the hi-Face and provided the option for WASAPI-Event with the hi-Face as output.

Rich also included his personal portable eSATA enclosure with 1TB HDD and mucho Hirez files for my preview.

Soon I hope to give more feedback on the MS1, including my thoughts on comparing it to my SB Touch as Phil A suggested.

Many Thanks HAL.

James

HAL · « **Reply #181 on:** 28 Oct 2012, 12:55 pm »

Gary Dodd has his MS-1 up and running after RMAF2012. He has the unit that was in the Angel City Audio room for RMAF.

Hopefully he will post his listening impressions with his setup.

Also shipped one to John for listening trials. He should have his Monday.

jtwrace · « **Reply #182 on:** 28 Oct 2012, 12:57 pm »

Quote from: HAL on 28 Oct 2012, 12:55 pm

Also shipped one to John for listening trials. He should have his Monday.

Who dat?

HAL · « **Reply #183 on:** 28 Oct 2012, 01:00 pm »

Jason,
Not sure if John is on AC. Once he is up and running, will ask him if he wants to post in the thread about his impressions.

jtwrace · « **Reply #184 on:** 28 Oct 2012, 01:16 pm »

Quote from: HAL on 28 Oct 2012, 01:00 pm

Not sure if John is on AC. Once he is up and running, will ask him if he wants to post in the thread about his impressions.

Oh, I thought you were speaking of John like we knew him.

HAL · « **Reply #185 on:** 31 Oct 2012, 01:49 am »

Here is a picture of John's audio setup where the MS-1 is being installed. Nice setup!

Saturn94 · « **Reply #186 on:** 31 Oct 2012, 06:35 am »

Hi HAL.

Hope you weathered the storm OK.

Out of curiosity, I did a search for the computer you are using for the M1 and it appears it has been discontinued. What are you now using in it's place?

HAL · « **Reply #187 on:** 31 Oct 2012, 12:05 pm »

I bought a stock of the machines for the MS-1. Have a few MS-1's left that are available.

I have not made any decision as to building an MS-2. If I do, it will be awhile, as I have to ring out new hardware and Windows 8 OS at the same time. That is not a fast process.

Saturn94 · « **Reply #188 on:** 1 Nov 2012, 01:32 am »

Quote from: HAL on 31 Oct 2012, 12:05 pm

I bought a stock of the machines for the MS-1. Have a few MS-1's left that are available.

I have not made any decision as to building an MS-2. If I do, it will be awhile, as I have to ring out new hardware and Windows 8 OS at the same time. That is not a fast process.

Ah, I see.

Unfortunately, an M1 isn't in the budget right now ( I recently made an unplanned speaker purchase

), so I'll keep checking back to see if you decide to come up with an M2.

HAL · « **Reply #189 on:** 2 Nov 2012, 01:44 am »

For a very nice HiRez DAC to try, the new CIAudio Transient MKII USB DAC sounds very good with the MS-1 Music Server. Listened to it at RMAF in the Angel City Audio room with the MS-1 and now at home. I have just used USB power to run it, but CIAudio does have a nice external DC supply to use.

I have also run this one from the PI Audio Group BatteryBUSS. Dave built this one with 5VDC outputs as well as 12VDC outputs. This worked very well indeed.

HAL · « **Reply #190 on:** 3 Nov 2012, 12:24 pm »

John has his MS-1 up and running making music.

Gave him links and pictures to get him fully up and running.

He has the link to this thread, so hopefully he will post his impressions when he has time.

HAL · « **Reply #191 on:** 4 Nov 2012, 12:05 pm »

An updated picture of John's setup with the MS-1 installed. He is using an April Music Stello DAC via USB.

He is running Foobar2000 with WASAPI Event Driven output and enjoying the sound quality increase over Windows Media Player and Direct Sound.

jtwrace · « **Reply #192 on:** 4 Nov 2012, 12:19 pm »

Quote from: HAL on 4 Nov 2012, 12:05 pm

He is running Foobar2000 with WASAPI

Is this your choice or his? If yours, why not JRiver?

HAL · « **Reply #193 on:** 4 Nov 2012, 12:33 pm »

Jason,
I preload Foobar2000 with the latest WASAPI Event Driven output drivers for the DAC the customer owns. When I have tried JRiver MC17 it sounded very close to Foobar2000 with WASAPI Event output to me. Did not see the need for the extra expense for the customers.

I have customers that have installed JRiver MC17 and MC18 on their MS-1's. They are very happy with it. The PC platform gives the user a lot of flexibility for media players if they want to experiment.

I actually prefer the simple Foobar2000 interface over JRiver. I like the folder organization view that it provides to access the music library.

jtwrace · « **Reply #194 on:** 4 Nov 2012, 12:39 pm »

OK. I've never seen the Foobar interface.

HAL · « **Reply #195 on:** 4 Nov 2012, 12:56 pm »

I can solve that!

That is a screen capture of Foobar2000 in playback mode. Very simple user interface for creating play lists or simple file play.

jtwrace · « **Reply #196 on:** 4 Nov 2012, 01:01 pm »

Quote from: HAL on 4 Nov 2012, 12:56 pm

Very simple user interface for creating play lists or simple file play.

Yes, not much to it.

HAL · « **Reply #197 on:** 4 Nov 2012, 01:07 pm »

For an old guy like me, simple is is good!

HAL · « **Reply #198 on:** 4 Nov 2012, 08:59 pm »

Ok have a rare opportunity for someone if there is interest.

I received a MS-1 demo unit back from trials from woodsyi. It is fully checked out and ready to use. Anyone interested in giving an MS-1 a try, I will ship it to them for listening sessions. If you are local to DC, MD or VA, it might be within a few hour drive to pickup or drop off.

Let me know the DAC and interface you have available and will preload drivers for use if needed.

If the unit is returned, it is the user's responsibility for shipping and insurance charges.

This has to be in the USA. Anyone interested, please PM me.

HAL · « **Reply #199 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 03:00 pm »

The MS-1 demo unit is going to NJ for the ACA gathering in December. There will be a CI Audio Transient MKII USB DAC and CI Audio power supply going as well for the setup.

Working with shadowlight now to get this to him for the demo.

Hope folks get to go and take a listen!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!