[tdangelo]

built by Small Green Computers - you can see the specs here http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/496-computer-audiophile-pocket-server-c-p-s-v3-carbon/ One addition to this build is 4GB of extra memory for a total of 8GB. I have Windows 2012 R2(eval) installed along with paid versions of Audiophile Optimizer V1.3($130) and the latest JPlay V5.2.1($120). I will include the original Win8 CD. The PC is in excellent condition. I used an SOtM sPS-1000(also for sale) to power the SOtM USB card and the motherboard. I powered the SSD hard drive with an Anker Astro E4 battery supply(also available for $35) which made a nice difference in sound quality. The server will come with its stock Seasonic brick PS. I also have an SOtM battery supply which I will list separately - that can be used for the SOtM USB card. Retail on the PC is $1325 - I will sell for $675 plus shipping. I have the factory box. Paypal preferred.

I should mention that the ultimate use of this computer is in a dual control and audio PC mode where the control PC handles all processing and the audio PC (this one) only plays music to output to your USB dac. You can read all about it at jplay.eu

[mlundy57]

Are the yellow tabs on the back eSATA ports? If so, does that mean this server can handle two eSATA external HDDs?

Mike

[tdangelo]

Hi, no they are high current USB ports - not sure what that is exactly. The MB is an Intel DN2800MT. You can look up exactly what they are. The board may support an internal esata add on card - I'm not sure. 

EDIT: just realized the board has an ExpressCard34 slot that can accommodate ESATA ports.

[mlundy57]

Thanks.  When you say it has Windows 2012 R2 (eval) does that mean the OS is temporary?

Mike

[tdangelo]

Yes, it works as normal for 180 days and then you can extend it with a couple command line commands. It only takes 30min or so to reinstall everything and you start your 180 day trial all over. You can read all about it at the Audiophile Optimizer web page - look for the manual. I have about 3.5 months left on the trial. Win2012 is really expensive.

[mlundy57]

Yeah, I guess it is expensive, looks like $700 at Newegg.

Another question, why have 8GB of RAM, from the specs it looks like this MB can only handle 4GB?

Mike

[tdangelo]

SmallGreen installed it. I think the deal was 4gb with a 32 bit OS and 8 with 64 bit. I don't remember exactly

[mlundy57]

Hope I am not being a pest here. It seems like your unit is somewhat different than what is described in the link you posted to Computer Audiophile so I am trying to understand the differences.

Is this unit running 64bit due to the Windows 2012 R? Is the Windows 8 disk Windows 8 Professional and is it 32bit/64bit or both?

Also, what sample rates can your unit handle? The Computer Audiophile article says the V3 Carbon is limited to 24bit/192kHz and DSD but doesn't say what level of DSD. 

I'm trying to figure out if your unit will work with my music library. My library is currently a little over 2TB. That would mean either installing a 4TB internal HDD, provided the 12V power supply would be sufficient, or adding the eSATA card discussed in the article.

The other issue is file type. My music files include 16bit/44.1kHz to 24bit/192kHz FLAC, 24bit/352.8kHz DXD, and DSD64/128 (though two of my DAC's will handle up to DSD256).

I am using JRMC 19 and controlling it via JRemote on an iPad Mini2.

With the additional storage, would you v3 work with my music library and iPad controller?

Thanks,

Mike

[tdangelo]

I think the disk is Win 8 32 - I will check tomorrow. Its running Win2012 in order to use Audiophile Optimizer. The CAPS is NOT a DAC - you connect a DAC to its Sotm USB card. I use my Win 8.1 control PC (in my office) running JRiver 20 which sends audio via ethernet to the CAPS and then USB out to the external DAC - I used JRemote to control it all. It really is an easy system to use. The idea is to use a low power consumption and silent computer (CAPS 3) in your audio room with the noisier and more powerful computer in another room to do all the processing/up sampling etc... At this time JPLAY is limited to DSD128. Reading the Jplay manual will explain it all.

[mlundy57]

I only mentioned my DAC's as a reference to the types of music file formats I have or may have in the future and I wanted to make sure the server could handle whatever I threw at it. Though, until I read the CA article on the v3 Carbon I thought that was an issue with the playback software not the server hardware. The CA article made it sound like there was a hardware limitation to the file types that could be played by the v3 Carbon.

Streaming high definition music over my home network probably would not work to well. For one thing, I am under the impression you cannot stream anything higher than 24/196 over Ethernet. Second, and probably the nail in the coffin for me is that my home network is set up using PowerLine taps in every room. That means if I stream music from the main computer in my office, the data is going to travel over my home electrical wiring (and my house is over 30 years old).  Maybe I'm wrong but I would think that would really add noise and degrade the audio I am trying to keep clean. That's why I have separate computers set up in my listening room and bedroom. It would be nice to not have to update three HDD's every time I add new music though.

As a point of reference, my current server in my listening room is an HP G62 laptop with a 4TB external HDD, AMD Turion II 2.4 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OS, with JRMC 19 controlled by an iPad Mini 2 with JRemote.

From everything I have been reading, including the CA articles on the v3 and v4 units, I thought the C.A.P.S. units would work as a stand alone server. Also, I don't upsample my music files which is why I thought a C.A.P.S. v3 would work as a stand alone server for my listening room.

Mike

[tdangelo]

I suppose I was over complicating the use of the CAPS by introducing JPlay. The CAPS3 Carbon can indeed be used standalone. With the addition of an ExpressCard34($30-40) you can add ESATA ports - you just slide the card into the slot on the back of the CAPS. If your not doing any up sampling then it would be perfect and play whatever your DAC supports. I didn't use it that way because my 8 bay ESATA tower is in my office which is in a different room. BTW: I did try power line Ethernet and it worked fine and didn't introduce noise. So, this could easily replace your laptop.

[mlundy57]

I followed your suggestion and read the JPlay and Audiophile Optimizer manuals. Wow, that made my head hurt trying to dust off all the old DOS skills I haven't used in over 20 years.  I understand what you mean by dual control system. I would have to re-purpose it back to a single PC system. To that end, do you have the SOtM SATA power filter that is usually part of the v3 Carbon? Your pictures don't show it.

Since it doesn't appear JPlay is necessary in a single PC configuration can it just be ignored or does it have to be removed?

Also, if I were to decide the Windows 2012/Audiophile Optimizer/JPlay setup was more complicated than I cared to deal with how difficult would it be to go back to Windows 8 Pro?

Thanks,

Mike

[tdangelo]

tell me about it. I felt the same - certainly a steep learning curve. I do have the filter but think it sounds better without. There really isn't much to do command line wise - only if you use core mode like I do. You can easily convert it back to the desktop with the AO tool. It's just a couple menu selections - and the same to go back to core or minimal GUI. Jplay can just be ignored or uninstalled - very easy in GUI mode. The original OS disk I have is Win 8 Pro - you would just pop it into a external CD drive and reinstall.

[mlundy57]

If you'll include the SOtM SATA filter at your asking price I'll take the v3 Carbon and the Anker Astro E4 battery supply.

Mike

[tdangelo]

Mike, I sent you a PM.

Thanks

[mlundy57]

Anthony,

PM'd you back

Mike

[tdangelo]

Sold.