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What makes One Music Server Sound Better than Another?

So this week my Mojo Audio DejaVu music server that I have used for the past 2-3 years crapped out. Benjamin at Mojo was more than helpful and the DejaVu is on its way to Mojo Audio where it will make a full recovery.

Thankfully, I still have my Antipodes DX2 Gen 3 (their former flagship) music server so I hooked it up. After wrestling with Roon protocols, transfers, and set-up menus, I was able to get it going so I have music. The DX and my Sonore Sig Rendu SE opt. are both connected to my network so the DX (like the DejaVu), is only being used as a Roon core and the Sig Rendu SE serves as the Roon endpoint for streaming Tidal and Qobuz, with a direct USB connection to my DAC.

The point of this thread is to ask, how come I perceive the the DejaVu server as sounding better than the Antipdes DX? In fairness, the differences I perceive are not great but it seems the DejaVu is fuller sounding, more tonally rich, and bolder. Is this why some here spend $10K+ on a Grimm, Taiko or something else?

If a server is basically a computer, sending digital information to a streamer/endpoint and, assuming that digital information is transmitted asynchronously and reclocked by the DAC’s master clock, and assuming noise is not the issue (i.e., both units are quiet and there is an optical break between the network and both the server and endpoint) then what are the technical reasons one should sound better than the other? It is not that I want to spend $10K+ on a music server with a lifespan of maybe 5 years before becoming obsolete, but I would like to understand what more you are getting for your money. So far, the best I can come up with is lower internal noise as the major factor.

As a side note to the above, when I thought things looked hopeless for getting set up, I scheduled a support session with Antipodes and, although I lucked into the solution before the meeting time, Mark Cole responded ready to help. Setting up the session was super easy and reminded me of the superior level of support I had come to enjoy from Antipodes during the time that the DX was my primary server, including multiple updates and 2 or 3 hardware upgrades, which prolonged the service life of the DX. Good products and good company.

 

mitch2
fastfreight
820 posts
 

+1 @tonywinga !  

mdalton's avatar
mdalton
483 posts
 

@tonywinga 

Pretty sure you’re not talking about me, right?  

First, I have about $100k invested in 4 systems, over $80k of which is in my two reference level systems (including cables).  Second, I have 4 different DACs in those 4 systems, and have experience with several other DACs over the last 23 years.  Third, I don’t have a “Raspberry NUC streamer”, though I did assemble and deploy a Raspberry Pi streamer in three of my systems as a fun experiment; I’ve since given the Pi to my son in law, who is repurposing it for his home security system.  Fourth, I am very far removed from being part of any “IT crowd”; just ask my wife.  In retirement (from a career in finance and policy), I now provide IT support to my wife, who is an attorney and works alot from home.  It ain’t pretty!  

Finally, since when do we get to dismiss anyone’s experience and views, whether or not they’re in the minority in one thread on one forum? (And btw, it’s not even clear that I’m in the minority on this thread; voting loudly still just gives you one vote.)

tonywinga's avatar
tonywinga
844 posts
 

I know you are not part of the IT crowd.  Just keep an open mind about digital.  It is a much different animal than analog.  In Analog, less is more but that is not always the case on the digital side. And “noise” in the digital realm is not the same as hiss in the analog realm.   While noise in both realms reduces resolution, it does much more damage to the music on the digital side.  

tonywinga's avatar
tonywinga
844 posts
 

I can't think about what I have spent on my system.  My midwestern, pragmatic upbringing screams at me for being so extravagant.  I just ordered a second SSD for the K50 music server.  My left brain and right brain were duking it out until I finally managed to hit the enter key.  But I love music and this hobby. It made the hard times bearable over the years.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,570 posts
 

@tonywinga @fastfreight

If you don’t mind me saying, you’re trying to reason with folks that don’t have the same priorities as you…digital streaming being your primary source, both of you have a deep understanding and share passion for SOTA digital front end. Folks who prefers vinyl, very unlikely to understand the ‘need’ for a high quality network switch / LAN cables / DAC and dedicated server or streamers designed specifically for digital streaming. Heck, Node 2 or something similar is a gold standard for many Vinyl enthusiasts (don’t take my word for it, just take a peek at virtual systems here).

There are of course few exceptions but for most Vinyl enthusiasts, digital streaming serves as a happy medium for background and exploring music but never for serious listening. That’s a personal choice and I respect that cause I am equally comfortable with anyone spending $1K on a cartridge or $8K on network switch + LPS and vice versa. It’s shouldn’t be anyone’s business on how one chooses to spend their money.

Enjoy the music!

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