Audiophile-grade computer? Really? How do I get one?

#hifi #powersupply #audiophile #stereo #audioreviews
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$585.00 USD

$249 USD
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My experience with upgrading my computer to an audiophile-grade computer.

Gear used in this review
HDPLEX 300W Linear Power Supply
Matrix element H Hi-Fi USB 3.0 Interface
Exasound E28 DAC
Mcintosh MAC 6700
Triangle GENÈSE TRIO speakers
Focal 1008 speakers

[VengeanceV]

Amazing production quality Thomas! Keep em coming

[charlesferguson]

Just because the mac mini has a clean looking exterior doesn't mean it's good for sound. I watch with amusement as audiophiles rush towards them because they think they look "clean". They've got the same careless crap inside as any computer. But it's amusing to watch. So thanks fellas for providing the show!

[shadowofpain]

Its a couple years later and my dac has circuits to kill USB noise.
No need for crazy expensive cables either. Thank you topping.

[vladimirdorta]

Another way of upgrading your computer sound without getting into its internals is to install a high-end PCIe USB card like the JCAT FEMTO. You can then upgrade the card even more with an external power supply like the Uptone Audio LPS-1.2

[athathsonty]

This is one of the very Best T & S Videos Ever. With Truly Profound Advice for all those Computer based Audiophiles.

[Nanook]

Here is the thing, most of the time when I go see music live, the environment is anything but treated, there are random echoes, often frequency selective so you get reverb at some frequencies and not others. The dispersion pattern of the tweeters often have a lot to be desired, so if you're directly in front you get ultra-brilliant sound, and if you're off to the side nothing above 2Khz, and you come to accept that the environment is what it is. Now when I am at home I'm trying to replicate the live sound as best as possible, so sterile acoustics don't make sense because in a live venue they will be anything but. To my mind, if I can close my eyes and put myself in the live environment, my system has accomplished all that I set out to do.

[stopthefomo]

Thomas have you tried the Roon Nucleus?

[tupuhumuhumunukunukuapuaa]

Linux, RT kernel + whatever software, optical USB cable between your computer and your DAC. I thought things were amazing under Linux, but swapping out the USB-C copper cable with an optical USB-C cable unlocked even more performance. Side note I run USB to a DDC to convert to I2S (which I tend to prefer over USB to the DAC for any of the DACs I've owned).

[Steveh]

Very interesting Thomas. I always enjoy your content/reviews. I think as long as I don’t listen to anyone’s system that “sounds better” than mine or step foot in a high end hifi store, I may be able to keep myself from spending anymore money on tweaks and upgrades. Ignorance is bliss in my case thank you very much😉

[eastgreenlander]

Great video, thanks. I use a raspberry pi with usb out from the company Allo, streaming from smartphone to the raspberry Pi transferring data to the DAC. Low powered barebone mini computer with linear power supply is the way to go 🤗

[blejzerosamigos]

When I upgraded from Bluesound node 2i streamer to AURALIC Aries G2 the deference was huge (as it should be)
Thank you for another great video Thomas

[keithbertschin]

Have the Mk3. The difference between that and my iMac as a server was amazing, it lifts a veil you never realized was there because my system sounded pretty darn good before. I then added the Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker and, my goodness, further improvement. Great video as always Thomas thank you

[BotraxDiaz]

DACs have been isolating signals for quite some time. If your DAC is that much affected by USB input and power supply, it's not a very good DAC.

According to it's specification page, your ExaSound e28 ALREADY has shielding from USB interference, so that Matrix Audio USB card adds absolutely nothing and does not change audio quality. And by measurements we know that jitter over USB is not a thing, no matter the cable quality.

From ExaSound e28 page:
Host Noise Rejection: Galvanic isolation between the USB subsystem and the DAC circuitry eliminates ground loop noise and blocks computer–generated interference

[jayabbey]

What is your opinion about taking a motherboard with a ESS Sabre 9118 DAC built in and running high quality optical directly to a high end receiver? Such as a Sony ES, Marantz, or any other quality receiver brand. Or even a mid-range integrated amplifier such as a Cambridge audio CXA 81 or an Audiolab 6000A. Do you feel that there are inherent problems with noise going that route?

[hansiangng]

I use some iFi power adapter and usb adapter, at least better than stock. Did it work ? I dont think so, and i am glad it didnt, cos while it may clean up the higher end, it may also restrict the lower end according to others, or maybe the change is not to my liking. So I mostly tweak at the software level (wasapi, resampler, eq etc), and room acoustics.

[exif]

Im using an older Mac book pro (early 2011), ssd, iTunes, Audirvana+, USB connection to a benchmark DAC2 (with external power supply), Class D Poweramplifiers and AOS Studio 24XL speakers with additional subwoofer.
All together sounding excellent.

[NiSHAN]

Not gonna lie, I paused at 6:23 to judge your thermal paste application 🤣.

[KhoaTran-dlsc]

Thank Thomas, you are right, those upgrade are the last things to think of. It's more like testing if we can improve sound better and better, but when it's too much, we will lose something. Like i test many cables, even the most expansive power cord, it's not good in the front. Balancing a system to our ears it's hard. Like you said, ppl have to hear the different in room treated, and none to have an idea. Many give up because it's become insane, i must say it. but your passion is still there, so thank for testing for us :P

[yannick]

Thomas i just tried something new and my laptop streamer is at a new level.
I created an hybrid usb cable with 2 usb A on one side(for the computer and a 5v lpsu) and one Usb B on the other side for the dac.
That way no need for a fancy usb module. I bypassed the 2 wires in the usb cable physically to create a plug for it's own power supply that way the bad power coming from the computer doesn't get to the dac. The 3 wires for data + data - and otg are still connected between the computer and dac.

The results are amazing ! And it cost almost nothing to create such a cable. You'll need a 5v lpsu tho but it is less expensive than those audiophile usb card and more effective because you start with a new non tainted power.

I also added a lpsu to my laptop. I gotta find a way to put my hands on those innuos thing for comparison because I feel i made it.

[decoryder]

I'm an IT Systems Architect with 28 years experience building servers, clusters and CDN Networks all around the globe. If you would have asked me a few years ago if this level of detail/effort spent on 'audiophile' PC's was necessary, I would have laughed in your face.
Then, some years ago I listened to a USB DAC with a tube-rectified power supply. Since you could turn off the tube-rectifier with a dedicated button on the DAC, it was very easy to compare the output with rectified power vs without. So, imagine my surprise when the sound noticeably changed depending on the rectifier being on or off. The rectifier isn't even part of the signal chain, all it does is convert AC to DC, the DC being used internally by the actual circuitry. But, without the rectifier the sound was noticeable 'grainier', and less focused, and it was very noticeable. And no - 'confirmation bias' doesn't apply, since I considered that on/off switch and rectifier to be a bit of a gimmick, and didn't expect it to do anything:)
There's plenty of good advice in the video and the comments, if you're into digital audio keeping the signal as clean as possible is an absolute must. The only thing I would add is the importance of bit-matched playback, which is a topic you can google and find plenty of information on.