The MCRU Music Server

[Ali Tait]

Who's that speccy Bloke in the review then?

Its a wee bit unclear Simon, lemme clear it up.
Onboard "normal" usb as standard, which (of course) can work with an Async Dac which come with the computer - standard USB sockets.
Theres an upgraded USB option though, which is the best sounding option setup option I tried. Async gets mentioned like its exclusive to this upgrade, which of course its not.
Confusing!

Theres a 24/192 SPDIF coax out on the Server too, should anyone wish to bypass the internal Dac.

Its just an issue of wording Simon, ta for bringing it up.
Your right its a wee bit confusing, we'll take a look at it mate and it will be clearer.

Maybe see you at Bristol next Weekend?

Still a bit co fuddled mate, do you mean there is a USB output that can be used to output to an external dac?

[Gazjam]

Hi Gary,

Nice looking machine.

That looks like a SOtM PCi USB card fitted in the HiFi Choice review sample. Is that std fit or an optional extra?

Do you reckon it's worth the extra cash over and above the std onboard USB?

Cheers,

Thanks Martin

The Standard build comes with analogue outs to your amp, and is fitted with a Spdif coax out capable of 24/192 to your Dac.
If someone wants to use their own dac, you can use the inbuilt spdif output or standard USB sockets.

You can specify the upgraded USB output in a Server build but this is an optional extra.
If someone wants the upgraded USB and has no use for the analogue outs they can save a bit of money on the upgrade by letting us know, and I won't fit the facility for analogue outs.

If your using USB I'd absolutely say the upgrade is worth it.
The improvement between a standard USB socket and the upgraded one (even in to a good asynchronous Dac) is very noticeable.

A big part of my thinking when I've been testing different configs for the server, was how the things that ACTUALLY AFFECT SOUND QUALITY can be isolated from any potential mush being generated inside the server case.
Isolating the USB from the rest of the system made a noticable improvement.
It's the way to get best possible sound quality from the box if your using a USB Dac.

That answer yours too Ali?
You can use standard USB to connect to any Dac with USB input, but it won't be as good as the upgraded USB option.

[Martinh]

Thanks Martin

The Standard build comes with analogue outs to your amp, and is fitted with a Spdif coax out capable of 24/192 to your Dac.
If someone wants to use their own dac, you can use the inbuilt spdif output or standard USB sockets.

You can specify the upgraded USB output in a Server build but this is an optional extra.
If someone wants the upgraded USB and has no use for the analogue outs they can save a bit of money on the upgrade by letting us know, and I won't fit the facility for analogue outs.

If your using USB I'd absolutely say the upgrade is worth it.
The improvement between a standard USB socket and the upgraded one (even in to a good asynchronous Dac) is very noticeable.

A big part of my thinking when I've been testing different configs for the server, was how the things that ACTUALLY AFFECT SOUND QUALITY can be isolated from any potential mush being generated inside the server case.
Isolating the USB from the rest of the system made a noticable improvement.
It's the way to get best possible sound quality from the box if your using a USB Dac.

That answer yours too Ali?
You can use standard USB to connect to any Dac with USB input, but it won't be as good as the upgraded USB option.

Thanks Gary,

I notice that the optional USB card has it's own power supply socket too, which has got to be a good thing

Cheers,

[Gazjam]

Cleaner power can make big improvements with this computer audio malarky.
can do a separate linear supply just for the USB output.
Another improvement again

[Ali Tait]

Aye cheers mate.

[Spectral Morn]

Can it be bought as part of the customisation without the internal DAC? I personally would not need it as I use an AMR DP777 DAC. Also could it come with windows 7 not 8?


Regards Neil

[Gazjam]

Hi Neil,

can do "non internal dac" version no problem.
Can use Windows 7 rather than Windows 8 too, know Win8 is a bit marmite.

gaz

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Neil,

can do "non internal dac" version no problem.
Can use Windows 7 rather than Windows 8 too, know Win8 is a bit marmite.

gaz

Thanks Garry This becomes very interesting to me now.


Regards Neil

[Gazjam]

No probs Neil.

[Gazjam]

Wording on website updated now.
thanks for the comments guys.