The E Silent PC - July 2013 - Digital playback done right.

-E-

-E-

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Apr 5, 2013
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SFBA, CA
Figured I'd share the latest client build... (pics first) :)

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The gent wanted a proper audio playback solution for his 2-channel room, so we went ahead with a totally fanless, proper looking PC and NAS solution. The NAS is placed in a completely different area of the home, so he won't hear anything.

The system uses a Streacom FC5 EVO with a BD-RE slot-load, PicoPSU, 35w Intel Ivy Bridge processor, 128gb SSD, and 8gb of high speed, low latency, low voltage RAM. The NAS consists of 2x 3TB drives in a RAID1 config.

What can I say? It is blazing fast (power button to desktop in ~10sec, incl BIOS POST), absolutely dead silent (except for when ripping a CD obviously). Using Win7Pro x64, JRiver MC18 through WASAPI and configured for bitperfect output. System stability, usability and elegance are my top priorities for clients - this one delivers and then some. From the machined solid aluminum construction of the Streacom to it being barely luke warm to the touch, to using whatever device you want to control the system (from iPad/iPhone, Droid/Tab mouse and keyboard apps, to Gizmo, to JRemote), a full solution is delivered. Want to push DoP somewhere? No problem. Want to push some hi-rez FLAC your Sonos Connect:AMP on your patio from your iPad with cigar and scotch in hand? No problem.

And the sound quality? Spectacular.

Client system using a W4S DAC2 via USB to the computer, McIntosh C2300 preamp, MC501 x2 amps, and XR100 loudspeakers.

The audible smile of a man on the phone while I am remotely configuring and training them on their new toy(s) as they hear it and get to play it for the first time is fulfilling. Ya'll really turn into little kids. Yes, that's right. I don't just ditch you after you get some box on your doorstep. You also receive remote configuration and training (how to properly rip discs, file management, JRiver uses and control options, how to set-up your wireless device(s), even down to how to plug stuff in if need be).

Always nice to have happy clients. :)
 
Awesome build E. Well done. I really like what you've done.
 
Nicely done. Fanless PCs make terrific music servers. I bought a fanless PC to host the FLAC files to my ARC DAC8. Sits next to my components and feeds the DAC via USB. I don't do the NAS thing 'cause I've never found throughput to be worth a damn on a NAS vs. a old computer and a fast mechanical HD. Still, with the price of solid state HD's, I'll add another to my fanless system before having the files NOT on the PC itself. I back up regularly to an old PC that has terabytes of storage.

I access the PC via my iPad and JRemote software, using JRiver Media Center. (Also via terminal services from the computer in my den.) I don't have the PC update itself as I never go "out" with that machine to the interwebs. The best thing is the PC just sits there and works, it has been the most successful unit I ever assembled in terms of reliability.

EndPCNoise.com is a great source for everything related to fanless or ultra-quiet computers. Check out HFX Micro Tower Fanless PC or
Fanless PCs | The Totally Silent, Truly Powerful Fanless PC to see a collection of options.
 
Fantastic job! 'gotta love those Streacom fan less cases. I just finished my 3rd build using the silver version. (NO CD/DVD drive)
 
Bobvin said:
I don't do the NAS thing 'cause I've never found throughput to be worth a damn on a NAS vs. a old computer and a fast mechanical HD. Still, with the price of solid state HD's, I'll add another to my fanless system before having the files NOT on the PC itself. I back up regularly to an old PC that has terabytes of storage.
Click to expand...

NAS works great for a couple of reasons:
1) If you don't have a spare computer that can handle RAID levels, these tend to have way smaller footprints and are fairly foolproof to even the novice end-user (just push that little button for "Power" - the rest takes care of itself)
2) Power consumption. A NAS sips electricity compared to a PC. And since a proper NAS has proper ventilation, HDDs tend to last longer since they run cooler.
3) Throughput. A Synology + series NAS will gobble your GigE and then some. An older spare computer may have trouble keeping up.

Solid state drives, as far as a $/TB goes, are still outrageously expensive. Not to mention SSD in RAID (which you'd need to utilize to expand drive sizes as the database grows) is still sketchy. Only recently do we have TRIM for RAID0 on Intel chipsets. Almost no other manufacturer passes the TRIM command. So you will quickly find yourself with lots of SSDs that run slower than a spinning array since you can't garbage collect.
 
E...how does your custom build above compare to somethng like CAPS 3.0 at CA (which I believe Mike owns)? what's the damage on your build vs. CAPS 3.0? Thx
 
Awesome build E......I'll take a Silver one please. :)

Will talk as soon as I get my act together...;)
 
cmalak said:
E...how does your custom build above compare to somethng like CAPS 3.0 at CA (which I believe Mike owns)? what's the damage on your build vs. CAPS 3.0? Thx
Click to expand...

The highest end CAPS would have some similarities to my build(s); Mike's is not that one, though... and his suffers from high instability (his griping of the near-constant BSODing is warranted). However, as Dewey can well attest to: I don't just drop-ship you a box of gear and leave you to fend for yourself (or beg for help on some forum that may consist of idiots) - you get first class service. Even if your network config needs a bit of an overhaul that is included.

As I don't like to get into public pricing online, I'll just ballpark it by saying that the above PC+NAS was shipped to the clients door insured (including JRiver btw) for under $3k - and that was also including all software tweaking, remote network configuration, implementation, and training. Additionally, this solution is fully scalable (you want the SoTM card, etc. etc... no worries, easy add-on; you want a 8-bay NAS in an exotic configuration... no worries, easy add-on; you want a full server/domain controller for your home network and a snapshot'd virtualized setup... no worries, easy add-on). :)
 
Nice build E. I have been researching building a similar machine. If you ever had a customer with deep pockets maybe give this case a try? HeatSync Mini-Client 2500
Looks like a quality piece to me. What do you think?
 
Never on that case. Personally, I don't care for how they run the heat pipes for the passive cooler, and the price makes the Streacom look rather inexpensive (which is isn't!).

If you are getting a custom machined piece like that, may as well have them match the faceplate to the brand of gear you are stacked with (i.e. mimic a Bryston faceplate or McGlass front or something...).

You probably wouldn't see me do that for something I would use myself, but if a client wanted it, you wouldn't find me bitching about it? It's your $! ;)
 
Yeah it's way out of my budget I just think it looks very nice. Do you know of any other options besides these two that have passive cooling and look like a nice AV component?
 
Streacom has a good selection of totally passive solutions. Wesena/Origen/Lian-Li all need some sort of airflow over the CPU (the PSU and rest of the case can otherwise be passive most of the time).
 
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