AAMS (AA Music Server) XT (Extreme) is our new range of flagship music servers launched during the Northern International Audio Visual Show (NIAVS) 2025 April 25-27 in Penang, Malaysia.
New LPSU
Unlike the previous AAMS which uses diode bridge rectifiers, AAMS XT uses active rectifiers with Mundorf MLytic AG (Audio Grade) smoothing capacitors. We use Linear Technology LDO voltage regulators for the second or final stage regulation. When the music server is shutdown (front button pressed twice), after the power LED is off, the Linear Technology voltage regulators go into shutdown mode, making the power supply standby current very low.
KEMET tantalum capacitors are used as the output capacitor for each voltage regulator. These are expensive but very long lasting. The Nichicon Fine Gold caps are used with the TI’s voltage regulators for ripple reduction.
The total capacitance is 264,000 µF for 6-rail LPSU and 308,000 µF for 7-rail LPSU, all using Mundorf MLytic AG capacitors. Capacitors with 40V DC rating are used for 12V rails while capacitors with 25V DC rating are used for 5V and 3.3V rails. We prefer using 40V DC caps for all rails but the larger diameter and extra height make it impossible to fit all parts into Streacom FC10, hence the use of 25V DC caps for the lower voltage rails.
Each rail has its own active rectifier board. The above picture shows the 7-rail LPSU.
Benefits of Active Rectification
When using diode bridge rectifiers, there is voltage drop which is converted to heat. With active rectifiers, there is negligible voltage drop. This results in higher power efficiency, lower heat of rectification, and improved ripple rejection. However, with higher rectified voltage going into the voltage regulators, there is more heat generated by the voltage regulators.
AAMS XT inside Streacom FC10
We continue using Streacom FC10 fanless case. Pictures below showing assembled AAMS XT, with and without the SSD tray. Please note there is only one power supply board when Pentium Silver SoC motherboard is used.
LPSU board supports multiple configurations
The new ATX XT power supply board can accommodate 7 rails. AAMS XT with Intel Pentium SoC uses 6 rails; 4 rails into the motherboard ATX connector, 1 rail for SSD, and 1 rail for USB Isolator.
It can be repurposed to support internal sound card. For example, when using EVGA Nu Audio sound card, the sound card requires 12V and 3.3V supply. The extra rail is used for 12V while the USB Isolator rail is repurposed to 3.3V.
The ATX XT power supply board can also support motherboards with more powerful CPU such as Intel Core i5. The extra rail is used for 12V EPS to power the CPU. Maximum current supported is 6A @ 12V, hence good enough to power 65W TDP CPUs with Turbo Boost turned off.
AA Roon Server (AARS)
We completed the first build and tested AAMS XT with Intel Core i5-12400 just in time for NIAVS 2025. Here are some of the pictures of the first build. An industrial mini-ITX motherboard is used with passive cooling for the CPU. Please note the extra board for CPU voltage regulators stacked above the main power supply board.
CPU Regulators for AARS
We use Linear Technology LT3083 voltage regulators for the CPU rail to allow paralleling of regulators by using Vishay ballast resistors. Each LT3083 supports 3A current. With 3 x LT3083 per regulation stage, maximum current supported is 9A, but currently for the first unit built, we configure it for 6A max where the first stage regulation has 2 x LT3083 and the second stage regulation has 3 x LT3083. Please note that the rectification for CPU rail is done at the main power supply board.
What to Expect
Compared to our previous flagship music server which uses diode bridge rectifiers and Nichicon smoothing capacitors, the sound of AAMS XT is different as described below:
- Lower background noise
- Finer sounding (amazing nuances)
- Very wide soundstage
- Very good sound with streaming audio (i.e. TIDAL)
In general, it does not sound digital at all. It is very musical.
Other Music Servers / Streamers with Active Rectification
We don’t know yet where AAMS XT stands against the competition. A competitor’s highly regarded flagship music server with 2 rails of active rectification and 8 rails of DC regulation is priced around RM120k. It uses an industrial server motherboard with Intel Celeron SoC.
There are not many other music servers which use active rectification and Mundorf MLytic AG capacitors unless the DIY route is taken.
Home Demo
If you are in Peninsular Malaysia and currently using Roon Nucleus, Intel NUC, or a regular PC / laptop as Roon Server, please contact us directly so that we can arrange home demo. Reviews are being arranged.
AAMS XT Price
The following is the price for Malaysia and international customers. The price does not include music storage SSD. For Malaysia customers, payment is by direct bank in only. We will add AAMS XT and AARS to the product page soon for international orders.
| AAMS XT | AAMS XT LE | AARS | |
| List Price (MY only) | RM18,888 | RM23,600 | RM27,888 |
| International Price | RM20,000 | RM25,000 | RM29,500 |
For AAMS XT and AAMS XT LE, the prices include Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC Entry license (Celeron / Pentium SoC class). For AARS, the price includes Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC Value license (Core i3/i5 class). 250GB 2.5″ SSD for O/S is included.
AAMS XT LE is only available while the EVGA Nu Audio (designed by Audio Note UK) sound card stock lasts. After that, we may offer integrating sound card you prefer such as Creative Labs. Price depends on the choice of sound card.
Customers who already owned the older AAMS can upgrade to the latest ATX Extreme LPSU by paying the difference between the list price of the new AAMS XT with what was paid previously. Shipping cost is not included.
The warranty period of the AAMS XT and AARS is 2 years.
Software
We have evaluated many paid and free software for music library management and streaming. We did not like the sound of Linux system. We prefer the sound of Lyrion Music Server (LMS) running on Windows using Kernel Streaming output.
However, Roon is the preferred software for most high-end audiophiles. That was the main reason we developed AARS. Also, the GUI and user experience of LMS are very old fashioned despite having very good sound.
If you already have license and/or paying subscription for other music playback software such as JPLAY FEMTO, Audirvana, and JRiver, we will ship the music server with Windows installed so that you can install and activate the music management software on your own. If you prefer Linux O/S and software such as Euphony and Volumio, we can also ship the music server without Windows installed so that you can install the Linux-based music management software to the O/S SSD by booting from a bootable USB drive you prepared.
Contrary to Roon’s recommendation of using separate Roon Server and endpoint, we prefer the sound of direct USB connection from AARS to DAC’s USB input through own internal USB Isolator. There is no need to have a separate endpoint.
We design, build, and sell the music server hardware. We don’t provide software support. That’s why Roon is highly recommended due to its excellent user experience. Please note that the LMS we use is the free community version. We do not customize LMS and provide LMS software support.
With Roon, AAMS XT with Pentium Silver SoC is suitable for small library (< 2GB). For large library and faster response, we recommend AARS (AAMS XT with Core i5). Background audio analysis can be slow with the Pentium Silver SoC and best left running without playing music during the first time setup. Once Background audio analysis is completed, throttle down or turn off Background audio analysis to get the best sound quality.
Products Specifications
| AAMS XT | AARS | |
|---|---|---|
| Motherboard & Processor | ASRock J5040-ITX with Intel Pentium Silver SoC onboard | Advantech Industrial Motherboard, Intel Core i5-12400 |
| RAM | Apacer 2 x 8GB DDR4-2666 | Apacer 2 x 16 GB DDR5-4800 |
| Casing | Streacom FC10 Alpha | Streacom FC10 Alpha |
| CPU cooling | Passive heatsink on motherboard | Heat pipes from CPU connected to Streacom FC10 case |
| LPSU rails | 6 | 7 |
| Transformer(s) | Custom Toroidy 300 VA | Custom Toroidy 300 VA Block 160 VA for 12V EPS |
| O/S | Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 21H2, Entry | Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 21H2, Value |
| O/S SSD | Samsung EVO 870 250 GB | Samsung EVO 870 250 GB |
| Music SSD | Not included in price, can add during purchase or self add | Not included in price, can add during purchase or self add |
| USB2 Isolator | Included | Included |
| Connection to DAC | USB only | USB only |
| Music library management and streaming software | LMS or Roon with small library, or own software | Roon |
| Net weight | 9.6 kg | 12.5 kg |
