AA Music Server Extreme

Description

Our new flagship music server series, AAMS XT, which uses active rectifiers and Mundorf MLytic AG smoothing capacitors.  This version utilizes low-powered CPU for low-noise motherboard operations.

The top product image shows 7-rail LPSU.  This version of AAMS XT has 6-rail LPSU (shown below) as there is no need to have a separate 12V EPS for the onboard CPU.

 

USB Isolator and SSD tray in place and connected

We build to order.  Build time is 2-3 weeks after order is confirmed, but it also depends on the number of backlogs.  We will communicate with the customers on the expected delivery date.

Product Specifications

Intel Pentium Silver SoC J5040 2.0GHz

2 x 8GB Apacer SODIMM DDR4-2666

250GB 2.5″ SSD with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 21H2

Streacom FC10 Alpha case

Custom Toroidy 300 VA power transformer

6 rails of low-noise LPSU with active rectifiers and Mundorf MLytic AG smoothing capacitors

Internal USB2 Isolator included; connection to DAC via galvanically isolated USB2, max current 0.5A @ 5V

Software

Our preferred music library management and playback software is Lyrion Music Server (LMS).  We developed 3 PlugIns (listed below) for our customers:

1. LMS Window Audio Player.  This is a customized version designed 100% for Windows only.  It removed dependencies on PortAudio without using any additional layers – direct path to Windows audio engine using the official methods.  Other features include:
   • Support hot-plugging of USB DAC, and remember the parameter settings for each connected DAC.  It lists one USB DAC when connected instead of listing all other audio interfaces not relevant for bit-perfect audio playback.
   • For each USB DAC, the saved parameters are backend priority (WDM-KS vs WASAPI), target latency (ms), and bit-depth (e.g. 24-bit or 32-bit).  Setting the correct bit-depth has huge influence on sound quality, especially with R2R DACs which is best set to 24-bit and upsampling DSD DACs which is best set to 32-bit.
     • We prefer the sound when using WDM-KS.  This needs to be tested for each system which one sounds better.
   • Supports true 32-bit playback of 32-bit PCM audio files.  This is not possible with the original SqueezeLite renderer.
   • User-friend GUI to set critical parameters without having to understand DOS command line options
2. UPnP Player.  We developed this 100% for JPLAY iOS.  This is to enable better user experience when streaming TIDAL or Qobuz.  With JPLAY iOS sending secured URL of the song to be played (no proxy), playback is handled by LMS FLAC Radio, an existing proven player.  Huge improvement in sound quality.
3. CD Ripper.  I developed this for my own use.  Exact Audio Copy (EAC) for Windows is the best-in-class CD ripper.  However, it lacks the ability to add metadata tags to WAV files.  This CD Ripper Plugin makes use of CUETools which is downloaded but not installed.  The CD Ripper PlugIn calls CueTools.Ripper.Console.exe directly.  The rip quality is indeed better than EAC.

However, if you already have license of other music library management and playback software you would like to reuse (you are responsible for license transfer), we can deliver AAMS XT with custom installation of your preferred software.