soundquest
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2011
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As far as I know they will be using their advanced switch-mode power supply for both versions of the X-Server, paired with the new ESS ES9311Q ultra low noise linear regulators. There may be a "trend" towards external linear power supplies but that doesn't mean there can't be other worthwhile solutions. Ask John Franks of Chord why they use switching power supplies in their $35,000+ SPM6000+ monoblock amplifiers.
Thanks for pointing this out. I agree that implementation is always the key; a great smps can be better than an LPS. And, hopefully supercaps will be another direction.
Just got word about the X-Server being delayed a bit. Apparently Matrix wants to focus on production of the new X-Sabre Pro, so the X-Server will not be available until probably March of 2017. Who knows what sort of changes may or may not happen during that time frame.... I keep telling them to work on keeping the price low so we'll see if they take my word for it.
That's disappointing as I'm really seeking the next step for my gear and believe the server component is critical and a move away from a mac mini with Audirvana. Hopefully, it will still be a knockout product. Thanks for the update.
The X-Sabre Pro seems to be the main topic of discussion at this point. Which is interesting because I have no experience with it. But I can speculate based on what I hear from the DAC section of the X-Server prototype - the X-Sabre Pro should be REALLY impressive.
Well, you've done all this work listening to the X-Server prototype. I would have hoped Matrix would send you an X-Sabre Pro for review before they released it.
Thanks again for all the updates. I'll be following this thread. And, Happy Thanksgiving!