DIGITAL SOURCE COMPONENTS
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go to: Contents | On The Horizon | Feature | Disc Players | DACs | Music Servers & Accessories | Integrated Amps with USB DACs | Music Download Reviews | Buyer's Guide<br />
ON THE HORIZON<br />
MUSIC SERVERS, COMPUTERS & More<br />
Baetis Revolution II media computer<br />
www.baetisaudio.com<br />
The latest version of the Baetis Revolution II media<br />
computer ($2995), wired with Snake River Audio cables,<br />
looked and sounded like a serious audiophile product. With<br />
a published motherboard S/N figure of 108, the Baetis uses<br />
a S/PDIF rather than USB output and claims lower noise<br />
figures than any stock factory computer.<br />
Blue Smoke Black Box II<br />
www.bluesmokesystems.com<br />
The first time I saw Blue Smoke Black Box was at the 2009<br />
CES. Since then Blue Smoke has further refined their<br />
dedicated audio computer to the current Black Box II ($3995)<br />
and companion USB to S/PDIF 382/32 Digital Output<br />
($2995). Based around a Haswell i7 Intel processor, Black<br />
Box II is fanless with an SSD drive and 8 GB of RAM, and runs<br />
on Windows 7.1 OS. The USB to S/PDIF unit works with any<br />
computer and operating system that outputs audio to USB.<br />
YFS Ref-3 computer transport, YFS-modified<br />
Mac Mini, and PS012 power supply<br />
www.yourfinalsystem.com<br />
YFS stands for “Your Final System.” Although it’s a<br />
phrase that is more likely to generate thoughts about<br />
finite mortality than audio, YFS’ Ref-3 computer transport<br />
($15,500) and YFS–modified Mac Mini ($4695) made a<br />
potent and life-affirming combination. The modified mini<br />
includes YFS’ PS012 power supply modification ($2495),<br />
SSD drive, internal power filter, and internal power supply<br />
modifications to support external power supplies. The YFS<br />
power supply put out 12 volts at 7.5 amps.<br />
AURALiC Gemini 2000 headphone amp/DAC<br />
www.auralic.com<br />
AURALiC’s Gemini 2000 ($1995) combines a headphone<br />
stand with a DAC and headphone amplifier that can put<br />
out 2000 mW. The Gemini 2000 supports DSD 64x and<br />
128x as well as PCM up to 384/24. It has inputs for USB,<br />
Toslink digital, analog via mini-stereo, and a SD card<br />
reader slot. Available in five colors, the Gemini 2000 is<br />
much more than a beautiful object – it also sounded great.<br />
Sound Science Music Vault M7<br />
www.soundsciencecat.com<br />
Sound Science’s Music Vault has evolved since I reviewed it in 2008. The current model, the M7 ($5500<br />
w/3TB drive, $6600 w/6TB drive), supports local cloud back-up and streaming of Internet sources. Sound<br />
Science uses internal data storage instead of external NAS drives (although it supports NAS for back-ups)<br />
because according to designer Neal Van Berg, “Internal storage provides demonstrably superior sound.” The<br />
Music Vault supports USB 3.0 and 2.0 output as well as Firewire and even has a S/PDIF output.<br />
10 Digital Source Components www.theabsolutesound.com<br />
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