Name: Master Music Server
SKU: 3342
Price: 14000.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Description

Tried and tested in world class systems and designed according to the most extreme audiophile standards for ultra low jitter and low noise, the Master was introduced at Munich High End 2017. It immediately won best of show from both AV Showrooms and Hifi Pig.

Our dual enclosure chassis has a true triple linear power supply with no shared transformer and utilises the very best components such as gold plated PCB’s, and is a major upgrade over our AEON model (from which existing customers can upgrade).

The MASTER runs full Roon or Logitech Media Server and our sublime 432 Hz enabled player, which can also play bit perfect to the highest possible quality. It also features a bit perfect Teac CD drive for ripping your CD collection.

432Hz Tuning

432 Hz is one of the ways to tune musical instruments, and is also known as the Tuning Note “A” and A = 432. Music tuned to 432 Hz sounds better than contemporary music which is tuned at A = 440. The famous Stradivarius for example was tuned to 432 Hz according to the Verdi tuning

During historical periods when instrumental music rose in prominence (relative to the voice), there was a continuous tendency for pitch levels to rise, also known as the pitch inflation. A higher pitch such as our current A = 440 standard sounds sharper, louder and more “fresh”, but also more aggressive, which is not a quality audiophiles are looking for.

The 432 EVO offer you the possibility to convert your existing music on the fly into the better sounding 432 Hz, without any resolution loss. Several best of show awards we have won are the ultimate proof, and recent research by Maria Renold and a group of 2000 people showed that 90% preferred 432 Hz.

For purists we still offer bit perfect mode on par with the best CD transports, or upsample only mode for those who want to tune the sound. All these modes are live switchable.

Dedicated Core

The 432 EVO Master incorporates a modern power efficient quad core CPU with 8 GB of RAM.
We implement techniques from the supercomputing world inside the Master to guarantee a stellar audio performance: the audio decoders and 432 Hz processing run on a dedicated core, and will never run out of CPU cycles or have to fight with other processes.The dedicated audio core runs a custom clock scheduler which doesn’t interrupt the critical audio processes 1000 times per second, greatly improving software jitter, as process switching is minimized.

The Master also eliminates typical “chaos” found inside the OS of other servers by using advanced kernel & process tuning configurations not found in any competing product, further lowering software jitter by reducing entropy. This is a remarkable achievement and key to it’s stellar performance.

Using custom BIOS and kernel tuning, the EVO actually shuts down chip functionality on the motherboard, so it acts like a software defined custom motherboard. The big advantage of this approach is that the Master is future proof. If faster and/or better sounding main boards become available, the customer will be able to upgrade unlike may of our competitors. We already offer this to existing customers.

We use a custom realtime Linux OS, refined and tuned by 432 EVO’s owner Frederic Vanden Poel, who is also a senior Linux consultant building on 20+ years of IT experience. The EVO can be on 24/7 and will never run hot, always running cool while sounding analog and very refined.

Linux
432 EVO uses a custom realtime Linux OS tuned for ultra low software jitter and reduced entropy.

Solidstate Drive
The 432 EVO can be ordered with single or dual noise filtered 4TB audio grade SSD’s, leading to a 100% silent solution.

Bit Perfect Ripper
The bit perfect Teac rip drive is hand tested and compared against test CD’s for perfect operation.

Hardware Boost
The HWBOOST option doubles the RAM, and has a faster CPU and better clock. It must be ordered as an option with the High-End.

USB DAC output
Connects to your USB DAC.

Super Clock
Our Aeon does not reclock the ultra low noise USB output, but clocks it directly with a dedicated super clock board.

USB Tuning
The audiophile USB output is a true dedicated card with low noise output.

The story behind the 432 EVO Master linear power supply

A KEY PART TO THE AWARD WINNING 432 EVO MASTER MUSIC SERVERS PERFORMANCE LIES IN 432 Evo’s NEWLY DEVELOPED LINEAR POWER SUPPLY

The Master power supply has three transformers on three entirely isolated circuits, there isn’t a more common “big and slow” single transformer supplying power across the server using multiple secondaries. In our lab we found this approach has a hugely negative effect on sonic performance. Rather we have opted for a more costly solution of using three “smaller and faster” independent transformers, one for each of the critical sections inside the server.  A power supply with multiple rails from one transformer suffers from inductive effects between the rails and hum will be much more difficult to control. Our approach avoids it happening in the first place. A group of smaller transformers are very effective at handling fast transients. They also recover faster from current demand, and are truly independent. This has a remarkably positive effect and creates a blacker background, virtually eliminates noise and ensures minimal cross contamination between the power input and digital circuits. Housed in a custom enclosure matching the server unit, it is both totally silent and creates almost zero heat.

432 Evo’s true triple linear power supply has everything triple:

• Triple AC filtering

• Triple shielded transformers (see below for the details).

• Triple dual stage DC regulation.

• Additional buffering inside the triple DC cables.

The design has a low voltage drop and does not run hot and always stays cool. The same applies for the server. Our Master supply also has no audible hum.

The new 432 EVO Master PSU is a continued development based on the prototype PSU as introduced and demonstrated in Munich 2017. Compared to the prototype, a lot of parts were improved.

Here are the highlights:

The PCB’s have been upgraded from single sided to double sided, with 2oz copper thickness and gold plated finish. The PSU now also features a soft on/off power circuit, which is controlled by the front panel button.

The reference shunt circuit of the new PSU has been improved including better resistors with a tolerance of 0.05%. The bulk capacity of the PSU has been further increased, and the ESR value of the capacitors has been lowered. The transformers are a complete redesign, and while the former model already included electrostatic shielding, the new transformers add low & high frequency magnetic shielding, using a copper foil and an additional outer layer of 5mm anti-magnetic steel.

Furthermore the transformers in the Master are designed for a certain voltage (e.g. 230 Volts), and no longer have the internal voltage switch, as we believe that less is more. One switch less and less wires coming out of the transformers, leads to a more puristic and simplified design. The transformers are therefore not the ones used in the Sbooster BOtW mk2 bundled with all other EVO servers, but a higher spec model custom for Master supply. The internal wiring has been upgraded to Teflon insulated wiring with high quality silver plated copper conductors.

The DC output cables are handmade and feature a twisted pair Teflon insulated cable with a high quality sleeve for a high-end finish. The new DC cables are now color coded to differentiate between the 9V and 12V outputs, and feature 4 pin XLR’s so the backpanel outputs of the PSU cannot be accidentally be confused with regular XLR interlink cabling. Furthermore, the pin layout of the backpanel connectors also avoids accidentally swapping the 9V and 12V.

The electronic design of the split-current unit at the end of the DC cable has been further improved and is now terminated with a gold plated DC plug.

And last but not least, all Neutrik XLR connectors are now high-end versions with gold plated contact pins. Three high-end silver color coded DC cables are included with a length of ~ 80cm, allowing the server and PSU to be stacked, or placed on different rack shelves, or side by side. Cabling is very easy, and includes three high-end 4-pin XLR to DC connector cables, one for the server, one for the superclock board, and one for the high-end USB3 card.

What do you get?

When you order the 432 EVO Master from scratch, you get our best server, and the triple power supply including the triple DC cable set.

Existing Aeon and High-end customers can also upgrade to the Master and keep their current investment. They trade in their existing dual supplies, then the backpanel of the server is modified for the third DC input, and software and internal parts are also upgraded to the Master standards.

And off course, you’ll also get a brand new triple power supply! None of the parts of your existing Sbooster supplies are recycled into the Master supply, it’s all brand new and custom designed.

Roon
Comes pre-installed with a recent full Roon Core (not just endpoint). A separate Roon license is required.

Tidal streaming
Compatible with Tidal subscription-based music streaming service that combines lossless audio and high-definition music.

Qobuz streaming
Compatible with Qobuz streaming service with more than 40 million tracks available, and also offers true 24 bit streaming.

Internet Radio
Supports thousands of internet radio stations, and common formats including AAC, AACv2, MP3 and lossless FLAC stations.

Logitech Media Server
LMS is a very stable music server with two decades of software improvements, and is still supported.

Spotify
Compatible with Spotify, currently the biggest digital music service that gives you access to millions of songs.

iPeng controller
LMS users can use several control apps, including iPeng or the LMS web interface.

SqueezePad controller
Squeezepad is another controller, and like iPeng can control the LMS library manager.

Specification

AUDIO OUTPUTS

Digital output

Superclock based dedicated USB 3.0 output supporting USB Audio Class 2.0 to connect to your USB DAC

Network streaming with realtime scheduling to any Roon endpoint and Logitech / Squeezebox based players

CONNECTIVITY

Ethernet

1x RJ45 for realtime clocked gigabit supporting true gigabit ethernet ISPs

USB

1x ultra high-end low jitter superclock based USB DAC output

2x USB 3.0 ports for backup or connecting additional USB dacs

2x USB 2.0 ports for connecting additional USB dacs

HDMI

HDMI port supporting HDMI dacs and surround processors / receivers

KVM

VGA, DVI, HDMI and keyboard/mouse service ports normally never needed as the EVO is VPN supported

Grounding terminal

Optional grounding terminal supporting bare wire, banana and spades can be purchased when ordering your 432 EVO, to connect grounding cables and grounding boxes, or to create a direct grounding path between your EVO and DAC

OPEN FILE FORMATS

Logitech Media Server

All common formats including DSD, WAV, flac, MP3, ogg vorbis, aac, Passthrough of MQA

Roon

MP3, WAV, WAV64, AIFF, FLAC, Apple Lossless, OGG, and AAC at resolutions up to 32 bit 768kHz. Roon also supports DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, and DSD512 in the DSF and DFF formats.

DRM FILE FORMAT

Logitech Media Server

Ogg Vorbis as supported by Spotify Passthrough of MQA towards MQA DAC when using bitperfect mode

Roon

MQA first unfold supported & any MQA feature in Roon As MQA does not recover any new audio data in the second unfold, second unfold can be replaced by 432 EVOs own upsample which also can support minimum phase rendering with one cycle of post-ringing, or the superior sounding Archimago minimum phase filter.

AUDIO TRANSFORMATIONS

Bitperfect mode

No audio transformations occur, unless DAC does not support sample rate or bit depth of format, otherwise true bitperfect matching or even beating the most exclusive CD transports

Upsampling-only

Output most DSD & PCM formats in any input samplerate as 24 bit or 32 bit output in one of the following output samplerate: 44.1K, 88.2K, 176.4K, 352.8K and DXD, 706.6K 48K, 96K, 192K, 384K, 768K

432 Hz mode

Same as upsampling mode, but with 432 Hz processing without resolution loss. 432 Hz and upsampling are a combined one step algorithm, therefore no additional load is caused on the CPU when using 432 Hz mode compared to upsampling

SUPPORTED TUNING TRANSFORMATIONS USING 432 Hz MODE

Input pitch

440 Hz up to 445 Hz in one step increments Other pitches can be added by special request

Output pitch

415 Hz 426 Hz 430.5 Hz (Equal Tone Temperament) 432 Hz (Verdi’s A, Pythagorean Temperament) 440 Hz (today’s Concert Pitch) → used for upsample-only mode 444 Hz

Supported input formats

Any audio and file format from local files on the internal storage on the EVO or a NAS, internet radio, on demand streaming services such. 444 Hz mode not compatible with live internet radio

UPSAMPLING RECIPES For Upsampling-Only And 432 Hz Modes

Linear phase

User tunable linear phase filter, including tuning of processing buffer size and several precision options. All frequencies have the same delay through the filter.

Minimum phase

User tunable minimum phase filter, including tuning of processing buffer size and several precision options. No pre-ringing. Post-ringing can be regular long tail “minimum-phase” without aliasing, or reduced MQA / Ayre inspired one cycle of post-ringing with free bonus aliasing, create pseudo ultrasonics.

Intermediate phase

The only server on the market supporting Archimago’s Intermedia Phase upsampling, the most ideal filter with mainly post-ringing and no phase issues within the audible range. 432 EVO implements his original recipe, and two improved variants of this filter

AUDIO SAMPLE RATES

Sample rates

All common multiples of 44.1 and 48K All common DSD formats

Bit depths

16, 24 and 32 bit

CONTROL APPS

Roon

Official Roon remote running on Apple or Android tablets & phones Desktop version of Roon for PC or MAC acting as a Roon remote control

Logitech Media Server

Any web browser for web based version of GUI SqueezePad (iPad) iPeng (iPhone/iPad) Orange Squeeze (Android) Squeezer (Android) Squeeze Remote (Windows)

CONFIGURATION INTERFACE

Web Gui

Web interface usable on any phone, tablet, laptop or desktop: 1. Configure the 432 Hz enabled player 2. Check the riplogs 3. Switch between Roon & Logitech Media Server 4. Several other system configuration parameters not often changed

HARDWARE

Ripdrive

Hand tested Teac slot-loading, tested with at least 5 retail CD’s which are known to cause rip issues on some drives. All CD’s must past our extreme test.

Storage upgrades (as standard in UK)

2 TB SSD or optional 4 TB SSD or 2x 4 TB SSD merged as a virtual 8 TB instead of 2 TB SSD is possible. Please ask your reseller for pricing.

CPU

Model with HWBOOST: J4205 tuned to a more constant power draw for lower software jitter.  More modern and faster than many competitors who use the old N4200  Model. Without HWBOOST: non-disclosed quad core CPU slightly slower than the J4205, but still fast enough for Roon

Memory

Model with HWBOOST: 8 GB, plenty for Roon even when importing larger collections.  Otherwise 4 GB, large enough for music collections up to 2 TB

SUPPORTED STREAMING SERVICES

Roon

Internet radio, Qobuz and Tidal

Logitech Media Server

Internet radio, Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify and any service for which an LMS plugin is available

REQUIREMENTS

Mains supply

100 Volt AC 50/60Hz / 110 Volt AC 50/60Hz 115 Volt AC 50/60Hz / 120 Volt AC 50/60Hz 220 Volt AC 50/60Hz / 230 Volt AC 50/60Hz 240 Volt AC 50/60Hz True linear power supply: Sbooster BOtW MK2

Internet

Internet connection required for updates, VPN support & metadata retrieval. Can work standalone (e.g. hifi shows, shows on location) with just a Wi-Fi router attached via ethernet and no active internet connection

DAC USB

To use the superclock based USB output, you’ll need a USB dac conforming to USB Class Audio 2.0 standard (most DAC’s follow this standard)

Network endpoint

To stream to endpoints, you’ll need Roon or Squeezebox compatible endpoints

PHYSICAL

Colour

Black or silver

Weight

PSU 8.2 KG Server 5 KG

Dimensions

PSU 435 x 325 x 60mm (W x D x H, 69mm including feet) Server 435 x 325 x 60mm (W x D x H, 69mm including feet)

What’s in the box

DC cables Server PSU Manuals & Quickguide

Cabling

Triple set of red/green/yellow color coded high-end DC cables 3x DC high-end cables included, each approx 80cm Server & PSU can be placed top down,or even on different rack shelves, or side by side – bundled cables are long enough for all these variations.

Chassis

Modular chassis which will support future hardware updates such as new main boards as they come to market

The remarkable story behind 432hz tuning.

432 Hz refers to a possible frequency used to tune instruments with, and is a slightly lower frequency than the current 440 Hz standard. Research by Maria Renold has shown that 90% prefers the 432 Hz tuning over 440 Hz. Today’s music is mostly composed and performed using the frequency of 440Hz as tuning reference, officially written as A4=440Hz (also know as the Stuttgart Pitch). This is the musical note of A above middle C and serves as a general tuning standard for musical pitch. The International Organization for Standardization classifies it as ISO 16.

The pitch inflation

In the past the tuning frequency was typically lower than the current standard and also region specific. However, generally the tuning frequency rose gradually over the years. The main reason for this is quite simple, an orchestra cannot play louder, so the only way to increase the apparent loudness was to increase the pitch. As such in an unamplified setting, a higher pitch sounded sharper and louder. In the Baroque Era some of the pitches used were A-415 pitch, but levels as high as A-465 (17th century Venice) and as low as A-392 (18th century France) are known to have existed. The French used several frequencies which were frequently inflated, from 404 Hz in 1680 up to 435 Hz in 1859, with 430 Hz being the classical pitch and 435 Hz the diapason normal pitch. In the 19th century Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi tried to stop the increase in pitch to which orchestras were tuned, he suggested the use of A5=864Hz (thus A4=432Hz), a concert pitch subsequently named “the Verdi Pitch” after Verdi himself. In 1874 he wrote his Requiem using the official national French standard of A4=435Hz also called the “Diapason Normal”. Later, he indicated that A4=432Hz might be slightly better for orchestras. The famous Stradivarius violins are said to have been build to be in tune to A=432 Hz.

So why did we at 432 EVO choose 432 Hz?

Long before the brand 432 EVO was founded we discovered that Geert Huinink, a Dutch musical composer famous for working with DJ Tiësto, was using 432 Hz. At the time DJ Tiësto was one of the top DJ’s worldwide so this got our attention. Working as audio dealers Klinkt Beter, we began testing various ways to convert our 440 Hz based music from several genres into 432 Hz, and organized small focus groups. Combining our research results, 58 out of 60 listeners found 432 Hz versions of our test tracks sounding better than the originals in 440 Hz. There are many blogs & video’s about the 432 Hz tuning, but we stick to the facts: our research shows it sounds better, and this has also been confirmed by real musicians. Amazingly scientific research also shows it has health benefits.

Our own 432 Hz conversion method was used on Jazz Profilactika’s debut album Tick Tock, and the band gave the following feedback.

“So, why did we choose a lower pitch? Well, the shortest and simplest answer to that question is it sounds better to our ears. We have compared the 440Hz and 432Hz versions by ear on various sound systems, from PA to high-end Hi-Fi (using Martin Logan electrostatic speakers and others like KEF and PSB). The 432 Hz exports sounded and felt more cored in the low-end, warmer in the mid-range and more transparent and spacious in the high-range relative to the 440Hz exports. In case you wish to read a more detailed (technical) explanation, please read Roel’s World article ‘Why using a lower pitch then the standard of A4 = 440Hz’.”

Melody Gardot about tuning in 432 Hz, for her album “CURRENCY of MAN”

“Even the tuning of the album is unusual as we cut the record in 432 Hz. I had started to experiment with frequency and research what this does within the body. I loved the idea that one could calm, soothe and rejuvenate the spirit just with exposure to certain frequencies… I rang up the tuner for the piano one day, and asked if he could change everything to 432 Hz. He laughed, came over and 6 hours later we had our first attempt at rejuvenating this old idea of what some call ‘original tuning’. Once we set the instrument up like this – I never changed it. Frankly, it felt better. The frequency was more alive, the feeling was like witnessing more colours in the resonance – and to my ears when there was an ensemble playing, it felt more relaxed, more appealing. Once every musician who came upon it loved it, I decided we would keep it that way.”

Composer Leszek Możdżer about working together with Holland Baroque in 432 Hz

“For some time, I have been experimenting with different vocal pitches. At the moment, my default tuning frequency of my grand piano is 432 Hz. It’s almost impossible to find an ensemble which would sing in this frequency. And look at that: the musicians of Holland Baroque play on antique instruments and proclaim that the 432 Hz frequency is the optimal tuning for their instruments. These days we listen to music in a higher tuning (440 Hz) than at the time Beethoven, Bach or Mozart composed this music!”

What are the benefits of 432 Hz?

432 Hz sounds warmer, more pleasing, more like analog and more relaxing compared to the sharper 440 Hz.   Expect to listen a lot longer and rediscover your music in a new way.

How does the 432 EVO implement 432 Hz?

The 432 EVO stores all of your CD rips in it’s original pitch. We do not alter the music during ripping via the bitperfect Teac drive. The same applies for your files on the local storage of the EVO.  It’s all happening on the fly, in realtime:  During playback, users can either choose between live on the fly 432 Hz conversion (default factory setting), upsample only mode, or bitperfect mode. These modes work with any music the 432 EVO can play, independent of the source such as Tidal, Qobuz, Internet Radio, files etc.

What about the science?

In the study “Music Tuned to 440 Hz Versus 432 Hz and the Health Effects: A Double-blind Cross-over Pilot Study.” done by Calamassi D, Pomponi GP, they measured a marked decrease in the mean of heart rate and found that the subjects were more focused about listening to music and more generally satisfied after the sessions in which they listened to 432 Hz tuned music.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31031095