Music Server Recommendation

 The guys at PS audio tech-support are awesome. I would give them a call and chat them up. They will be happy to give you 20 minutes of free advice. Their machine will handle USB , toslink,  ethernet etc. so it’s good to hear the opinion of the manufacture sometimes. 

@mitch2 the Metrum Ambre looks like an interesting product. If I’m understanding it correctly it would go between a server like the Innuos and a DAC (via Ethernet) but provide multiple output options to the DAC. Intrigued by having the ability to output USB/Toslink/AES/I2s. With some sort of improved handling of the signal. Curious to hear your impressions. Not crazy about adding another box unless it makes the chain significantly better

@marktomaras agree. Have talked to them in the past. Might be worth another call

Thanks guys

Things are sounding really good now.  I have two Roon endpoints here to compare against each other when run from my Antipodes DX as the Roon core.

A few weeks ago, I received the SOtM triad (three boxes) consisting of SOtM's sPS-200ultra (Roon endpoint), tx-USBultra (USB reclocker), and sPS-500 (power supply for both).  This week, I received Metrum's Ambre one-box endpoint. 

The thing that interested me in the Ambre is that I own Metrum's Pavane Level 3 DAC (which is the same as their flagship Adagio except without the volume control - I owned and compared both DACs directly and liked the sound of the Pavane through my preamp better than the Adagio).  Metrum sent along their I2S board, which is a drop-in replacement for their USB board.  The Ambre outputs I2S so when using the Ambre I am able to ditch the USB cable altogether.  For the comparison, I am using a USB cable from the  SOtM tx-USBultra to the Pavane and from the Amber I am using I2S into the Pavane.  The DX has a second Ethernet output that I can use to connect as the input with either endpoint. Separating the Roon endpoint from the DX box may be the optimal way to use the DX. Those starting out might want to consider Antipodes' CX as the Roon server then they would have a variety of endpoint options including but not limited to Antipodes' own EX.  

Out of the box, both endpoints sound great so my guess is there will be no losers here.  However, the two endpoints do sound somewhat different from each other.  Both are dynamic as all get out.  The differences are subtle with the SOtM boxes sounding just a touch beefier and maybe thicker while the Metrum has a bit more sparkle on top.  Bass is excellent from both.  I will share more observations after the Ambre breaks in a bit.....since it has only been playing for a couple of hours.

Update on the Innuos MKII:

Received late last Wed. Installed my music/migrated Roon.  Listened a bit before burn in:
A little bright/thin with an improved soundstage (width) and separation of instruments
At 24 hours:
Much better tonal balance. Very wide/deep soundstage with air around instruments. Tight grip on bass

Would like to get to 200 or so before critically listening again especially since I also have a new USB cable to break in as well.

MKII is very solidly built. Impressive machine. Easy to use. Excellent support. Highly recommended especially if you can get one before the MKIII's come out. A few left from what I understand

Audiotroy,
I was at RMAF in early October and spent a portion of the early morning on Saturday in the two Innuos rooms and had a chance to talk to the owner and designer for Innuos and his wife as well as the importer: I was the only one in the room for a good period of time.  I must say they are very nice people and seem very knowledgeable and very passionate and were pretty helpful in answering questions.  Moreover, the Innuos room sounded very nice.   

They had the new Innuos $13,000 statement and the old MK II SE (the limited edition that is sold out and no longer available) and did a side by side comparison.  They both sounded nice, and they both sounded nice streaming tidal, which is hard to do at RMAF.  But there was virtually no difference between the two, despite the price difference: the MK II SE was around $7,000 and the new statement is $13,000.  I could not discern any meaningful difference between the two servers whether they were streaming tidal or playing music that was on the servers. Knowing that you have more access to servers than I do, I am curious why you think the Innuos statement will be the best server, and specifically why you think it will beat an aurender w-20 or other top servers, at least for sound.  I'm personally not as concerned with which one has the best app etc., but really mostly concerned with improving my sound. 

Also, you state up above, unless i misunderstood your post, and if i did i apologize in advance (I am trying to learn and not start an argument or fight) that the MK III will be the best server at its price point and it will be impossible for anything at that price point to beat it.  Again, have you compared it to others or what are you basing that statement on?  The second Innuos room at RMAF had the new MK III and an old MK II.  I heard the MK III and again it was nice, and the room sounded nice (which is an achievement at RMAF) but there didn't seem to be anything special about the MK III. 

Look forward to your response and thanks in advance.