LDMS Server

[tinkerphile]

Tried to answer as best as I could...sorry for red and bold text...used just for a purpose of easier visibility

Thanks much. Nice, helpful response.

Lucas and I are following up with each other.

 

[heihei]

I have a Pacific with the JL card and an LDMS with a built in Ideon reclocker. Yes there are issues with USB cables but there are ones that work exceptionally well, e.g. Z-Axis. It's frustrating but not a deal-breaker in my mind.
I've just had my LDMS updated to include a SPDIF output and for PCM material it is a more life-like sound with a slight loss in detail. I have a small preference for it, but know of a couple of others who much prefer it. Frustratingly, the Pacific doesn't do DSD over SPDIF right now - how important this is to you will be based on whether you listen to DSD material or not. If you are just streaming, then probably not.
I would say that there is still an improvement in playing locally stored files (i.e. downloads) vs streamed on my system, so I tend to play mostly downloaded music. That and the fact the artists get more money.

 

[tinkerphile]

I have a Pacific with the JL card and an LDMS with a built in Ideon reclocker. Yes there are issues with USB cables but there are ones that work exceptionally well, e.g. Z-Axis. It's frustrating but not a deal-breaker in my mind.
I've just had my LDMS updated to include a SPDIF output and for PCM material it is a more life-like sound with a slight loss in detail. I have a small preference for it, but know of a couple of others who much prefer it. Frustratingly, the Pacific doesn't do DSD over SPDIF right now - how important this is to you will be based on whether you listen to DSD material or not. If you are just streaming, then probably not.
I would say that there is still an improvement in playing locally stored files (i.e. downloads) vs streamed on my system, so I tend to play mostly downloaded music. That and the fact the artists get more money.

This is pretty helpful feedback! Good food for thought. I'm considering a basic model with the chassis having room for expansion (budget and future options, like download files/storage). I am interested in DSD, or other forms of high quality files but don't know much about that at all. I'll have to discover what type of files to acquire in terms of quality (types of PCM and DSD, etc.?), where to find them for download, and learning cost. I'm all on board with artist support as very important.

Would you have an opinion as to whether there is a difference in sound quality with different levels of the LDMS products (like, say, mini, pico, etc)? Thanks again.

 

[heihei]

I'm not sure there is anyone out there who will have compared various levels of LDMS apart from Lucas himself. My own LDMS has gone through a few iterations and upgrades, and I've found the sound quality changes very much as Lucas has described. My personal recommendation would therefore be to describe to Lucas what you want today, and where your aspirations might lie, and he will be able to build something that fits both.

I have heard a lower spec LDMS in a different system and was very impressed - the owner (who has posted on here) was very pleased with what it brought to his system.

 

[tinkerphile]

I'm not sure there is anyone out there who will have compared various levels of LDMS apart from Lucas himself. My own LDMS has gone through a few iterations and upgrades, and I've found the sound quality changes very much as Lucas has described. My personal recommendation would therefore be to describe to Lucas what you want today, and where your aspirations might lie, and he will be able to build something that fits both.

I have heard a lower spec LDMS in a different system and was very impressed - the owner (who has posted on here) was very pleased with what it brought to his system.

Yup, reached out to Lucas and expect to hear from him soon. Glad to hear you were favorably impressed after listening to the lower-spec LDMS; that's encouraging for sure. I'm gaining confidence Lucas will serve (no pun intended) my needs in terms of very high level SQ and cost efficiency. Interestingly enough, even now with running the Thinkpad/USB to the Lampi, the sound is nice, so I'm pretty hopeful for the potential outcome with the LDMS and upgraded cables. It may even exceed my expectations, and that would be superb.

 

[highstream]

Thanks for this discussion and please continue to post what you learn. With my system getting a substantial upgrade this year, it seems that getting into something more than playing files from an SSD to an Oppo and then onto the dac will be in the works.

 

[heihei]

In my friend's system, he was blown away by the improvement his LDMS brought over feeding his Lampizator Golden Gate from a MacBook and felt it a very worthwhile upgrade.

 

[tinkerphile]

Thanks for this discussion and please continue to post what you learn. With my system getting a substantial upgrade this year, it seems that getting into something more than playing files from an SSD to an Oppo and then onto the dac will be in the works.

No doubt it will be a significant improvement. And I will remember to post.

 

[Willgolf]

I was skeptical at first about buying a boutique Server especially given that I live in the USA. However, after talking to Lucas numerous times and explaining my system we were able to come up with a plan that was perfect for me. A mini in a maxi chassis with a reclocker. My LDMS has 8tb of music files.

I have said a hundred times that I believe in my system the biggest impact on sound quality happened when I paired the LDMS to my Pacific. The best thing I can say about Lucas is that if you have any problems he will solve them for you any day or hour of the week. His customer service is impeccable. He never once tried to sell me something that I did not need but was very helpful in helping me design my server.

In my case, I had a major jump in SQ with a USB cord. Once I went to a cheap SPDIF cable the SQ improved again. So now I am investigating reference level cables.

BTW, I have not had any issues with USB cables, I just like the sound of SPDIF better.

 

[Phon@ix]

As I began to look more closely at LDMS (while also late last year having begun to look at Antipodes, which I've decided against due to unsatisfactory responses to email, as well as the cost factor for S40 and an additional Anti' unit), several questions arose. CE: I'm relatively new to the server/player game, so the questions/concerns expressed are merely aimed at learning more (and should not convey the impression I may be making any declarations or judgments).

It seems as though LDMS continues to have problems with USB to Lampizators with the newer version JL Labs upgrade. I don't know if this issue is related to his more recent move to spdif, but it looks as though it may. Yet, SQ may be what is driving this. Hard to tell. The USB issue continues to concern me, and from responses above USB employment may dictate one's choice of reclocker in order to avoid connectivity/communication issues - is this what I'm reading?

Reading through the product price list is at least somewhat confusing. When I note a number of LDMS users have had to purchase two or three cables (internal, and not due to converting to spdif), are these costing buyers over and above the cost of the product? If so, what is the cost?

Also, I'm getting the impression that LDMS topology is "married" to Roon. Maybe stating things in this manner is too strong, so let me restate that: Functionality and design seem to be such that LDMS could be said to be somewhat Roon dependent. Has anyone here had a build that preferred HQ Player? And how well does LDMS' OS function if HQ Player is one's choice?

I haven't seen anyone commenting on their experience when moving up the LDMS product line. Therefore, it is difficult for me to know differences and improvements/results expected in their products (in terms of considering my own build or product preference). I would assume there must be significant improvement(?). Or, do the different products and associated costs merely reflect additional operational functions one would desire to have based on need, e.g., file storage, retrieval, and playback.

This last question I asked aims at my own attempt to sort out how I might go about the decision of which product I should migrate to when considering a purchase. For example, if I were to want top level SQ, but require only streaming (i.e., Qobuz), this would appear to the uninitiated (me) to be a choice (and more straight forward, simpler product) that ought to be fairly simple. Like most things in high-end digital audio, it is probably not that simple. Yet, from the brief to non-existent website product information, I don't know how I could discern this.

I realize I am an exceptional potential customer who would be very interested in an LDMS product, since very few music lovers go from never having bought or used a server or player, being super new to the digital world, but go directly to a strong interest in LDMS as probably the player (and/or server) of choice. So, with that said, I'd be pretty grateful for any helpful replies - for the digitally challenged, as it were. I mean, heck, last year I bought my first DAC (first entry into digital from vinyl only), a Topping D50S, and in December bought the Lampi GA TRP. By January I'm hot on an LDMS...dude, that didn't take long, right?

I own a LDMS server (incl. 3R Master Time Black Star Reclocker) and use it with TRP + JL Labs board. There’s no issue at all. Had a problem in the past with an older GA DAC (with Amanero board) but it was the USB cable which caused the problem. I upgraded the internal cabling + LD did some other great tweaks since I bought the Server in 2019. Digital audio is a sensitive matter. If everything fits together, the server runs like clockwork and I bet you’ll love LDMS. Ask Lucas what he recommends. He's a great guy and offers an outstanding customer service.

 

[Audiocrack]

I never had any usb-issue with my LDMS Maximus server (ebony fronts on server as well as power supply) and reclocker. Service (including significant and multiple updates) of Lucas is really outstanding. Never compared my LDMS maximus server to any of the other top servers. In light of the fact that I bought the Wadax reference dac I am curious to find out how it compares to the Wadax reference server though. Hopefully one day I will be able to compare these two servers.

 

[Willgolf]

I never had any usb-issue with my LDMS Maximus server (ebony fronts on server as well as power supply) and reclocker. Service (including significant and multiple updates) of Lucas is really outstanding. Never compared my LDMS maximus server to any of the other top servers. In light of the fact that I bought the Wadax reference dac I am curious to find out how it compares to the Wadax reference server though. Hopefully one day I will be able to compare these two servers.

I would really like to hear your comparison comments between LDMS and WAdax Reference. May I ask what the cost of the Wadax Reference is?

 

[Alrainbow]

i know lucas of LDMS for many years usb driver's can be issues , but never cause of his servers . Usb drivers are made by the usb input card maker , he can tweak some but its not his place to have to . He writes his own code unlike all other server's made no matter what they claim . while some may mod part of the OS as he does the depth of his custom coding is very deep . most servers don't use his window versions due to needing custom coding as he does .
while I'm sure the LDMS server is fine to compare to any servers , i don't think its fair at the given price of some flagship servers . i do have faith in his products to be at there level and perhaps above in some ways .No ,matter what level of production a given server is made , a big part starts with the OS and how its controlled . i feel the same on ultra exp dacs as well .
all anyone needs to do is try one this is best for his type products . any server needs to be tuned in some ways for a given system to sound best . best is what a given customer wants not what a maker tells you is best . while his vast experience has taught me plenty in the end its what i want .
i have a fairly large setup and like a in my face sound like the band in in the room . I'm sure not all like this some like sound some may like a less visceral , more smoothing . He knows what to do , How i know cause i drove the man nuts always looking for more .
alrainbow

 

[Audiocrack]

I would really like to hear your comparison comments between LDMS and WAdax Reference. May I ask what the cost of the Wadax Reference is?

Hello Willgolf, as Alrainbow already mentioned in his last comment, a comparison between the / my LDMS and Wadax reference server would not be fair due to the price difference between the two. The latter is much more expensive. As for the prices for the Wadax reference server and dac I can refer you to the Wadax reference dac thread on WBF. That said, my LDMS server (with an ebony front as well as ebony back while Miguel of Tripoint Audio has added a dedicated grounding binding post and grounding wire to it. I am grounding my LDMS Maximus server with Tripoint’s top of the line Emperor mk ii grounding cable) sounds really marvelous in my Tidal LA/Kondo/Tripoint set up. And it speaks for its quality that in an ideal audio world I would like to compare it to the Wadax reference server.

One of the intriguing aspects of the Wadax reference server btw is that you do not have to use an usb-cable: Wadax unleashed their dedicated Akasa cable that sounds reportedly superior to an usb connection.

 

[Willgolf]

Audiocrack...I totally get it. Someday I would like to compare the Taiko to LDMS. i am 1000% happy with my LDMS.

 

[geetee1972]

In my friend's system, he was blown away by the improvement his LDMS brought over feeding his Lampizator Golden Gate from a MacBook and felt it a very worthwhile upgrade.

Right before I took delivery of the LDMS I was lucky enough to borrow a £21,000 preamp from Silvercore (his top model) to use in my system, which at the time was without a preamp and was just using the volume pot on the Lampi GG. As I was listening to that preamp and marvelling at the spectacular difference it made, I suddenly realised my mistake; why, right before taking delivery of the LDMS and the sonic benefits it will likely bring, would I listen to something that liften my system to a degree that the forthcoming LDMS could nevr hope to achieve? Not traking anything away freom the LDMS but it cost one quarter of the price of the preamp; at best I'd be limiting the loss when the preamp left (I couldn;t remotely afford to keep it).

Ha! Well far from 'limiting the loss' the result was an improvement in the same order of magnitude as the preamp had wrought. Quite spectacular!

 

[tinkerphile]

Yes, a bit anyway. Now I use an antipodes S40 as the server duty only with an LDMS Pico as the player.
View attachment 85957
I have the black on the right. It comes with included powersupply ( a Farad super 3).
I also choose to reclock the USB outsignal with an internal Ideon reclocker.
My combination with Antipodes S40 sounds brilliant. And Lukasz is very good in dealing with. Its easy to speak with him several hours on the phone discussing. And the support he gives is top notch. Antipodes are also a very good company and gives equally as good support. Anyway I have descided to try to sell my Antipodes to be able to finance a second server from Lukasz that will take over the server duty. Maybe it would have been better to have opted for a Mini in the first place but since I already had the S40. According to Antipodes philosofy separating the core from the player with one computer for each duty is best for SQ but I don`t know.
Having both LDMS products makes it easier also with the support and set up procedure.
I used the Anitipdes S40 for several month alone as both server/player. And that alone was also very good, easily the best digital frontend I have had so far. But the addition with the Pico made it even more musical.
So witch is best? I don`t really know because one maybe have to factor in resale value and lifetime support. As someone said Lukasz is a one man operation and could be more vaulnerble in the furure? And Antipodes have had a really sucess with their new K and S series of servers with the new Oladra software.

RE: the LDMS Pico - - Just wondering what influenced your decision to add and internal reclocker? And also wondering why you would select the Mini of you were going to swap? Thanks - asking since I'm wondering about both units, but unable to decide on the Pico with Linux/ARM or the mini with x64/WIN19 svr.

 

[Magnuska]

RE: the LDMS Pico - - Just wondering what influenced your decision to add and internal reclocker? And also wondering why you would select the Mini of you were going to swap? Thanks - asking since I'm wondering about both units, but unable to decide on the Pico with Linux/ARM or the mini with x64/WIN19 svr.

You mean why I choose to have the reclocker inside the box? This is the very small matchbox sized Ideon 3R blackstar that will fit inside. Its just handy. I have actually ordered a LDMS Mini as replacement for my Antipodes S40. But solely for SQ the Mini would be better compared to Pico wich also the price indicates. Its often built in larger cases where one has bigger options for more storage and or possibiltiy to change cards and upgrade eventually. According to Lucas there are not many (if none) using 2 boxes like I who will for separate the server and player duties. This is how Antipodes is doing and are sucessful with. Hope this answered your question,

 

[tinkerphile]

In case you have not noticed: LDMS' website (under products/available products) lists a "NANO" model. I haven't seen this discussed previously. The NANO is not shown under the tab "Order," where one can place an order. It is curious that the NANO is listed along side the Maximus and the Mini under "available products," but not under "orders." The Pico is not listed at all under "available products. Since the website is not very functional, perhaps I missed the Nano description and price.

 

[K3RMIT]

In case you have not noticed: LDMS' website (under products/available products) lists a "NANO" model. I haven't seen this discussed previously. The NANO is not shown under the tab "Order," where one can place an order. It is curious that the NANO is listed along side the Maximus and the Mini under "available products," but not under "orders." The Pico is not listed at all under "available products. Since the website is not very functional, perhaps I missed the Nano description and price.

Nano is not a full server as far I'm aware, it's a light NAA endpoint which can act as a slave for Pico, Mini and Maximus,

I use one of those with secondary DAC at my workstation, this way I can use one Mini server to control two DACs from my phone and tablet,
my Nano module is older discontinued version with coax output, new one has USB & HDMI audio output.
You should give Lucas a call, and he will explain the differences between servers.