My Pinkfaun 2.16 ultra experience

[Cincy2]

Have enjoyed reading your many posts over the years. By any chance did you try the Aurender N30SA or Antipodes Oladra? The reason I am focused on these (vs Taiko or Wadax) is because the PinkFaun, Aurender and Antipodes have internal masterclocks which feed into the DAC...the Zanden DAC we have is best served by this via an i2s ethernet connection. (The Taiko and Wadax expect the clock to be in the DAC, I understand and would require a 3rd party external clock...not impossible but one more thing to have to put together.)

Any guidance on any thoughts on Aurender or Antipodes would be appreciated.

I'm sorry LL21. I haven't tried either of the servers you mention.

Eric

 

[LL21]

I'm sorry LL21. I haven't tried either of the servers you mention.

Eric

No problems and thanks for taking the time to answer my question. Enjoy your Pink Faun 2.16!

 

[aangen]

I have an 2.16 Pink Faun. Can it run the new software?

 

[flkin]

I'm told it can but needs to be installed remotely. Getting into the queue would be tricky as a lot of the older Ultras need time to update the software also.

 

[aangen]

I'm told it can but needs to be installed remotely. Getting into the queue would be tricky as a lot of the older Ultras need time to update the software also.

Mine is not an Ultra. It is the basic 2.16. Jord is a busy man!

 

[RdW]

Hi Eric
I have recently upgraded to the new software and have had a stark improvement . It was technically impressive and very enjoyable before but now there is effortless engagement .. you just get drawn in to the music....I can't imagine what 2 units sound like .. have you tried just one PF as a comparison.
My local dealer has just set up a dual system and I am expecting his report soon
Phil

Same here Phil. Indeed impressive improvement. Jord and crew are passioned people and will not stop finding new ways to bring the representation of the music to a higher level (and no sounds as they say themselves, although your whole system should create an incredible sound in my humble opinion ).

 

[RdW]

I thought I would bring this thread up to date. I installed a new Pink Faun DUAL Ultra in my system. The dual version splits up the housekeeping and audio tasks between units. They are connected with an Ethernet cable provided by PF. I have transferred my files to the internal SSD. I use the USB output on one of the chassis to feed my MSB Cascade DAC through their proISL ( USB to Optical converter) input module. I am coming from a Wadax server feeding their Reference DAC. Both of these systems have their strengths but for me and my audio preferences, the latest Ultra / Cascade combination is the "best" audio I have ever had in my room. Even after only a few hours, the vocals sprang to life with huge air around them. Every nuance of the recording is brought to your attention. Sound stage is very deep and wide and articulate without being fatiguing. My reference tracks from Chesky, Mapleshade and their ilk all had very dense fundamental frequencies with black, black backgrounds.

PF is continuing to work on the software. The version I have does not need the Stylus app to manage the library and achieve the best sound. According to Jord who FaceTimed in to my music room to assist in the setup, the Roon integration with his OS is complete and that set up provides their best sound without any need for other interfaces. I am enjoying the result of this effort. Pink Faun is not a household name in the high end audio world but I have to believe they soon will be. I am extremely pleased with their product and I'm sure others who have the opportunity to hear it will be too.

Eric

Just to say you have an impressive system Eric . I hear good things about the Cascade and immediately believe you that in combination with a Dual Ultra and the 10 series of CH and the rest of your gear that your sound must be awesome!

 

[RdW]

Just to add my 2 cents. The new software sounds wonderful and works seamlessly. I also upgraded my network switch to the Melco S100/2 with a Farad Super 3, given that the 2.16 Ultra no longer has the "Play and Relax" setting and again noticed a considerable improvement in sound quality.

Goetzfam, may I ask, what power cord do you use for the Super 3?

 

[Goetzfam]

Same here Phil. Indeed impressive improvement. Jord and crew are passioned people and will not stop finding new ways to bring the representation of the music to a higher level (and no sounds as they say themselves, although your whole system should create an incredible sound in my humble opinion ).

Goetzfam, may I ask, what power cord do you use for the Super 3

Goetzfam, may I ask, what power cord do you use for the Super 3?

i went with the power cord offered on the Farad site

 

[Audioking87]

Has anyone done a comparison of Pink Faun Ultra USB Bridge to the JCAT USB XE Evo + Master OCXO clock combo?

 

[flkin]

I have experienced the V1/OCXO, V2 and the recent PF Ultra cards but not the JCatEXe+Ocxo. Just want to say the Ultra is quite a leap from the older PF cards including the OCXO version. The all metal enclosure, built in ultra OXCO and UltraCap internal supply might have something to do with it I guess.

It’s going be difficult to find a comparison I’m thinking because the Ultra bridge is only available to PF streamer owners and it’s matched to their recent PF OS the drivers of which are specifically written for their bridges to bypass the IO and is accesses the RAM directly.

 

[Audioking87]

I have experienced the V1/OCXO, V2 and the recent PF Ultra cards but not the JCatEXe+Ocxo. Just want to say the Ultra is quite a leap from the older PF cards including the OCXO version. The all metal enclosure, built in ultra OXCO and UltraCap internal supply might have something to do with it I guess.

It’s going be difficult to find a comparison I’m thinking because the Ultra bridge is only available to PF streamer owners and it’s matched to their recent PF OS the drivers of which are specifically written for their bridges to bypass the IO and is accesses the RAM directly.

Thanks for the reply. I did not know it's only for PF streamer users, quite a lot to spend for a USB card but if it can beat JCAT USB XE EVO + Master Clock then maybe it might be worth it. The pair of gloves and a flight case for a usb peripheral card is just silly though...

 

[Beltane_sun]

The phase noise values of the Pinkfaun Ultra Bridge are <= -145 dBc/Hz at 100 Hz. The phase noise values of the JCat XE Evo including clock upgrade are <= -130 dBc/Hz at 100 Hz. The clock itself is direct on the Pinkfaun mounted on the board. With the JCat XE Evo, the clock is connected to the board via a cable.

These technical parameters are worse for the JCat XE Evo including the clock upgrade than for the Pinkfaun.

In Europe the price difference is around €1,300.00. The Pinkfaun costs around €4,000.00, the JCat XE Evo including clock upgrade costs around €2,700.00.

If I had a server as high-quality as the Pinkfaun, I would choose the Pinkfaun USB card.

OCXO, Ultra OCXO - Pink Faun

The Pink Faun Ultra OCXO Clock is especially designed for use in high-end audio and music servers. Read here more about our OCXO clocks!

www.pinkfaun.com

USB Card XE EVO - JCAT . precision sounds.

Next-level USB Audio output for High-End USB DACs. We wanted to inform you that the USB Card XE EVO is currently sold out. However, we are accepting orders for the next batch, which will be shipped in January. Thank you for your understanding, and please let us know if you need further details.

jcat.eu

Master OCXO Clock Upgrade - JCAT . precision sounds.

Experience an unprecedented level of musical excitement thanks to JCAT's first-ever in-house developed OCXO (Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator) Master Clock Generator. Free worldwide door-to-door upgrade service for USB XE owners included!

jcat.eu

 

[flkin]

Haha yeah, this kind of marketing style isn’t for everyone but it doesn’t add much to the cost.

I’d be surprised if the Ultra can be beaten. The cost is high but Jord informs me that it was an all out assault on the USB bridge standard. Best they can make putting everything they could think of into the design. Even the EMI protection metal case is partitioned inside to isolate the power side components from the signal and clock components. No other USB PCIe bridge does this to my knowledge. Also this bridge is large and take up 1.5 PCIe slots - perhaps not clearly explained online.

Despite the plan by PF to sell only to PF streamer owners, if you have PF friends, they might be able to get you a unit. Even without the matched PF OS, it already performs on a high level like in my Euphony install. I haven’t yet upgraded to the new OS.

I suppose you can see I’m a big fan of this device, it performed like a component upgrade for me. I wrote about it here in case you haven’t come across it yet.