I think the Baetis 4 Mingo only came out in 2024 so it seems you had the prior Baetis. I had the prior Baetis for many years and auditioned the new one, it is a big improvement. Another unit for your comparison would be the Playback Designs MPS-X.
Synergistic Research Voodoo Streamer Server versus… ?
- Thread starter Ted Denney III
- Start date
Actually, engineering the power supply was one of the most time-consuming aspects of the product development cycle. It is engineered to integrate with ULF (ultra-low frequency) biasing. The main 12V is a regulated power supply; the pico PSU is more compatible with ULF biasing than a second regulated option. Ultimately, the measure of any component is in the listening. Direct comparisons on YouTube, with high-resolution downloadable files, so people can hear the differences on their high-resolution headphone and reference stereo systems, will be a further indicator. Finally, people will audition the Voodoo streamer server and compare it to leading contenders on the market, as we have done. Obviously, people will pick what sounds best as the final arbiter.
Ted Denney
Lead designer CEO Synergistic Research Inc.
@Mgrif104
You have a very good point .
@Jeffy as does Jeffy.
The competator server needs to be set up optimally. Preferably by a manufacturer rep. That way the control settings as well as the platform and isolation are optimized. Ted would need to show be went to extreme detail in configuring the software, placing the unit and optimally cabling the unit to the DAC. And, more than one DAC should be used. Some DAC optimize certain inputs.
Ted is working for his paycheck. I respect that. I assume his equipment is as good as anyone elses.
Ted seemed to say his server is the same as anyone elses, untill the Active EM cells are switched on. I would be most interested in having these cells as stand alone I could use with any of my equipment. I think he has a 120 volt power filter you plug in based on this technology. That would of course be a filter before the power supply. Not sure if what he has in the server is before or after the filter.
I might be more interested to hear his 120 volt power filter head to head with a Torus and a Audioquest. More easy to set up and test. A server has so many variables.
You have a very good point .
@Jeffy as does Jeffy.
The competator server needs to be set up optimally. Preferably by a manufacturer rep. That way the control settings as well as the platform and isolation are optimized. Ted would need to show be went to extreme detail in configuring the software, placing the unit and optimally cabling the unit to the DAC. And, more than one DAC should be used. Some DAC optimize certain inputs.
Ted is working for his paycheck. I respect that. I assume his equipment is as good as anyone elses.
Ted seemed to say his server is the same as anyone elses, untill the Active EM cells are switched on. I would be most interested in having these cells as stand alone I could use with any of my equipment. I think he has a 120 volt power filter you plug in based on this technology. That would of course be a filter before the power supply. Not sure if what he has in the server is before or after the filter.
I might be more interested to hear his 120 volt power filter head to head with a Torus and a Audioquest. More easy to set up and test. A server has so many variables.
Of course, we will make every effort to optimize both servers, including having both plugged in for at least 24 hours before the test. The cable loom will remain consistent: Synergistic Research SRX XL.
If a manufacturer rep wants to deliver their server and set it up for the purpose of the test, that would be fine with us. Otherwise, we will do the best we can while documenting all steps along the way. Ultimately, no one product works ideally in every possible situation, but if a consistent theme or pattern emerges—if certain analog sound characteristics are exhibited by the Voodoo streamer server that do not exist with other servers—people will take that for what it is. But ultimately, people will try a Voodoo streamer server in their reference system, compare it to whatever server they might also be interested in, and make up their own minds. Obviously, the video challenge is not the final arbiter.
And yes, we will be testing power conditioners. In fact, I can’t wait for that as the PowerCell 8 SX, at $3,495, sounds significantly better than any competing power conditioner we’ve compared it against—regardless of cost—except the PowerCell 14 and PowerCell SRX. Frankly, beyond the PowerCell 8 SX, we are competing with ourselves.
Ted Denney
Lead designer CEO, Synergistic Research Inc.
Ted -
It is difficoult to imagine a scenario, where a solution which generates hundreds, if not thousands times more noise would actually be prefered over ultra low noise regulators.
Anyway, if you are interested in doing comparos, 3 best servers to beat ~$20k mark are Ideon AbsoluteStream, Innuos Statement and XACT S1.
It is difficoult to imagine a scenario, where a solution which generates hundreds, if not thousands times more noise would actually be prefered over ultra low noise regulators.
Anyway, if you are interested in doing comparos, 3 best servers to beat ~$20k mark are Ideon AbsoluteStream, Innuos Statement and XACT S1.
Well, you don’t understand what we’re doing with ULF biasing, but that’s okay. If you are correct, we will embarrass ourselves. However, we both know that’s not the case. The challenge has been set, and it will be met—head on.
Ted Denney
Lead Designer CEO, Synergistic Research Inc.
Seems like a very fair price for a power conditioner. I would like to hear one. Not in a place to evaluate properly.
Ted said he already tested his server against many others. He should just post some of the results from equipment he already has. Hopefully current edition with the latest software. B
We had a cavalcade of leading servers in and out of our reference factory system in Southern California during the 18-month Voodoo development program. We will reacquire these servers from the top manufacturers in South Korea, Europe, and the United States for the purpose of our YouTube performance series. This will include making raw file recordings of the system with Voodoo versus other leading servers available for download, so you can compare differences without compression on your reference stereo or headphone rig. We’ll also be comparing other Synergistic Research products against the competition.
Really interesting. One real problem when testing streamers is the volatile aspect of the streaming data - because of legal aspects we can't record the raw audio data files using legal certified means. Can you describe how you managed to do it? IMO the first test to carry with a streamer is checking if its bit exact. The second comparing the content of downloaded paid files from companies such as Qobuz with the streamed version.
Yes, we set up microphones in the listening room and record at 24-96. This is exactly what we do at every trade show and in all of our videos. We have been doing this for over 10 years.
For example:
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