I really applaud it whenever hifi firms practice radical focus.
That of Antipodes is strictly defined: audiophile servers and naught else. For this review I hosted their entry and exit packages. Either convinced in its own way. Common to both was high software flexibility. Instead of forcing on his clients a proprietary operating system and attendant infrastructure (hello Apple), Mark Jenkins' motto is that different customers value different things.
Be it Squeeze Server or Roon, MiniDLNA or Sonos, MPD, Plex, HQPlayer & Co, you decide. Though not pure child's play, the logically structured browser interface makes setup a task that only requires earnestness, not in-depth IT savvy.
In Germany, potential clients can indulge a hands-on week with a loaner package from import house CM Audio.
Without apology, the K50 range topper aims at wealthy audiophiles who are in search of a final solution that comes with the greatest flexibility. Not only is its software expansive, so is the socketry. That includes a word-clock output plus three externally accessible slots for your music storage of choice. True, the K50 charges through the noose. All cost/performance concerns have been choked out. Its developer chased the ultimate, period. Hence the Antipodes K50 really did represent the best-sounding music server I've yet hosted.
Psych profile for the Antipodes K50…
• tonally perfectly neutral and full bandwidth
• very high and global detail magnification, be it on the minuscule differentiation of transients, the lock-jaw tracking of decay trails or the believability of timbres. The K50 simply feels highly specific and realistic.
• soundstaging is striking. Even against a solid reference, its unusually wide and especially deep stage illumination should surprise. So should the blackground and the unusually secure, concrete and embodied rendering of voices and instruments against it.
• Macro- and microdynamics of the highest caliber.
By design, the Antipodes S30 appeals to a far greater target audience than the Kiwis' flagship. Already the performance of its internal DAC is solid but this machine has higher ambitions which pay out with a superior external DAC which will now get a very clean signal.
Sonic highlights were rich detail and dynamic astuteness.
Being part of the modular S range, there are various upgrade paths like an external power supply, reclocker and separated server/player constellations. Hello flexibility; again.
Psych profile for the Antipodes S30…
• tonally balanced with a small tendency toward the airy and lithe.
• good resolution as expected in this price class.
• generous soundstage scale with good image focus. Depth layering and 3D sculpting can still improve as shown with the €1'950 external S60 power supply upgrade.
• special strengths are impulsive transients, hence timing and microdynamics.
Facts S30.
Category: music server/player with internal DAC
Dimensions & weight: 165 x 260 x 70mm WxDxH, 2.6kg
Trim: black
i/o: 1 x LAN, 2 x USB-A for rippers or storage media, 2 x HDMI for service / 1 x USB-B-B 2.0, RCA analog
Supported formats: 32/768kHz PCM, DSD512 native/DoP
Power consumption at idle: ~5W
Other: configurable web browser admin – support for Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Roon-.Server local and Roon Ready, Squeelite, HQPlayer, Squeebox Logitech Media Server & Squeezelite, MPD, DLNA and UPnP, Plex, Sonos, NNA, Shairport/Airplay emulator
Warranty: 3 years
Facts K50.
Category: music player/server
Dimensions & weight: 445 x 370 x 120mm WxDxH, 1 kg
Trim: black
i/o: 1 x LAN, 2 x USB-A for storage media, 2 x USBA-A for rippers, 2 x HDMI for service / 1 x USB-B-B 2.0, coax, BNC, AES/EBU, I²S/HDMI, LAN direct stream, word-clock BNC
Supported formats: 32/768kHz PCM, DSD512 native/DoP
Power consumption at idle: ~20W
Other: configurable web browser admin – support for Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Roon-.Server local and Roon Ready, Squeelite, HQPlayer, Squeebox Logitech Media Server & Squeezelite, MPD, DLNA and UPnP, Plex, Sonos, NNA, Shairport/Airplay emulator
Warranty: 3 years
