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I should note that on the Asus I have Windows 8 pretty much stripped down to the bone. And I go to some lengths addressing electrical noise and vibration. I also run JPlay as the best-sounding software player I have tried to date. Hence the relatively narrow gap perhaps. On the other hand it was no contest comparing the SOtM to my eldest son’s MacBook running Decibel; or my wife’s Fujitsu laptop with JRMC. Both sounded veiled, flat and slightly gritty. The sMS-1000 showed both a clean set of heels. Even the casual non-audiophile listeners in my household noticed the difference. The sMS-1000 was superior in every which way and I suspect it would handily blow away any standard computer setup, be it Mac or PC. But lest anyone think computers are inherently better sounding than CD players, I've heard plenty of computer setups on either PC or Mac which couldn’t carry my CEC transport’s jockstrap. Implementation is key. And that the sMS-1000 has in spades.


Regarding the sDP-1000 DAC ($2.900), I quite enjoyed its sonic performance. Whilst smooth and essentially grain-free I found it on the slightly dry lighter side of the ledger. It was exceptionally revealing of nuance and low-level information yet never overly analytical or tipped up. Music was not quite as colorful and textured as with my Audiomat Tempo 2.6 DAC or as immersive and dramatic but still more than adequate. DSD playback was impressive and easily distinguishable from PCM. Still, I am not entirely convinced yet of its superiority as others claim. The sDP-1000 very much sits alongside many other current DACs which to my ears have a similar balance. For the price the sDP-1000 deserves a spot on a very short list*. A nice surprise was the prototype sPS-1000 linear power supply ($1.000). Whilst my sample was limited to powering two components, the production version will handle three. I thought it offered a significant upgrade on both DAC and server predominately with dynamics but also greater micro detail i.e. the little things between the notes and the sense of venue which I suspect was due to reduced low-level noise that small switching power supplies tend to inject.
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* This list becomes painfully short when one intends to go amp direct but insists an analog not digital volume. Here SOtM joins the Antelope Audio Zodiac Gold and Platinum as the only other units I'm aware of which offer this then must-have feature - Ed.


It also worked wonders with my ASUS laptop. In audio power supplies are everything. Get those right and everything else tends to fall into place. Or to rework a popular hockey phrase on goal tending, power supplies are 80% of the game or 100% if you don’t have any. Frankly I’d consider purchasing a sPS-1000 solo and definitely would spring for it if buying the DAC and/or server. It was damn near essential. My sample shipped with two different DC power links; one UPOCC copper, the other UPOCC silver. I was surprised to hear a difference with so short a wire but there it was. I preferred the copper because the silver tipped the balance up a tad more than I liked. It wasn’t a huge difference but we audiophiles fuss incessantly over the tiniest details. Unfortunately the power links were too short, thus requiring stacking all three components one atop the other. SOtM does however offers links in 30cm, 50cm and 100cm lengths on request.


While my time with the sMS-1000 included a great deal of initial frustration to require steaming off for a few weeks, I ultimately was impressed with this server’s revealing yet easy engaging playback plus ability to handle all current formats including DSD completely glitch-free. It was indeed superior to any regular computer (PC or Mac) setup I have heard not to mention most CD players/transports. I also learnt a great deal about Linux and VortexBox and can certainly appreciate their popularity not just because they are free but because of the great deal of flexibility and user customization they afford us.


My only real concern was the dodgy documentation. This requires an overhaul and better English translation. In this day and age there really is no excuse for shoddy communications. At the very least include all current documentation on a USB key or CD-ROM. Don't wait until a distraught customer asks for it. If you're content to allow SOtM remote access to your network to configure and troubleshoot your unit, then I suppose this won’t be a big issue. Whilst I had the sMS-1000 on hand well beyond the usual three-month period, I still feel that I just brushed the surface of what this slick machine is ultimately capable of. With the aforementioned reservations in mind, the sMS-1000 sonically is of definite worth to check out as are its companion DAC and power supply.

Quality of packing: Excellent.
Reusability of packing: Seems reusable several times.
Quality of owner's manual: Poor. You will need to download several PDFs to effectively operate the sMS-1000.
Condition of component received: Perfect.
Completeness of delivery: No issues.
Website comments: Has decent pictures and descriptions of products.
Human interactions: Friendly and quick to respond although a good deal of frustration could have been prevented with a more proactive approach.
Pricing: Compared to many similar products, excellent value.
Warranty: One year parts & labor.
Final comments & suggestions: A complete rewrite of the manual with all necessary information included and printed in clear concise English is mandatory!


SOtM website