Antipodes Audio - Updated Range and Upgrade Program - July 2023

[MarkCole]

@NickBacon

@MarkCole Can you just clarify please whether the upgrade to the Oladra will give the unit a new serial number and new rear and underneath sticker eg OLADRA2xxxxxxx instead of OLADRA1xxxxxx so that it is indistinguishable from the new model?

Also, does the new Oladra get an earthing point like the new K50?

YES, confirmed, we want everyone to have the latest

[NickBacon]

@MarkCole

YES, confirmed, we want everyone to have the latest

Cool on both counts. Thanks for the confirmation.

[clive101]

I have been looking at the second hand prices of the Antipodes range. I expect them to increase shortly…

K50 mk2 secondhand 9k add the upgrade with new warranty 4k cost total 13k vs new retail
21.5k.

Saving 7.5k

Guess the Oladra mk1 will hold it price for some time on the secondhand market owing to the upgrade offer.

@MarkCole

Just a few questions if I may.

Does the Oladra get a new on - off switch the colour looks different on your website?

Is there a choice of the LED?

The new earth terminal is this a 4 mm bayonet connection or otherwise as I see no connection in the photograph?

How long will the upgrade be offered for the Antipodes Range?

Thank you.

PS It would be helpful if the third party reviews could have the version model mentioned in their title links, as I believe these reviews are of the older models.

[MarkCole]

@clive101
In the pic of the OLADRA the power button is reflecting the speaker grain and colour, no new power button or LED choice.
The upgrades are ongoing, there is no time limit.
There are currently no reviews of G4 models, these will be forthcoming.
There is no pic of the earth terminal released in the wild, will confirm size.

[flachead]

Hi,

For those going ahead with the upgrade, what’s the view on going direct or via a dealer?

Thanks

[terrycym]

I’ve gone through the UK distributer.
They collect it from my home and eventually deliver it, sorted!

[NickBacon]

I have gone through the UK distributer. They have given me good service in the past and I trust them to look after me with this upgrade to my Oladra.

[Progisus]

I’ve gone direct as no dealer in my part of Canada. That is how I bought the K30 which went well until Can Customs messed it up.

[markramler]

I am in the US and my dealer is 2 hours away so I decided to go direct to Antipodes.

[Luigi]

I apologize for the silly question, but if a K50 with the latest USB is connected to a dac that hasn’t reached the same performance levels, what’s the point??? Continue to agree on the AES/EBU or the I2S.

[kennyb123]

@Luigi

I apologize for the silly question, but if a K50 with the latest USB is connected to a dac that hasn’t reached the same performance levels, what’s the point???

Maybe it’s me, but I’m not sure what you are asking here. Are you simply asking what the point of the upgrades are if one doesn’t care about USB?

[MarkCole]

For a K50, If USB isnt for you, then there is the power supply, server engine, player engine upgrades which give sound quality improvements to all outputs.
If you have a GEN1 K50 then you get a new re-clocker.

[clive101]

Hi @MarkCole
So the reclocker is different mk1 vs mk2 and above?
If so can we know what models have which version of reclocker?
Thank you

[kennyb123]

@clive101

If so can we know what models have which version of reclocker?

The back panel will include additional outputs in the revised K50 that came out during the pandemic. I think I2S on RJ45 was one that appeared in the Gen2 K50.

[MarkCole]

This is explained in the upgrade page…

https://antipodes.audio/upgrade.php

Original Re-Clocker - TCXO / Single I2S over HDMI

Current Re-Clocker - OCXO / Dual I2S RJ45+HDMI / Optical SPDIF

[clive101]

So the new clock (er) is better ?

[kennyb123]

I realize you are looking for a subjective take, but I just wanted to mention that the upgrade to the re-clocker brought it an “oven-controlled clock”. This should bring an upgrade, but the subjective impression would depend somewhat on the downstream system.

Also as far as the subjective impression, those who might have compared K50 Gen1 vs Gen2 would have a tough time sorting out how much the clock improved things vs the other changes that were made. I believe a different server board was swapped in as well.

As far as the new upgrade that’s being offered, what I suspect will move the needle the most is the new “triple-cascade switch-mode power supplies”. I suspect that it would be well worth doing the upgrade for that alone.

[MarkCole]

The answer is YES
When we changed re-clockers we also changed the internal layout to accommodate it, also upgrading the power supply in the process, so 2nd Gen K50 does have better sound in my opinion.
As @kennyb123 alludes above these new upgrades: triple cascade power supply, and Server / player engine upgrades will take both 1st Gen and 2nd Gen to new levels, and be the same as current production.

[BrianT]

Congratulations @MarkCole, well done lad

[BrianT]

Mark

Can you please tell me, what are the list of upgrades that are done on the K30
I purchased one, and a week later you guys discontinued them.

Cheers Brian