Did you upgrade both to AMSv5?
Then go to : https://antipodes.audio/
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Thanks for your valuable insight.
I currently use the EX as Squeeze server and player connected to the Hegel DAC with an Ansuz A2 USB. That sounds great, much better than Roon in my ears.
I have never tried the EX analogue output if that is what you ask, I am quite confident about the H390 DAC section.
And I am surprised to read that a lone CX would work better than an EX with a pure squeeze setup outputting to the H390 DAC ?
I misunderstood, and thought you had a better way. Great like this! Dont use the RCA.
I’d be interested in incorporating the H390 into my setup, it must sound great, but I’m uncertain about its DAC capabilities or how it affects the sound quality. While this might not be what you’re asking about, it’s worth considering if it’s feasible to bypass the Hegel DAC and route the audio from the EX (or CX) through a separate DAC before connecting it to the Hegel solely for amplification (if possible). This setup could potentially yield a different sonic outcome.
You know this already but :
- The CX and EX exhibit distinct sound characteristics, improving SQ when used as player- or server only.
- The EX is less powerful compared to the CX, and when it’s tasked with dual functions, it has to work harder, which may prevent it from achieving its optimum sound quality.
In my setup, using the CX outperforms the EX in most aspects when playing squeeze to squeeze. However, when I connect CX to EX, I find that I get the best of both worlds and even more—like 1+1 equals 3. Antipodes offers players, servers, and hybrid solutions in a single box, and in my experience, utilizing them in their intended roles yields superior results.
Nonetheless, each ’one-box’ produces excellent sound quality and can do both player and server fonctions at the same time.
Of course, this is just my perspective, and using only part of the Hegel would be silly. Utilizing either the player or server function separately within the EX or CX will be beneficial.
My choice of the H390 was partly guided by a want for less boxes so I will definitely stick to its DAC that is very capable. I might switch the H390 for a H590 but I would still use the onboard DAC.
Now I am curious as to what a CX would sound like in a squeeze setup and if I see a bargain I will be tempted to seize the opportunity. Only problem is I can see where that leads - most certainly to an extra box 
I know, a K30 would solve that but it’s a different price point still…
I just wanted to mention that the original K30 was a heck of a bargain. Relative to a K50 G2, it gets the important stuff right and its sins are only sins of omission. I actually think it might be a greater leap from K50 G2 to K50 G4 than K30 G1 to K50 G2. I’ve yet to hear a K30 G4, but I expect it to be big leap as well.
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I have a K30 G4 and an EX. To my ears the G4 upgrade was worth the money, especially the usb upgrade. I use the server in the K30 to direct stream to my EX (not upgraded). This is where the EX shines. I had the EX as a standalone system for a couple years before moving to the K30. I found it good for a smaller roon library/player but the sound improved when going squeeze/squeeze or MPD.
Why do I have a player in the K30 and the EX? The K30 player goes through an mscaler for streaming and EX is fed upscaled pggb files.
I think if you can add a CX to the EX you will have a system that rivals a pre G4 upgraded K30.
The EX by itself is still a very good sounding system.
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K30 Oladra (=G4) has been catapulted into a completely different league, rivaling some K50 versions. Lucky you @Progisus !
The K50 G2 - earlier mentioned in this thread - has superior V5.7H Server and V5.1X Player boards, but not better power.
Due to lesser quality power and inferior boards, the only possible advantage the original EX + CX have over K30 is the physical separation. Even though very beneficial, I doubt that is sufficient to be a rival.
However, the Oladra upgraded EX + CX will likely surpass an original K30. Maybe an original EX + CX Oladra will come close to a K30, but not sounding the same still.
It’s intriguing and sometimes confusing to try understand these differences and possible overlap in SQ. I don’t have anything against upgrades, as long as they’re within reasonable limits and serve a real audible purpose.
I invite you all to revise my guestimate where necessary. to rank by SQ. The link below was my initial reply to the OP, below a partial ranking also with technical details.
K30 Oladra :
Power supply (G4)
Server Mainboard V5.2H tweaked
Player Mainboard V5.1X tweaked
Upgraded USB (also better clamp mechanism)
Oladra isolation footers
EX Oladra and CX Oladra :
Power supply (G3)
Mainboard : V4X tweaked
Original USB
RAM if necessary
K30 :
Power supply HSL80.1 (G3)
Server Mainboard V5.2H
Player Mainboard V5.1X
EX and CX :
Power supply ODAPS2 (Gx?)
Mainboard : V4X
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Indeed, with an EX + CX setup, you’d have two half-size boxes totaling a width of 49 cm. Compared to the H390’s 43cm. 5 cm. / 2” extra width is quite minimal. It’s hardly noticeable. With the H390, you’ll undoubtedly be able to experience all the sonic goodness of the combo.
By reading around a bit I am kind of accepting that adding a CX would also benefit a Squeeze setup, even though it is a much lighter load on the system.
And now I see a CX for sale in my area so that’s tempting. However a friend of a friend is also selling a CX/EX combo with the Oladra upgrade for only 2000€ more than the CX alone…
But for that price I could also find a K30 std which has the benefit of the single box (one less Ansuz power cable to buy), maybe that’s what I should do ???
I think the K30 should be quite close to the CXEX Oladra setup for the same price and also be slightly younger?
Started with S30/S60 plus S20 reclocker which are a considerable improvement over EVO432 server/player I had prior.
Then I bought an EX and Mark recommended using EX as server and S30 as player.
Well, funnily enough after much to and fro, I do prefer the EX as server/player by quite a margin.
The sound seems to be a bit drier but more focused whereas with the S30 in the mix, there’s a certain sheen or haze around things.
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Hey, thanks for sharing.
Just a heads up, the choice of power supply can significantly impact the performance of the S30. Typically, using two separate boxes, each with its own power supply, tends to result in better sound quality, unless the power supply isn’t up to par.
Having said that, the S30 + S60 are more recent and different sounding versions. I wonder how you connect EX and S30, direct with an ethernet cable in between or through a switch?
Did you try use S30 + S60 as server and EX as player or exclusively EX as player / server with USB out to a DAC?
What about the S20 , do you use it with the EX to obtain these better results?
Thanks!
Have sold the S20 as I couldn’t hear much of a difference and preferred Matrix DDC(mostly use I2S into DAC).
S30 has the S60 power supply.
EX and S30 are connected via sotm Ethernet cable.
No, I actually used S30 as player and EX as server( as recommended by Mark) but will try the other way round…thanks for the tip.
My money is on the other way around - the EX as a player
Hi,
I would not suggest using S30 as server. It has a player board as has the EX. But if you try please share.
I was just trying to understand what possibilities you compared with what connections and what output for a single EX to outperform a dual setup in SQ.
It seems you are close to also having a server now?
Of course the EX+CX Oladra combo is very tempting. And with some luck you can find a K30 for under 4k Euro.
Tempted indeed!
If 4k€ is within reach for a K30, what can I dream to pay for an EX+CX Oladra in your view? More or less than the K30?
Definitely more and remember it is a G3 upgrade not G4. How much is the oladra ex+cx from a friend you found? You can PM me if you prefer.
So I went ahead and bought the CX/EX Oladra kit, it even came with a P2 that I need a digital cable to try out.
I first tried the new EX Oladra as server/player to listen to the Oladra upgrade - and yes, that was definitely more organic and natural sounding music
Then I plugged in the CX Oladra and set up a classic CX Server/EX Player config with a direct ethernet (stock) and that was also yielding a big difference. Not so much in the organic direction, but there was definitely more control over things - and better timing. More details and more silence.
The combo also seems to emphasis a little more on the upper midrange vs the EX alone, something I must get used to I guess.
I am now looking forward to receive the digital RCA to test the P2.
And now that there is actually music flowing in the ethernet (vs the EX alone), I guess I will need to check out a decent ethernet cable, too. Finally I noticed while setting up that both EX and CX seem to reward power cable upgrades, too!
Thank you for pushing me in this direction, the Oladra EX/CX combo is indeed another world compared to the lone EX - even using Squeeze!
And oh I forgot, this is with old 4.x software since the 5 is no longer available. I had 5 on my EX and quite enjoyed that upgrade, so looking much forward to 5.01!
Hi Kjetil,
That is great news. I know you considered your options carefully so I am very happy for you it worked out so well. I will ship my K30 this Friday from the Netherlands to have it transformed in NZ and than send back to Stockholm ;-). Honestly I have been thinking until the last moment what else US$3000 can get me, because the rest of my setup is not on par with a K30 Oladra, but I trust over time I will sort that out.
Reading about your good results I very much look forward to the G4 version. I did not read much on the forum the last months but it seems Antipodes is having a hard time getting the latest AMS working 100%. I hope mine will run at least AMS5 when it comes back? Otherwise it will be nice to look forward to, as is the try out of different AC and ethernet cables, that I luckily already own a few, for the time it lasts of course.
Cheers
Paul