Phasure Mach III Audio PC with Linear Power Supply

[PeterSt]

Original post updated May 18, 2018.

Hi all,

The original post from April 1 is now superseded with this text (the old text you'll find more below in this post).

The Phasure Mach III Audio PC is an outrageous beast with a gorgeous sound, unimaginable. It wildly surpasses its predecessor, the Mach II.
It is now based on robust server technique but still comes in the ever so nice form factor of 44x36x10cm / 17x14x4" (WxDxH), and still sporting a Linear Power Supply inside. The sound is truly incredible and is about speed, speed and more speed. More down in the topic you may read about the earlier descriptions of the sound which I tend to describe as "more important than a DAC".

High Resolution link Phasure Mach III Audio PC 17

High Resolution link Phasure Mach III Audio PC 16

High Resolution link Phasure Mach III Audio PC 10

These are the prices of the Phasure Mach III Audio PC in euros and excl. shipping (VAT will be added for VAT liable countries) :

Number of Cores	Original Price	Current Price	As of date	Linear PSU	SQ relative to Mach II
8/16	2700	2725	August 20, 2018	Yes	?
10/20	2980	3005	August 20, 2018	Yes	++
12/24	3300	3325	August 20, 2018	Yes	++++ *)
14/28	3900	3950	August 20, 2018	Yes	++++
16/32	4350	4425	August 20, 2018	Yes	++++
20/40	5000	5250	August 20, 2018	Yes	?
22/44	6300	6370	August 20, 2018	Yes	?

The price of the 10/20 is held commercially low to give people with not too deep pockets a fair chance.
The 8/16 is not advised until someone orders it so the SQ can be judged.
The 22/44 would be experimental and may require a faster running cooling fan (then lightly audible at 10cm distance).
*) The 12/24 received a ++++ rating; see here.


Remarks on the "Current Price" column :

Prices on Intel processors go in US Dollars. The US Dollar has risen against the euro with 5% in only the past two weeks. This means that I just had to adjust the table for some processors with 120-200 euros, upwards. But it is worse : The prices depend on the stock at the supplier(s) and they tend to adjust their current price when they run out and have to purchase (against the current currency rate). Example for the 14/28 as of May 18 (2018) : I can see that this is stock from a few weeks back and still against the old price. This means that when we'd buy the last one today (there is one on stock indeed), tomorrow the price will rise with 70 euros (while the currency rate itself did not change much).

The price of memory increased like crazy the past two years (the 32GB for the Stealth II originally was 100 euros, now 260). If this price keeps on increasing, it has extra impact on the 48GB of the Stealth III. In addition to that, memory too is payed in US Dollars.

Whether the purchase prices go up or down, they will be actively maintained on a regular basis within some "hysteresis" bandwidth (50 euros or so).

The additional features are equal for each version :
- DVD Drive (the 3.5" external bay requires the removable HDD/SSD part, but a device which combines with a DVD enclosure ceased to exist);
- Removable 2.5" bay;
- 48GB of internal memory (installed with 6 parallel channel support);
- RAM-OS SSD (240GB) suited for 25GB RAM Disk (OS boots from RAM - SSD can be removed);
- OSes provided : 1x Windows 8, 3x Windows 10, upgradable by download (it is assumed you own a license for Windows 10);
- Activated XXHighEnd for power control;
- Actively managed super stable power consumption ... (with help of totally silent fan, no PWM);
- Very efficient Linear PSU explicitly made for speed (of delivery), very cold running (42-48C / 108-118F on the heat sinks, depending on CPU)
- Thermal protection for CPU, PSU and main ATX regulation.
- Non-obtrusive VGA on-(mother)board.
- 4 free/usable PCIe slots, 2 free memory DIMM slots, 2 M.2 SSD connectors, 4 free Ethernet ports, 6x USB3 (2 front) and more superfluous matter like 11 free SATAIII ports, a serial port and multi channel HD audio;
- No USB2.

Here is the original text of this first post :

Hi all,

On this Easter day I announce the most crazy Audio PC ever : The passively cooled Phasure Mach III with 20 up to 44 hyperthreaded processor cores.
Yes, you read that well.

The PC aims at HQPlayer users who want the very very best and inifitely apply HQPlayer's filters (in multichannel as well). All resides in the same enclosure as the Mach II so it fits beautifully in any audio rack (but it can be stowed away in a basement just the same).

The PC will be very different from anything else because it will comprise of official Server elements, starting with a Server Motherboard. It is to be noticed that such an environment is made for super stability and e.g. self-checks for due (memory) failure. A key element of it could be that it can be fully remote controlled, meaning that this includes changing BIOS settings by means of a remote (like a tablet). You'll never need to connect a monitor again.

In this stage I am not sure yet whether the RAM-OS Disk provided with it (OS boots from that and next the boot device can be removed) will also contain an official Server version of the OS (like WS2016) as this depends on the license costs and it will make the PC unnecessary expensive. Do notice however, that when it is not XXHighEnd which arranges for the playback environment, it seems logical that people will like this. Anyway, I am not conclusive about this yet.

The PC is not for the faint hearted in the sense of the price which will be 3450 euros for the 20 core version via 4550 euros for a 32 core version and 5850 euros for the 44 core version. We regard the 44 core the maximum, although theoretically and with more testing it can be more cores against then really crazy prices (like adding 1500 euros for a next version and another 1500 for a next). So we skip those.

This now most explicit Audio PC comes with 48GB of internal memory and the topology serves 6 memory lanes (was 4).

Compared to the Mach II the most attention went to the power supply which will exhibit 10mV of ripple (on 15V which will regulate to 12V) at full power and merely : unsurpassed speed of the power supply. This is where the difference will be made audibly and how you will see that a next significant step could be made.

A first 32 core version is running over here with some things yet to solve, but while more than a month ago I thought to have announced it by long by now, I didn't like to let pass Easter without a nice Easter Egg. I'd have to tell you that most of the time in this stage is spent on throughput time for waiting for parts and answers from BIOS specialists etc. with again the notice that a Server (board) environment is a totally different beast from what we are all used to.
All in other words : I have no idea really when this "super machine" will be ready for purchase, but it could be in two weeks (seriously) or in two months (hopefully not but if things go as slow as right now ...).

Current Mach II owners and XXHighEnd users (or Phasure NOS1a/G3 owners for that matter) do not need to worry that they need to invest money in a new Audio PC again. OK, it will sound better again, but maybe it is not worth the investment again. It is merely about the future path which is coming to an end with the "26xxv4" (like 2640v4) infrastructure and how we improve on the way when we need to re-invent things anyway. More experience again, more knowlegde obtained and more and better ideas pop up all for the better. And more $ but that's how it goes.

Happy Easter everybody !
Peter

[manisandher]

The PC aims at HQPlayer users...

Something smells 'eggy'. And Easter is earlier this year than usual.

Mani.

[juanpmar]

The PC aims at HQPlayer users...

Something smells 'eggy'. And Easter is earlier this year than usual.

Mani.

Here in Spain (and Latin America) we celebrate the April fool's day on December 28.
But, who knows...

Juan 

[manisandher]

On 1st April 2016, Peter announced the B'ASS:

http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=3592.msg38243#msg38243

This ended up being something slightly different to the original idea (integrated into NOS1 instead of being external), but did manifest as a real product.

I suspect the Mach III is indeed real... but not developed specifically for HQPlayer.

Mani.

[PeterSt]

If someone can remind me to describe the CRAZY sound, tomorrow ...

[juanpmar]

If someone can remind me to describe the CRAZY sound, tomorrow ...

  Peter!!   

  Juan

[PeterSt]

So ... I made this descripion yesterday but found it to be containing too much blabla. Well, nothing new there, right ?

So about the sound of the new Phasure Mach III Audio PC eh; What do you want to know ? What do you like to know ??
OK, what can I tell ...

The sound of this PC has something new (for "dimension") to me. Each and every day again I find it to be addictive.
?

The sound of the Mach II could possibly be described as "yeah, necessary; belongs to my system; is definitely for the better; more rest; blacker." So really, it is a must have. Linear Power Supply and all. Passively cooled. We audio idiots want such a thing and we have the desire to spend good money on it.
But it is a "must have" and really just a prerequisite to produce good sound from computer audio.

Mach III

Although the Mach II came along with the approach "let's do it really right for an Audio PC", with the Mach III the liberty was taken to make it the very best SQ wise. This path was a kind of logic for me because we are actually forcred to find a new Audio PC for the upcoming years, as the Mach II's parts (mainly MoBo and processors) start to become obsolete. With the original XXHighEnd PC - when the end was near - I started to buy all what was still available back at the time which in the end was a good approach. However, it was clear that we'd be buying "old stuff" maybe two years into new processors and all available. In the end this even shortened the life of the Mach II (started late with it). With the Mach III all is the other way around and I started with it while not even processors could be obtained. OK, I learned some lessons there.
The Mach III emerged in the midst of nobody knowing a hoot about its environment, but here it is, ready to buy. And I mean "today".

I think in the first post I mentioned the "server" domain we're in now. Well, this is a kind of forced too (you don't want to know how many times in the past month I wanted to step back from that - but impossible because of too many goodies) and this means theoretically but also practically that all is more decent. I am not sure whether it is this I want to hear in the sound coming from the Mach III, but if it is one thing, it is more decent. Robust. Dignified as well.

But if it wasn't clear by now already ... something totally new occurred; the PC has become part of the music reproduction. By now, I could regard it even more important than a DAC. And let's be honest, what wild changes in SQ we can already imply with "a" PC system (including the playback software) ? So am I right or am I right.

The Mach III is as if you bought a new DAC with new D/A principles, stuffed with all 100$ parts instead of 1$ and while this latter is even so for real, the sound is from whatever angle right. Correct. And with that addictive.

I now emphasized the word because it really is something new. Well, you can tell yourself "yeah, I know what you mean" but my response would be "no you don't". This is because I mean the phenomenon to be literal. Like smoking would be that. Say that it could be the difference between (Mach II) being sucked into the music on one hand and having the (Mach III) sheer desire to be sucked into the music, on the other.
So like yesterday ... who today is having the idea of "yeah, let's put up Led Zeppelin I and be overflooded with all as how it was meant to be and get high over it". So with that desire you put it up without knowing in advance what will happen (but be certain it is something for the best), to next tell yourself or others "how in the world has it been possible that such a new band could make such a superb album as their first, track by track".
So the addiction even ends up in satisfaction. All of it is there.

The thing about this addiction is really not just a story;
Something is happening to our brain that must be really good or something like that. It must be so well fitting/matching with what we expect, that unconsciously we suddenly accept all what's thrown at us (by loudspeakers). Additionally (for some proof) I notice that I am not wondering "is this right ? is this really right ??" but instead accept the music as it is. It is just for real or something like that.

Technically there is much, much more to say, but this will end up in the usual bla because how ever to bring across my perception of what's suddenly possibly with my system and to my ears. Still it is foremost about that because it is the first what comes to you. Thus, the addiction comes a bit later but what you hear is immediate. I'll try :

The sounds in the music are delineated in a way I have never heard anywhere. Actually this little description desribes it all (I think), but what to do with that. So I must elaborate :

First thing to notice with the proper music for it : there's shatter that makes you shudder. Oh yes. So with the sheer delineation in mind you might envision how very "super individual" sounds now react to each other. Think like one small sound is pushed from the speaker and right after that (few ms) a next sound. But this next sound influences the first in mid air. It collides and has its own effect. Then a next sound comes along and it again does the same and the effect becomes more complex. And more. And ... it fills the room completely with "sounds". Not the low frequencies as we know them and how they may energize the room, but just the higher and highest. These "effects" could very well not even have been recorded in the data because they do emerge in mid air. For example, a synthesizer will not be played through air in order to record it (unless played live and captured by microphone). It is also the instrument that isn't obfuscated by air first prior to it being recording by microphone. Well, that kind of sounds now work in extraordinaire fashion. Of course it has to be your music (for most it is not) but it tells about how all now "technically" is dealt with.

A good description could be "lack of smear". But, only after you heard it. I mean, smear ? are we suffering from that ?
Yes we do, because listen to this. Then you will know.

Let's turn shatter into the perception of copper (instrument). One of the more (if not the most) difficult sounds. Try it. Combine that with bass which is so, so deep - (not one octave but make that two if you're at it anyway) and find yourself in hell.
Yes, hell. Not heaven. What to do with heaven. Heaven is easy peasy. Hell is where all happens. Hell breaks loose. Well, shatter breaks loose too. Ratatatatatat and you try to hold up against it. Try that trumpet live in your listening room and see how long you surive. You really won't for long.
And that because of a stupid PC ?



But didn't I tell it in the first post ? The Mach III has been made to support speed. It is full with things here and small things there to let that work out all together, net.

High Resolution link XXHighEnd Mach III Audio PC

No, that is not the PC, but each and every element you may see piled up there has been in it. Try this, try that. Most of it was used to overcome technical hurdles, but along the way I got acquainted with how actually "speed" as such is to be created for an Audio PC. Of course I won't tell but in the end it worked out perfectly. More actually.

High Resolution link XXHighEnd Mach III Audio PC 02

High Resolution link XXHighEnd Mach III Audio PC 03

High Resolution link XXHighEnd Mach III Audio PC 05

High Resolution link XXHighEnd Mach III Audio PC 06

High Resolution link XXHighEnd Mach III Audio PC 07

High Resolution link XXHighEnd Mach III Audio PC 08

High Resolution link XXHighEnd Mach III Audio PC 04

The last picture shows a big secret : a very slow running completely inaudible fan (not PWM connected). Believe it or not, is key to the sound ...

Peter

[arvind]

Hi Peter,

Congratulations on the successful launch of the Mach III.


Just a few questions:
-Does it support RAM OS disk
-If yes, can the disk be removed after booting.
-What max ambient temperatures can the PC handle.
-Power consumption in comparison to Mach II.

Best regards,

Arvind

[PeterSt]

Hi Arvind,

Like the NOS1a/G3 has been heavily optimized for power consumption, the same "techniques" were applied to the Mach III Audio PC; The Linear Power Supply dissipates an unbelievable low 35C or so at an ambient of ~22 as it is over here. It is about equal to "nothing". Btw this is during playback with Q3,4,5 to 1,1,1 (this implies maximum power usage).

The all over power consumption is maybe 3W higher than the Mach II, which is theory because I never checked with the NOS1a/G3 and the Mach II. This, while I saw the other day that the G3 alone consumes ~14W (I never knew this but it will be caused by the Phisolator).
So the answer : ~56W with connected NOS1a/G3 (playing) and ~42W on its own.

There will virtually be no restrictions to the ambient temperature because the "hot parts" it can be regarded to rise linearly with the ambient temperature (there's too much headroom to not let it work out like that). So say that your ambient is 40C and with that 18C more than over here, then the hot parts become 35 + 18 = 53 (which would still be a bit less than the Mach II) and the processor will rise from 42 which it is now to 60 which still will not let trip the safety cooling (which is there just the same).
But the safety cooling is there, including explicit switch on, just as with the Mach II.

On a side note, this is with a processor frequency of 960MHz (can be lower but it is tuned for the best SQ), and 6 DIMMS of memory (8 GB each) set to 1866MHz. This will run at the lower speed of 1600 (as long as memory is available which supports this) but it will also run at 2400MHz (current memory supports that for sure).

Nothing is really on limits although it took me 4 weeks to get it there.

The "infrastructure" as such remained the same as the Mach II although it was not easy to achieve for many reasons; Removable RAM-OS Disk is the same as it was and the DVD drive is also still there.
Weight is a few Kg more.

Kind regards,
Peter

[music33]

Peter,
Can you comment on how much difference the number of cores makes in sound quality and how many cores you have been listening to?
You mentioned you got acquainted with how to create 'speed; in an audio PC.  Not asking for any secrets, but when you mention speed are you referring to the speed of processing data or the speed in terms of transient response (i.e. an audio system's ability to faithfully reproduce the quickness of transient signals).
thanks,
dave

[PeterSt]

Hi Dave,

The speed is about the transient response of the whole system, starting with the power supply (and even the transformer ahead of that). This is not about transient response in audio per se. But it *is* how it works out. Think in the realm of slow and fast capacitors.

Can you comment on how much difference the number of cores makes in sound quality and how many cores you have been listening to?

The former question is hard to answer with numbers of some sort. Theoretically, however, the more cores the better because of less and less influence of processes not audio related. Say that it is an adhered strategy throughout (so also within XXHighEnd) which actually always rewards.
I did not play with less cores if your further question is about that. Well, I did because of testing and taming the heat (with 10 (20) but this was a not further optimized situation and I could not really compare because of not using 16 (32) yet.

Regards,
Peter

[fmanheck]

OK Peter. I have been thinking about this since you first made mention.  I don't need the new addiction description as I have passed that point long ago

I am officially asking to be put on the list for ordering the Mach 3. I will PM you about details. At the same time I would like to send you my my spare NOS1 to be modified to NOS1a status. I'll pm you about this also. Thanks Peter. Enjoy your last Sunday as I expect you will be very busy for some time now.

[PeterSt]

Well Fred, congratulations. You will go into the books as the first. OK, not really because the one now (about) finished is for someone already but he gently forced me into this. That is always different.
Haha.

Kind regards and super thanks !
Peter

[manisandher]

Enjoy your last Sunday as I expect you will be very busy for some time now.

Is there something we don't know?

Mani.

[fmanheck]

My guess is while I may be the first, I doubt I'll be the last