Digital Media System
An unexpected surprise
In 2010 we started a program to investigate if the new digital computer audio formats could offer an alternative to the traditional LPs and CDs. To this end, we extensively studied many computer platforms, software, DACs (digital) connectors and cabling, power supplies, HDDs / NAS, and iTouch devices. This research soon led to the interesting conclusion that - provided the necessary attention to detail is paid - the results can be much better than the standard CD and in some cases even the LP! As dedicated vinyl lovers this came as an unexpected surprise!
Our research and development has resulted in the Aitos Digital Media server (DMS), where we have selected great products delivering the highest sound quality. Aitos developed a dedicated power supply for the Zodiac DA converter, resulting in a major improvement when compared with either the standard switch mode power supply or the separately available Voltikus power supply. With the Aitos power supply the Zodiac DAC belongs to the top echelon.
Depicted are the Zodiac Plus, together with the Aitos power supply, a Hard Disc Drive and the Apple MacMini. The audio player software we currently prefer is Audirvana Plus of which the newest version 2.x has its own metadatabase, or together with iTunes for the meta database. The Windows alternative (also available for the Mac) for the audio player is JRiver also with its own metadatabase. As a metadatabase editor we recommend YATE.
The Aitos DMS is suitable for the reproduction of CD (16 bit / 44 kHz), and all common digital formats up to and including 32 bit / 384 kHz and DSD128 (with the Zodiac Platinum and the PSAudio Direct Stream DAC).
Another enormous benefit is the ease of retrieval and the comfort of switching music from your own chair! As never before you can compare the differences in performances with just the swipe of a finger on an iPad or other iTouch device.
Every DMS we deliver is accompanied with a comprehensive user's manual which will permit you easily to generate a digital library with the DMS hardware and Aitos installed third party software.
Work in progress
In the same way that the development of digital is a work in progress, the Aitos DMS is also a work in progress. The Aitos platform is an open platform where components can easily be replaced or upgraded to keep track with the rapid developments in the digital domain.
It is based on standard computer platforms (OSX or Windows) assembled with the best available components such as A/D and D/D converters, appropriate computer software with the addition of our own design contributions.
Linux was also evaluated as a computer platform, but tests revealed that the current Linux products were not competitive.
Aitos is researching several DAC and D-to-D solutions to develop a top class DAC, worthy of the Aitos name.
It is our expectation that the quality of digital music reproduction will only increase in the future.
We are just at the beginning of a digital revolution.
Aitos is distributor of most well known DACs
Aitos is for example distributor for Zodiac DACs: the basic Zodiac, the Zodiac +, the Zodiac Gold and the Zodiac Platinum. Each Zodiac DAC comes with a simple (switched) power supply, with the exception of the Platinum which comes standard with the Voltikus MkII. The quality of any Zodiac DAC can be greatly improved with the Aitos power supply, it will give a significant improvement over all standard power supplies.
Currently our reference DAC is the PSAudio Direct Stream DAC. For this reason we added this DAC to our selection. According to our listening tests the major feature of this DAC is the natural flow of music with digital copies of audio CDs and especially with digital audio files of higher resolution and DSD.
To our ears the PSAudio has the quality of vinyl: a first!
