Antipodes K50 Music Server
K50 Music Server – USD 15,000
(excludes the impact of tariffs and local taxes)
The full-width Antipodes K50 is our latest advance of the state of the art in digital audio, and fully implements the new technologies delivered by the Antipodes OLADRA Project. Refinement, dimensionality, dynamics, timbre and resolution are exceptional. The Antipodes K50 gets out of the way to let you fully experience the emotional impact of the original recording.
Christiaan Punter of HiFi Advice has completed an extensive and detailed review of the K50 that describes the superb sound of the K50:
“The K50 is an Absolute Game Changer.”
“… switch [from the CX+EX] to the K50 and all bets are off. The newcomer simply does everything that the older combo does and improves on this with more fluid and more highly resolving treble, more accurate focus and increased transparency. And last but not least, the K50 adds an overwhelming sense of natural flow and deep soundstaging, making other server/streamer sources sound flat and relatively technical in comparison. And I’m afraid that includes the CX and EX.”
“One of the K50’s unique strengths is that it not only produces music in a natural and free-flowing manner, it also has great PRaT and the uncanny ability to reproduce everything in a most realistic manner, making all the instruments sound utterly authentic and convincing.”
“But the K50 is about more than ticking audiophile boxes. It is a Music Server that faithfully reproduces all the intricate elements of the music, and nothing but the music.”
The Antipodes K50 integrates three separately powered and isolated computation engines:
- A high power engine to enable Server Apps to effortlessly handle a huge music library, re-assemble internet streams to recover the original file’s sound quality, handle DSP features without loss of quality, and to serve the cleanest possible stream to the Player App.
- An advanced player engine to run the selected Player App to provide exceptional USB Audio output and to feed the Reclocker.
- An all-new fully-isolated reclocking engine to provide exceptional S/PDIF, AES3 and I2S digital outputs.
Insert your own SSDs or have your provider install them for you – up to 24TB. Add USB drives. Include music files located elsewhere on your network. Upload music files from anywhere on your network. Add internet streaming services. Attach an Antipodes K10 Ripper to import music from your CDs. All easily user-configurable to form a single integrated music library that is available to all playback solutions selected.
Easily select the playback solutions you wish to use, from the world’s best high-end digital audio software providers. Stream by Direct Ethernet connection, USB Audio, S/PDIF, AES3 or I2S to your main stereo system, and at the same time stream over your network to streaming devices.
Setup and control everything from your desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
K50 Connections
- Insert up to three 2.5″ Sata SSDs. They will click securely in place.
- USB Audio 2.0 Output
- Femto Word Clock Master Output on BNC
- AES3 Digital Audio Output on 3-pin XLR
- S/PDIF Digital Output on BNC
- S/PDIF Digital Output on RCA
- I2S Digital Output on HDMI
- Dual USB Ports For External CD Ripper (eg. Antipodes K10)
- Two Servicing Ports
- Ethernet Connection to Network on RJ45
- Ethernet Connection for Direct Streaming to Streamer on RJ45
- Two USB Ports for USB Disks
- Mains Power IEC Inlet – User Switchable 110-120vac to 220-240vac
K50 Reviews
- HiFi Advice (hifi-advice.com) – Christiaan Punter – 28 September 2020 – Read the Full Review
K50 Specifications
| Price Before Duties & Taxes | $15,000 |
| Cooling | Passive Fanless Silent |
| Case | CNC Machined From Solid Alloy |
| Direct Stream Ethernet Output | YES |
| USB Audio 2.0 Output | – PCM to 32bit/768kHz – DoP to DSD512 – Native DSD to DSD512 |
| S/PDIF Output | On RCA and BNC – PCM to 24bit/192kHz – DoP to DSD64 |
| AES3 Ouput | On XLR – PCM to 24bit/192kHz – DoP to DSD64 |
| I2S Output | On HDMI – PCM to 32bit/384kHz – DoP to DSD256 – Native to DSD512 |
| Optional Music Storage | Easy Self-Installable Without Tools – 3 Bay Slide-In – Up To 24TB |
| Hardware Modules | V5.6H For Server Apps V5X For Player Apps R1I Reclocker |
| Power Supply | Internal – 3 x HSL80 |
| AC Power | Switchable – 110-120VAC 60Hz – 220-240VAC 50Hz |
| Width | 445mm (17.5in) |
| Depth | 370mm (14.5in) |
| Height | 120mm (4.7in) |
| Weight | 16kg (35lb) |
| Warranty | Return To Seller – 3 Years |