As I pointed out at the start of this review, the fact that power supplies matter in the audio universe is hardly news. But leveraging a couple of other audio truisms (or clichés, depending on your point of view) the nearer the front of the system you make a change, the bigger its impact and, when it comes to digital signals, induced noise is incredibly destructive to musical coherence. Roll those things together and a server storing music files has to be the perfect storm in terms of the demands it places on its power supply. In the same way, substituting linear power supplies for the wall-warts that come with most network hardware is a proven route to upgrade the musical performance of file-replay. While the arrival of the Sean Jacobs Mini ARC6 DC4 demonstrates just how far you can take that logic, it demonstrates a few other things too. It reinforces the designer’s credentials and reputation as the go-to source for linear supplies when it comes to computer audio – but it also suggests that his power supplies aimed at analogue applications should be both well worth investigating and similarly cost effective. It also demonstrates that not all power supplies are created equal, cutting corners constitutes false economy and that there is no substitute for sound engineering – and yes, the pun was intended!
This review covers the use of the Mini ARC6 DC4 with Roon’s Nucleus server, a context in which I can’t recommend it highly enough. But the conclusion is general. If you are listening to files stored on a server, the server’s power supply and the quality of your network will make or break the musical results. The Wadax Reference Server costs the wrong side of $60K and weighs more than 100lbs: but the company still offers the Akasa Optical interface and the Reference Power supply as upgrade options. Both have a substantial impact on musical performance… If you are using a Nucleus, I can’t recommend Sean Jacob’s Mini ARC6 DC4 supply highly enough. It delivers a fundamental improvement in file replay. It’s not just an upgrade – it’s pretty much the difference between music and noise. Frankly – I never expected the Nucleus to sound this good.
Maybe you use a different server? Maybe that server offers an optional, matching linear power supply? Even if it does, I’d strongly recommend investigating the possibilities of a Sean Jacobs supply. Whatever unit you are using, I’m confident you’ll not be disappointed…
Price and availability
Mini ARC6 DC4 PSU with standard Neotech OCC copper wiring – £3600 GBP including UK VAT.
Sean Jacobs can be contacted at custom.hifi.cables@gmail.com
As stated, most PSU models can also be built within the US and EU for regional clients, please contact Sean for info and local pricing.
