The Antipodes EX is an evolution of the Antipodes EDGE, but the EX is made to the same specification level as our flagship DX, becoming only the second Antipodes music server to get the ‘X-Series’ designation. The EX uses the same V4X circuit for signal handling that is used in the DX and the only difference driving relative audio performance is that the EX uses a single internal ODAPS2 power supply and the DX uses internal Dual ODAPS1 Power Supplies, allowing for greater separation of the server app and renderer app in the DX.
Other differences from the DX are that the EX uses the half-width form factor, user-installable storage and does not have an integrated ripper.
The EX is built in four separate chambers, separating wiring and switches, the power supply, storage disks and signal handling from each other. And the EX is the first Antipodes music server to use our newly developed ODAPS2 power supply technology, which reduces high frequency noise without resorting to filtering that would impede the speed of current delivery needed in a music server. The EX is a superb renderer, and its full potential is delivered when it is performing just the renderer function and receiving an excellent input signal. Used on its own the EX is a stunning value entry model to the Antipodes X-Series. Upgrading it with a CX to the CX+EX solution, where the CX performs the server function lifts performance to the absolute state of the art.
EX Interior
Owners of an EX can use any USB ripper to auto-rip their CDs, or add the new P1 platform, with its integrated high precision ripper. The EX can be ordered with 8TB of HDD internal storage, or users can self-install up to 4TB of HDD or up to 8TB of SSD storage for their music files. Use of SSDs improves sound quality dramatically.
We have added one key feature to the EX, a high quality stereo analog output. Customers moving from a CD Player can start with the EX and play direct to their amplifier, and leave adding a high quality USB DAC till later. This was not an attempt to include a high quality DAC. Instead we sought a very inexpensive way to reveal the benefits of getting the digital part right. It is as they say, buzz-word free, limited to PCM and up to 24 bit 192kHz, and other formats will be transcoded on-the-fly for playback.
The reason for the design choices in the EX are:
- It provides a low entry price to the digital audio high-end because it does not require you to add a DAC.
- You can upgrade it with a high-quality USB DAC later.
- You can upgrade it to the absolute state-of-the-art by adding a CX later, to become the CX+EX solution.
Antipodes EX is planned For Release Before 19 February 2018.
OPTIONS
Color: Silver or Black
Storage Options:
Pre-Installed – 8TB HDD, or
User-Installable:
Up to two 2.5″ 7mm Sata HDDs
Up to two 2.5″ 7mm Sata SSDs
HARDWARE FEATURES
Medium Power V4X Circuit
Fanless All Alloy
Separate Screened Chambers Construction
ODAPS2 Level 3 Internal Linear Power Supply
Stereo Analog Output (RCA)
USB Audio 2.0 Output
PCM to 32bit / 768kHz PCM
DoP to DSD512, Native DSD to DSD512
Ethernet Direct Output
SOFTWARE FEATURES
Music Playback Options
Roon Server & Roon Ready
SqueezeBox & Squeezelite
MPD
DLNA/UPnP/OpenHome
HQPlayer NAA
Spotify Connect
SONOS Integration
Plex Media Server
Admin Applications
Find My Antipodes
CD-Import Auto-Ripper
Playback App Switcher
External Drive Mounter
Browser-Based Setup GUI
SMB Server For File Management & Downloads
POWER
Less Than 25W While Running
110-120VAC or 220-240VAC Switchable
DIMENSIONS
240mm (w) x 290mm (d) x 90mm (h)
9.5in (w) x 11.4in (d) x 3.6in (h)
WARRANTY
24 Months Return To Vendor
Extendable To 36 Months By Online Registration