Just get a Pink Faun 2.16x and be done with it. 
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Excellent choice.
Be certain to include a $1,000 custom color faceplate.
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I just got the plain old semi flat black to match my other gear. 
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Sigh . . .
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A chrome plated turd is still a turd, correct? 
Is the Pink Faun as wonderful as they say?
Did you opt for any onboard storage?
Short answer. Yes.
Long answer it is an awesome piece of modern day stereo hardware. It seems like the weight is around 60 lbs. if I remember correctly. It uses a fanless MOBO (not sure whoās) and Audio Linux. Power supplies are huge. You can buy it as a Windows machine if you want to. I did not want or need that option.
I ordered it with 2x Samsung 4tb SSDās as I donāt know how much storage I will need in the future. I optioned for their i2s output card configured for PS Audio, USB output card and a JCAT network IO card. I optioned for all of the misc clock upgrades. I had them put 64gigs of ram onboard in case I want to run output as a RAM drive. I also bought one of their USB and i2s cables. To me in this system they are better than the highly regarded WW Platinum 7.
I had a Matrix converter in line along with a Uptone Ether Regen switch and have been able to remove both with no discernible difference in SQ. It may be better without them in line.
I donāt have any regrets regarding this machine and would highly recommend it to anyone who has the means to acquire one. It has been rock solid since power on last spring. They are also a great group of people to work with and that always helps.
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Cool!!
Thanks for the report.
It is available with an astounding number of options.
Is all of your music on the internal drives?
Would it be awkward to ask what it set you back?
Yes. I have ~2tb of stored music on the internal drives. I back them up to a Synology NAS formatted as RAID 10 which also backs itself up to an external USB drive. The PF is my Roon Core and I control it with my WIN10 laptop (or iPhone). Before I had a Nucleus+ with internal and external storage. I used the ER switch ans Matrix with the N+. The PF has negated the need for those devices.
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The base price is roughly $10k USD and fully optioned out it goes for ~$20k USD. Not cheap by any means but in the scope of $4k power cords the cost is in line with the results.
Edit: It took roughly 10-12 weeks or so from the time I placed the order until it was delivered to the USA. There was a holdup getting the JCAT NIC and it sat in US customs for a week or two.
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Very slick
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They have an Ultra version in development. The 2.16 is going on 3 years old now. I bought mainly for the power supplies and use it as an HQPe endpoint but if I were in the market now I would certainly learn from Jord and Mattijs what the Ultra advancements bring to bear.
That said, itās a permanent piece in my system for life, at least thatās my intent.
I agree with @Baldy in that Iāve tried the EtherRegen and it had zero impact on the Pink Faun. Though I was already feeding it via fiber. I gave the ER 11 months and multiple times in and out of the system, mostly inā¦but it simply was not an audible difference for me in my setup so it went to a new home.
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I just looked at the invoice and it was 15,300 Euros including options, shipping, insurance, and a pair of their cables @ 750 Euros each. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Rock solid hardware and great support although none has been needed. I still keep in touch with Jord once in a while. They respond quickly to questions but you must consider the time difference when sending an email.
I agree with @brett66 that if they have something new in the works it might be worth looking at.
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Thats the same price as an indecent pair of speaker cables.
My thoughts exactly.
Iāll add to the raves for the 2.16x. The only thing better is the service you get from Jord
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So with the Pink Faun you use it as both server and streamer. It is a standard PC computer with many mods and a custom OS? And configured properly cost a bit more than $15k US? At that price all power devices and upgrade cables are included or is there another $6k to spend on support gear?
Iāll have to reread the recent Stereophile review. I am concerned that a new model is coming and the current model is three years old. Iād hate to buy the month before new and better drops. But that is always the fear, isnāt itā¦
Email Jord to find out the status of the new one info@pinkfaun.com
It can be an all in one server/streamer or split up, either way, your choice. I use it (a single unit) as just an endpoint but Iāve also used it as combo running AudioLinux in the past. I believe they are now using Euphony OS. Itās ājustā a PC at itās core so any modern operating system will work.
It will be magic with the May! NOS via I2S.
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I am happy using my Euphony PTS as a server and the Signature Rendu Optical as the streamer. The thought of upgrading to a Euphony Summus or a Pink Faun orā¦ interests me. I will need to study. Jason at the Cable Company thinks I should consider Wolf Systems device as well.
I have been building computers for nearly 40 years now. It pains my brain to see the prices these guys charge for something I recognize as $1200 worth of parts. Custom OS means something, but not $7k worth. Itās just a personal issue for me. Iāll likely get over it. I am just generally speaking, not about any particular brand.
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