Grizaudio Posted December 15, 2022 Posted December 15, 2022 (edited) I'm on the hunt for an Australian seller/builder for complete i5/7 Fanless NUC's. A case like this would be ideal for me. https://akasa.co.uk/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&type=FANLESS CASES&type_sub=Intel NUC&model=A-NUC92-M1B Any recommendations would be welcome for builders in Australia. Worst case, I will buy the case from amazon, and NUC separately. Edited December 15, 2022 by Grizaudio
Grizaudio Posted December 15, 2022 Author Posted December 15, 2022 I forgot about these intel element solutions. Might go this way. Seems responsible for a silent machine.
Niktech Posted December 15, 2022 Posted December 15, 2022 (edited) 9 hours ago, Grizaudio said: I forgot about these intel element solutions. Might go this way. Seems responsible for a silent machine. The compute elements are an interesting idea. User upgradable /swappable. I was looking at them not long ago. IIRC the only fanless NUC case is the Rugged. I’m still on the fence about purchasing. Let us know if you find a custom Nuc builder in Oz. Cheers Edited December 15, 2022 by Niktech 1
Snoopy8 Posted December 16, 2022 Posted December 16, 2022 The Intel NUC Element with a rugged case is a good option, but you will need to add to it. If you want to add a PCIe card, you should use one of the two M.2 slots with a M.2 to PCIe riser cable. The cable should be fed out through the back slot. You will also need an external Ethernet port (or use only Wifi). You can bypass all the angst by getting a PCIe network card or an Ethernet USB adaptor. The internal Ethernet port does not work in Linux. The command "lshw -C network" will say that the network controller is unclaimed. This is because the Intel Ethernet drivers within the Linux kernel are hopelessly out of date (shame on you Intel!). Have tried various Kernels 5.4 to 5.15 (across Ubuntu 20, 21, 22), BIOS tweaks and even compiling drivers. 1
Ittaku Posted December 16, 2022 Posted December 16, 2022 (edited) I have a compulab Airtop3 and the well constructed completely silent PC is a game changer in my environment for both work and audio. They're expensive but nothing compared to an audiophile brand music server. They have a range of lower power devices that would serve just fine though. Australian reseller: https://www.fit-pc.com.au/ Edited December 16, 2022 by Ittaku 1
Grizaudio Posted December 16, 2022 Author Posted December 16, 2022 37 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said: The Intel NUC Element with a rugged case is a good option, but you will need to add to it. If you want to add a PCIe card, you should use one of the two M.2 slots with a M.2 to PCIe riser cable. The cable should be fed out through the back slot. Thanks Snoopy, are you currently running this PC? I'll be running windows on this build, so I can use a proprietary ASIO driver, with Roon. No PCI'e usb cards required. 39 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said: The internal Ethernet port does not work in Linux. The command "lshw -C network" will say that the network controller is unclaimed. This is because the Intel Ethernet drivers within the Linux kernel are hopelessly out of date (shame on you Intel!). Have tried various Kernels 5.4 to 5.15 (across Ubuntu 20, 21, 22), BIOS tweaks and even compiling drivers. Seems odd, considering Ubuntu works fine on the Standard NUC, must run a different chipset.
Grizaudio Posted December 16, 2022 Author Posted December 16, 2022 24 minutes ago, Ittaku said: I have a compulab Airtop3 and the well constructed completely silent PC is a game changer in my environment for both work and audio. They're expensive but nothing compared to an audiophile brand music server. They have a range of lower power devices that would serve just fine though. Australian reseller: https://www.fit-pc.com.au/ Thanks certainly are expensive. I think the Intel rugged ticks the boxes for me.
Snoopy8 Posted December 16, 2022 Posted December 16, 2022 Just now, Grizaudio said: Thanks Snoopy, are you currently running this PC? I'll be running windows on this build, so I can use a proprietary ASIO driver, with Roon. No PCI'e usb cards required. Seems odd, considering Ubuntu works fine on the Standard NUC, must run a different chipset. Am running SnakeOil, Ubuntu 22.04. You should not have problems with Windows. While it is called an NUC, it is a totally different design from the standard NUC. 1
Grizaudio Posted December 16, 2022 Author Posted December 16, 2022 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said: Am running SnakeOil, Ubuntu 22.04. You should not have problems with Windows. While it is called an NUC, it is a totally different design from the standard NUC. Yep, I don't expect any challenges with Win11, but I appreciate you confirming their are issues with Ubuntu. The Intel website suggests some models are Ubuntu supported. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000055730/intel-nuc/intel-nuc-elements.html A standard NUC in an akasa case would be the safer bet. Edited December 16, 2022 by Grizaudio
Snoopy8 Posted December 16, 2022 Posted December 16, 2022 18 minutes ago, Grizaudio said: The Intel website suggests some models are Ubuntu supported. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000055730/intel-nuc/intel-nuc-elements.html It says Ubuntu 20.04 is supported? I happened to try 20.04 yesterday and the Ethernet port will not work with the supplied 5.4 kernel. Similarly, with 22.04 and 5.15 kernel. Have even tried compiling the driver and still no luck. May have to log a ticket? 1
Grizaudio Posted December 16, 2022 Author Posted December 16, 2022 (edited) 6 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: It says Ubuntu 20.04 is supported? I happened to try 20.04 yesterday and the Ethernet port will not work with the supplied 5.4 kernel. Similarly, with 22.04 and 5.15 kernel. Have even tried compiling the driver and still no luck. May have to log a ticket? It’s odd considering it’s supported. Please let me know how you get on with the issue. Edited December 16, 2022 by Grizaudio
Grizaudio Posted December 18, 2022 Author Posted December 18, 2022 Another new option: https://www.asus.com/displays-desktops/mini-pcs/pl-series/mini-pc-pl64/ However, only windows support is listed. I might actually be running Ubuntu, still testing DAC behaviour. 2
Snoopy8 Posted December 18, 2022 Posted December 18, 2022 26 minutes ago, Grizaudio said: Another new option: https://www.asus.com/displays-desktops/mini-pcs/pl-series/mini-pc-pl64/ However, only windows support is listed. I might actually be running Ubuntu, still testing DAC behaviour. Interesting. It does take a DC input power, 19Vdc, 3.42A but no manual yet to say it can take alternate voltages like 12V. Intel NUCs can use 12V, as long as the power is more than 50W (based on trying a few LPS). 1
Grizaudio Posted January 1, 2023 Author Posted January 1, 2023 (edited) On 16/12/2022 at 1:34 PM, Snoopy8 said: It says Ubuntu 20.04 is supported? I happened to try 20.04 yesterday and the Ethernet port will not work with the supplied 5.4 kernel. Similarly, with 22.04 and 5.15 kernel. Have even tried compiling the driver and still no luck. May have to log a ticket? @Snoopy8 just curious if you have tried Ubuntu 22.10? I have USB issues with 22.04 as an example switching sampling rates on my DAC, 22.10 works perfectly - It might be worth a try. Edited January 1, 2023 by Grizaudio
LogicprObe Posted January 1, 2023 Posted January 1, 2023 Just build it yourself. It is simple these days. 1
Grizaudio Posted January 1, 2023 Author Posted January 1, 2023 10 minutes ago, LogicprObe said: Just build it yourself. It is simple these days. Yep that's what I will be doing. I have built many PC's, I don't have an issue doing DIY, but would prefer something done.. Cheers
LogicprObe Posted January 1, 2023 Posted January 1, 2023 As for O/S.......................I don't know why people just don't run Windows. Linux is too much stuffing around. 1
Snoopy8 Posted January 1, 2023 Posted January 1, 2023 52 minutes ago, Grizaudio said: @Snoopy8 just curious if you have tried Ubuntu 22.10? I have USB issues with 22.04 as an example switching sampling rates on my DAC, 22.10 works perfectly - It might be worth a try. No, have not tried 22.10. I may have a resolution with my Ethernet port issue, will confirm in a few weeks time. 1
Grizaudio Posted January 1, 2023 Author Posted January 1, 2023 4 minutes ago, LogicprObe said: As for O/S.......................I don't know why people just don't run Windows. Linux is too much stuffing around. So many reasons. Everyone has preferences. Depends what you are familiar with. Ubuntu is much faster to load and more responsive than windows, IMO. It also doesn’t run indexing like windows, and comes in server versions. it’s also free and well supported. 1
Grizaudio Posted January 1, 2023 Author Posted January 1, 2023 (edited) Also if you check out the latest Ubuntu builds like 22.10, you will find Ubuntu is becoming super optimised for low latency audio and now plays ball with most class compliant USB devices.. This includes USB multichannel. Edited January 1, 2023 by Grizaudio
LogicprObe Posted January 1, 2023 Posted January 1, 2023 This is the sort of thing I've been hearing for thirty years!
Grizaudio Posted January 1, 2023 Author Posted January 1, 2023 (edited) 33 minutes ago, LogicprObe said: This is the sort of thing I've been hearing for thirty years! Well now it’s true. 22.10 happily runs my Motu Ultralite MK5 driverless. Delivering 8 channels of audio via Roon or LMS/CamillaDSP no issues. If you prefer Windows, please by all means continue to use…. I’m more than happy with Ubuntu for music serving. I’m not here to convince you either way. cheers Edited January 1, 2023 by Grizaudio
Grizaudio Posted January 11, 2023 Author Posted January 11, 2023 On 01/01/2023 at 9:55 PM, Snoopy8 said: No, have not tried 22.10. I may have a resolution with my Ethernet port issue, will confirm in a few weeks time. Curious if you had any luck fixing the network driver issue.
Snoopy8 Posted January 11, 2023 Posted January 11, 2023 4 minutes ago, Grizaudio said: Curious if you had any luck fixing the network driver issue. It has been a lengthy encounter with Intel, hence my earlier comment that it would take a few weeks. Will post when I have something definitive... 1
Snoopy8 Posted January 20, 2023 Posted January 20, 2023 The sad saga continues. After sending back the rugged chassis, under warranty, and getting a replacement, the internal LAN port still does not work.
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