USER GUIDE - AMSv4.4

This guide covers how to setup your Antipodes using the AMSv4.4 user interface. We urge you to keep your software version up to date so that we can continue to support you.

Alternatively, you can download the AMSv4.4 User Guide.

INDEX LINKS

1. THE BASICS

2. OVERVIEW

3. SETUP STORAGE

4. ASSEMBLE YOUR LIBRARY

5. SETUP PLAYBACK (AUTO PRESETS)

6. SETUP PLAYBACK (USER PRESETS)

7. SERVER DASHBOARD

8. PLAYER DASHBOARD

9. THIRD-PARTY APPS

10. TROUBLESHOOTING

1. THE BASICS

CONNECTIONS

Insert your storage SSD disk(s) in the slots on the rear panel, and then place your Antipodes in your stereo rack, making sure that there is good ventilation for cooling.

You must NOT insert or remove disks while the Antipodes is powered up.

You must NOT copy or rip files to the Antipodes until you have inserted your disks and have setup your storage as shown in section 3 below.

Connect three cables to the rear of your Antipodes:

Power
Network
Output to your DAC

It is recommended that you connect only one output cable at a time to your DAC, to optimise sound quality by eliminating unnecessary earth paths.

STARTUP

To start an Antipodes, click the front panel power button – holding it in for half a second or so before releasing.

The Ready LED will begin to flash. When it has stopped flashing your Antipodes is ready to use.

SHUTDOWN

Some users will wish to turn off the front panel LED lights, particularly in a home theatre situation. Simply use a short click of the front panel Power Button to turn off the LED lights. The next time you do a long click (more than half a second), the LEDs will light again.

2. OVERVIEW

CONNECTIONS

Setting up a computer audio solution is easier if you understand a few simple concepts.

Historically, computer audio evolved with separate Server and Player apps. This was so that a single Server device stored the files, and served the files to multiple Player devices distributed on the user’s network. While some apps can perform both server and player functions, it is a good thing that in most cases the apps are separated, because it results in better sound. Sound is improved even further by using a high-power device to run the Server app and a low-power device to run the Player app.

The image below illustrates the typical architecture of a computer audio solution, and lists the range of Server apps and Player apps available to be used on your Antipodes. (Note some people refer to what we call the Player as a renderer or as an end-point.)

You can read more about computer audio architecture issues in our Design page.

Setting up an Antipodes is completed using the setup Dashboards on your Antipodes. After startup, open the Antipodes website, click on the My Antipodes menu item, and this opens the My Antipodes page, which lists any Antipodes found on your network. You can save the My Antipodes page as a shortcut to get there faster next time.

To setup an Antipodes, click on the ‘Open’ button to open the Solution Dashboard for that Antipodes.

At the Solution Dashboard, you can manage your storage disks, add files to your music library, and setup your playback solution by selecting an Auto Preset or by creating a User Preset. You can create as many User Presets as you wish, and you can delete User Presets you no longer need.

If your software version is not the latest available then Update buttons will appear on the Solution Dashboard. If you are up to date then the Update buttons will not be visible. Your current version number is shown on the Server Dashboard and Player Dashboard.

Important Notes:

Using a Single Computer Antipodes. If you are using a single computer Antipodes (eg. a S40, S30, K21, K22, CX, EX, DX, etc) on its own, click on the Open button, and in the Solution Dashboard the default Source is itself. It will show in both the Playback panel and the Server panel. Therefore you can complete setup of your playback solution at the Solution Dashboard.

Using Two Antipodes Together. If you are using two Antipodes for your playback solution (eg. CX as Server and EX as Player, or S40 as Server and S30 as Player, etc), then you only need to ‘Open’ the Antipodes performing the Player function (eg. the EX, or the S30, etc). The Solution Dashboard for the Player allows you to select any other Antipodes on your network as its Source Server. Then you can manage the Server’s apps and storage setup from the Player’s Solution Dashboard. This means a single playback solution involving two Antipodes models can be managed in the combined Solution Dashboard.

Using a Dual Computer Antipodes. With a dual computer, the Player device (eg. the K50player above) can only use the K50server as its source Server. But single computer Antipodes can be used as Players and play from the same K50server at the same time.

Working With Third-Party Players. If you are using a non-Antipodes as the player (eg. connecting to the Ethernet connection on your DAC), then you can open the Solution Dashboard for the Antipodes that you are using for the Server app, and configure it there.

In practice, this is very simple and easy to do, and this capability makes it a breeze to manage complex configurations. Just remember to start with the solution Dashboard on the Player, and assemble your playback solution there. And when using a non-Antipodes player, simply open the Solution Dashboard for the Antipodes Server.

This video shows you how to navigate to your Antipodes’ Dashboards.

3. SETUP STORAGE

Your Antipodes is programmed to create a single common logical library location, that can span any number of physical disks that you insert. Therefore there is a setup process required to add a physical disk to the logical storage space. Simply sliding disks into the rear slots of your Antipodes will NOT enable them to be used until they have been added to storage. You can manage storage at the Solution Dashboard or by opening Storage Manager at the Server Dashboard, and then follow the prompts. During this process, your Antipodes will reboot to allow the changes to take place. Please be patient as large disks can take several minutes to properly prepare. A low-level format takes time but ensures that any bad sectors are disabled before you copy music onto the disks.

This video covers how to add disks to your Antipodes.

4. ASSEMBLE YOUR LIBRARY

Your Antipodes management interface has three tools for assembling your library. You can attach any USB CD Ripper to auto-rip your CDs to your Antipodes. You can also copy music files from any network location to your Antipodes. You can also include, in your library, any music files that are on your network (such as files on a NAS) without needing to copy them to the Antipodes.

The auto-ripper software will get you a very high quality rip using any functioning USB CD Ripper. Great things take time, and rips will take two or three times longer than normal, because the software is programmed to get the best possible rip from your CDs. Click on Rip CDs in the Solution Dashboard to check ripping progress or if you wish to abort the rip.

Click on Upload Files at the Solution Dashboard and then open Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder on your PC. You can then ‘drag and drop’ your music files/directories into the box shown below. Note that the security features in some browsers may not support this feature fully, and if you strike this problem, we cover an alternative upload method later in this section.

You can include music files that you have on your NAS in your Antipodes library, without having to copy them to the Antipodes. Click on Include Files in the Solution Dashboard, enter the network address of the folder to include, and the login credentials for your NAS – see below.

But you do not have to use the first two of these tools. You can rip CDs on another computer and/or copy your music files to the Antipodes using Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder. You will find your Antipodes under the Network tab in File Explorer or Finder, and this will allow you to copy your files to or from the ‘/storage/music’ folder using your computer.

The library location ‘/storage/music’ has already been pre-set as the library location within every Server app on your Antipodes.

Important Notes.

Copying Files To The Antipodes. You must NOT copy files to your Antipodes before you have setup some storage capacity.

Roon Watched Folders. You must NOT set any watched folders within Roon. Simply place your files in the ‘/storage/music’ folder on your Antipodes, and/or include (mount) any network folders in the ‘/storage/music’ folder, and Roon will automatically include them in its library.

Roon Background Audio Analysis Speed. Using a number of cores at 100% to do this is only suitable for computers that are low-power or fan-cooled. Because your Antipodes is passively cooled for optimal audio quality, you should leave this Roon feature at its default or perhaps just run one core at 100%, and monitor temperatures.

This video shows you how to add music files to your library.

5. SETUP PLAYBACK (AUTO PRESETS)

Your Antipodes has intelligent Auto Presets covering the playback methods that can be used with your Antipodes. For example, if you wish to use Roon, you just need to select the Roon (Auto) Preset, and start using Roon on your remote control device to play music.

The Auto Preset chosen will enable the necessary Player app on the Player, and the necessary Server app(s) on the Server.

Auto Presets also select the Output you are most likely to want to use. If a USB DAC is connected, then it will be set as the Output. If there is no USB DAC connected then the Output will be set to any other viable option (eg. the Digital Audio outputs on an Oladra or K50, or the Analog Audio output on an S30).

When first shipped, the DSD Handling setting is to use DoP. You can change this and your new setting will apply to all Auto Presets till you change it again.

You can even change the Source Server and the Preset will manage the changes without you having to re-configure anything

And you can enable more Server apps for network distributed music to Antipodes and third-party Players.

This video shows you how to use Antipodes’ Auto Presets.

6. SETUP PLAYBACK (USER PRESETS)

You can also make and save your own User Presets. Click on the ‘New’ button, or attempt to change an Auto Preset, and you will be asked to provide a new User Preset with a name/description. Then you will be free to use the Solution Dashboard to configure your User Preset.

For example, you can select any of the available Player apps.

The selected Server app will default to a Server app that will work with the Player app you chose. The Server app dropdown list will show only the Server apps that will work with that Player app.

You will be able to make any other changes you like, such as the Output, and the changes are automatically made to the current User Preset.

You can make as many User Presets as you like. Select the User Preset and then click on the ‘Delete’ button to remove any that you no longer need.

This video shows you how to create User Presets.

7. SERVER DASHBOARD

The Server Dashboard is mainly for advanced users, and the only thing you really need to do there is to set your correct time zone, and to register your device with us. Registering your device will make it easier to get support and extends your warranty. It does not add you to any mailing list unless you opt in to one.

If a Server app is behaving unusually, you can come here to restart it, and in some cases either reinstall it or clear its database.

You can also check resource usage if your Antipodes is behaving unusually.

This video briefly discusses the features of the Server Dashboard.

8. PLAYER DASHBOARD

The Player Dashboard is mainly for advanced users, and the only thing you really need to do there is to set your correct time zone, and to register your device with us. Registering your device will make it easier to get support and extends your warranty. It does not add you to any mailing list unless you opt in to one.

If the Player app is behaving unusually, you can come here to restart it, and some Player apps have other configuration parameters.

You can also check resource usage if your Antipodes is behaving unusually.

This video briefly discusses the features of the Player Dashboard.

9. THIRD-PARTY APPS

We do not attempt to cover the use of third-party apps in this guide. Third-party app providers may change their apps at any time, without giving us notice, so to use apps like Roon, HQPlayer, Minimserver etc, you are better to visit the developer’s website for the latest information, if needed. If you are still unsure about something, the fastest way to get a response is usually via the Antipodes User Forum, or you can book an appointment for a 1-on-1 session with Antipodes Support.

10. TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

In many cases below, the problem is that the software on your router has corrupt data. The solution is to turn off your computer, music server, switch and router. After a minute, start your router. When the router has connected to the internet again, start your switch, computer and music server.

Antipodes Music Server will not start

Check the power is connected and turned on at the rear of the server
Press the front panel power button (the only button on the front of Antipodes music servers) for half a second and then release – note that a very brief click is how you turn the front panel lights off
Check that the ‘ready’ light begins to flash green
Check that the lights flash on the rear panel network port
After the ‘ready’ light glows constant green, check that your music server is listed under the 'Setup' menu or in the Myantipodes app.

Antipodes Music Server is not found on my network

Check that the music server is on (‘ready’ light on), and lights are flashing on the rear panel network port
Try using the myantipodes app - it should find any Antipodes on your network, even if you are using a VPN, as long you are running AMSv4 or later
If you prefer to use our website and you are using a vpn, disable the vpn, reboot the music server and try again
Turn off your music server, turn off the device you are using to connect to the music server, turn off your router and any network switch between them, wait 1 minute, restart your router and any switch, and when internet access is restored by your router, turn on your music server
Try a network sniffer app or log into your router to discover the IP Address of your Antipodes music server, and then enter the IP Address in a browser’s address bar

My USB DAC does not show as an available output for the Player

Click on the ‘Refresh’ button in the solution dashboard
Turn your DAC off completely and then turn it on again, make sure the USB input is selected, click on the ‘Refresh’ button
Check with the DAC manufacturer whether their USB input is 100% compatible with the USB Audio 2.0 standard (your music server is 100% compatible with the USB Audio 2.0 standard), and ask if they have tested their USB input with Linux (all major Linux distros have been 100% compliant with the standard for over a decade)
Try a different USB cable, if available
Try a different USB port on the back panel of the music server
Try a different DAC, if available.

Cannot see the Antipodes in Roon Audio outputs

Turn off your music server, turn off the device you are using to connect to the music server, turn off your router and any network switch between them, wait 1 minute, restart your router and any switch, and when internet access is restored by your router, turn on your music server
Open the solution dashboard for your music server, check your desired output (DAC, Digital Outputs, or Analog Output) is shown as selected, switch to another Preset and then select the correct Roon Preset, and then check Roon again.

Cannot see the Antipodes Player in Squeeze

Turn off your music server, turn off the device you are using to connect to the music server, turn off your router and any network switch between them, wait 1 minute, restart your router and any switch, and when internet access is restored by your router, turn on your music server
Open the solution dashboard for your music server, check your desired output (DAC, Digital Outputs, or Analog Output) is shown as selected, switch to another Preset and then select the correct Squeeze Preset, and then check Squeeze again.
Open the player dashboard and restart Squeeze player and then check Squeeze again.

No sound in HQPlayer

Check you have made the right ‘Backend’ setting at the top of the HQPlayer Config Screen, and at the bottom of the HQPlayer Config Screen
Check you have made the right ‘Output Mode’ setting at the top of the HQPlayer Config Screen, and at the bottom of the HQPlayer Config Screen
Check that the sample rate is not set too high for your DAC, or too high for the Digital Output you are using (perhaps reduce the sample rate to Redbook and play a Redbook file to check).

Need help with a software upgrade

Please book a Remote Support Session.

None of the above solve my problem

Please book a Remote Support Session, and we will connect remotely to investigate the problem for you.

We Found No Antipodes On Your Network

USER GUIDE - AMSv4.4

INDEX LINKS

1. THE BASICS

CONNECTIONS

STARTUP

SHUTDOWN

2. OVERVIEW

CONNECTIONS

3. SETUP STORAGE

4. ASSEMBLE YOUR LIBRARY

5. SETUP PLAYBACK (AUTO PRESETS)

6. SETUP PLAYBACK (USER PRESETS)

7. SERVER DASHBOARD

8. PLAYER DASHBOARD

9. THIRD-PARTY APPS

10. TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE