{"id":34514,"date":"2023-05-25T09:24:26","date_gmt":"2023-05-25T07:24:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=34514"},"modified":"2024-01-14T21:05:37","modified_gmt":"2024-01-14T19:05:37","slug":"antipodes-oladra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/music-server-reviews\/antipodes-oladra\/","title":{"rendered":"Antipodes Oladra"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Review samples supplied by Antipodes Audio<\/a>
\nRetail price in the Netherlands incl 21% VAT: \u20ac27.495 excluding storage
\nStorage can be included at purchase or later installed by the user
\nAvailable in Black or Silver<\/h4>\n

Oladra<\/h3>\n

Antipodes Music Servers have been part of my system for quite some time. It started with a very favorable review of the DX2 in 2017 which led to reviewing several other models. Since 2018, I used the CX and EX and since late 2022, I’ve been using the Antipodes K50<\/a>, which was the former<\/em> all-in-one top model. Now, with the Oladra, the company has introduced<\/a> the very culmination of their research for Project Oladra with the beautifully sculpted Oladra Music Server, Player, and Reclocker.<\/p>\n

From the moment I laid eyes on it, I was in love. Milled from a solid block of aluminum, with its sleek and simple, yet subtly curved lines and its smoothly organic yet excitingly warped sides, this has to be the most elegant music server in existence. But its beauty extends beyond its shapely enclosure.<\/p>\n

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The Oladra employs an innovative new Server engine, plus enhanced Player and Reclocker engines. The motherboards feature new chipsets that in turn demanded new higher-speed power supplies be developed. As I assume is probably common knowledge, the fastest power supplies are indeed those of the SMPS kind (Switch Mode Power Supply), and indeed, the Oladra contains an SMPS. But before that rings a negative bell, let me add that switched supplies are not only inherently more efficient and provide more power from a smaller package, but they actually have the potential to be significantly better than their linear counterparts, provided that they are implemented correctly. And, of course, this has been a major point of attention.<\/p>\n

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Antipodes has implemented what they call a triple cascade power supply macro-topology integrating four unique micro-topologies. Peeking inside, I can see that there are three independent regulation stages that follow the main power supply’s output rails, in turn feeding different sections within the server. And with today’s ever-smaller SMD components, I’m sure there are more techniques applied that I just cannot see.<\/p>\n

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After reading this review, Mark Jenkins provided the following additional extensive information pertaining to the Cascade Power Supply;<\/p>\n

“We use an off-the-shelf high-quality AC to DC module that meets all certification requirements in any country of the world. On the main boards, we use switch-mode topologies that work excellently, close to the active components they feed with power. Neither of these is terribly innovative – just well-chosen. The third layer is our proprietary switch mode design that sits between these two. So, by ‘cascade’, we mean that there are three layers of regulation in series – ie in a cascade arrangement.\u00a0 The magic and innovation is in the middle layer where the task is to co-exist with the two other layers and avoid or prevent any interference or intermodulation. Manipulation of this middle layer design has a profound impact on the overall sound of the Oladra, and what gives rise to the Oladra sounding balanced, with excellent clarity and naturalness. We are very much against creating fake clarity (the sonic equivalent of a special effects movie), and we aim to present detail in perfect proportion and with perfect timing, as far as we are able. We believe that doing that allows the music to engage listeners with the way it ebbs and flows to evoke and\/or release emotion the way, the artist intended.”<\/em><\/p>\n

A very nice side effect of the new compact power supply is that the server can maintain a super-sleek profile. The K50 was already built very well but when viewed side by side, the Oladra makes its predecessor look rudimentary and kind of bulky. By the way, the Oladra’s svelte appearance can be misleading as the server actually weighs 2kg more than the K50. Pick it up, and you can’t help being impressed with the sheer mass in such a relatively small package.<\/p>\n

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I tried various power cables but a standard Belden 19364 with Oyaide C-004 worked surprisingly well with the Oladra. It seems it does not need special power cables.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The Oladra’s three feet are something special. Comprised of different “slices” under pressure, they are of constrained layer type. As the manual does not contain any info about the feet, I asked Mark Cole if there is more they can share, to which designer and owner Mark Jenkins responded:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

“The footers are a sandwich of two different metals with a thick polymer between them. The polymer is specifically designed for vibration control and the tension it is under is set to the correct level to give the optimum result.\u00a0 The mass and rigidity of the two metal pieces are also an important part of the design.\u00a0 With such an inert chassis (due to being a solid alloy and with no parallel surfaces), we wanted to ensure that the Oladra was also as isolated from the rack as possible without messing with timbres.\u00a0 We used some very highly regarded footers for comparison and the effect of our footers was to at least match them in terms of isolation (clarity) and to have an imperceptible impact on timbre (making them markedly superior to the alternatives we used for comparison).”<\/em><\/p>\n

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User-accessible bays on the back allow users to easily add up to 3 SSDs (up to 24TB) for music storage. The available digital outputs include Direct Stream Ethernet (RJ45), USB UAC-2 (A), S\/PDIF (RCA & BNC), AES3 (3-Pin XLR), and I2S (HDMI & RJ45).<\/p>\n

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As with all Antipodes models, users can easily choose\/switch between using Squeeze, Roon, MPD, HQPlayer, UPnP\/DLNA, and other popular playback solutions, using their recently updated AMS version 4 web interface.<\/p>\n

Next: AMS Web Interface<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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AMS Web Interface<\/h3>\n

Naturally, the Oladra can be controlled from tablets, phones, and computers, using the apps’ native control apps, such as Roon. To start other apps and adjust their settings, Antipodes has created a super-slick web interface that works on any device that has an internet browser, meaning that it could be a phone, tablet, or any computer, either Windows or Mac.<\/p>\n

The AMS web interface has lots of clever features and is super easy to navigate. As before, you can still find your Antipodes device(s) by typing myantipodes.com in a browser, and when you already know the Antipodes device’s IP Address, you can approach its user interface directly by entering it into an internet browser.<\/p>\n

But the most intuitive way to approach the interface is by going to the Antipodes website<\/a> and clicking the My Antipodes link.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This will bring up an overview of all the Antipodes servers and players that are found on the local network along with highlights and links to access them directly. If no servers are found, the website automatically shows you the most common causes and helpful tips to restore the connection(s).<\/p>\n

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The Oladra Solution page offers high-level control of both the server and player on a single screen. A Presets pull-down menu offers “smart” presets to create a working server-player pair using the App of your choice with the most likely digital output selected automatically in a single click. You can also create custom presets, and of course, you can still manually select the desired source, player app, digital output, and more.<\/p>\n

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The Player Dashboard provides a wealth of information and gives access to all the sub-options of the various player apps.<\/p>\n

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The Server Dashboard allows the selection of server apps and all their associated settings. You can have multiple or even all apps running at the same time. For the best sound quality, however, it is usually best to only have the required apps running.<\/p>\n

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User Guides, the Community section, and an extensive help section are all at your fingertips and updates can be carried out with the click of a button.<\/p>\n

Below: Community Forum section<\/em><\/p>\n

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Below: Infobase<\/em>, Guides section<\/em><\/p>\n

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Below: Infobase, Design section<\/em><\/p>\n

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You can even book a Consultation Call or Remote Access Support Session<\/em><\/p>\n

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Next: Review Context<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Review Context<\/h3>\n

The Oladra will predominantly be listened to using Roon but I will also briefly touch on its performance using Squeeze. The main system<\/a> consists in the basis of the CH Precision C1.2<\/a> DAC, CH Precision L1<\/a> preamplifier, CH Precision A1.5<\/a> power amp, and Magico S1 MkII speakers. Other digital sources include the Grimm MU1<\/a> and Antipodes K50<\/a> Music Servers.<\/p>\n

All interlinks are Driade Flow Link Reference 808<\/a>, both balanced and unbalanced. The speaker cables are the Mad Scientist Black Magic<\/a>. For this review, the Oladra will be used predominantly with its Reclocker AES\/EBU output via a Jorma AES\/EBU<\/a> cable but I will also briefly touch on the performance using its USB output using a Final Touch Audio Sinope<\/a> cable.<\/p>\n

To allow for comparison on fully equal grounds, I decided to place both the K50 and Oladra on their own Artesania Aire<\/a> floor platforms with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms<\/a> and KSH2 Krion shelves<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Running In<\/h3>\n

When I got the K50 new in 2020, Mark Jenkins informed me that it would change considerably while running in. And indeed, this turned out to be very true. In a nutshell, the K50 (and the K41\/K22) sounds hugely involving right out of the box but is relatively a little edgy and hard on the edges, and compared to its ultimate fully-ripened presentation, a little “tensioned”. Over the first days, it soon gained more lushness and relaxed smoothness while shedding the slight electronic signature to become more organic. This process deepened over the next months and even continued slowly developing for three-quarters of a year.<\/p>\n

The Oladra was also delivered brand-spanking new and so I assumed it would exhibit a similar running-in characteristic. After allowing it to acclimatize for a day, I connected it to power and let it simmer for a few days. Interestingly, when I listened to it after those 3 or 4 days, there was no hardness whatsoever that I could detect. What I did<\/em> detect right away, though, was that it wasn’t just a little better, but it really did perform very noticeably on a higher level than the K50.<\/p>\n

Reclocker Outputs<\/h3>\n

The Reclocker section is a proprietary Antipodes board that feeds the digital output section. As I found with the K50, K41, and K22, this section is largely responsible for the Antipodes trademark natural, free-flowing, fluid and organic presentation. The Reclocker section outputs to S\/PDIF on RCA and BNC, Optical TOSlink, AES3, and\u00a0 I2S on RJ45 and HDMI, and all these outputs can be used simultaneously. As the Reclocker Outputs have consistently provided the best results for me with Antipodes servers, that’s what I will be using for the bulk of this review.<\/p>\n

Upon making a selection in the User Interface, the Oladra can alternatively output via USB. In that case, the signal bypasses the Reclocker section, which results in a different sonic presentation which I will also assess further below.<\/p>\n

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Listening<\/h3>\n

Coming from the K50, the Oladra offers an overall very similar presentation in that it delivers all the traits that I have come to expect from an Antipodes server but it is also undeniably better in several relevant areas. Switching back and forth between the two, one might argue the similarities are perhaps greater than the differences. But I would counter that it takes only half a minute to appreciate the deeper impact of these differences. And once appreciated, going back to the K50 all of a sudden makes the Oladra’s superiority very clear.<\/p>\n

Whereas the two servers share the familiar Antipodes key qualities of sounding natural, deeply saturated, free-flowing, liquid, and organic pretty much in equal measure, the Oladra is more articulate, crisper, more expressive, airier, and more highly resolving than any of the models that preceded it. Amazingly, it does all this without sounding even the tiniest bit cooler or more analytical. It offers higher resolution almost without one noticing, and that’s the best kind.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, we can be impressed by a very explicit and immediate sound that has seemingly very high resolution but the danger is that this feeling of extra detail can be caused by artifacts, much as it can be the case with over-sharpened and overly bright images on TVs.<\/p>\n

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Conversely, the unforced manner in which the Oladra operates makes for immediate surrender on the listener’s behalf. Meanwhile, compared to the K50, the Oladra offers a more exciting, more incisive, and more expressive rendition of everything you play. If that may still sound like merely a technical advantage, then let me add that it all culminates in a performance that is ultimately more convincing and realistic. Thanks to its more spritely nature, music sounds timbrally more natural. Acoustic instruments relay more of their physical properties and the materials of which they are comprised, upright bass sounding more physical and imposing, piano sounding more like the complex wood, steel, and string instrument that it is, and vocals possessing more of a spine-tingling quality.<\/p>\n

The Oladra’s bass, while in essence similarly relaxed as that of the K50, nevertheless operates in a more light-footed manner. It’s very far from being lean, mind you, no Antipodes server is, and it is most certainly not lacking in color or substance, but it sure feels speedier and more agile. Like a tuned racecar, more eager to take fast turns.<\/p>\n

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When the Oladra arrived, I still had the K41+K22 combo at hand. After having listened to the Oladra for a handful of songs and then going back to the K41+K22 combo that I reviewed so favorably only a little while ago, I was perplexed to find the combo sounding darker, drier, with remarkably robust bass, but somehow more mechanical. How was this possible?<\/p>\n

Of course, while the K-combo had seen many weeks of use, going from my experience with the K50, there is a good possibility that a lot more playing time was needed to reach ultimate performance. But this does not tell the entire story because the Oladra not only sounds nimbler, more highly resolving, more light-footed, and more expressive, but also significantly more fluid and organic even with a few days of use.<\/p>\n

It’s something of a miracle that the Oladra manages to sound so natural and unforced while retaining good speed and PRaT. But sure enough, the server is incredibly refined and liquid, as well as lifelike in its expression and dynamics. It’s just so magnificently self-effacing that you don’t immediately notice its superlative communication skills until you start comparing it to other servers, even Antipodes’ own.<\/p>\n

What the Oladra ultimately achieves better than any Antipodes server I reviewed before is very important yet often underestimated, which is that it lets the music be its unadulterated self. It does not superimpose character. And because this is an Antipodes, it remains relaxed and will never sound lean, gray, or analytical. No matter what you play, it is reproduced with conviction and utter musicality, and above all, with soul-touching communication skills. Vocals, in particular, take on an overwhelmingly natural and human quality.<\/p>\n

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Of the server and streamers that I currently have at hand, the Oladra is by far the most spacious, especially in the width plane. It consistently throws a wider stage and fills the room with ambiance more effortlessly than either the Grimm MU1 or the Aqua LinQ. By projecting far into the depth plane whilst not being forward in any way, it provides more of a mid-hall perspective whereas the Grimm and Aqua, due to their more direct and explicit transient behavior, provide a crisper and more up-close perspective. Neither provide more clarity or insight than the Oladra but depending on the music, the Grimm and Aqua could sometimes perform in a more exciting and impactful manner while the Oladra performs in a lusher, more soulful, and emotionally more involving manner.<\/p>\n

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But while comparatively on the rich and smooth side, it is every bit as upbeat and well-paced and, this is especially noteworthy, even more highly resolving. But perhaps most importantly, in terms of refinement, fluidity, and air, it simply performs on another level. This quality alone may be exactly what analog aficionados have been after for decades. If other servers so far have sounded “rough” “hard”, or “digital” before, you really should listen to the Oladra as its liquid yet precise and highly-resolving treble performance is truly something special.<\/p>\n

Next: USB Output and Alternative Apps<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

USB Output<\/h3>\n

Although I usually prefer AES\/EBU for its stability and predictability in general, and for Antipodes in particular since this has consistently led to the best sonic results, I also listened to the Oladra’s USB output. It should be noted that the success of any USB connection hinges very heavily on the implementation of the interface on both ends and the results can vary depending on the combination.<\/p>\n

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Using a Final Touch Audio Sinope<\/a> USB cable, I replayed a range of songs that I listened to earlier via AES\/EBU, and sure enough, the difference between the USB and Reclocker outputs is very much in line with how I heard it with other Antipodus models before it. Via USB, the server sounds markedly tighter and leaner and becomes a little bit more expressive and direct as well as rather less spacious and organic. The Vermouth Reference USB<\/a> provided a pleasant alternative that worked more synergistically with the Oladra, providing more flow and air.<\/p>\n

There’s no question that the USB output sounds technically superb but I feel there’s a mechanical side to the reproduction, the music having traded an amount of liquidity and flow for enhanced immediacy. But this is also because it takes time to adjust after listening to the very organic Reclocker outputs. Strictly speaking, the Oladra still sounds rather special via its USB connection, just balanced more to the Yin side. Breaking it down into single words, one could say the USB performance is more analytical and AES\/EBU more emotional.<\/p>\n

Alternate Server\/Player Apps<\/h3>\n

For this review, I have so far only been using Roon. But it’s worth noting that the other server\/player solution apps allow the user to fine-tune the sound. For instance, while Roon sounds smoothest, richest, and most spacious, MPD and Squeeze provide a tighter, leaner, and slightly more expressive perspective. One can even use Roon in combination with Squeeze.<\/p>\n

While on the subject of Roon, I’m sure regular readers and discerning listeners will be aware of the app’s changing sound quality as it goes through its version iterations. This can be observed with any Music Server that runs Roon, not just Antipodes. But while I feel that Roon’s sound quality took a dive after 1.8, I’m happy to note following several smaller software updates, 2.0 is now sounding really good. This is fortunate as Roon remains the industry standard and offers the best interface and local\/online library integration.<\/p>\n

Squeeze<\/h3>\n

As this review is coming to an end, I just wanted to include a brief impression of the Oladra’s performance using Squeeze (server and player) instead of Roon. In this mode, the Oladra sounds leaner, spicier, and arguably more neutral, or less saturated and colorful, depending on your perspective. A more matter-of-fact and direct delivery makes for reduced magic while a spicier transient behavior makes for a more immediate, more Grimm-like delivery, although the Oladra remains fluid and refined. This left me divided. On the one hand, I welcomed the more explicit transient behavior, but on the other, I felt that some of the Oladra’s special qualities were reduced. Ultimately, I would say that the Oladra sounds best when used with Roon.<\/p>\n

For a more detailed explanation of the differences that can be heard with the alternative solutions, please see also the K50 review<\/a> or the K41\/K22 review<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The matter of deciding which app to use will be a very personal matter and something that just warrants a trial. The best advice that I can give is to just experiment with these different methods and simply side with the one that sounds best or feels most comfortable. In any case, the Antipodes AMS web interface makes switching between the apps a breeze.<\/p>\n

More Running In?<\/h3>\n

As the unit accumulated hours, it became ever so slightly lusher but the running in effect seems nowhere near as dramatic as with the earlier Antipodes models. I’m tempted to conclude that it simply does not change radically after the first few days. If I find that it does change its perspective as the months accumulate, I will add an addendum to this review.<\/p>\n

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Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The Oladra offers the familiar Antipodes qualities such as deep tonal saturation, lushness, liquidity, and organic flow but is more articulate, crisper, expressive, airier, and highly resolving than any of the models preceding it. Amazingly, it does all this without sounding even the tiniest bit cooler or more analytical. It offers higher resolution almost without one noticing, and that’s the best kind.<\/p>\n

The unforced manner in which the Oladra operates makes for immediate surrender on the listener’s behalf. Meanwhile, compared to the K50, the Oladra offers a more exciting, incisive, and expressive rendition of everything you play. It all culminates in a performance that is ultimately more convincing and realistic.<\/p>\n

The Oladra is incredibly refined and liquid, as well as lifelike in its expression and dynamics. It’s just so magnificently self-effacing that you don’t immediately notice its superlative communication skills until you start comparing it to other servers, even Antipodes’ own.<\/p>\n

What the Oladra ultimately achieves better than any Antipodes server I reviewed before is very important yet often underestimated, which is that it lets the music be its unadulterated self. And because this is an Antipodes, it remains relaxed and will never sound lean, gray, or analytical. No matter what you play, it is reproduced with conviction and utter musicality, and above all, in an emotionally hugely involving manner.<\/p>\n

Probably needless to say, I highly recommend the Oladra. It costs a small fortune but it looks absolutely stunning and it does deliver the sonic goods. Following this review, I traded the K50 for the Oladra, making it an HFA Favorite effective immediately.<\/p>\n

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Associated Equipment<\/a><\/p>\n

Try out Roon for yourself<\/h3>\n

Get Roon 1 month for free<\/a><\/p>\n

External Links<\/h3>\n
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Distributor and Retailer for the Netherlands: Ohm Audio<\/a>
\nManufacturer: Antipodes Audio<\/a>
\nAntipodes Knowledge Base<\/a>
\nAntipodes Guides<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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