Cocktail Audio X50

amazon Cocktail Audio X50 reviews

Design and connect

The Cocktail Audio X50 is almost identical in design to the X40 music server with a full-size faceplate. A left-side drive, a good display, and two symmetrical knobs for two-volume / mute combinations OK / Pause / Scroll are also the two most used buttons. In addition, the layout of the USB port and the remaining function buttons are almost the same compared to the previous generation. However, in terms of chassis design, Cocktail X50 significantly improved; in addition to the machine is machined from an aluminum block of 12mm thickness, the entire sides and sides of the lid are also designed from a very thick aluminum plate. The details are CNC cut and grooved precision, rather than using a thin, U-shaped aluminum sheet as its predecessors. For a music server structure equipped with two internal hard drives, reinforced aluminum chassis is extremely important, eliminating the large vibrations generated by the drive’s spinning mechanism, the mainboard, and the jack connectors. In addition, all the tripods are also cast from aluminum to provide better anti-vibration.

The built-in LCD on the surface is a familiar advantage of Cocktail Audio over conventional music servers with only monochrome LED displays. The X50 is equipped with the largest display compared to previous generations, measuring 7in TFT LCD with 1,024 x 600 pixels. With this screen, users can easily view the cover image, track information more visually, more friendly than having to read each album title through the characters from the normal LED screen. In addition to the integrated screen, the Cocktail X50 also allows the output of the machine’s interface to the external monitor monitors using the HDMI port. With a large digital library of thousands of albums, having a large display screen is essential to improving the search experience and choice of storage drives.

Cocktail X50 has a comprehensive structure both in terms of both hard and wireless connection. This music server is equipped with all connectivity standards for digital out, from Toslink, Coaxial (x2), USB 2.0, AES / EBU, HDMI out (shared with monitor connection port). In particular, the X50 supports two HDMI and RJ45 output ports based on the I2S (Inter-IC Sound) protocol developed by Philips. This digital PCM standard separates the data and clock signals from the data transmission process. Noise Reduction Jitter. Like the reference music server, the Cocktail X50 also has a World clock out port, which allows for connection to Word Clock emitters which suppresses jitter. The Cocktail X50 has all four USB ports; the front of the machine supports reading music files from the USB flash drive and external hard drives, two USB 3.0 ports to expand the music library, and extract and back up data. From the internal hard drive, the port is left to transmit PCM audio out.

Hardware optimization

Compared to the X40, the Cocktail X50 owns more powerful CPUs, running dual-core ARM Cortex A9 CPUs up to 1GHz, 1GB DDR 1066 memory with 8GB NAND Flash memory. With this configuration, Cocktail X50 can run well algorithms and support file copy, back-up, data access … ultrafast. The cooling system is completely designed in passive mode, optimizing airflow and heat exchanger through aluminum chassis. On storage, the Cocktail X50 is equipped with two rear hard drive slots, 2.5 “, 3.5” SATA compatible drives, and SSDs with a total capacity of up to 12TB (6TB x 2). This hard drive is configured RAID in four modes: JBOD, BIG, Raid 0, or Raid 1. A maximum storage capacity of up to 12TB allows one to set up a huge digital music library, equivalent to 64,400 albums. CD as FLAC file (uncompressed). Of course, the X50 can expand its storage capacity or play directly from external hard drives or connect to hard drives via the network interface (NAS), which is simple and efficient, and dark. Minimize signal interference.

Cocktail X50 owns a full range of server connection protocols, support for digital music content sharing such as UPnP / DLNA, integrated DAB + / FM tuner, compatible with a server of Popular digital music providers like Spotify Connect, Airable, Deezer and most commonly used today are Tidal. In addition, digital music file sharing from iDevice is also made easy with the Air-Play connection. In addition to the attached remote, users can download the Novatron Music X application to their mobile device to interact with the Cocktail X50 as a full remote combined with an information display and full control functions.

Features of professional CD ripping and speed

The Cocktail X50 is equipped with LG’s slot-in optical drive with 24x speed and 1MB buffer memory. No need to use a computer with professional Rip software like AccurateRip, EAC (Exact Audio Copy), dBpoweramp Music Converter … Cocktail X50 can still encode audio data perfectly “bit-perfect” from CD. It allows you to rip an entire album or select your favorite tracks and automatically update the information with the cover and store it in the MusicDB X50 repository. During Rip, the X50 allows you to choose one of 6 WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, MP3, or OGG file formats (ALAC vs. X40).

The rip-off feature of the Cocktail X50’s CD is not only accurate in its conversion speed, as well as its variety in the choice of Rip file standards, but its ability to easily rip the music library to new heights. The significant difference compared to Rip CD operation in other music servers. Some Music Servers with Rip CD feature additional encoding for terminal files, and only the same branded devices read them with complete metadata information. In addition, the Cocktail X50 offers fast access to files from USB or external hard drives thanks to its powerful hardware configuration, and even the X50 can play music and extract files from external storage drives.

where can you get a Cocktail Audio X50 online

Cocktail Audio X50 TIDAL Streamer / CD / DAC / FM / Web tuner 100-240v (Silver): Buy it now

Cocktail Audio X50 TIDAL Streamer / CD / DAC / FM / Web tuner 100-240v (Black): Buy it now

Cocktail Audio X50 TIDAL Streamer / CD / DAC / FM / Web tuner 100-240v (Black): Buy it now

Experience

We set up the system with minimalist, handy criteria but still ensure optimum audio experience in the price range. The system consists of active Manger C1 speakers combined with the Cocktail X50 and DAC / Pre Chord Hugo TT via USB 2.0. Whether viewed directly on the 7in the LCD screen of the machine or using the control app, the Cocktail X50 is extremely fast and has almost no latency in finding tracks, regardless of FLAC or DSD. When trying to connect to a NAS hard drive, the X50 is also easy to find and fast to access, visually displayed. With the built-in Tidal application, enter the ID and password from the remote machine once to activate and use this high-quality online music server.

The Cocktail X50’s Rip CD capabilities are excellent, the ripping process is extremely fast, and after completion of the metadata, information is finalized. When comparing 1: 1 between tracks played directly from CD and playing FLAC-compliant Rip files, we were quite surprised at the very good data protection of the Rip technology on the Cocktail X50. With simple transducers, processing speed is not high; it is difficult to find differences in sound quality. Particularly for high-dynamic tracks, the Rip file from the Cocktail X50 narrows the stage a bit, and the bass strips reach only 8/10, but in return, the midrange and especially the high band detail are guaranteed. Almost intact without being harsh or reducing resolution.

In terms of performance, the mixer performs well in terms of midrange processing and high band detail. With FLAC and DSD tracks copied directly from the USB to the Cocktail X50’s a hard drive, the dual Manger C1 reproduces harmonics with smoothness and beautiful apertures. Music servers often accept large amounts of jitter during digital file access, resulting in narrower and shallower theater images, and high-pitched processing often lacks flicker-free playback. The details are low in volume as well as the musicality of the instrument is very narrow. With DSD music files, we appreciate the Cocktail X50’s jitter handling capabilities. With the 2L Music supplier’s symphonies, the system recreates deep and extensive theater space, harmonizing with the instruments that are as close to the quality of high-end music servers.

With the advantages of powerful hardware configuration, large storage capacity, comprehensive end-to-end support, especially the professional CD Rip, and performance with very low jitter, Cocktail X50 is one option. Optimal for those looking for a multitasking, convenient, and digital music server that can digitize your music CD library.