Description
Antipodes Audio K22: High-Performance Music Server and Streamer
The Antipodes Audio K22 is a refined, high-performance music server and streamer, designed for audiophiles seeking exceptional sound quality and versatility in a compact, upgradeable package. Part of the renowned Kala series, the K22 integrates both Server and Player functions within a single custom-built computer, offering a streamlined solution that delivers impressive musical detail and emotional engagement.
Integrated Server and Player Design
The K22 utilizes a single, medium-power processing engine derived from the Player computer used in the flagship K50 model. This architecture allows the K22 to manage both Server and Player tasks simultaneously, providing an efficient and effective solution for digital music playback. The device is capable of network streaming to multiple endpoints and directly to your DAC via USB, S/PDIF, AES3, and I2S outputs, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of high-end audio systems.
Enhanced Performance and Versatility
While the K22 does not offer the direct Ethernet streaming capabilities found in the K50 and K41, it delivers a similar level of performance in most other respects. The K22 is ideal for users with smaller music libraries who do not require DSP functions, offering smooth, detailed, and immersive sound quality. For those looking to expand their system, the K22 can be upgraded by adding a K41, which enhances its performance to match that of the K50 by separating the Server and Player roles and providing additional processing power.
User-Friendly Interface
The K22 is equipped with Antipodes’ latest AMS v5 web interface, which simplifies setup and operation while providing comprehensive control over both Server and Player functions. The intuitive design allows users to easily select playback methods, manage digital outputs, and monitor system performance, all from a single dashboard. This user-friendly interface ensures that even complex configurations are easy to manage, making the K22 a practical choice for audiophiles who value both performance and convenience.
Conclusion: Compact and Capable
The Antipodes Audio K22 offers a compelling combination of performance, versatility, and upgradability, making it an excellent choice for audiophiles who seek high-quality digital music playback without the need for the full processing power of the K50. With its advanced design, user-friendly interface, and potential for future upgrades, the K22 is a standout option for those looking to enhance their digital audio experience.
About Antipodes
Antipodes Audio, a leading New Zealand-based company, is renowned for its cutting-edge music servers designed to deliver both technical excellence and an emotionally engaging listening experience. As part of their commitment to the highest standards of audio fidelity, Antipodes offers a range of products, including their flagship Oladra Music Server. The Oladra represents the pinnacle of their engineering expertise, combining superior digital transport capabilities with the latest innovations in noise reduction and power management to create an unrivaled sound experience.
The Oladra is designed to act as both a high-end music server and renderer, offering exceptional performance in both roles. It is built with carefully selected components, including advanced signal processing, robust power supplies, and proprietary technologies aimed at reducing jitter and noise, thus ensuring the purest possible playback. The Oladra’s attention to detail in both hardware and software optimization allows it to provide a rich, immersive sound that captures the emotional essence of the music .
Alongside the Oladra, Antipodes’ Kala Range of servers, including the K50, K41, K22, and K21, provides scalable solutions for audiophiles at different levels of their journey. The K50, often regarded as a benchmark in digital audio servers, integrates server, player, and renderer functions into one device, offering flexibility and world-class performance. The K41 and K22 specialize in server and player functions, respectively, while the K21 focuses on DAC connectivity, ensuring that there is a solution for every configuration.
A key feature of Antipodes Audio products is their meticulous attention to power management and noise reduction. The use of high-quality power supplies and effective isolation techniques significantly reduces electrical noise, contributing to a cleaner, more detailed sound. The servers are also compatible with a variety of music management platforms, including Roon, providing users with a flexible and user-friendly interface.
By combining innovative engineering with a focus on musicality, Antipodes Audio has established itself as a leader in the high-end digital audio space. The Oladra and Kala Range exemplify the company’s mission to not only provide precise, high-resolution sound but to enhance the emotional connection to music, making every listening session a profound experience.
Reviews
The Greek Audio Geek – YouTube (Janurary, 2024)
“Amazing organic and life-likeness, excellent customer support and service in a company that has been around and is here to support you, and ease of setup, ease of use.”
Watch full review…
The Greek Audio Geek – YouTube (June, 2024)
“Don’t make this common mistake and get the best from your hifi using the Antipodes Audio K41 and K22 music streamer and hifi music server.”
Watch full review…
Christiaan Punter – HiFi Advice (April, 2023)
“Ever since my first experience, Antipodes servers have offered a wide range of server and player apps and this makes them unique in a world dominated by single-purpose servers and streamers. But the brand’s core quality is that they are all about conveying the soul of the music.”
Read full review…
Christiaan Punter – HiFi Advice (Februrary, 2023)
“The G3 K22 already surprised me by offering a sizable chunk of the performance I know is possible from higher-tier Antipodes products. The G4 K22 massively adds to this by offering sound quality that really is closer than before to that of the K50.”
Read full review…
