nicholfd

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nicholfd
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  • OWC Express 4M2 SSD enclosure delivers USB4 speeds & smart cooling

    nicholfdnicholfd
    atonaldenim said:
    Like Clarus said, the old model was very limited in its design, it only assigned 1x PCIe lane to each of the 4 NVMe slots. So the only way to get full performance out of it was if you had all 4 SSD slots filled and in a RAID together. 

    If you just wanted to access one SSD in the enclosure say, that one drive would be limited to 1/4 the top speed of the connection. 

    Do we know for sure whether this design flaw is fixed now, or still remains?

    This one would sure look nice next to my Mac Studio!
    It is improved - more than twice the speed, for striping across the 4 x NVMe drives, and I expect double for accessing a single NVMe drive.  My old one is striped across 4 x NVMe drives.  I just ordered the new model, I'm glad to test when it arrives.  if I remember, I'll reply here.

    Or you could simply call OWC, get a real person in the US, and ask them.  They have great customer service.
    stevewhitemd

  • OWC Express 4M2 SSD enclosure delivers USB4 speeds & smart cooling

    nicholfdnicholfd
    To Nicholfd -- which fan at Amazon? I have two of the current (old) Express 4M2, and the fan on one of them definitely needs to go. A pointer would be great.
    I can't measure/check it now, but I believe it was this one (measure the dimensions of your fan):
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099NGS1R1?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_22

    That item is no longer available.  Dimensions (x/y/z), 12v (like original), brushless & ball bearings are the important part when shopping.  The connector on the fan above is not the correct connector for the enclosure.  I cut the connector off of the factory fan & replacement, and soldered the connector on the replacement fan.

    Here are several options (verify details above:
    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=60mm+x+15mm+fan+12v+quiet&crid=2HMM9N5SI5AGP&sprefix=60mm+x+60mm+x+15mm+12V+fan%2Caps%2C320&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-pd-dpltr-ranker_1_26
    stevewhitemd

  • OWC Express 4M2 SSD enclosure delivers USB4 speeds & smart cooling

    nicholfdnicholfd
    Clarus said:

    Now, about the brick...that seems to be answered by going to the web page for this product on the OWC website. In the specs, I found a line that says "Secondary/replacement power supplies are also available." That was linked to this page:
    https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/PWR12V6A/

    So it looks like it uses the same power brick that they ship with many other enclosures that they sell. Look at the Specs section of that link to learn the dimensions and weight of the power brick.
    Yep - that's the same brick on my current (old) OWC Express 4M2.  And you're correct about the old model fan being noisy.  I replaced the fan with a $3 fan from Amazon, that I don't hear at all (verified it is running).

    muthuk_vanalingamdav

  • Apple drops the Lightning adapter that still let iPhones use wired headphones

    nicholfdnicholfd
    gatorguy said:
    nicholfd said:
    gatorguy said:
    I don't know what rationale Apple is using to decide they should be discontinued. Perhaps they ordered some large quantity years ago and finally have run out? It's such a useful little accessory for those of us with really good wired headphones.

    I use mine with HiFiMan Edition XS open-backs and a separate DAC. The combo sounds so much better than any of my wireless headphones. Bonus: I don't ever have to worry about the batteries giving up the ghost as they all eventually do, forcing me to toss out expensive bluetooth headphones. I also have a great pair of closed-back B&O's more than a decade old I sometimes use. There's no wireless ones that will last that long.

    That little discontinued dongle saves me a lot of money, and allows notably better sound too. 
    I'm confused or missing something with your comment regarding using a separate DAC with the now discontinued Lightning -> analog headphone adapter.  

    DAC = Digital to Analog Converter.  The signal coming out of the now discontinued adapter is already analog.  How are you using a DAC with it?
    A Sonata BHD Pro, which is both DAC and amplifier. Without it my iPhone can't drive enough audio power to the headphones. Planars like their power, and these are 8ohm and 92db cans. For my wants, a couple of smartphones and my office computer, I don't need an expensive DAC-amp for it, and some are seriously expensive. But dang, the Edition XS sounds soooo good
    Ah - so you aren't using the adapter with the Sonata as a DAC - just an amplifier.
    williamlondonsphericwatto_cobra

  • Apple drops the Lightning adapter that still let iPhones use wired headphones

    nicholfdnicholfd
    gatorguy said:
    I don't know what rationale Apple is using to decide they should be discontinued. Perhaps they ordered some large quantity years ago and finally have run out? It's such a useful little accessory for those of us with really good wired headphones.

    I use mine with HiFiMan Edition XS open-backs and a separate DAC. The combo sounds so much better than any of my wireless headphones. Bonus: I don't ever have to worry about the batteries giving up the ghost as they all eventually do, forcing me to toss out expensive bluetooth headphones. I also have a great pair of closed-back B&O's more than a decade old I sometimes use. There's no wireless ones that will last that long.

    That little discontinued dongle saves me a lot of money, and allows notably better sound too. 
    I'm confused or missing something with your comment regarding using a separate DAC with the now discontinued Lightning -> analog headphone adapter.  

    DAC = Digital to Analog Converter.  The signal coming out of the now discontinued adapter is already analog.  How are you using a DAC with it?
    williamlondonwatto_cobra