Belgian company 432 EVO does things a little differently. Yes, the company offers a range of music servers at various price points, just like its competitors. Yet, the form factor, power supply configurations and bespoke operating system set it apart from most of the field. 432 EVO’s on-going development strategy sees periodic upgrades to its music servers with refinements in both software and hardware. This approach provides long-term value by allowing owners to upgrade without abandoning their original investment. Case in point: this writer’s own Aeon Mk.3 Reference Music Server has recently been updated with a new operating system and a “data centre grade” SSD, both available as optional upgrades within the product portfolio. In this review, I delve into the particulars of the installation process and assess the sonic performance enhancements that are claimed to follow.
Special Ops
While I reviewed the 432 EVO Aeon Mk.3 Reference Music Server back in April 2023 (review here), where I examined its features, functionality, and sound quality, the subjects of this review are the recently installed upgrades which have been recently announced by 432 EVO. So, check out the original review for a comprehensive examination of the significant qualities the Aeon Mk.3 offers.
OK, firstly, 432 EVO developed the bespoke “enterprise grade” 432OS Operating System with an aim to improve on the already solid standard Linux-based OS. The 432OS Operating System has been the default since its introduction in August 2024. 432OS is said to improve system stability while providing better file control, higher network speed, indexing of large NAS drives, and claimed enhanced sonic performance.
The second upgrade requires a physical exchange of the standard SSD (a high quality and itself reliable Samsung unit) to a Kingston heavy duty ‘data centre grade’ SSD storage unit, with the assurance of improved reliability, longevity, and overall robustness.
In terms of the machinations needed for the upgrades for music servers post 2022, 432 EVO designer Frederic Vanden Poel explains it this way:
1. If the customer wants to use their existing SSD with 432OS, the customer can send it back to us for upgrading to 432OS. For this we create a shipping label with the correct customs info, so that it correctly passes customs.
2. If the customer wants a new or additional SSD, nothing needs to be shipped back. In this case we send the new SSD directly with 432OS already on it. The old SSD can then be used as a backup OS (since it will already contain all of the customer's music) or used in an external USB dock to be used as a music backup drive.
3. Units without the current hardware (pre 2022) need to be shipped back, without the PSUs.
4. 432OS currently runs the same software players as the old OS, but with a much higher sound quality (and higher network speed, indexing of large NAS drives beyond the optional on-board 8TB, better stability and OS security), meaning the manuals are currently identical, which will make the transition easy for most customers.
I received the data centre grade SSD with 432OS pre-loaded. Swapping it turned out to be surprisingly simple. On paper, it might seem a little daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before, but the process was straightforward and took around 15 minutes. Even for a near-all-thumbs clutz like me. Should you require it, 432 EVO offers a fitting service for a reasonably affordable extra charge plus shipping costs.
Frederic Vanden Poel provided me with comprehensive instructions regarding both the change over to the new data centre grade SSD and for the migration of all data and Roon settings. There are a few steps involved but Vanden Poel’s meticulous guidance was spot-on and easy to follow. No IT degree needed. For me, it all went smoothly, despite my unnecessary stress over possibly burning all my Qobuz library additions, favourites and playlists. No sweat, all data was faultlessly transferred as if nothing had changed. Awesome! Plus, Vanden Poel provides further instructions on pre-exchange music, metadata, and file back-ups (which apply to both the old OS and standard SSD) should any issues arise.
The data centre grade SSD has a number of advantages over the standard Samsung SSD. Aside from being an overall sturdier design, the heavy duty SSD features internal capacitors which protect it against hardware power losses, while overwriting on a daily basis can last up to five years (Drive Writes Per Day, or DWPD), not that anyone would be doing that, of course. Plus, as Vanden Poel states, “the firmware is tuned for consistent low latency”. In addition, low Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) is a result of the drive’s inherent shielding. All these factors add up to an SSD that promises extraordinary durability and long-term performance.
As I mentioned above, 432 EVO also claims improved sound quality. Aside from the inherent merits of the data centre grade SSD, further performance gains may also come from the tensioned rubber/spring isolation mounting system and the 3D printed top damping plate. Said plate features a “432 EVO hand made in Belgium” etching.
Back to the 432OS Operating System. Introduced back in August 2024, and the default OS since, 432OS is backwards compatible with older 432 EVO Music Servers. In fact, I’m told that 432 EVO is offering the upgrade to servers going back to 2013. 432 EVO claims that, “we will 100% support the EVO in 432 EVO, and any 432 EVO's hardware can still be upgraded to the current spec, which can do full Roon, and not just small music collections”, going on to state, “… machines produced since February 2022 already have a motherboard compatible with 432OS. Older machines are still protected with an upgrade path.”
Plus, Vanden Poel is working on further player software compatibility for the company’s music servers in addition to the Roon and LMS environments. Alas, the new music player software, once released, will not be compatible with the older Operating System.
It's worth mentioning that the new 432OS is an enterprise version of LinuxOS with long-term support. It’s said to be superbly robust. Even CERN use a version of it. In the case of 432 EVO’s music servers, it has been strictly optimised for “real-time” high quality audio playback. As Vanden Poel puts it, “432OS not only improves the sound quality of the existing LMS and Roon backends and players but is now more resilient against user mistakes including power failures, and the network speed has been significantly increased.”
As a final note on the efficacy of the heavy-duty SSD and the 432OS Operating System: I’ve been using my newly upgraded music server for several weeks prior to this review’s publication, and it has performed flawlessly. Absolutely so. Plus, the file hierarchy is superbly steady (something I not always experienced with the old OS within the context of my LAN network, Windows 11 and MacOS environments). Yes, the music library and file structure is always available, without fail, so far.
Music… Louder Than Metal
The Aeon Mk.3 may not be a glamour puss aesthetically. No 10 mm-thick luxuriously brushed aluminium panels, no chiselled chassis, no flashy apps (just a simple, effective web-based interface used for configuration purposes). And while those superficial touches are not without their visual appeal, they pale in comparison to what truly matters. Sound quality.
The OS and SSD upgrades bring a worthwhile uptick on sound quality that would be well appreciated by discerning music lovers. I wouldn’t say these sonic improvements are chalk and cheese different because, as I said, the original unit was excellent as it stood. Yet, the upgrades bring noticeable enhancements to several key areas of sound reproduction.
In the context of my system, there was a subtle bump-up in overall dynamics and a slight extension to the spatial reproduction of appropriately recorded material. I also found the presentation more open and less congested, particularly through complex musical passages. In terms of dynamic expression, toms and drum runs exhibited slightly greater punch and impact. Vocals emerged with a touch more realism and imaged marginally further forward in the mix (a good thing, given that the Aeon Mk.3 sans upgrades could occasionally lean toward a subtly laid-back vocal presentation.
My usual go-to recordings for excellent soundfield reproduction revealed an added sense of space across all dimensions. Especially the depth perspective, where the soundstage now extended well beyond the front wall to a degree that was previously unattainable to this level. Mind you, Aeon Mk.3 was pretty darn good as it was, but both these upgrades have elevated it to a true ‘Reference Level’ streamer. It’s all in the subtleties that enhance the music listening experience. I remain in wonder at what delights might be available with 432 EVO’s ‘Master’ flagship.
In addition to the expanded spatial scale and tighter imaging, the new updates brought a subtle yet worthwhile improvement in tonal accuracy, especially on acoustic recordings. Piano notes carried greater presence, with tighter transients, truer timbre, and a more substantial sense of midrange body. The high frequencies (cymbals, bells, etc.), were a touch smoother and more natural, with an overall refinement that, in my case, deepened my musical engagement.
Conclusion
In my view, the 432 EVO Aeon Mk.3 Reference is one of the finest music servers available today. I’d happily blind-A/B-it against competitors costing more… even significantly more. The outcome, I’m confident, would be surprising.
I was already convinced of the Aeon Mk.3’s sonic excellence prior to the upgrades. Now, I have zero doubt that the 432 EVO Aeon Mk.3 operating system and data centre grade updates converge solid value with enhanced sonic truth.
… Edgar Kramer
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Associated Equipment
- Speakers — Wilson Audio Alexia V, Estelon Extreme Mk.II (in for review), Axis Loudspeakers VoiceBox S (nearfield monitor), Vermouth Audio Little Luccas Mk.II Limited Edition, Atacama stands
- Amplifier — Gryphon Audio Antileon EVO
- Preamplifier — Supratek Cortese, Totaldac d1-triunity (periodically, direct to amplifier)
- Sources — Digital: 432 EVO Aeon Mk.3 Reference Music Server/Roon Core, Yamaha CD-S2100 transport, Totaldac d1-triunity DAC. Analogue: Transrotor Crescendo with Konstant Studio controller, Reed 1X Tonearm with upgraded internal wiring, Shelter Harmony cartridge, The Funk Firm Houdini cartridge decoupler, Supratek Cortese & REDGUM Audio RGPH2 phono stages
- Processor — DEQX PreMate (part of arsenal/casual use)
- Cables — VYDA Laboratories Orion Silver Reference HFC IC and speaker cables, PSC Audio custom design XLR, Vermouth Audio Reference loom,Tubulus Concentus USB
- Audio Rack — SGR Audio Statement MODEL V, Aspire Audio Belgravia amplifier platform (customised for Gryphon Audio Antileon EVO), Stereotech Aluminar Dark 3-tier rack
- Acoustic Treatment — Vicoustic Multifuser Wood, Wavewood Ultra, Cinema Round Premium and Super Bass Extreme
- Miscellaneous — Silent Angel Bonn N8 Pro network switch, GigaWatt PF-1 EVO power strip, Les Davis Audio Viscoelastic CLD discs, Voodoo Cable Iso-Pods, Bocchino Audio Mecado, Silent Angel Bonn N8 Pro network switch, GigaWatt PF-1 EVO power strip, Les Davis Audio Viscoelastic CLD discs, Voodoo Cable Iso-Pods, Bocchino Audio Mecado, Secret Chord Analogue Record Restore, plus miscellaneous accessories
432 EVO Aeon Mk.3 Reference Music Server Upgrades
Price: 432OS from EU500, Data Centre Grade SSD from EU320 (1.92TB)
Australian Warranty: Five Years
Australian Dealer Finder (432 EVO Direct)
Australian Distribution: 432 EVO Direct
Klinkt Beter & 432 EVO Headquarters
Blauwe Paal 459230
Wetteren, Belgium
+32 473 79 36 91
www.432evo.be