JPLAY (UPnP)
Android users have long been better served with UPnP apps than iOS users. For iOS, Mconnect really was the only good option. It works well enough but has rather barebones functionality.
JPLAY combines Qobuz, Tidal, and local content in a single, richly-populated interface while offering features you don’t often see outside of Roon, certainly not in a UPnP app.
For instance, like Roon, JPLAY takes the user by the hand by showing centrally placed overviews of your library, recently added, favorite, and recently played content while offering Artist bios, album suggestions, and all your personal streaming service-related content. There’s even a Radio function that adds and plays music at the end of the now-playing queue based on music played earlier, as well as direct user feedback with the option to teach the algorithm by thumbing up or down), the possibility to add to playlists from all locations, Related albums, Artist bios, and more.
To enable UPnP on the K22, select “MPD with MiniDLNA” in the Playback Method pull-down menu.
Then, download and open the JPLAY app, enter your streaming service credentials, and select the K22 as the streaming endpoint.
With JPLAY, the K22 sounds similar to Squeeze but with further increased precision and transparency. The K22’s tonally rich character still shines through, but this is definitely the most neutral rendition I’ve heard from the server. The bass is a tad leaner still, but not lean per se. It’s just tighter and even more articulate, and while the overall presentation is less smooth than with Squeeze, let alone with Roon, it’s still fluid and highly refined.
Ultimately, no matter your personal preferences, the beauty of the Antipodes concept is that it allows every format under the sun to be used, just as the listener prefers. Oh, and importantly, every app works absolutely flawlessly!
Wrapping it up
Overall, I think the K22 will be ideal for those who prefer visceral impact, body, and tonal saturation to utter transparency and tiny introspection. In other words, while the K22 is beautifully fluid and refined, it does not offer the last word in audiophile parameters such as transparency and resolution. Those who want their system to function as a magnifying glass to unveil absolutely everything in the recording at this price level may want to look at other options.
The K22 puts musicality first and goes straight for the emotional response. As such, it is more of a music-lover’s machine than an audiophile precision tool. But overall, this goes for all Antipodes servers, although the Oladra manages to combine all of the Antipodes-typical sonic traits with superlative resolution.
Although most users will likely use the K22 with Roon, and the server is every bit the music machine I described when used that way, it must be noted that the server/player software has a major impact on the sound. If you want to extract the last ounce of audiophile performance from the server, it is recommended to use it with Squeeze or UPnP.
Conclusion
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. And for the first time, the USB output offers sound quality to match that of the Reclocker S/PDIF, AES/EBU, and I2S outputs. Considering all the functionality on offer, all easily configurable using the superb AMS Web Interface, and then looking at the 9000 USD price tag, I can only conclude that the K22 offers superb value for money.
Try out Roon for yourself
External Links
Manufacturer: Antipodes Audio
Antipodes Guides
Hi Christiaan,
another great review!
As you promised in the comments for your JPLAY for iOS review I would like to ask you about the comparison of K22 vs LinQ. I think it makes sense to compare them in the configuration where both sound best. Personally I am not interested in a configuration with Roon involved. Thank you very much.
Sorry, I forgot to mention please consider only streaming from Qobuz and not playback of local files. Thanks again.
Hi Matt, comparing the Antipodes K22 to the Aqua LinQ both as a streaming endpoint via UPnP controlled from JPLAY for iOS, providing signal via a Jorma AES/EBU cable to the CH C1.2 DAC, the K22 offers a tonally fuller, creamier, more voluptuous, darker rendition whereas the LinQ offers a tighter, leaner, more open, and expressive rendition. The K22 also feels more spacious whereas the LinQ feels more focused. The magnitude of the difference becomes smaller when using the LinQ’s HQP UPnP engine (instead of the standard UPnP input) but the relative differences remain. When using the K22 with USB, the magnitude of the difference is further reduced, but still, the typical Antipodes traits such as smoothness and tonal saturation remain evident. In a nutshell: the LinQ is more precise and transparent but can also be perceived as dry, lean, or analytical whereas the K22 is smoother and more forgiving but less transparent and revealing.
Hoi Christiaan,
Thank you for expressing your thoughts. I particularly value your feedback following our recent discussion about the Oladra G4. I’m pleased to see the incorporation of Squeeze to Squeeze in your review, and it comes as no surprise that opting for Squeeze for both player and server can significantly enhance the performance of any Antipodes server.
As I recently wrote on the Antipodes forum:
“ I have complete faith in Christiaan’s observations, and I’ve noticed and have let him know that lately he’s been approaching his writing more from the perspective of a Roon user. It’s not because he lacks knowledge or prefers Squeeze less; it seems to be a matter of convenience. However, his latest review truly highlights the strengths of Squeeze + Squeeze, which is also a testament to the efforts Antipodes has been making to propel Squeeze in the right direction.”
I also encourage Antipodes users to explore alternative combinations, such as SqueezePlayer with Roon server and the three MPD presets. However, it’s worth noting that there’s no wrong choice here; each option offers its own merits.
_ _ _
antipodes.support/t/audiophile-style-reviews-antipodes-audio-kala-k50/1962/60?u=paulw
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Thank you for the feedback and support, Paul!
Hoi Christiaan, graag gedaan.
Thank you for this review. The Antipodes K22 along with the Playback Design MPS-X (which you reviewed last year) are the two streamers I am considering. Which one would you prefer? Would the PLINK connection to the Playback Design DAC nudge you in that direction? Of course there is nothing stopping one from connecting the K-22 to the MPD-6, but would it be as good as with a total Playback Designs setup?
With Playback Designs, you’ll still need a server section unless you use streaming services only. Other than this, it is a very personal matter. I found PLINK to be the best interconnect format for Playback Designs devices but I would not use this as the main deciding factor. These are two very different sounding solutions so it really depends on what sonic signature you are looking for. The Playback Designs MPS-X sounds leaner and more agile in the bass and is airier, more refined and more transparent, while the Antipodes K22 sounds fuller and more ponderous in the bass and is tonally more saturated, darker, and harmonically richer.
Hi Christiaan, thanks for the in-depth review. It is your Antipode reviews that triggered my attention for the brand. I have a K22 and K41. I sent the K22 for upgrade just before your review came out. Are you planning also to do a K41 G4 review? I am curious which improvements might be discovered there (and my K41 is a G3)
Thanks in advance for considering…
There are currently no other Antipodes reviews planned but one never knows what the future may bring:-) That said, I think you can get a good indication by extrapolating the noted differences between G3 K22 and G4 K22 to the K41.
Thanks for great review! I like that you compare sound to other brands/models. I would like to see an easy way to find your latest reviews, e.g. sorting the reviews by date. Most review sites have the latest review on top.
Thanks:-) If you scroll down on the main page, you see the “Reviews in Progress” and further down, you see “Latest Posts”, in order of appearance, with the latest ones on top. Were these perhaps missed or are you referring to something else? In the review categories, I did indeed opt for showing them alphabetically, as that is what I was missing on many other sites at the time. For me, it was not handy seeing them in order of appearance, as I was typically looking for a certain brand or model. Nevertheless, I am open to suggestions to making the site better. At some point, it will need an overhaul, and I will take such suggestions on board.
Hi Mikael, I’m happy to confirm I have now implemented sorting by date (latest articles on top) by default. I hope you like it!