Latest Thread Images

Featured Sponsor Listings

Streaming Audio Devices: review and information thread (Updated 4/23 with JF Digital review)

Apr 10, 2012 at 5:24 AM Post #46 of 142
Someone mentioned the Sonos Connect - initiially, I couldnt recall which component that was but a little research revealed that its the new name for the ZonePlayer 90. Wikipedia dont appear to have the memo either:
 
The ZP80 is an amp-less ZonePlayer that includes optical out, coaxial digital out, as well as analog RCA inputs and outputs. It has a built-in two-port Ethernet switch. The ZP90 is the successor to the ZonePlayer 80, upgraded to SonosNet 2.0.
 
I'd want to see the iOS app in action with the Connect, but the ZonePlayer box itself isn't as expensive as I had feared. Where this system gets seriously expensive is when you want to have sound in every room in your home. 
 
Apr 15, 2012 at 11:59 PM Post #47 of 142
I've been looking at this Cambridge unit and I see a newer product Not yet out stream magic 6

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=604&Title=NP30

 
Apr 19, 2012 at 12:20 AM Post #48 of 142
The Sonos stuff is interesting to me. Unless I'm mistaken, I think you can run just the single Sonos Connnect unit by itself, without needing any of the other models. That makes it fairly affordable. I see Wyred 4 Sound offering modified units as well, which could be nice for a simple all in one device.

I heard lots of bad things about the older Cambridge NP30. Supposedly they have redone the Stream Magic to fix those issues. We will see. It sure seems expensive compared to the Pioneer and NAD options. But maybe the quality is there to justify it.
 
Apr 19, 2012 at 7:04 AM Post #49 of 142
Agree that the Sonos option is a lot more cost-competitive than I had previously thought, especially when you see the asking prices for Meridian's Sooloos solution, although that seems to be aimed squarely at people who have the means and the motivation to be locked into an all-Meridian solution. 
 
Apr 22, 2012 at 11:55 PM Post #50 of 142
Magnum Dynalab MD801 (and several higher model versions of same)
 
http://www.internetradiotuner.net/internet-radio-tuner-md801.htm
 

 
1) The device needs to handle FLAC files. I consider this the standard for serious listening.
 
AAC, Real, MP3, FLAC and WMA
 
2) It needs to have a dedicated display, capable of file navigation and most other basic functions. The majority of us don’t have (or want to have a monitor in our listening systems.
 
a stately 3.5" color touch screen on the faceplate
 
3) The device must have a digital output for use with an outboard DAC. It can be toslink, coaxial, or AES/EBU. It doesn’t matter as long as it is digital. This will keep it relevant should the user ever want to upgrade.
 
Standard digital outputs include an optical port as well as a 75ohm RCA jack. It also features RCA and optical digital outputs, for use with an external DAC. 
 
Guys, at 1800 USD, this isnt going to outsell the Marantz or NAD players, but MD seem serious about offering upgrade paths for their kit, and this is no exception. If you consider yourself a 'large A audiophile', that might hold some appeal over the other gear in this thread. Personally, I am more a 'small m music lover', but its good to see another traditional player gettiing on the bandwagon. All we need now is Levinson and Krell to release network players.   
cool.gif

 
Apr 23, 2012 at 11:34 PM Post #51 of 142
Thanks for that - it was totally not on my radar. Looks nice (but typical pricing for them). The top of the line MD809 with the much larger screen looks like the star of that lineup, but I can only imagine how much it will go for. Those all look to be smaller form factor as well, maybe 8 inches wide or so, which is a plus for me. 
 
I also just read up on the Ayon S3. Quite a beast at almost $9k - also featuring a 3.5" LCD. I just don't get that choice..... I'm not a fan of Ayon (too much audiophile wackiness for me) so I won't be paying any more attention to that one. 
 
I'm updating my original posts to finally add my review of the JF Digital HDM-03S. Finally. It's been my main source for months and I haven't had time to do the write up on it. Very cool device with some quirks that I can live with. 
 
Apr 24, 2012 at 6:25 AM Post #52 of 142
Sensational stuff, P86 - I'm grimly determined to keep this thread ticking over even though I think it may have gotten more attention in 'Dedicated Source Components' - I appreciate that you agonized over that decision and I can see why its here with all these $%%#! soundcards.  ;)
 
Apr 26, 2012 at 4:23 AM Post #54 of 142
 
Quote:
estreeter said:
Sensational stuff, P86 - I'm grimly determined to keep this thread ticking over even though I think it may have gotten more attention in 'Dedicated Source Components' - I appreciate that you agonized over that decision and I can see why its here with all these $%%#! soundcards.  ;)
Click to expand...

 
 
Yeah maybe I should have it moved. Who knows. Thanks for the bumps though - it's a labor of love for me even if not many people care to comment. I know it is being read though, over 4k hits. So I'm fine with it.
 
Quote:
estreeter said:
I've read Chris Connaker's review of the MF M1 CLiC twice now, and for 2K it seems like a very undercooked attempt at getting a network player to market. I'd rather spend the money on beer. 
 
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/439-Musical-Fidelity-M1-CLiC-Universal-Music-Controller-Review
Click to expand...

 
I can appreciate what MF was going for there - I dig the form factor, and I like the idea of having it be your "central hub" with the analog ins and tons of digital ins. It just seems like the implementation was rushed, or not enough beta testing was done. Something like that for $2k is just not acceptable to me - especially when the Squeezebox Touch operates pretty flawlessly for under $300 (granted with less functionality but still).  
 
Plus I didn't care for their M1 DAC when I heard it, so I'm not thrilled about the DAC section of the CLiC. Maybe they updated it though. 
 
 
Apr 26, 2012 at 4:14 PM Post #55 of 142
I could be way off beam here, but I get the impression that Antony Michaelson is a somewhat mercurial character - he certainly isn't afraid to do the rounds of various magazines talking up each new release. MF also released new versions of the V-DAC/V-CANS/V-LINK, but thats a topic for another thread. 
 
Apr 27, 2012 at 2:08 AM Post #56 of 142
Agreed. We give HiFiMAN a hard time for their constant new releases and updates, but MF does the same thing. Maybe worse. I know I'd be mad if I had just purchased the M1 DAC and was stuck with a basic USB implementation, only to have it replaced 6 months later with the M1A and the async connection. Same with the V series components. 
 
I suspect there is a new M1 CLiC right around the corner with plenty of improvements. I guess that's a good thing for the people who end up with that version. Not so good if you are stuck with the old one. 
 
I do like some of the older MF gear though. The Tri-Vista 21 DAC was very enjoyable. Same with the A 3.2 CD player. I'd take one of those over the newer M series choices. 
 
 
 
 
 
May 18, 2012 at 12:50 AM Post #57 of 142
May 18, 2012 at 2:59 PM Post #58 of 142
May 19, 2012 at 9:26 AM Post #60 of 142
CA Stream Magic 6:
 

 
 
DAC  Dual Wolfson WM8740 24-bit DACs 
Digital filter  2nd Generation ATF2 up-sampling to 24-bit/384kHz. 
Linear Phase, Minimum phase or Steep modes. 
Analogue filter  2-Pole Dual Differential Bessel Double Virtual Earth Balanced 
Digital Input  S/PDIF 75 ohms or TOSLink optical 
USB Audio Input  USB Type B conforming to Audio profile 1.0 or USB Audio profile 
2.0 (user 1.0 or USB Audio profile 2.0 (user selectable) 
Analogue audio outputs  Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue audio outputs 
Compatibility 
UPnP 16-24 bit, 32-96kHz 
Local USB media 16-24 bit, 32-96kHz 
USB Audio1.0 16-24 bit, 32-96kHz 
USB Audio 2.0 16-24 bit, 32-192kHz 
Toslink 16-24 bit, 32-96kHz 
S/PDIF 16-24 bit, 32-192kHz 
BT100 Bluetooth receiver:  A2DP plus aptX 
Audio formats  WAV, FLAC, AIFF, WMA, MP3, AAC, HE AAC, AAC+, OGG Vorbis
Standby power consumption  <0.5W 
 
Knock yourselves out -
 
http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=952
 
Given that this thread appears to be project86 and myself amusing ourselves, I really wish he would rescue this thread and move it to 'Dedicated Sources',  
wink.gif

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top