ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Krell recently released one in the latest CES with or without DAC.
Or you can simply get an Oppo that also function as your DVD/blu-ray player instead?
There are plenty of options out there but I think the Krell might be your best bet since you don't require a DAC but simply a streamer. I think you have to control the Krell with the Ipad though and there will be no video streaming. Maybe the Oppo might be better in this regard?
Duplicate post
Wrong section
WOW, that would take a hours or rather days to answer....
I wouldn't chooce a networkplayer, I would prefer a direct connection!
If you are into Windows, you could have a small silent pc with 'JRiver Media Center' running - connected via coax or external DAC and analog-in.
Controlled by the iPad-app 'JRemote'
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/436-jriver-media-center-17-detail/
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/478-jremote-ios-remote-jriver-media-center-review/
www.computeraudiophile.com/content/495-computer-audiophile-pocket-server-c-p-s-v3-lagoon/
If you are more into Linux you might take a look at the 'Vortexbox' - set up as a player. External usb-dac preferred!
http://vortexbox.org/content/121-VortexBox-Appliance
www.vortexbox.co.uk/
Controlled by the app 'mPad':
http://www.katoemba.net/makesnosenseatall/mpad/
http://info.vortexbox.org/tiki-index.php?page=MPoD
Or how about a 'Mac Mini' - dig-out or better via external DAC to analog-in - running 'iTunes with ALAC-files'.
'Amarra' or 'PureMusic' for playing highres files bit perfect :
http://www.headfonia.com/os-x-audio-players-amarra-audirvana-pure-music-fidelia-decibel-and-bitperfect/
Controlled by the 'Remote'-app.
Or maybe a Media Core 200 from Meridian controlled by the Meridian-iPad app:
www.tonepublications.com/review/worlds-first-review/
For a start
Greetings Millemissen
There is a tv - and there is a BV
We have an expert in our forum!
Yes I can testify Puremusic makes a big positive difference. Since he is planning to feed digital to the Lab5s I will recommend an inexpensive USB to SPDIF converter instead of a DAC like the one offered by Musical Fidelity.
However I think a streamer is what he is looking for.
@ ollie75 You can connect a Playmaker to a BV7 by converting one of the PL outputs to RCA and connecting to AV5 (or 3) and using a video command to access the output. I was streaming 24 bit WAV files via OraStream, and it seems to work just fine.
He also asked for best quality:
" I figure with such great mains I should give them the best digital input ie 24 bit sound"
That is why I started at the highest level.
There are many ways to get good sound on a set of BL5's.
If Mark writes again, we could describe a solution "special-designed for his purpose".
But I would like to know a little more of his prefences (if it MUST be a streamer and so on...) and his budget (very important indeed), before getting into details.
@symnes I have used the PM intensively and daily ever since it came out - especially the line-in port for high quality files and "heavylistening".
My FLAC-files are on a NAS with a 'LMServer' running. I control a 'Squeezebox Touch' - on line-in/PM connected to my AudioMaster - with the 'Squeezepad' (on iPad).
I use AirPlay mostly for netradio, podcasts, Spotify, background-listening and so on - and occasionally on the ATV on my Link-tv.
Note: if you use the AirPlay-part of the PM you can very well stream 24bit sound - but it will be downconverted to 16/44.1.
Playing the same files from a Pc/Mac/Linux-solution with a good DAC or a USB TO S/PDIF-converter might give you "full value for the money".
@ millemissen "Note: if you use the AirPlay-part of the PM you can very well stream 24bit sound - but it will be downconverted to 16/44.1."
Yes, I get that ATV and AE downconvert AirPlay. I have been trying to find where it is downconverted if you are not using an Apple device, and I cannot find the place. OraStream founder says it (and also true for Spotify) is not using the Apple EQ. May I assume that goes for the "decoder" as well? Playmaker supports 24bit, and makes no statement that it is downconverting, so where is it happening, if at all?
I won't touch the "does it matter?" thread.
Regards,
Thanks a lot for all your answers.
@ wonderfulelectric......From what i've have been reading, the Oppo Blue ray player looks perfect for what i'm chasing. Have yourself or anybody had any experience using one for streaming/digital music?
@ Millemissen.....thanks for your in depth response. At present i'm using a first gen Apple TV predominately because of the HD attached. This makes things easier as i don't need a computer running. My music collection is currently on itunes (and backed up on an external HD).
In summary i guess i would prefer a digital player that i can attach/sync my external HD to (or possibly one that has a HD attached) that will produce better sound than the apple tv
Tks again
Before everyone is suggesting what you need to buy, it think it is more wise to tell how you want to control your player and navigate your library.
Do you mind to browse your library on your TV, or do you prefer a dedicated mediaplayer only for audio and use a controller/iPad to navigate to your library?
buy a linn ds ,fantastic source to feed the lab 5 my dad has the same setup, they are pioneers in streaming just now,being what of the first to stop making disc players.5 year warranty aswell.
Millemissen: He also asked for best quality: " I figure with such great mains I should give them the best digital input ie 24 bit sound" That is why I started at the highest level. There are many ways to get good sound on a set of BL5's. If Mark writes again, we could describe a solution "special-designed for his purpose". But I would like to know a little more of his prefences (if it MUST be a streamer and so on...) and his budget (very important indeed), before getting into details. @symnes I have used the PM intensively and daily ever since it came out - especially the line-in port for high quality files and "heavylistening". My FLAC-files are on a NAS with a 'LMServer' running. I control a 'Squeezebox Touch' - on line-in/PM connected to my AudioMaster - with the 'Squeezepad' (on iPad). I use AirPlay mostly for netradio, podcasts, Spotify, background-listening and so on - and occasionally on the ATV on my Link-tv. Note: if you use the AirPlay-part of the PM you can very well stream 24bit sound - but it will be downconverted to 16/44.1. Playing the same files from a Pc/Mac/Linux-solution with a good DAC or a USB TO S/PDIF-converter might give you "full value for the money". Greetings Millemissen
Good for you that you managed to get the touch; too bad the whole Squeezebox division of logitech is now shut down. I was waiting for a 24bit.196khz version but that day never arrived. I am going to stick with my planned computer system with an Audiophileo 1 with the optional USB battery power supply and hopefully if the new 2013 MAc Pro is coming sooner than later, I will be installing the Sotm internal noise reduction modules and USB cards. along with PureMusic and the official version of the Dirac room correction suite slated for release - I can only work a Mac I have been using Macs since I was like 13 and I have not turned back since. I think that will have the ultimate computer system.
OH BTW MIllemissen if you are fortunate enough to own a desktop you should check out Sotm cards and modules. I think it will serve you really well. All I have now are Imacs and MacBook Pros so....
I think reducing noise within the computer system itself is the key plus the modules look cheap as compared to those crazy battery power supplies that some make. Max $500 dollars for all the internal modules installed. That's a deal! And of course you can go even further by adding a external USB to SPDIF converters.
I really hope someday someone makes a streamer with build-in Dirac or some automated room correction DSP software so there will be no need for a computer. Tell me why hasn't anyone made one already? I can't imagine a streamer without a built-in DSP already.
butch1: buy a linn ds ,fantastic source to feed the lab 5 my dad has the same setup, they are pioneers in streaming just now,being what of the first to stop making disc players.5 year warranty aswell.
Isn't it a little wasteful not to use the DAC section of the Linn DS though? I mean the Lab5s work best with digital direct only no?
I might be a little decadent but I am also quite a bargain hunter lol.... It's a paradoxical side of mine. I am all about waste minimization.
That's why I never jumped on to any of the external room correction modules yet because they always include things I don't need. A/D and DAC etc... All I need is a top tier DSP okay?! And I can't imagine those extra functions not having a negative impact on the digital outputs.
ollie75: Thanks a lot for all your answers. @ wonderfulelectric......From what i've have been reading, the Oppo Blue ray player looks perfect for what i'm chasing. Have yourself or anybody had any experience using one for streaming/digital music? @ Millemissen.....thanks for your in depth response. At present i'm using a first gen Apple TV predominately because of the HD attached. This makes things easier as i don't need a computer running. My music collection is currently on itunes (and backed up on an external HD). In summary i guess i would prefer a digital player that i can attach/sync my external HD to (or possibly one that has a HD attached) that will produce better sound than the apple tv Tks again
LOL... I have not gotten the pleasure of using the Oppo yet. My place is under renovation so....
The old Oppo served nicely for my system although I did not engage its streamer function then because I wasn't as tech savvy then. But I bet the latest series are way smoother in terms of user friendliness. But the old range is already well-knowned for its super low jitter ( around 100psec) outputs so I think i the current range might even do you better plus the built-in video upscaling and USB and Coaxial inputs with the option of expanding your system to a full-fledged surround system wouldn't hurt either. I think it is dirt cheap for what it is.
I am sure you can find online reviews regarding tis streaming abilities. I will be going for the BDP 105 just because it has the added function of asynschronous USB inputs and 4K upscaling for only an extra $400. Don't buy straight from the official website cos then you have to get plug-in modules just to bypass the region restrictions. And trust me it isn't as simple as it seems. I literally fried the plug-in module and wasted over $200 and a ton of my time while doing so.
Get from here. http://www.220-electronics.com/oppo-bdp-105-region-free-blu-ray-dvd-player.html
or if you are in the EU. http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=431
Anyway just don't buy the unmodified ones without multi-region.
BTW tell me what you think after you started using it. I am going to get one as soon as my renovations works are done.
I can't imagine that you will need anything more than what it is already on offer here.
Mark wrote in his initial posting: "and would they have the ease/simplicity of the Apple TV with music covers, playlists etc?"
The OPPO is for me the perfect Bluray/DVD/SACD, and...and-player.
It handles audio extremely well.
But.... I would not live with the fact that I would have to turn on the big screen everytime I want to listen to music, scrolling through folders and more... (ever if the OPPO is PUC-controlled).
IPads and tablets are here to stay and they/the apps are perfect tools to control even large music-collections - with "ease and simplicity".
Nowadays we indeed have a lot of possibilities to hear music in excellent quality, managing our files easily - sitting in our "prefered armchair, couch or whatever" with the controlpoint right beside us.
Testing, listening to, reading 'bout experiences with different systems/solutions comes before choosing. A lot of the 3.part-solutions can be integreted very well with a B&O-setup.
Happy experimenting
Hi again,
no I haven't got the OPPO yet. But I know it rather well from friends - experimenting, testing...
When I get mine (the 103) soon, I will not use it for music-playing - other than playing CD's and SACD's (!).
It is too complicated. - as descibed above.
If it could acts as a renderer, I would use a good control-app (probably the 'PlugPlayer') - but unfortunatly it can't.
That feature would make it 100% perfect - that is: if you can live without gaplessplay
But I am eager to hear, what others think about it for playing music-files.
you can by a linn sneaky for £1000,it will beat cd players costing double that.
ollie75:Thanks again guys @ Doubleu.....yes I don't mind navigating on the TV however it's not priority. I would prefer sound over vision @ butch..... The linn I'm sure is fantastic and if money was no object it would be the first pick. In Australia they retail for around $4500. That's getting up there for a player though. I'd have to hide the receipt from the wife ;) The more I read about the Oppo, it really does appear to be the all rounder. Can anyone advise how the steaming or audio playback quality is? Tks again
@ Doubleu.....yes I don't mind navigating on the TV however it's not priority. I would prefer sound over vision
@ butch..... The linn I'm sure is fantastic and if money was no object it would be the first pick. In Australia they retail for around $4500. That's getting up there for a player though. I'd have to hide the receipt from the wife ;)
The more I read about the Oppo, it really does appear to be the all rounder. Can anyone advise how the steaming or audio playback quality is?
Audio playback as a transport has been considered as state of the art for many. For the older models the recorded output jitter was really quite low around 100psec. And I just did a search up for us and it seems like Iphone/Ipad control over the music server function will be coming soon via a software update.
" it seems like Iphone/Ipad control over the music server function will be coming soon via a software update."
Heard about this too - let's see if it is more than just a rumour?
It will have to be MUCH better than the existing control-app to be useable.
If it comes, it means that we can use the OPPO as a renderer - for music too
butch1: you can by a linn sneaky for £1000,it will beat cd players costing double that.
Okay it seems like you are a Linn expert. What you think of the Kiko? I nearly bought that. Have you gotten the chance of auditioning it?