CD Player vs NAS + DAC

[bonzo75]

Hi has anyone compared a simple NAS like a Vortexbox, coupled with a Bel Canto ulink type USB Dac fed to a Audiolab M-Dac, and the quality of that as compared to a high end CD player?

Either will be fed to a fairly good hifi system, of Krell powering a Martin Logan summits. If I want to go the non CD player route, what quality of NAS should I be looking for?

 

[davedotco]

Hi has anyone compared a simple NAS like a Vortexbox, coupled with a Bel Canto ulink type USB Dac fed to a Audiolab M-Dac, and the quality of that as compared to a high end CD player?

Either will be fed to a fairly good hifi system, of Krell powering a Martin Logan summits. If I want to go the non CD player route, what quality of NAS should I be looking for?

Not quite sure what you are getting at in the first para but generally a streaming solution should be better than a CD player.

Clearly you can buy integrated streaming solutions from plenty of manufacturers but highly regarded models from manufacturers like Linn, Naim or Opera can be quite pricey.

DIY solutions such as the Vortexbox or NAS drives from manufacturers like Synology are really all you need, providing you are comfortable choosing and optimising your software, both for ripping and for playback.

Some suggest that using a specially optimised computer 'transport' is the way to go, low noise processors, linear power supplies, solid state drives (for your playlist) are a few of the ways this can be done.

For a truly high end solution there is plenty to look into, but be aware, there is as much bullsh*t here as there is in any area of modern hi-fi, you need to do your research and try some different solutions.

 

[stevebrock]

I found my Mac via optical into my Rega DAC out performed my Apollo R into my Rega DAC - smoother!!

 

[bonzo75]

Thanks. So streaming solutions are considered to have better quality than CD players, even good ones like Wadia/Krell etc?

Right now I was looking at the Liv Zen vortexbox.

Why would I need to customise the software, you mean selecting to rip in flac lossless, or playing it in a particular format?

What are examples of computer 'transport', low noise processors, linear power supplies, solid state drives (for your playlist)

 

[Al ears]

Hi,

Perhaps you might like to re-phrase exactly what you are after regards your question, as that first sentence is a tad confusing, and then re-post it in the 'Computer based media' subsection of the forum.

You may get a more knowledgeable response here.

Are you talking NAS or Streamer because a NAS is, obviously, just that and the Vortexbox you list is a full-blown ripping / streaming device.

 

[davedotco]

Thanks. So streaming solutions are considered to have better quality than CD players, even good ones like Wadia/Krell etc?

Right now I was looking at the Liv Zen vortexbox.

Why would I need to customise the software, you mean selecting to rip in flac lossless, or playing it in a particular format?

What are examples of computer 'transport', low noise processors, linear power supplies, solid state drives (for your playlist)

If you get it right it should be better than any 'real time' CD player.

Vortexbox software is pretty well sorted, you will only need to sort your player, not so difficult these days.

Computers can be optimised for music playback. Not an area in which I have grat expertise but you could start here.....

http://www.itemaudio.com/index.php/digital-audio-sources/audiocomputers/browse/37-audio-computers.html?sef=hc

 

[stevebrock]

what si your budget for your streaming solutuon?

 

[bonzo75]

I am flexible with budget, i don't want to compromise on sound quality, yet want to stay practical. Not give into snake oil prices

 

[stevebrock]

What does you system comprise of presently

 

[bonzo75]

Martin Logan summit speakers and krell integrated amp. I still have to find a source to feed music through.

 

[stevebrock]

you will need either a PC, MAC or NAS (to store your music), a streamer (which has a DAC in it already) or a standalone DAC (which will need to be hardwired to your NAS or PC/MAC

You just need to decide if you want a stand alone DAC or a Streamer

It not a simple as you think to get your head round as you will something to control it all with

 

[bonzo75]

I will use a standlone DAC like Audiolab M-Dac, and also connect a USB DAC (Bel Canto ulink). The combination is known to give a very good output, I just don't know if this has been compared to good 2000+ CD players.

Also does the quality of the NAS matter, or is it more the quality of the DAC, once the files are in lossless? If I get a good vortexbox, is that sufficient rather than going in for a branded music server from one of the big names which is expensive, but will store the same format files?

 

[stevebrock]

in terms of SQ of the Music it doesnt matter what NAS you get - a HD is a HD at the end of the day!

 

[andyjm]

I will use a standlone DAC like Audiolab M-Dac, and also connect a USB DAC (Bel Canto ulink). The combination is known to give a very good output, I just don't know if this has been compared to good 2000+ CD players.

Also does the quality of the NAS matter, or is it more the quality of the DAC, once the files are in lossless? If I get a good vortexbox, is that sufficient rather than going in for a branded music server from one of the big names which is expensive, but will store the same format files?

I run vortexbox on a clapped out old dell computer of unknown vintage. I run it headlessly (no monitor or keyboard). I works 24x7, I have never had a problem with it, and I can highly recommend it. No need to buy NAS box (I do have a QNAP NAS, but that is for PC files backup), vortexbox will allow you to recycle an old PC.

Edit - should have added that I use the much missed Squeezebox range of streamers - my 'listening' room has a Transporter - in my mind still one of the best streamers out there.

 

[davedotco]

It is worth making clear to those who are not familiar with Vortexbox, that Vortexbox itself is a suite of software designed to rip, catalogue and play your CDs, it can run on virtually any computer and turn an out of date PC into an excellent music server.

Vortexbox 'Appliances' on the other hand are ready built hardware that runs Vortexbox software and is a near plug and play solution, excellent for the less expert user.

This 'Appliance' can usually stream music directly to a DAC but most people use a dedicated streamer that offers a better user interface (control app probably) and added functionality such as access to streaming services and internet radio.

 

[cheeseboy]

you can actually control a vortexbox from an android device, so no need for the streamer 🙂 http://vortexb.blogspot.nl/2012/01/remote-control-your-vortexbox.html

 

[davedotco]

you can actually control a vortexbox from an android device, so no need for the streamer 🙂 http://vortexb.blogspot.nl/2012/01/remote-control-your-vortexbox.html

Not exactly plug and play, I have not found anything that runs Vortexbox directly, is easy to set up and use and gives the kind of functionality that is considered normal these days.

 

[cheeseboy]

you can actually control a vortexbox from an android device, so no need for the streamer 🙂 http://vortexb.blogspot.nl/2012/01/remote-control-your-vortexbox.html

Not exactly plug and play, I have not found anything that runs Vortexbox directly, is easy to set up and use and gives the kind of functionality that is considered normal these days.

Yep, I agree, not plug and play as it were, but I've tried it and it does work without any problems 🙂

 

[bonzo75]

Thanks guys, that clarifies some of the functionality aspect, but what about the end result? Would such a NAS, plugged in to a DAC through a good USB - S/PDIF converter, produce the clarity, imaging, and soundstaging of a 2000+ CD player?

Would the above sound output depend more on the quality of the DAC rather than the NAS, and I can be satisifed with any HD server that provides me the required functionality?

 

[hammill]

Thanks guys, that clarifies some of the functionality aspect, but what about the end result? Would such a NAS, plugged in to a DAC through a good USB - S/PDIF converter, produce the clarity, imaging, and soundstaging of a 2000+ CD player?

Yes, if the DAC is good enough

Would the above sound output depend more on the quality of the DAC rather than the NAS, and I can be satisifed with any HD server that provides me the required functionality?

Yes,Yes

 

[davedotco]

you can actually control a vortexbox from an android device, so no need for the streamer 🙂 http://vortexb.blogspot.nl/2012/01/remote-control-your-vortexbox.html

Not exactly plug and play, I have not found anything that runs Vortexbox directly, is easy to set up and use and gives the kind of functionality that is considered normal these days.

Yep, I agree, not plug and play as it were, but I've tried it and it does work without any problems 🙂

Nice to hear from someone who actually uses the product he is talking about..... 😉

Out of interest, how easy was it to set up and use and what is your level of expertise?

I use Apple and have no real compedence in the pc/android world so this is a genuine inquiry as to the ease of getting something like this set up.

 

[cheeseboy]

to be honest, it was easier than I imaginged. Pretty much plug and play, just a few tweaks to the settings. Don't get me wrong, it's not as slick as the sonos, and iirc, the bog standard vortexbox with squeezebox controller doesn't do gapless flac playback, although it may do now.

Worth having a look here for a list of supported dacs

http://info.vortexbox.org/tiki-index.php?page=Compatibility+Guide

and here's how you can make a very cheap streamingbox to work with the vortexbox 🙂

http://vortexbox.org/content/149-Logitech-SqueezeBox-replacement-for-under-30

Like with most things linux, if it works, you're fine. If it doesn't expect pain and nightmares 😉 My level of expertise is quite high though (sysadmin etc) so I can work around if needed.

I'd advise if people want to try it, download vortexbox and give it a shot. You might waste a couple of hours for nothing, then again, you might find a nice new toy 🙂

I don't use it myself anymore, but that's because I run everything through XBMC now as it's a combined audio/video solution, and ihmo, nothing really comes close to xbmc for all the bells and whistles 🙂

 

[MoJoe]

Isn't it the case though that xbmc doesn't allow streaming of FLAC files?

i just bought a NAS and am waiting on a Raspberry Pi arriving so I can stream my music. I do intend though to upgrade my cdp, amp and TT.

 

[cheeseboy]

Isn't it the case though that xbmc doesn't allow streaming of FLAC files?

i just bought a NAS and am waiting on a Raspberry Pi arriving so I can stream my music. I do intend though to upgrade my cdp, amp and TT.

xbmc has played everything I've thrown at it, be it local, or network storage, plus it has airplay and such built in now 🙂

 

[Macspur]

Thanks guys, that clarifies some of the functionality aspect, but what about the end result? Would such a NAS, plugged in to a DAC through a good USB - S/PDIF converter, produce the clarity, imaging, and soundstaging of a 2000+ CD player?

Would the above sound output depend more on the quality of the DAC rather than the NAS, and I can be satisifed with any HD server that provides me the required functionality?

Is there any way you could demo both options before spending? Wadia and Krell would certainly be worth listening to first, or even an EMC1UP.

Mac+