So, here's the journey:
After years of a simple 'vintage' set up of amp, cd player and speakers, I start thinking it would be great just to stream my music using WiFi (Bluetooth not a good option). So I spend a month ripping all my CDs to flac using MusicBee. All good.
I then updated the amp and speakers (Musical Fidelity M2si and Q Acoustics 3030) and look to see what set up could allow me to play these files. I identified that a dac and some sort of transport is required. It didn't need to cost the earth or be complicated though I want decent sound. I start with a second hand Cambridge Minx XI. What the seller fails to tell me is that CA no longer support the app, and to use the original app I have to purchase an old Android tablet. However, the sound world is dull and the app terrible. I then buy a SMSL dac so I have the flexibility to use a transport with/without inbuilt dac.
Next I buy a Sonos Connect. Basic but functional, though for some reason the volume level isn't equivalent to cd which I find annoying - and the sound isn't great either.
So, next up is an Arcam Rplay. I eschew a fully wireless setup and favour the ethernet connection. The sound is perfect, the volume fine, and I can even use MusicBee to play the files. Happy bunny. Then - day two - the signal keeps dropping out. I do a bit of research and over the course of the following week change settings on the laptop and router, then change the router, then try using a tablet, then another laptop, but the drop outs still happen.
Now I go for a Raspberry Pie with Digione and Volumio. Sound isn't great and the app a bit grim. Plus I dislike that I can never switch the damn thing off.
My current solution is my laptop connected via a 5metre usb cable direct to the dac. The sound is perfect but who wants a cable across the living room floor?
So, my question is, is there a simple transport out there? I don't need/want Roon, Spotify or any other subscription service. I don't want something the size of an amp - the RPlay was about as big as I think a transport should be. I just want to use Windows or Android wirelessly to play flac files without losing volume or definition, and without signal issues - or without being tied to an app that will become redundant in future or just be plain awful to use. The nearest I can identify is the NAD CS1 but the reviews aren't encouraging. There must be others out there who don't need the bells and whistles, who want to use MusicBee or VLC etc, and who just need something to carry the signal to their setup? By the way, I've eliminated Blue sound Node (reliability issues), Audio lab 6000 (dull sound), and ifi Zen stream (ugly as sin). All positive suggestions appreciated, thanks.
After years of a simple 'vintage' set up of amp, cd player and speakers, I start thinking it would be great just to stream my music using WiFi (Bluetooth not a good option). So I spend a month ripping all my CDs to flac using MusicBee. All good.
I then updated the amp and speakers (Musical Fidelity M2si and Q Acoustics 3030) and look to see what set up could allow me to play these files. I identified that a dac and some sort of transport is required. It didn't need to cost the earth or be complicated though I want decent sound. I start with a second hand Cambridge Minx XI. What the seller fails to tell me is that CA no longer support the app, and to use the original app I have to purchase an old Android tablet. However, the sound world is dull and the app terrible. I then buy a SMSL dac so I have the flexibility to use a transport with/without inbuilt dac.
Next I buy a Sonos Connect. Basic but functional, though for some reason the volume level isn't equivalent to cd which I find annoying - and the sound isn't great either.
So, next up is an Arcam Rplay. I eschew a fully wireless setup and favour the ethernet connection. The sound is perfect, the volume fine, and I can even use MusicBee to play the files. Happy bunny. Then - day two - the signal keeps dropping out. I do a bit of research and over the course of the following week change settings on the laptop and router, then change the router, then try using a tablet, then another laptop, but the drop outs still happen.
Now I go for a Raspberry Pie with Digione and Volumio. Sound isn't great and the app a bit grim. Plus I dislike that I can never switch the damn thing off.
My current solution is my laptop connected via a 5metre usb cable direct to the dac. The sound is perfect but who wants a cable across the living room floor?
So, my question is, is there a simple transport out there? I don't need/want Roon, Spotify or any other subscription service. I don't want something the size of an amp - the RPlay was about as big as I think a transport should be. I just want to use Windows or Android wirelessly to play flac files without losing volume or definition, and without signal issues - or without being tied to an app that will become redundant in future or just be plain awful to use. The nearest I can identify is the NAD CS1 but the reviews aren't encouraging. There must be others out there who don't need the bells and whistles, who want to use MusicBee or VLC etc, and who just need something to carry the signal to their setup? By the way, I've eliminated Blue sound Node (reliability issues), Audio lab 6000 (dull sound), and ifi Zen stream (ugly as sin). All positive suggestions appreciated, thanks.