Streamer from Synology NAS to Cyrus amp

[orinoco]

Hi

I recently purchased a synology ds212j NAS, which I promptly ripped my CD's to, and that is currently streaming to my existing hifi system (Cyrus 8 amp/Dynaudio Audience 52) via a PS3. This setup sounds ok but am sure I can get much more from my existing system by upgrading to a dedicated music streamer.

I have a budget of around £1000 and would appreciate any advice on what to go for.

Thanks

Stu

 

[tino]

To match your amp ... £999 ... it even has an internal 30W amp so you might be able to lose the 8 at some point?

 

[professorhat]

What format did you rip your CDs to?

 

[orinoco]

Hi Tino - sorry, but can you pls confirm which streamer you are recommending (I can't see it in your post)

Hi Proffesorhat - mostly flac with some lesser listened to music at AAC 320kbps

 

[tino]

If you go to the Cyrus website, you will see a number of streamers .. the cheapest being the Cyrus Streamline, which also arguably benefits from having an internal 30W amp. I'm not recommending this based on hearing it (although the reviews of it are good) - only that it may match your existing amplifier. It also comes with a very useful "n-remote" remote control with integral display which allows you to view and play your music collection. The cheapest price I have seen it for brand new is £999 which is £1 under budget 😉

Other than that the choice of streamers in the market is very large - I have a Squeezebox Touch (as well as a laptop PC) which at £200 (or < £150 if you catch one on offer) works wonderfully. You could try this first and move onto a "higher quality" streaming product at some point in the future, or just stick with the Squeezebox. You should be able to run the necessary Squeezebox server software of your ds212 NAS drive.

Linn's Sneaky DS is a very high quality streamer for the price (£850), and the Simple Audio Roomplayer with or without amplification (£599 or £499) also looks to be very good, but there are some teething problems to sort out first on the software side.

 

[professorhat]

Hi Proffesorhat - mostly flac with some lesser listened to music at AAC 320kbps

Cool - just checking 😉

 

[orinoco]

Thanks very much tino....useful information.

I hadn't considered the Cyrus and I guess the only drawback is that it has the amp section which I already have so would leave me needing to sell my Amp or wasting some of the money on an amp section I dont use. Similar "issue" with the Sneaky.

Re. the Simple Audio - that looks like a good option. Not come across that brand before so will see if I can seek it out for an audition.

I presume with your squeeze box you are using the Dac on the Waidia that helps improve the performance?

If this is the case then perhaps I could consider a squeeze box/Dac combo....another option to consider 😉

 

[LeeBishop]

Take a look at Sonos too.

currently got a "connect" (£280) hooked up to my Cyrus and im happy with it, there not quite £1000 but with the change you could add another zone with a play5

 

[eternaloptimist]

I stream from a Synology NAS into Cyrus PreXPD and Mono X Amps into Audiovector S3 speakers via a MacMini 2011 running Audirvana Plus. the sound is fantastic! I would strongly recommend a MacMini with A+ as the music server.

 

[brendonw]

I'd go this route too.

Like Lee said you could add another zone too 🙂

 

[orinoco]

Thanks Lee, Brendon...I do like the look of the Sonos and had originally discussed (with the better half) about getting a Zone player for the kitchen. This might well kill 2 birds with one stone and keep everyone happy. My only concern with it was whether it was good enough for the rest of my system (I am stopping using my Cyrus 8x CD player so it will become my main music source).

Will see if I can audition one with my setup.

Eternaloptimist - I like the sound of your setup. Looking at the minimac on line it only has hdmi and usb outputs so I would have to then put something between that and my Amp - I couldn't stretch to swapping out the Amp as well for something like the XPD. Thanks for the tip though.

=======

I also see that WHF have just reviewed the Cambridge Audio Stream 6, with a great review, and this could also fit very nicely on my growing "short list"......Anyone have any opions on this new box?

 

[LeeBishop]

Thanks Lee, Brendon...I do like the look of the Sonos and had originally discussed (with the better half) about getting a Zone player for the kitchen. This might well kill 2 birds with one stone and keep everyone happy. My only concern with it was whether it was good enough for the rest of my system (I am stopping using my Cyrus 8x CD player so it will become my main music source).

Will see if I can audition one with my setup.

Orinoco

I have a similar setup, i have the 8xpdqx and the zp90 or connect as its now known and i have to say personally i think its sounds great, defo worth a demo. and its smartphone app is really nice to use too!

 

[LeeBishop]

sorry didnt mean to post that 4 times,:doh:

 

[LeeBishop]

duplicate

 

[LeeBishop]

duplicate

 

[LeeBishop]

duplicate