Streamer

[Myers]

To start with Hello!

I have at the moment as my main system Roksan K2 Amp, Cyrus CD Transport, MA Silver 2's & Arcam IR DAC - I've ripped (in progress) most of my CD collection to .flac which I listen to on my second budget system coupled to my PC & on the main system via a DELL lappy - I listen to Spotify on both systems, on the main system via my TV using optical (not ideal) out & on my PC system using the desktop client & AIMP player for .flac.

At the moment I have a Homeplug system which gives Ethernet at the Hi-fi & throughout the house & I use the desk PC as my source as it's on 24/7 & have 4 TB of space - At the moment to play .flac through my main system I’m using a lappy connected to the DAC again not ideal as i have to keep getting up & the lappy is really in the way + I have other uses for it.

My question is: - As I have a half decent DAC on my main system & music available to it via Ethernet I just need a simple streamer to use with my main system, that can play .flac (mainly ripped from from Cd's not hi-res) & ideally Spotify. I wont be moving from 2 channel & the streamer needs Ethernet in & either Coax/Optical out - I don't need a streamer with a DAC or anything fancy, as I'm coming to the conclusion a streamer really just passes the bit perfect Ethernet on to the DAC? (am I wrong here?)

Any ideas? I've looked on the Sonos site but a bit confused as I don't need multi-room or wireless just the ability to play music streamed from my PC in another room onto my Hi-Fi in the lounge - I can't tell any difference between music streamed to my laptop through my lounge system against the Cyrus CD transport (well I can't hear any) Any ideas? I have 2 iPads & an Android tablet if required for use with the streamer - Sorry for rambling post .

 

[matt49]

If I've understood your set-up correctly, your problem is that the desktop PC isn't in the same room as your main system. So essentially all you need is something to pick up an ethernet feed from the PC and connect via USB or SPDIF to the irDAC. Is that right?

If so, probably the cheapest solution is something like a Raspberry Pi loaded with a freeware music server. You could then use your tablet to control the server.

I'm afraid I'm by no means up to speed on this sort of thing, but I'm sure there are people here who can advise on the specifics.

Matt

 

[Esra]

http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/42/201/18420/N-P01-K/page.html

Having used and still use Squeezebox Touch I searched for a similar device for a long time providing spotify connect and Nas streaming without a program running on a pc.I tested Sonos , Bluesound node and decided on Pioneer N-Po1. I connect to a external Dac, so I did not heard any sound differences.The internal Dac (sound) of the Blusound Node I found nicest when connected via analogue but also the other devices except the sonos (imo) sound nice,just a little different and mostly depend on your system what you would prefer.

The Pioneer has it´s own app and a screen on the device,a remote control,it is very user friendly and the app is really nice and functionel.If you are not in multiroom and mainly use I-Radio and Spotify (maybe other services will be added) as Inet-Service this device is def. worth to consider.I am more than happy with it.

 

[Myers]

If I've understood your set-up correctly, your problem is that the desktop PC isn't in the same room as your main system. So essentially all you need is something to pick up an ethernet feed from the PC and connect via USB or SPDIF to the irDAC. Is that right?

That's right, I use the Desktop PC as the Music server & for other tasks with various PC's around the house, all the music is on it.

Esra: I'll have a look at the Pioneer - Thanks.

 

[matt49]

I know you've investigated Sonos, and that it offers more functions than you need (DAC, wireless, multi-room), but I do think it's worth re-considering, if the entry price isn't too high.

What you're really paying for with Sonos is:

1. ease of set-up

2. robustness

3. a lovely GUI

Unless you decide to go the stripped-down Raspberry Pi (or similar) route, all the other streaming boxes are following in the wake of Sonos. They aren't much cheaper and they don't do things much better. And they may not be around in 10 years time. Sonos almost certainly will.

 

[gowiththeflow]

I know you've investigated Sonos, and that it offers more functions than you need (DAC, wireless, multi-room), but I do think it's worth re-considering, if the entry price isn't too high.

What you're really paying for with Sonos is:

1. ease of set-up

2. robustness

3. a lovely GUI

Unless you decide to go the stripped-down Raspberry Pi (or similar) route, all the other streaming boxes are following in the wake of Sonos. They aren't much cheaper and they don't do things much better. And they may not be around in 10 years time. Sonos almost certainly will.

Matt makes some very good points here.

You don't have to avail yourself of the multi-room or the on-board DAC features, but they're there if you want them later on.

The Connect is still cheaper than most HiFi streamers and you can always add multi-room if the mood takes you. Other members of the family might appreciate using the facility for their own listening in other parts of the home, while you can carry on listening to your own stuff elsewhere in another room.

The (very good) independant mesh wireless network is quite robust and is less likely than a home wifi network to suffer from issues. If you really don't want to use wireless, Sonos can also operate on an ethernet connection, rather than wireless and as such can make use of Powerline connectors if you prefer.

It is true that most other company's streamer GUI's and apps are trailing in the wake of Sonos, despite some recent better efforts like NAD's BlueSound.

Matt's last point is very important and very likely to be true, so needs to be taken seriously. Many competitors will have to up the ante from their initial attempts at both the supporting software and GUI's. Some are a bit limited or even quite poor in comparison to the best. It's unlikely they will be supporting their current products in future years, once the technology and their experience with developing software and GUI's has moved on. You could be left with an expensive streamer, stuck on old software with limited, or no backup. This is exactly how many of the consumer electronic firms have behaved with other audio and TV/video equipment.

Sonos, on the other hand, have had a track record of keeping even their oldest products, up-to-date with the latest software and firmware and are commited to backwards compatibility. Of course that's no guarantee that they'll continue to do so, but their modus operandi suggests they are a safer bet.

 

[marou]

The LivZen Wave is an inexpensive streamer you can return within 31 days if you're not happy with it. Worth a try.

 

[Esra]

Well,I paid 274 GBP for the P-NP01 brand new.FW update done via USB,peace of cake as the whole setup expecially when you are hardwired,just plug in.Screen(dimmable/can be turned off),remote control and buttons on the device are mega+ over other devices.Fast app,32/192 onboard dac,streams DSD,wireless lan,shows coverarts on screen,usb front(dsd capable),Bluetooth aptX,looks like proper hifi.Works!What more can you ask for if it suits your needs?OK, Coax and USB out would have been perfect but on the other side look for asking price.Other services?I am sure spotify will provide highres streaming in future for more money and I would bet my money on spotify to survive in the market of streaming services as highres streaming only is a very small market and most people I know think it´s more clever to buy highres stuff than paying monthly.

 

[ifor]

Raspberry Pi B+ plus HiFiBerry Digi + running Rune Audio or Volumio. Check out the Rune, Volumio and HiFiBerry websites.

 

[Myers]

Thanks for the replies!: I'll have a proper look this evening after work.

 

[unsleepable]

Well,I paid 274 GBP for the P-NP01 brand new.FW update done via USB,peace of cake as the whole setup expecially when you are hardwired,just plug in.Screen(dimmable/can be turned off),remote control and buttons on the device are mega+ over other devices.Fast app,32/192 onboard dac,streams DSD,wireless lan,shows coverarts on screen,usb front(dsd capable),Bluetooth aptX,looks like proper hifi.Works!What more can you ask for if it suits your needs?OK, Coax and USB out would have been perfect but on the other side look for asking price.Other services?I am sure spotify will provide highres streaming in future for more money and I would bet my money on spotify to survive in the market of streaming services as highres streaming only is a very small market and most people I know think it´s more clever to buy highres stuff than paying monthly.

Are you using the toslink output, or the analogue? According to the user guide of the N-P01, bluetooth audio can only be output through the analogue connector. Nothing is said about AirPlay, but I'd like to know if audio received with AirPlay can be output through toslink.

 

[Esra]

I am using the toslink output because of the m-dac i use it with in my setup (no analogue inputs) and I use only radio,nas and spotify functions with it.DSD e.x. works via analogue output,I tried this function with my other 8200CDQ.You can feed the Pio. with DSD files via NAS or even USB input. I didn´t try Bluetooth and Airplay (don´t have any Apple products) yet but will try Bluetooth via toslink out if you wish.

I am sure the Dac of the Pioneer is pretty good too ,it´s just my setup i am using the toslink,otherwise i see no reason not to use the internal Dac and get all the functions via analogue output.I think it is designed mainly to use as a source than a transporter.Otherwise I see no reason why not implement a coax out at least too.

I will test the analogue section/Dac and all it´s functions as i intend to buy another one of it for my other system maybe.I can tell you more after the weekend.

 

[unsleepable]

Thanks!

 

[Myers]

Would the analogue outs on the Pioneer N50/N70 for example be as good as using the Arcam DAC connected via coax? Or still use the Arcam? How about the updated Pioneers released this month? Still use the Arcam? I was only partially confused now I'm totally

http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/newsroom/news/N-70A_N50A/page.html

 

[Esra]

There is only one way to find out.Just try which sounds best for you.All options open as you also have the Arcam Dac which you like I guess.Feeded with digital input you should get the sound you are used to.

 

[Esra]

Bluetooth streaming works flawless and signal is given out via toslink too,so you can use a external Dac if you wish.Just two clicks on the Pio. remote app,first select Bluetooth and then press telephone/pad icon for streaming.My Samsung Galaxy S3 opened all music files on the phone auto.Then just select your song.It´s nice that output volume is still fixed,so you can adjust volume with your external Dac.If you enable volume control in the Pio. you can control volume with your mobile device too of course.

 

[unsleepable]

Thank you for checking this Esra. It's funny that the user guide says it works differently, but I'm happy that it works better than what the guide says.

I really need to give one a try.