We are in the process of deciding which solution to adopt for streaming music throughout our house. We currently have a collection of approx 500 CDs and 700 LPs waiting to be ripped onto a NAS in FLAC format to replicate as closely as possible the quality of the music to which we listen now as a family (via Roksan Caspian CDP and amplifier firing through Ruark Prelude 2 speakers).
Going forwards, conceptually we are comfortable with relegating the CDP (and attendant CDs) to a back-up role. Until it is possible to download a broad range of lossless music, we will, however, continue to invest in CDs (or their successors). We will also be looking to listen to internet radio round the house via whatever streaming solution we adopt.
We are looking at Sonos as our preferred option, however as this is potentially an expensive one-way street, before we do, being unashamed philistines in the technical department, we had a few questions to which we would be grateful to receive some responses from more technically minded (not to mention experienced) MOs. For economic reasons, we will be looking to build up the number of zones covered in the house over a period of time, but will probably start with two.
We already have some decent speakers (all passive) and amplifiers/receivers scudding round the house. We would therefore be looking to maximise the number of ZP90s rather than ZP120s to utilise existing resources. We also have separate AV equipment.
Having spent a while researching this vast topic, we would appreciate a better understanding of the benefits/advantages of using:
1) wired (or “synthetically” wired via our house electrical cables) solutions vs wireless right around the house (nb we currently live in a three storey house plus basement where there are some Cat 5e Ethernet cables buried in wall cavities) 2) external DACs in all zones sitting between ZP90s, and amplifiers. 3) Beresford TC-7520s vs DACMagic as the external DAC solution 4) DACs as a pre-amp solution in this set up 5) EAC as the ripping software, compared to other solutions. Finally, we would appreciate knowing that we are on the right road, and haven’t forgotten important pieces of “luggage” – on the understanding that we prefer the Sonos streaming solution over the others. Observations and possible improvements would be welcome.
Many thanks in advance to those who respond, particularly as we are picking up several threads in one posting.
Going forwards, conceptually we are comfortable with relegating the CDP (and attendant CDs) to a back-up role. Until it is possible to download a broad range of lossless music, we will, however, continue to invest in CDs (or their successors). We will also be looking to listen to internet radio round the house via whatever streaming solution we adopt.
We are looking at Sonos as our preferred option, however as this is potentially an expensive one-way street, before we do, being unashamed philistines in the technical department, we had a few questions to which we would be grateful to receive some responses from more technically minded (not to mention experienced) MOs. For economic reasons, we will be looking to build up the number of zones covered in the house over a period of time, but will probably start with two.
We already have some decent speakers (all passive) and amplifiers/receivers scudding round the house. We would therefore be looking to maximise the number of ZP90s rather than ZP120s to utilise existing resources. We also have separate AV equipment.
Having spent a while researching this vast topic, we would appreciate a better understanding of the benefits/advantages of using:
1) wired (or “synthetically” wired via our house electrical cables) solutions vs wireless right around the house (nb we currently live in a three storey house plus basement where there are some Cat 5e Ethernet cables buried in wall cavities) 2) external DACs in all zones sitting between ZP90s, and amplifiers. 3) Beresford TC-7520s vs DACMagic as the external DAC solution 4) DACs as a pre-amp solution in this set up 5) EAC as the ripping software, compared to other solutions. Finally, we would appreciate knowing that we are on the right road, and haven’t forgotten important pieces of “luggage” – on the understanding that we prefer the Sonos streaming solution over the others. Observations and possible improvements would be welcome.
Many thanks in advance to those who respond, particularly as we are picking up several threads in one posting.