Want To Stream From PC To Downstairs Hi-fi. So..

[admin_exported]

..I have been weighing up the options but all seem a bit pricey, would appreciate any advice, I am after doing this on a budget but not compromising too much on sound quality, I'm after doing this ideally under £200.

a) I could get a Squeezebox Touch for about £170. Would you recommend a Ext. DAC with this, as I've heard mixed reviews, that the in-built dac is good enough. If yes, which budget DAC do you think is best?

b) Marantz NA7004. Bit pricey, could be worth it though, £430

c) Cambridge Audio NP30. £400

d) Denon DNP-720AE. £230

Would these above options actually do what I want, bascially play music files from folders on a networked Windows computer?

Which out of these do you prefer, are you lucky enough to have tried a number of the above? Am I missing any other decent separates from the list?

Not asking you to do my homework for me here, just want opinions & advice!

Thanks guys!

AJ

 

[Anonymous]

For that budget Squeezebox is probably the fullest featured. Touch or 2nd hand Duet. The touch is supposed to sound better, but you could always buy a Duet then perhaps upgrade to an external DAC if you wanted to?

I use an upgrade Duet controlled by Squeezepad on my phone/iPad.

Your laptop has to be on to run the server software.

 

[John Duncan]

Squeezebox for £139 on the Amazon lightning deal...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/?_encoding=UTF8&node=350613011

 

[Anonymous]

Just my luck. Missed it. I would have got one at that price too!

 

[John Duncan]

Look again tomorrow, that's the second day in a row they've run it.