How to blow a Bonus!?

Why not add

6) Buy a good turntable

I would prefer this option above all
(apologies if you allready own such)

I have a nice Gyro and serves me well...... I did think about upgrading this first but not sure where to go......! probs better buying an Orbe than throwing 2.5k at the Gyro???

I would go with option 4 (although I'd get a Squeezebox rather than a Hi-Face)

This way, you can dip your toe into streaming whilst still having the (upgraded) CD option. In other words.... you can have your cake AND eat it

Lefty

Option 2, the Hiface is a wonderful piece of kit when hooked up to a mac, just got one installed on my mini mac and must say they are fantastic.

Are you looking to get a NDac?

Yes, if I was to go dac route it would deffo be Naim! What else?

quote:

Originally posted by MontyMusic:
Yes, if I was to go dac route it would deffo be Naim! What else?

You should hear Linn DS and Weiss before you follow the herd.

Weiss ?

Stu,

Your just a naughty boy...arent you

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by MontyMusic:
I have about 3000 CD's...

Easy...

Option 6) sell CDX2 and upgrade to CDS3

Debs

I wish! Don't think the net extra cost equals 2.5k!

s/h XPS £800-1000
s/h CDS headunit not very much more than you should fund from current cd.

quote:

Originally posted by MontyMusic:
Well.... I have £2.5k to spend on an upgrade this year. I'm very interested in getting into streamed music but this isn't a 100% must. I have about 3000 CD's so ripping would take an age but I would obviously prioritise!!

My question is which way to go....

My options are:

1) Sell my old (2 years) CDX-2 and get Unitiserve and DAC

2) Get a DAC and hook up my Macbook Pro with Hi-Face and Pure Music

3) Upgrade CDX2 with XPS2

4) Convert CDX2 and get a DAC and also use option 2)

5) Sell CDX2 and get HDX

Which way would you go?

There are too many options!!!

I have a similar dilemma.

However I'll not sell my CDX2 and I can't bring myself to do #4 - my CDX2 is now bare and part of my late night system complete with Stax Earspeakers. Yes it would make a great CD transport, but ...... it is part of the family.

I'm going for #2 on your list without Pure Music and adding a DAS for storage. I'm waiting for the Hi-Face EVO as I intend to put the MAC/DAS in a different rack and there is a record cabinet between it and the Naim DAC. The Hi-Face EVO can sit next to the Super-Line, which is next to the DAC - thus I only need a short BNC to BNC S/PDIF cable between Evo & DAC.

I'm currently using a Yamaha HD1300-CDR as a CD transport; I'm thinking I might replace it with an April Music Stello CDT 100 dedicated transport - although if the sonics from the Hi-Face'd computer sound OK then that'll be unnecessary.

I have considered the UnitiServe, but it'll need to prove itself and more sonically for me. It is a great idea, but not quite what I'm looking for. I can't be bothered with Ethernet/NASs in the home. The MacBook has a screen, keyboard (so I don't need a remote control) and attached to a DAS using its Firewire 800 more than enough storage. The MacBook can also use my wireless LAN to get track listings from GraceNote. My dislike of the MacBook has always been its optical out, but the Hi-Face seems a great way to obviate this shortcoming.

Interested to know which way you decide to go.

The Naim DAC is quite wonderful - are there better? who cares.

Hi! Do you have a particular DAS in mind or is it a standard NAS but just plugged directly into your mac? This storage thing is confusing. I use a time capsule at the moment.

Option 2, and then sell the CDX2 to help fund an XPS2.

The DAC/XPS2 is a world-class digital hub, and will make the Mac/Hiface (and anything else you connect up) sound fantastic.

Now excuse me, I have to back to the herd.

Hook

option 6)


sell the CDX-2 and buy nDAC + XPS and use with macbook/HiFace

leave CD behind and if you must, buy a cheap meridian transport from ebay as a backup

quote:

Originally posted by MontyMusic:
Hi! Do you have a particular DAS in mind or is it a standard NAS but just plugged directly into your mac? This storage thing is confusing. I use a time capsule at the moment.

Promise SmartStor DS4600 2.7GB hardware RAID 5 disks (about 4000 CDs uncompressed) with hot-Swappable bays for replacement of failed drives It has an ultra quiet design; the enclosure houses a a fan-less integrated power supply and a fan control mechanism designed to reduce noise. It requires no configuration you just plug it in, connect the Firewire 800 to the MacBook Pro and switch-on.

You should be able to arrange to try one out at an Apple Store as Apple now uses them instead of its own XSAN.

I haven't ever used a Time Capsule so can't comment on its suitability for storing your music - I know it works great as a back-up device.

s/h 252

Monty,

Sorry, but I am with Debs on this one. Check out the second hand prices for CDS3's. Obviously it sounds even better with a 555PS, but you might need to wait for next year's bonus.

Regards

Nic

quote:

Originally posted by naim_nymph:

quote:

Originally posted by MontyMusic:
I have about 3000 CD's...

Easy...

Option 6) sell CDX2 and upgrade to CDS3

Debs

£700 seems a bit over the top for media storage. Won't a NAS work just as well as a DAS? My wireless network seems pretty fast.

Perhaps this thread should be moved to the distributed audio diddle!

Looks like the thread has moved in that direction. OK, over we go...

quote:

Won't a NAS work just as well as a DAS?

You could use a NAS - don't know if wireless performance is adequate - I prefer DAS at 800 Mb/s over dedicated firewire (virtual no protocol overhead and nothing else can get on the link). With the Promise DAS you are paying a premium for a really quiet high quality unit.

Hello....

Having given this some serious thought I've decided to go through the route below... I'm prone to changing my mind and would still appreciate any views.

I'll get my NAC82 service and Pots8 upgrade and buy a 2nd hand XPS2 for my CD player.

This will enable me to see how things pan out with the unitiserve etc over the next 12 months. Having the XPS2 will allow me to take the DAC route which many of you say needs one to perform at it's best or go for the better CD player or upgrade my Gyro!

Perhaps Richard could move this thread back to the hifi room? Sorry to be a pain....!

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

quote:

Won't a NAS work just as well as a DAS?

You could use a NAS - don't know if wireless performance is adequate - I prefer DAS at 800 Mb/s over dedicated firewire (virtual no protocol overhead and nothing else can get on the link). With the Promise DAS you are paying a premium for a really quiet high quality unit.

How much bandwidth do you think you need for 2-channel audio playback?
Even a 2-channel 192kHz/24-bit PCM has a datastream of just under 9Mb/s, put on some overhead for headers etc, so a mere 10 Mb/s should be sufficient for 192kHz/24-bit stereo replay.

What would you have your remaining 790 Mb/s do then?

-
aleg

quote:

Originally posted by MontyMusic:
Having the XPS2 will allow me to take the DAC route which many of you say needs one to perform at it's best

No that's not the case. It performs very well indeed without the need for off board power supplies. Like the CDX2, adding them gives more performance commensurate with the additional outlay (within the envelope of the law of diminishing returns) but this not to say that the nDAC is inadequate without them. Each possible combination is a very strong product at its respective price point.

quote:

Originally posted by Aleg:

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

quote:

Won't a NAS work just as well as a DAS?

You could use a NAS - don't know if wireless performance is adequate - I prefer DAS at 800 Mb/s over dedicated firewire (virtual no protocol overhead and nothing else can get on the link). With the Promise DAS you are paying a premium for a really quiet high quality unit.

How much bandwidth do you think you need for 2-channel audio playback?
Even a 2-channel 192kHz/24-bit PCM has a datastream of just under 9Mb/s, put on some overhead for headers etc, so a mere 10 Mb/s should be sufficient for 192kHz/24-bit stereo replay.

What would you have your remaining 790 Mb/s do then?

-
aleg

Nothing just gives some head room - are you implying wireless to a NAS will be fine if so that could be a viable option, but I prefer the DAS route. It is personal preference as much as anything.