Searching for a streamer - advice needed

A squeezebox Touch will do all of that except, arguably, 5).

quote:

Originally posted by likesmusic:
A squeezebox Touch will do all of that except, arguably, 5).

...and except 3). It isn't able to directly acces to HD filesystem. You must run a server application in a PC/MAC to stream data to it, I think (if I go right).

Bbbzzttt. Incorrect.

The Touch can run without a PC/MAC/NAS. You can connect a hard drive to its USB port and use the server software built into the Touch to server itself, and other Squeezeboxes on the network.

You can also share out the drive, this means you can just drop new rips onto the HDD over the network.

HTH

John

quote:

Originally posted by frs74:

quote:

Originally posted by likesmusic:
A squeezebox Touch will do all of that except, arguably, 5).

...and except 3). It isn't able to directly acces to HD filesystem. You must run a server application in a PC/MAC to stream data to it, I think (if I go right).

No, you don't need a pc/mac to stream to it. Unlike the squeezebox duet, I believe the Touch has it's own squeezcenter so can do the streaming itself. It can also stream directly from a drive attached to it's USB port. So, you can run it standalone, or attached to a network, or driven from squeezecenter running on some pc on the network.

You can do a google on Logitech Touch User Manual to check.

fixedwheel, likesmusic: thank you.

And what about point 5) i.e. sound quality? Any alternatives?

As it's a Naim forum, either UnitiQute or UnitiServe would do all that, no? Or too expensive?

quote:

Originally posted by Nero:
Or too expensive?

Too expensive because redundant for my needs, because I rip/download via PC, I'dont use internet radios and I already own a CDX2 to play CDs.
I'd like just to access to music bypassing CD burning step without loosing quality.

SneakyDS?

quote:

Originally posted by Nero:
SneakyDS?

Great! ...at least at first impression, reading on-line manuals. Actually it's not so clear how to control it, but I guess some kind of network remote should do the job.

quote:

Too expensive because redundant for my needs,

the sneaky's internal amp, preamp and DAC arent redundant?

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:

quote:

Too expensive because redundant for my needs,

the sneaky's internal amp, preamp and DAC arent redundant?

Of course they are: I told "great", not "perfect".
Furthermore it's cheaper than UnitiServe (here in Italy).

A Sneaky DS does not satisfy your point 1). It cannot access files from hard disks via USB port. It must be connected to a wired ethernet.

A Sonos ZP90 will do what you want I think- BUT don't know where sound quality is relative to (standalone?) CDX2. Maybe someone who has actually owned or listened to one can comment

RE (5) sound quality... I think you're going to be limited by the DAC in your SuperNait. It's good, but a CDX2 (via analogue) will beat the internal DAC won't it? Don't you need the Naim DAC to get to CDX2 level?

Some of your other requirements are difficult to satisfy too. (1) USB connection is only available on Squeezebox Touch; Bryston's (forthcoming BDP-1); Naim Uniti / UnitiServe or a computer based solution. (4) one box (no remote) is only satisfied by a Naim HDX or Squeezebox Touch - most other devices need a remote to operate. Oh Olive 4HD might fit the requirements but has built in ripping.

Eloise

Have you thought about something like an Acer revo? Ticks all you boxes...I have setup 2 systems with then and they are fantasic little machines, and so so cheap.

Peronally I'd go for a ds plus nas, but I do undertand why you would.

Have you thought about selling you cdx2 and replacing it with a unitiserve?

@ Eloise:

quote:

Originally posted by Eloise:
Don't you need the Naim DAC to get to CDX2 level?

I don't know by myself: if you say so, I guess so. One more piece in the puzzle!

@ Occean:
Regarding Acer Revo: I'm trying to avoid PCs in listening room.
Selling CDX2 is not an option for me, right now: it sounds too good. I'm searching for an hassle-free system to play tracks without burning CDs and without stepping back in sound quality.

Thank you all for your kind (and for me enlightening) suggestions.

If you want a really cheap way of getting into streamed music, the Western Digital Live TV will sit on your network or connect to a USB drive directly and stream music and pictures and tv. Richard Dane, one of the administrators on this site, has one and is using it with his Naim system, so he might be able to tell you more.

quote:

Originally posted by Cal:
A Sonos ZP90 will do what you want I think- BUT don't know where sound quality is relative to (standalone?) CDX2. Maybe someone who has actually owned or listened to one can comment

I've got a Sonos ZP90 going digitally in to my SN and I'm really happy with the results - no cause for complaints. Beats Mac via optical playing the same files and beats a c. £1200 CD player. Can't comment how it compares to a CDX2 unfortunately.

I think the Sonos ticks most other boxes, but no USB input and it does have it's own controller (or app for iPhone/touch/pad) but you won't mind that once you use it - fantastic interface. You didn't list it as a criteria, but it also won't play high-res files (yet - long pending rumours of a firmware upgrade to address this).

quote:

Originally posted by likesmusic:
... the Western Digital Live TV will sit on your network or connect to a USB drive directly...

Could be a choice... I wonder about sound quality, feeding the SN internal DAC or perhaps a NDAC

Richard Dane, one of the site administrators, is using one into an NDAC so you could ask him.

Big advantage is it is cheap, so when Naim release their own streaming solution (September?), you won't have spent all your money - and you will always be able to use it to stream pictures and TV in any case. And if it means you can afford an NDAC ..

I have been very happy feeding the Sonos ZP90 into my SN DAC, but the quality fell just short of my flatcapped CD5XS, but I loved the convenience.

I've just tested the NDAC and it lifted the performance of the ZP90 above the CD player. Whether into CDX2 league I'm not sure because I haven't listened to the CDX2 in a proper comparison.

Suprisingly, I didn't find using the CD5XS as a digitial source any "better" that the Sonos, just a subtle difference on some tracks.

So the NDAC has now replaced the CDP and it's power supply - one less box and improved sound and conveneience.

Also, I forgot to mention I also listened to the Hiline between NDAC and SN. This made a noticable improvement - much more so than any changes in the digital source. I'll revisit the Hiline when I've had time to listen extensively to my modded system (and convinced myself I need to spend £500+ on a bit of wire with a plastic plug on each end!).

Thank you Chester for your kind contribution.
Finally I just resolved to... wait! I'll keep buying / burning CDs, for now.

I realized that, if I'd switch to streamed audio, eventually I'd listen to the same files from magnetical rather than from optical storage...

I will be ready for streamed audio when I'll be able to log in music stores websites, pay and download hi-res files of the music I use to listen. Too poor offer for me, for now.

Only wandering about the time needed by music labels to provide a wide catalog of hi-res recordings...