Reccommendations / ideas for digital audio source

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silvershadelynx81

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Hi everyone,

I own a set of DIY electrostatic loudspeakers which I really enjoy listening to. I have an old Quad 606MKII power amp and a MiniDSP for < 200 Hz dipole line array woofer. I can switch between full range (esl only) mode and hybrid mode. Most of the times I prefer hybrid mode.

As music soure I use both vinyl and cd (physical media), as Iike the physical aspect of it, even though it takes a lot of space. Long ago I had a simple, donated, small Denon cd player which broke down. I replaced it with a second hand Marantz CD 5001 player which still functions well. But it has a built-in tray timeout: after about 20 secs it closes the tray automatically, and I find this a frustrating unwanted feature.

As my main setup is a Quad, I bought a Quad 66 cd player, which served me for about 7 years, but it was very old and had display problems as wel as other problems so I sold it.

That's why I recently bought a secondhand Marantz SA7001KI Super Audio CD player as I wanted to be able to try SACD as well. Unfortunately after two weeks the device started to behave stange: "no disc" messages while there is a newly bought cd in it, and one time it didn't react to any button, both on the player and remote. The seller doesn't take any responibility. It still takes cd's, but it refuses some, especially with gold colour.

Although I still prefer the instant use from physical media, and the absence of complex propietary software and updates, (I don't have a smarphone or tablet and I dislike touch screens), I'm a bit done when it comes to the reliability of second hand (SA) CD players.

The reason for buying second hand is that (hopefully) it is more environmentally friendly. At the same time my experiences haven't been always positive.

I'm wondering if there is a good alternative: I don't like the idea of online streaming. I'm interested in offline steaming. But I don't like complex, multiple devices, networked options.

Is there something like a streamer with built in storage and a user friendly contol on the device itself? Another option would be to rip all my cd's to a lossless format and store them on my laptop and stream them, if possible? In the latter case, I would prefer an open source app which is Linux compatible.

Any ideas or suggestions?
 
A lot of folks have moved away from a dedicated CD player ripping and storing their media on hard drives in a computer or separate network attached storage (NAS).

If you are not interested in streaming then you would like the JRiver software suite for ripping, storing, and playing your CD’s. Another option is the ROON software suite which I think has a better user interface and also works with several audiophile streaming services.

In addition to a computer you will need a digital to analog converter (DAC). DAC’s range in price form $100 to $100,000 and have diehard fanatics of brands and models at every price point.

If you don’t want to go the computer and software route which is a rathole in and of itself, there are a number of devices that have built in CD drives, hard drive storage, and software to provide a total solution in a box.

Here are a few you can research. Most have a built in DAC. I don’t have any personal experience with any of these:
Innous Zen mini
Cocktail X45
Aurender ACS10/100
Naim Unity Core/Atom

I’m sure there are others out there, and hopefully someone more knowledgeable about these will chime in with some personal recommendations.

Happy hunting.
 
For a Player look at the Teac /VRDSUD701. It's two separate pieces but the Teac DAC's are crazy good for the money. There's a lot of options but this point is a good value. The UD has streaming if you desire to use it.

The Aurender ACS units are great. I didn't want to mess with a computer the ACS10 will rip the CD to the built-in HD go out and find the meta data. You'll still need a DAC with USB input. The sound quality is much better than similar units I tried, IMO. You control the unit from an app from your phone or tablet. This unit also has streaming options.

I've seen a couple stand alone players recently released but I can't remember who off the top. Brands like Arcam and Naim still offer one to my knowledge.

You might also have someone take a look at your Marantz they are typically reliable and sound good.
 
The no disc message on the Marantz is likely a broken laser and that can easily be replaced by a new one. In my country there are still a few who are willing to help with those small issues for about 200-300 euro.
 
Hi, thanks for the suggestions!

I will try to find a repair service as this seems to be a good option.

Last weekend I visited a friend who own an NAD streamer / class-D amp, but I just seem to enjoy streaming less than physical cd playing. I just don't like the smarthpone / toch-screen interface.

I'm still interested in a streamer (possibly with ripper), but for instance I've read stories about Aurender where people got problems with broken displays multiple times. So it feels a bit tricky to invest in such a device. For instance, I also read lot of stories about NAIM and display problems. I do like the simple green light interface of Naim, but not sure how durable these devices are, especially when buying second hand? (I try to buy second hand as much as possible because of environmental concerns...)
 
silvershadelynx81 said:
Hi, thanks for the suggestions!

I will try to find a repair service as this seems to be a good option.

Last weekend I visited a friend who own an NAD streamer / class-D amp, but I just seem to enjoy streaming less than physical cd playing. I just don't like the smarthpone / toch-screen interface.

I'm still interested in a streamer (possibly with ripper), but for instance I've read stories about Aurender where people got problems with broken displays multiple times. So it feels a bit tricky to invest in such a device. For instance, I also read lot of stories about NAIM and display problems. I do like the simple green light interface of Naim, but not sure how durable these devices are, especially when buying second hand? (I try to buy second hand as much as possible because of environmental concerns...)
Click to expand...

I had not heard about the issue with Aurender displays. Not even on the Facebook page. Interestingly they have an option to allow the display to be turned off so I'm not sure how important it is. In my case all the info I need is on the app.

If you don't like using a phone or tablet streaming may not be for you. The Bluesound app that NAD used is said to be one of the better apps. Any app, user interface, will take some getting used to, learning curve. I personally like having my CD's and streaming at my fingertips. You might have a look at the Aurender website I believe there are screen shots of the Conductor app that might provide some feel for what it's like.
 
There are a ton of options for streaming devices. I personally prefer to purchase my digital files and download them. (HDTracks is a good source, but there are others. Native DSD is a fine source for DSD purchases and downloads.) I use a computer that I have customized for nothing but serving music to my system. The only programs I have installed are for my music playback (Roon and HQPlayer). This does require a separate DAC however. Good control software can many times utilize streaming services that you subscribe to (such as Roon).

I do own JRiver but I have not used it as my playback software in years. I assume it can also control streaming services. I use it for nothing except ripping an occasional CD at this point. If you want SACD then this is a completely different situation. Sony and Phillips have specifically made it so that these cannot be ripped. There have been many machines that could rip these, with the correct downloaded software, however the finest one, in my opinion, is now out of business. This was the Oppo. Their latest models could not... however the BDP105 could, if it had original firmware (not firmware updated). There are others such as Sony PS3s that also could, if they never had firmware updates. Of course, you need to have DSD capability in your DAC to play these files. It is not an issue from the playback software.

However, there are good options that are all contained in a single unit. I have not explored these recently, so I do not have any recommendations. As far as a CD player goes the Teac has been getting some pretty high marks as of late. They own the Esoteric brand and appear to get some pretty good trickle down to the Teac brand.
 
I have purchased from HDTracks (really great for classic rock offerings), NativeDSD (heavy on classical music), Qobuz, and others. Most are simple, easy purchases and downloads.

I have run across an issue that makes me more careful: music file resampling. If possible, check to see how the file was initially recorded. A lot of earlier music was recorded onto analog tape. This media can yield great results if the analog is in good shape, and the analog to digital process is done well (if done in hi rez or dsd). A lot of music was recorded into Redbook (16/44) for use on CDs. Still good, but this music upsampled is not necessarily better. Some music was done in 16/48 for DVD movie use. Other music was recorded to SACD, and can be true high rez, as can DVD-a.

I was very surprised when I almost bought something from NativeDSD, a promoted multi disc (and vinyl) and noticed it was recorded initially in 16/96 (small print at the bottom). Of course you can find all sorts of similar stories, high compression, remastering, etc.

I know some DACs might have different SQ for different file formats. Mine does best with the original file format, so I try not to pay (extra) for higher rez file resampling. As well the higher Rez files take more time to download, and require more storage space.
 
Native DSD has some really good Jazz albums, and a few rock. Some unknown rock albums that I tried are pretty amazing I might add. I recently bought a DSD512 America live album that is very good. On the Jazz side they offer several Patricia Barber, Jacintha, Venessa Fernandez, Emilie-Claire Barlow and more. Many up to DSD512. In my experience most anything they offer is quite good. And yes, they have a lot of Classical :). They are not as easy downloads as HDTracks, but not difficult either.
 
silvershadelynx81 said:
Hi everyone,

I own a set of DIY electrostatic loudspeakers which I really enjoy listening to. I have an old Quad 606MKII power amp and a MiniDSP for < 200 Hz dipole line array woofer. I can switch between full range (esl only) mode and hybrid mode. Most of the times I prefer hybrid mode.

As music soure I use both vinyl and cd (physical media), as Iike the physical aspect of it, even though it takes a lot of space. Long ago I had a simple, donated, small Denon cd player which broke down. I replaced it with a second hand Marantz CD 5001 player which still functions well. But it has a built-in tray timeout: after about 20 secs it closes the tray automatically, and I find this a frustrating unwanted feature.

As my main setup is a Quad, I bought a Quad 66 cd player, which served me for about 7 years, but it was very old and had display problems as wel as other problems so I sold it.

That's why I recently bought a secondhand Marantz SA7001KI Super Audio CD player as I wanted to be able to try SACD as well. Unfortunately after two weeks the device started to behave stange: "no disc" messages while there is a newly bought cd in it, and one time it didn't react to any button, both on the player and remote. The seller doesn't take any responibility. It still takes cd's, but it refuses some, especially with gold colour.

Although I still prefer the instant use from physical media, and the absence of complex propietary software and updates, (I don't have a smarphone or tablet and I dislike touch screens), I'm a bit done when it comes to the reliability of second hand (SA) CD players.

The reason for buying second hand is that (hopefully) it is more environmentally friendly. At the same time my experiences haven't been always positive.

I'm wondering if there is a good alternative: I don't like the idea of online streaming. I'm interested in offline steaming. But I don't like complex, multiple devices, networked options.

Is there something like a streamer with built in storage and a user friendly contol on the device itself? Another option would be to rip all my cd's to a lossless format and store them on my laptop and stream them, if possible? In the latter case, I would prefer an open source app which is Linux compatible.

Any ideas or suggestions?
Click to expand...
Let me see if I understand:
- You are done buying secondhand CD players that seem to break down after a few weeks (I do not blame you!)
- You do not like online streaming, but willing to try streaming off a music library that you control.
- You "prefer the instant use of physical media"

You are wondering if there is something out there "like a streamer with built in storage and a user friendly contol on the device itself?"

One option that comes to mind is the SONY HAP-Z1ES Hi-Res 1TB HDD Audio Player w/ Remote.

This device comes with built-in storage where you can upload your music library. It can be controlled with a remote and has a nice user interface. You do not need a phone or tablet to use it either. You can find used ones for less than US$1k. You can also connect an external hard drive to it to play your music. The Sony is Linux device and can play high resolution music files.

You said that you do not like online streaming. However, if you ever want to try, you can use Spotify-Connect with this device (you will need a smartphone or tablet for that).

Unless someone has "gifted" you a whole bunch of digital files, which is ilegal :0, you will have to rip your CD collection and upload the files to the Sony HDD. Once your music is stored in the HDD, you do not need to use your laptop.

Lastly, once you start streaming you will come to appreciate what "instant" truly is like; Note: physical media is definitely not instant :)
 
Thanks again for the helpful responses! A few new questions that came to me:

* a dedicated small pc system sounds interesting: more control, but more difficult to get the look and feel like a dedicated devide like the aurenders and sony

* Aurender: does these devices only support iOS / Android phone / tablet systems? For instance, if I want to browse my music collection from a Linux laptop, is that possible? Are there webbased applications, or Linux native applications?

* Sony: I will look into this, as the mentioned device seems more affordable than the Aurender devices. How about sound and build quality; any ideas how these factors compare between those brands?

(I'm aware that by preferring Linux as a remote (or physical controls) and off-line streaming, the scope of products gets smaller...)

Thanks again for your help!
 
silvershadelynx81 said:
Thanks again for the helpful responses! A few new questions that came to me:

* a dedicated small pc system sounds interesting: more control, but more difficult to get the look and feel like a dedicated devide like the aurenders and sony

* Aurender: does these devices only support iOS / Android phone / tablet systems? For instance, if I want to browse my music collection from a Linux laptop, is that possible? Are there webbased applications, or Linux native applications?

* Sony: I will look into this, as the mentioned device seems more affordable than the Aurender devices. How about sound and build quality; any ideas how these factors compare between those brands?

(I'm aware that by preferring Linux as a remote (or physical controls) and off-line streaming, the scope of products gets smaller...)

Thanks again for your help!
Click to expand...

Aurender is Linux based. They have become Roon ready you can use from a computer I believe. It seems to me a tablet would be easier than a computer but it may depend on what you are used to. I personally feel the Aurender would outperform the Sony in every way. If you want to use a computer just use that alone with your files ripped to its HD. A bit redundant to have both a computer and streamer, IMO. I should also mention that some who have compared the sound of Roon to Conductor feel Conductor sounds better but Roon has more user options.

I'm not a Roon user but that's another option they have their own servers, I forgot what they call them. You'd still need something like a computer or possibly an external HD for your own music files. I'm sure someone will chime in and help me out with explaining Roon.

If it's typing you can always get a bluetooth keyboard for your tablet. or even phone.
 
Roon servers are called Nucleus. They are a few generations in now. I also believe that they use Linux based operating system. Many servers do because it is open source (free for them to use). I personally use a Windows based server which works superbly for me. I am not personally a big fan of Linux specifically because of its open-source nature.

I have been a Roon user since its introduction. I used JRiver prior to that. Roon interface, controls, and meta data are second to none. It also has the capability of handing off to HQPlayer as the playback engine software, for those of us who want a higher performance. In my view, the best of both worlds. Incredible interface of Roon and best playback engine around in HQPlayer.
 
silvershadelynx81 said:
….

* Sony: I will look into this, as the mentioned device seems more affordable than the Aurender devices. How about sound and build quality; any ideas how these factors compare between those brands?
Click to expand...
Sound Quality: This Sony device can process high definition files. If I recall correctly, it is also capable of converting any music file to DSD. That said, the sound will be primarily determined by your speakers and your room not by these types of electronic devices.

Build Quality: all metal chasis, nice looking unit. I owned one for a while and never had any issues with it.

The Sony is a plug and play device. You can stream from music services (Spotify and others); you can listen to internet radio stations from anywhere in the world; and you can listen to your own music files stored in the internal hard drive or stored in USB external drive plugged into the unit. Heck, you may actually find a used one with a hard drive full of music tracks!
 
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I thought Roon has a Linux version? Not 100% sure because I would never use Linux but I thought they have it covered. The Windows version is suburb.
 
I know you can run Roon on Linux, but thought that was just the “server” portion. I use Roon ROCK, on a fanless NUC PC. ROCK is a specific Linux OS that has been stripped down, and specifically setup for its function. It is designed to run without hookup to a monitor or keyboard.

There is a note, on the download section of the Roon website, mentioning that the Linux installation requires a controlling version of Roon (running on on a Mac/PC/iOS device) I would think that implies that It can’t be all Linux stand alone at this time. Hence no display.
 
The real beauty of the Roon NUCs is that they were specially designed to be a Roon core and were stripped of having a video card and an audio card. All the CPU and RAM power are dedicated to performing the Roon core functions that are installed on a stripped down version of Linux.
 
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