Stupid Question Time

Unworthy

Unworthy

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Joined
May 13, 2014
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Tempe, AZ
OK, I hate even to have to ask this, but what are the requirements, specific purpose and advantages of a "Network Player?" So many devices now are multi-purpose bundles of functions that it is hard to decipher what is doing what. Also, I know that some network players are Roon-ready, but what is it that makes a device a "Roon Endpoint?"

My current setup is a Sony laptop (with CD rips onboard) through an Uptone Regen into my Oppo 103D. I can also rout directly to my Parasound Halo Integrated, but I like displaying the track data on my big screen. I'm thinking that my next upgrade could be an integrated streamer/DAC with MQA (for Tidal or...) and transferring the CD rips to an NAS, using an iPad/iPhone as controller. How would you approach small step-by-step improvements to this delivery method?

TIA,
DT
 
I have Tidal on the Oppo, but Oppo is being coy about ever having MQA on their devices
 
The Oppo Sonica DAC might be a great addition, but I have decided that MQA is a deal breaker for me. I've been a Pandora One subscriber for a long time and have JRiver MC on the laptop. Just looking to the future and Tidal/Roon sounds like where I want to be.
 
Unworthy.......You may want to consider the Mytek Brooklyn DAC. Full MQA DAC plus headphone amp and several other unique features at a reasonable price point.

https://mytekdigital.com/hifi/products/brooklyn/


Brooklyn-Dac-for-web.png
 
That is definitely on my shortlist, just don't think that's my total solution. Part of the reason for my original questions was to better understand the different ways to skin the same streaming-solution cat.
 
Unworthy said:
I have Tidal on the Oppo, but Oppo is being coy about ever having MQA on their devices
Click to expand...
Well you didn't say if you had an OPPO equipped player with Tidal, so I provided the link. cool.

I'm not sure if coy is OPPO's position. I think its more along the lines of having their universal players competing against their Sonica DAC. And like a lot of companies waiting to see where MQA goes.

Some suggestions, Aurender A10 and Lumin is doing some work with MQA.
[h=2][/h]
 
If Oppo supports MQA with the Sonica, I think that's my solution. Simple, Integrated and not too expensive. The Aurender A10 does everything I want, just don't think I need to shell out $5K for my taste which is a lot simpler than most of you guys. Thanks for the input!
 
No one really answered the OP's question. I am interested in this answer as well. I use a dedicated laptop with an I7 6700HQ CPU with 16gb ram and an external Western Digital Red 4TB HD using Bug Head and rarely HySolid and JRiver music players. All connected to my Luxman DAC. I am contemplating Roon. I control everything with another laptop using Splashtop remote which works great. However, I may upgrade to a T & A dac and use HQP at 512 DSD.
 
Thanks for chiming in. I was hoping that someone would address the original questions because I would just like to know.

Its great that someone with your level of gear still has some of these basic questions that I do. I know the knowledge is here somewhere.

although I understood only about 1/3 of of your post. I'm trying to learn.
 
Oppo's going to have to have a better reason to shell out the money and time to become "MQA certified" than what has been shown by Tidal in the last six months. Most of the titles don't even appeal to their core audience. Your kind of watching a holding pattern. MQA wants more partners before they release new titles and the DAC companies want more material before they submit. It's who can hold out the longest so with the rapid change in streaming and DAC technology I wouldn't get hung up on buying for MQA alone. You might find yourself waiting for a while unless Bluesound makes a product that fits your needs. I tested one from AA and sent it back. Didn't like the sound or the software. The Sonica is a relatively new product and what OPPO does with it will be market driven.
 
Unworthy said:
Thanks for chiming in. I was hoping that someone would address the original questions because I would just like to know.

Its great that someone with your level of gear still has some of these basic questions that I do. I know the knowledge is here somewhere.

although I understood only about 1/3 of of your post.
Click to expand...


Basically, I use a software music player (Bug Head and HySolid are free programs, JRiver and HQ Player you have to buy. Bug Head, JR and HQP can upsample music) on my computer and I store my music on a high quality 4 TB external hard drive. This computer is connected to my DAC via usb. I control this computer remotely via wifi or local network with a separate laptop using a free remote program called Splashtop. It works great. This allows me to keep my music laptop next to my stereo gear and I can sit on my sofa and control the system with a separate laptop or tablet.

https://www.splashtop.com/personal
 
HYSOLID is a free program that allows you to control your music files via you smart phone. It works well and sounds pretty good.

http://www.hysolid.com/

HQ player and Bug Head are not that user friendly but they sound great. Roon works with HQP.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack your post.

Larry
 
Jack
i agree that some things may not get done right even when given a second chance. I see MQA as in opportunity to correct three decades of sins in the recording industry of bad digital mixes, overcompression and bad A/D conversions. I'm hopeful that MQA gets traction for people who care about sound quality. Screw the people with phones and cheap ear buds, they don't care, but it doesn't matter.
 
Universal and Warner are on board, Sony has NEVER supported anything they can't make a boatload of money on. It will take time to reprocess 20 million tracks. Keep pushing because it has traction and has to be better than what we've seen in digital music production.
 
Mechnutt said:
HYSOLID is a free program that allows you to control your music files via you smart phone. It works well and sounds pretty good.

http://www.hysolid.com/

HQ player and Bug Head are not that user friendly but they sound great. Roon works with HQP.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack your post.

Larry
Click to expand...
Larry,
No worries, you're adding to the conversation. I would love to understand what you do about digital playback, just don't understand, in this age, why it needs to be so difficult.
 
Hello, Unworthy (DT).

If I may, I'd like to ask why you want to upgrade to MQA.

Several manufacturers have decided against adding it to their lines. The Schiit guys announced a long explanation for why they refuse to offer MQA compatible DACs. Have you read it?

Regards,

Michael
 
Michael
Ive read everything about MQA that I can get my eyes on. I'm convinced that this is the wave of the future. It will take time to get it mainstream, but it will get there unless something better comes along for streaming and that IS the future. I'm looking for simpler AND better.
 
Whether or not MQA can fix anything is and has been a subject of debate for years but like with vinyl reissues it will always be crap in crap out in many cases even if the MQA people could get there hands on original tape stock. But until either the DAC companies, MQA or the streaming providers blink first this process will still take years at best. So with the constant upgrades in technology always available many times at lower costs, don't get bogged down with buying for MQA now. If you think the Sonica would fit your needs sans MQA try it. 30 day no question return if you order from OPPO. If it works for you keep it and see if OPPO thinks there is enough progress to deal with MQA and if not get another DAC. Computers all over my listening room is not something that interests me in the least. The Sonica is a good sounding DAC and streamer whose software and firmware will mature as time goes on just like with the other companies.
 
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