Article: Music Servers and Preamp Processors / Receivers

[Paul R]

For this, I can in good conscience, recommend the Western Digital WD TV Live or Western Digital WD TV Live Hub units. They work great for VOB files, which is exactly what we have one of the HUB units here for. <br />

<br />

Streaming from them, that's a whole different thing. 50/50 chance it will work or if it does work, it will stream the entire DVD. Playing directly to the AVR however, it works great. Have to muck around with the metadata files a bit, and the automatic sync to a portable USB device is dodgy, to say the least. But if you manually copy the files around, it works great. <br />

<br />

I rip on a macbook to a portable USB drive, then copy the rips to the internal drive on the WD Live HUB. <br />

<br />

-Paul<br />

[blindjim]

<br />

So far, all my rips of DVD as archival info are direct to the on board hard drive… IF I feel it is a ‘Keeper’ (7/10 or above rating) I’ll copy it to another drive, likely a NAS so any machine can access the file. Unless it’s a BR disc. I’ve not yet found a suitable method for copying BR formats…. Nor will I likely bother to.<br />

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All the machines I have but one, use Cyberlink. The laptop uses a combination of either Windows Media, or JR MC 15. Depends primarily on which one likes the copied content. I say it that way as sometimes despite the decryptor the software can be stubborn.<br />

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90% of the time, playing movies I’ve placed onto the NAS work fine… wirelessly, or by Ethernet. Once in a great while I get a error message indicating the dVD is the wrong region …. I don’t use zoned material outside of my region. Ever.<br />

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So that flag is erroneous. Albeit, playback is refused.<br />

<br />

My real ire comes from the DLNA declaration on some appliances that simply do not support TS or VOB files per se… and want one to convert them into avi, Divix, wkv, etc or some other format… and have them on a particular formatted disc… FAT; FAT 32; and just lately, NTFS.<br />

<br />

Archiving DVDs for my purposes is an exemplary method for cataloging and selecting films for playback. Playing these films back on my Panic sonic TCP 50C2 720p Plasma, I’ll use my oldest pc with the aTI Radion 1.3 HDMI card, which oddly enough I can not elicit Blu Ray playback from although I have a very recent Plextor BR drive installed…. That issue seems to revolve around the Cyberlink software which of it’s own accord says some issues exist in the environment preventing BR playback… although each reported instance of non compliance can be refuted properly. So.. all the hardware and so forth meet or exceed the DHCP standards, but the software says “Sorry… No dice!” as it does with errant or untrue flags in other instances.<br />

<br />

Amazing.<br />

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So SD DVD playback off my personal confusers is all I can expect currently. No Blu Ray. I’ve given up on achievinfg BR replay from a confuser… within or out of, it’s environment.<br />

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I’ve given up on DLNA too other than streaming online video and audio from joints like Slacker, VuDu, Netflix, and a couple others.<br />

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All of which, I must often administrate via a desktop or laptop then select from the OSD presented by the display. Otherwise, go set up the queue by pc, and then merely pick from the existing lists as shown by the player on the plasma display. Naturally these measures are the result of my own personal physical challenges and not the limitations of the hardware.<br />

<br />

Lately I’ll merely view what ever content over or off of my comfusers. I won’t bother to fire up the projector and main rig for sure or even the second system… if it’s just me …. It’s too much bother and and a waste of energy.<br />

<br />

Such is life in a world where people reside on the bleeding edge of technology…. It is frought with pittfalls. Blazing new cyber trails one can indeed, wind up with a butt full of arrows. <br />

[Paul R]

Yep - I sympathize brother. I have a whole bunch of DVD's I made of my own work (iMovie + iDVD), as well as other footage I wanted to get quick access to, not so much films or other commercial DVDs. <br />

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The little WD unit, even though it has its own storage, attaches just fine to DASD published on the network, and has auto-sync capabilities on it. I also acts as a DLNA Library and Renderer, though getting those capabilities to work together is interesting. <br />

<br />

For $100, you might want to check it out and see how close it comes to meeting your needs. Fighting with PC's and Windows and the software that runs on them is sometimes just a loosing battle. In this world, playing back VOB files that is, Macs don't seem to be any better either.

[sidssp]

Quite frankly, I don't understand why the Marantz is being reviewed here. It is like a website dedicated to roadsters reviewing a SUV and complains it doesn't corner well.<br />

[Audio_ELF]

I believe for DNLA certification, a device only has to support MPEG2 for video with MPEG2, MPEG4 and WMV9 (DNLA is Microsoft led) as optional formats. Any other file formats and container types are a bonus. <br />

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Details here -- http://www.dlna.org/industry/why_dlna/key_components/media_format/<br />

<br />

Eloise

[The Computer Audiophile]

<i>"Quite frankly, I don't understand why the Marantz is being reviewed here. It is like a website dedicated to roadsters reviewing a SUV and complains it doesn't corner well."</i><br />

<br />

<br />

Hi sidssp - Maybe you missed the part of this article where I said, <i>"<b>First and foremost this is not a review of the AV7005</b>. There are many other A/V sites that can give this product the full attention it deserves much better than Computer Audiophile. Plus I'm much more passionate about audio and interfacing music servers with high end audio systems. Writing a review about a topic or component that one is not passionate about is a recipe for disaster and is usually spotted by readers after the first few sentences. Thus I will share my experience and opinions about using the Marantz AV7005 in my system as a DAC and preamp processor connected to my McIntosh MC275 tube amplifier, Verity Audio loudspeakers, and a few different music servers."</i><br />

<br />

[Tog]

If Chris prefers a Dac with a Pre into a power amp the Naim Uniti might be worth a review. It sounds wonderful, can be used with power amp (Nap 200), works as an ipod digital dock and in my case a sublime flacrenderer using my Vortexbox server as source. For the more cash rich adding an NDX to the mix would up the stakes considerably.<br />

<br />

How about it Chris - Naim Uniti review to compare to the Linn DS-I review of a few months back?<br />

<br />

yours, fitfully, Tog

[Part-Time Audiophile]

<em>"Quite frankly, I don't understand why the Marantz is being reviewed here. It is like a website dedicated to roadsters reviewing a SUV and complains it doesn't corner well."</em><br />

<br />

Hogwash and balderdash, says I. I for one am appreciative of this unreview as it just saved me a bit of heartach. I almost bought one of these preamps! I mean, I still might, but I'll now be looking to front it with an external DAC if I do.<br />

<br />

Chris, did you mention how the unit sounds --> as a preamp alone? That is, how's it sound when fronted by a DAC you're familiar with instead of using that other external DAC into a different preamp you're also familiar with?<br />

<br />

Also, any luck with the Pandora feature set? I am especially curious about that as well ....

[soundsolutions11]

It is just as valid to do a "review" or write up about this unit as it is any other DAC especially the lower end DAC's that are good SQ for the price. I for one happen to use a much higher end Pre Pro for a DAC and have been very pleased with the sound.

[blindjim]

...and come housed in really big boxes surrounded by tuners, switches, interfaces, etc. and get called processors.... but 90% of what they do goes thru the on board DACs.<br />

<br />

The funny part of this is right off the bat, Chris said this should not be considered a review fo the Marantz proc... in his first paragraph. <br />

<br />

how one can not preview this article without drawing some ideas from it as a review of sorts however does strike me as being funny given the statement opposing that notion early on.<br />

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Maybe it's just a spec sheet check for errors, and on the spot config setups. <br />

<br />

Whatever the case it actually is... it has revealed some important items. <br />

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OK to Good was the subjective quantiziation of the sound quality, as stand alone, or fed by outside sources.<br />

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So buy one or don't. Wait and see for more Networking and streaming solutions, or scoot on n and dig this bill of fare.<br />

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All in all... for $1500 cold hard U.S. duckets.... wadda ya want?<br />

<br />

I've spent half that much on my proc and don't use it for any extraordinary decoding of streaming audio or video... and am well pleased.<br />

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Facts are so far from my perspective, none of these DLNA passports are ready for every file... every bit rate ... or prime time.<br />

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So let the personal confusers do what they do best, and maybe someday the home theater processor will indeed be a home theater processor which can process all aspects of home entertainment.<br />

<br />

Even Computer Audionuts, own stuff besides their confusers... and if I see a couple things that are not connected I like to connect them, when feasable....just to see what's up.<br />

[Bones13]

I personally gave up on using a currently produced AV processor or DVD drive as a decent 2 channel audio server.<br />

<br />

I think the ability of one of these devices to better a computer driven DAC as a server is just too far away currently. Certainly there are the Auraliti, Bryston, and many other good music servers with all or part of an inboard computer running them, and I hope to use of these to detach my computer from the system at some point.<br />

<br />

I might end of with one of these AV processors though for other type of system you mentioned : the concurrent 2 channel and multi channel setup. I hope to use the "bypass" function of my pre to use my main speakers for part of a multi channel system to play movies in my man cave, and perhaps some multi channel music as is available.<br />

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After reading this set of comments I did learn that the Oppo 95 I am using occasionally for SACD and CD might function as a DLNA server also. Might be worth experimenting with. I doubt it will beat the Mac - USB - W4S Dac2 though. An experiment ultimately.<br />

<br />

Its good to see discussion of this topic progress. Thanks again.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Tog - Good timing. I've been talking to Naim for about a week :~)

[EuroChamp]

Accustic Arts added a "SURROUND BYPASS" input on their integrated POWER-1 Mk2.<br />

This means, you can use the stereo-highend-system as front amp & speakers and complement it by a much cheaper surround system. Volume control of the POWER-1 is disabled then, you use the volume control of your surround receiver. You not even need much power for the front speakers, cause you use the pre-out of the receiver to connect to the surround bypass.<br />

<br />

It's a shame, I only own the Mk1 :-(<br />

<br />

And the separate AA PREAMP-1 offers the same input - for surround lovers! B-)<br />

<br />

Maybe other brands share an identical feature!?

[fajita]

Nice review, one that highlighted many of my frustrations in dealing with integration of dedicated two-channel hi fi and surround applications. Two separate systems, or one with sacrifices??<br />

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I think it is possible to have both in the same system without giving up anything. While one could spend exorbitant sums on a well designed pre-pro that would perform well in two channel applications, the problem is that the surround industry moves fast and you might be compelled to upgrade more frequently than is monetarily practical. Affordable receivers or pre-pros, while fine for surround, are unfortunately inferior in two-channel audio reproduction in my opinion. I became interested in finding a way around this, which I think I have successfully accomplished.<br />

<br />

Many products, including my PS Audio pre-amp, have "HT bypass" inputs, effectively inputs that are locked in unity gain allowing use of an external volume control. One needs only to only find a reasonable surround receiver with pre-amp outputs and run the main left and right outs into these inputs. The receiver drives the center and surround channels. I have been using a Denon receiver for sometime in this way and have been more than pleased with the surround quality, while not losing anything as far as the two channel experience goes.<br />

<br />

I couldn't agree more with other comments on the additional frustrations of using DLNA devices. The Denon receiver noted above has this functionality, one that I tried using for years to serve music files from a home server. Not reliable, and the sound quality was terrible. Based on this site, I just put together a media PC with J River Mediacenter which solves this problem. The sound quality through a Rega Dac is the best I've heard in my listening room, a quantum leap over an old Cary CD-308 disc spinner. Not only do I get a substantial improvement in sound quality, but the functionality of the media PC is superior, and I have the option to run multichannel audio to my receiver via HDMI.<br />

<br />

Anyway, nice review and great website.

[jky999]

Chris, Thanks for the review. I just bought an AV7005 in an attempt to merge a 2-channel and ht set-up to maximize the sound quality per unit of audio boxes. At one point I had high hopes for getting rid of my W4S DAC2 and going straight into the digital input of the AV7005. Now it looks like I'll be using the ht-bypass of the DAC2 for any serious listening. <br />

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[Part-Time Audiophile]

Chris -- any thoughts on the use of Pandora on this preamp?

[gmgraves]

You ought to try to get hold of the new Harman-Kardon HK-990 Stereo Integrated amp. What a piece! 150 BIG Watts/channel (separate power supplies - including transformers - for each channel able to supply ± 200 Amperes), built-in dual differential DACS that will do 24/192 and up-convert lower rez to 24/96. It has built-in ADC for recording analog sources to digital. Built-in phono preamps for both MM and MC, and a room equalization DSP setup complete with calibration microphone and all for $2500. Sounds great, works well, has more I/O than you can shake a stick at. Any input (except phono) can be either digital or analog or both giving incredible flexibility. I was so impressed, I bought one. Replaced my much-loved VTL 140 tube monoblocks, my AR SP-9 Mk II, my Sonic Frontiers DAC3/D2D up-converter with one and haven't looked back.

[mohit25]

I have an Arcam AVR 600 that I've compared with medium priced separates and it truly holds its own in terms of musicality and bass. It is however more expensive than the Marantz so maybe that isnt a fair comparison.

[Djsherif]

Great Write up but out of curiosity why not review the NA-7004 network player?

[lhissink]

Hi Chris,<br />

<br />

Just discovered your site after getting back into the high end audio.<br />

<br />

I got out of the high end over 10 years back for economic reasons as well as the frustration over CD reproduction. I became an audiophile during the early 1970's and went through the Linn LP12/Gales/Accuphase experience, Accuphase C280/M100's Gales and Michel Gyrodek, settingling on Electrocompaniets and Proac speakers using the gyrodeck/SME V combo with Ortofon moving coils. I also sold Hi Fi during the early 1980's and was there when CD's arrived. Been there, done that, as they say.<br />

<br />

I got back into the high end over the last 1/2 year after I realised that music was being delivered as computer files. Only when I discovered Naim and Linn (and RR) were selling high res files, 24/176.8 did I start becoming serious. Being computer literate also helps, (I was working with mainframes during the 1970's), and I quickly realised that a decent digital soundcard and dedicated computer would be the preferred solution.<br />

<br />

I mentioned this to a friend in the Perth, Western Australia Hi Fi wholesaling business (he's the Accuphase importer) and he told me to read the latest Stereophile. I did and it got me up to speed.<br />

<br />

I run a Windows 7 computer (Sony Vaio all in one unit) outputting usb and optical. I had already bought a Musical fidelity M1DAC to feed the Lehmann Black Cube Linear and Sennheiser HD800's, and was resigned to the fact I had to buy another computer that could take a standard sound card. As if I needed another computer, using the HP Z400 workstation for my professional work, and Toughbooks for fieldwork (I am a field exploration geologist). Stereophile Mag opened my eyes and I spotted the Bryston BDP-1 digital player.<br />

<br />

My existing set up is the Sony Vaio, Denon DCD2000 AE SACD player, Tivoli Networking digital radio with second speaker/subwoofer, (I live in a trailer or caravan as we call them here), powered by a 500W inverter using the RV battery supply.<br />

<br />

Once I realised the Bryston BDP-1 was basically a sound card and computer system, without all the unnecessary inputs other solutions offer, I bought one. I also bought the MF V-Link to play the large number of sound files I had collected over time on the computer.<br />

<br />

Your website was instrumental in getting me back into the High End, and as I mentioned to my friend, we are back into the old high end audiophile times, when then it was choice of phonograph cartridge etc that was important in accuracy of reproduction.<br />

<br />

Now it's about DAC's pre DAC's (V-Link).<br />

<br />

I do enjoy reading your reviews and also the informative comments put by your readers.

[mgaluzzi]

Chris<br />

I have a Marantz AV7005 and AV7055 power that I bought a few months ago. I have an Oppo BDP-83 SE player too and now I intended to go towards a computer audio, besides the Airplay and the Toslink Macbook conection that I currently use.<br />

In yours review you told that liked AV7005 and USB/SPDIF Wavelenght combination, but don't compare to a Bel Canto 1.5 in terms of quality and audio details. My question is: Use a Bel Canto 1.5 connected to AV7005 via SPDIF give me something more than the way you have tested?<br />

Regards

[Bear]

The NAD receivers with their true analog bypass (all circuits that are not needed are shut down)should not be forgotten. I use my 775 HD as a preamp for music. The DAC's in the NAD are no slouches in line with NAD's "sound first" motto so the receiver could very well be used as the DAC as well - at least to start with. I have a Bel Canto 1.5 going through the receiver (used strictly as pre-amp) and then on to an external amp. Now the NAD also has excellent amps. so the flexibility is pretty endless.

[earwaxxer]

My attention was also perked with the Ethernet protocol. I havent read anything Ethernet related, its all USB this and that. <br />

<br />

I have been happy with one of the few, dare I say only "real" option out there for audio over Ethernet - being the Squeezbox variety. I love it. Its tweaky at times, needing to "log on" and all. There are work arounds for the quirks. I love the "cable independent" "bit perfect" nature of Ethernet. Hand shaking and all that good stuff. It makes me appreciate how hard it is to get the hardware and software thing right with Ethernet. Go Squeezebox!

[jcpom]

After many years of compromised music listening on my 7.1 Ch HT system, I added a pair of Paradigm Sudio 60s closer to my sweet spot than the HT speakers which were 16 ft away flanking my 8' x 4.5' movie screen. The 60s are 12' away with plenty of rear and side space, nearly opitmal triange, and are driven by a separate 225-watt amp instead of AVR. Wife not so pleased but I'm a very happy camper, especially listening to HiRez stereo audio!!!

[turbogti]

Hi Chris,<br />

<br />

Sorry for picking up this old post. <br />

<br />

Can you list out the companies that uses ravenna chips/technology in their DACs? <br />

<br />

I'm very interested in the Ethernet connection for DACs, but seems limited choices are available in the market. <br />

<br />

Thanks!<br />

-Ray<br />

<br />