PS Audio Bridge Beta Testing

[reverendo]

Eloise,

it doesn't show on the site, but there is one.

BTW, just submitted this question to Netgear support. Let's see just how fast and what they'll answer.

best regards

André

 

[silverlight]

So got the Bridge today and after some fiddling got everything up and running. Formatted a USB drive (bus powered) in MS-DOS(FAT) in Mac and dropped a bunch of WAV files onto it. plugged it directly into the Netgear WNDR3700. Basically created a 2nd audio-only network downstream from my Apple Extreme base FWIW. Used a good cat7 cable from the router to the Bridge. After playing with some settings works perfectly. iTouch app found both the DLNA library and the PWD.

 

I have to say up front that playing music with the Bridge and ditching the computer is pretty awesome. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy using the computer too, but it's nice as an alternative when you want to focus on just listening. I'm letting the system play for a while before making conclusions on SQ, but initial impressions very positive. To use a non-audio term, it was quite yummy!... and very engaging. Far, far better than the PWD via USB.

 

I did have the Amarra Model 4 (LIO8) running side by side perfectly sync'd with the same songs and just had to switch inputs on the Woo Audio real-time to go back and forth (using Livelines XLRs with both; Amarra 2.0 software on the MBP running via battery in RAM/playlist mode not using iTunes). So will post back after some more listening.

 

[av_passion]

Thank you for sharing your initial impressions including some of the things one doesn't necessarily think about such as ditching the computer. I am looking forward to hearing your further impressions as you continue to listen.

 

[reverendo]

@ silverlight

thanks for your first impressions... hope hearing more from you soon

best regards

André

 

[silverlight]

I happened to be inside the PWD unit last night as well and found a couple easy tweaks so will make those to the unit as well: (1) going to replace the IEC inlet with a rhodium/gold Furutech unit (there's space to use their version with the EMI filter), and (2) there are two 5x20mm fuse locations inside, which I'll replace with my favorite furutech fuses, (3) the power connections inside (power switch and IEC) are connectors rather than soldered so will add some QuicksilverGold while making the IEC change. Will also experiment with either Alan Maher CBF on the transformer internally and/or Stillpoints inside the inside top (the last tweak which sometimes works and sometimes goes the other way so requires some experimenting). But before doing this will report back on SQ.

 

[ManWithAPlan]

Folks, my first post here, love the site. I have been a Beta tester of the PWD/Bridge combo from the start, you'll see my comments on the Beta blog for those that have been lurking there. But I wanted to just post here as well to say that I see so many folks here with so many different "hops" in their architectures to get high rez music into their listening rooms. I have been through the same over the years, until at one point I thought the Olive Symphony would save me. I have to tell you, the Bridge/PWD DAC is staying in my system, for a long long time. In short, the sound quality is outstanding, and this is how simple my system is:

 

Netgear ReadyNAS-->PWD with Bridge-->Anthem D2V via XLR-->B&W 703's.

 

ReadyNAS storing bit-perfect FLAC (everything from 16bit/44.1 to 24bit/192 and everything in between). All files tagged including album artwork.

 

Folks looking for a good NAS, please please please do your research. The Netgear ReadyNAS products are outstanding, and yes I've been through many others. They have their own uPnP server built-in, that can be tweaked for those that are inclined, but it literally is 2 clicks to enable and have it working. No use of Twonky, unless of course one wants to load the available plug-in for it no the ReadyNAS, but there's no need for it. It just works as they say.

 

I'm enjoying the HDtracks.com 24/96 FLAC's of Ella Fitz and Louis Armstrong as I write this. Simply amazing DAC, I love it.

 

Thanks for the oppty to share,

Brian

 

[silverlight]

Brian - welcome to the forum! Great setup, and great context to hear your experiences. I bought a ticket for the Bridge lottery but unfortunately had to wait for the official release, but better late than never! Being in the beta group, have you heard much about the upcoming PSA NAS and/or library management software out of curiosity?

 

[ManWithAPlan]

Thanks, I appreciate the welcome silverlight. The upcoming Tag N' Play Server (and library management capabilities) are still expected to be out by the end of this year according to Paul/CEO. I haven't heard much about the NAS lately, though I would expect that probably shortly thereafter. I will not be using either of them, though I see that at least the library mgmt software will be of use to some.

 

My opinion on NAS gear is that there are many VERY good NAS devices out there, and I use my NAS for so many other things, that I don't want to experiment with an audio company trying to replicate what some of the best minds in storage have perfected over many years. I store my FLAC library on the ReadyNAS for instance, and those same files are served up in numerous ways, using different file server protocols, etc. I would suggest to those planning on a proper implementation that a proper NAS opens you up to the possibilities of serving up those files in new and interesting ways beyond just streaming them to the Bridge or other in-house audio devices. For instance, my NAS music library serves the main listening zone via the Bridge/PWD, but also serves me when I'm on the road via other NAS plug-ins on the ReadyNAS, where I can stream to an iPad, laptop , etc. from hotels, offices, etc. It also is available to me via secure FTP when I'm on the road and feel like downloading a complete album, or maybe just a couple tracks. The NAS has excellent drive redundancy with RAID array for fault tolerance. Even so of course, off-site backups are always required for precious digital assets like music!

 

So yeah, I'm all set on the NAS side, but I can see where maybe for some, a simplified "fisher price" NAS that does one thing well might be interesting. To me, that defeats the spirit and value of a NAS. But to each his own!

 

Cheers, enjoy that PWD/Bridge!

Brian

 

[av_passion]

I wonder if another storage alternative for the PWD/Network Bridge may be the new 1 and 2 TB DLNA network drives that Western Digital just announced. According to Western Digital, the My Book Live contains a built-in server for streaming media to any DLNA-certified multimedia devices.

 

For more information here is the news release from Tom's Hardware: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/DLNA-HDD-My-Book-Live-Apple-Time-Machine-Xbox,11435.html

 

[catastrofe]

Brian, great to have a fellow Beta Tester here on CA. Chris is an awesome host here. . .I've learned a great deal from him and my fellow CA members.

 

Bob

 

[kana813]

I wouldn't install a filtered PEM on the PWD. I'd try a .47uf/600vdc cap(I like Auricaps)across the hot/neutral if you want some addtional AC filtering.

 

I borrowed my friend's RF/EMI probe kit to see if there are any areas that need treatment. Will probably install some damping material on the chassis and large caps.

 

Have fun.

 

PS- Got my Bridge and Netgear WNDR3700 works great.

 

[av_passion]

silverlight, would be interested in hearing your listening observations both before and after making your tweaks to the PWD.

 

[av_passion]

After looking at the options on the Netgear website, the most likely choice would be the Ultra 4 or the Ultra 6 depending on one's storage requirements and usage. However, is there a particular version of the Netgear ReadyNAS products that you would recommend?