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Again bad news for the established brands like Cambridge, Moon or Bluesound that offer veritable AIO devices at equally veritable pricepoints. WIIM, the Linkplay brand with an impressive pipeline of affordable and (inter)-connectable products, like the WIIM mini. WIIM Pro and WIIM Pro+, during the last 2 years, have launched the pre-sales information for their latest product: An amplifier using the TI TPA325x chipset - well known from Aiyima, Fosi and Topping (you may want to have a look chez @Archimago ) - in combination with their Pro+ platform). That device ships to you for 349€. Couldn't find announcements from North America, yet. While the WIIM Support clearified some mystical mistakes in the first @Audiophonics announcement, they also discussed the design options of the new device, as you can see in the pics up here. Looking at them my only concern would be about heat dissipation from that sweet outfit. Topping did work on that topic specifically for the 2nd incarnation of their PA5 amplifier with the same chip. I've bought one of them last week - thus I am so happy to read the first part of Arch's review today. ;-) I may agree that the powernode offers a lot of functionality for short of 1k bucks - thus not the performance we may see with Audiophonics of Cambridge AIO devices using nCore amplification, but at least it was still exiting in 2021! However, fitting your house for multitoom purposes with Bluesound technology or Sonos devices is without doubt a budget intensive project. Multiplying it by 4 - i.E. - may give you a financial advantage of 2.6k € for the WIIM Amp (x4) with perhaps a more performant amplifier section and a already proven technolgy-base, accompanied by an exciting support forum plus an amazing company culture (listen and learn!) to be perceived by customers (until now!). Looking over the EDGE allows us to gain 1.2k Euros approximately- in comparison. Assuming that the device - perfomance wise - will match the levels we have seen from the other WIIM products, all seems to be well in multinode audio lamd ;-) .. for the budget focussed minds. You may want to think twice before it's allright to buy something else ;-)

Is there any alternative to the ifi app on ios (Iphone) if the music source is an SSD drive directly attached (via USB) to my Zen streamer? Will Roon work? I am actually using this setup without a computer. Can I just put Roon on an iPhone w/o a computer? It sounds excellent but the ifi app is sort of primitive and I find it hard to control what it plays and its queue management. By the way, are there any decent instructions for the ifi app on the iPhone? It is hard to navigate. And the queue management is very strange; I can't even get it to, say, just play a single track and then stop without it next playing some track that I played days ago. Thanks in advance for any help. I've tried to google info about this everywhere, but I can't seem to find much.

I posted orginally in music storage. This is the proper category. Just wondering if anybody out there has the new JCAT Xact S1 server/streamer?? I have had one for a under 1 month and it is quite impressive IMHO. It combines all the knowledge marcin_jps has learned in the decades of time he has spent working in the digital playback field. JCAT components help optimize DIY or custom servers all over the world now. This is a new place or category in digital playback field. This component is as important as the MOST expensive DACs out there. I am just a client and have no other affiliation to JCAT or Marcin. I am giving my opinion because I feel the Xact S1 is an exceptional game changing product. I would like to hear about others who have or are about to have the JCAT Xact S1 in their system. Thanks for reading. Celebrat

View Classified Fiber optic network isolation (FMC) I have the following for sale for a fiber optic LAN solution: 1x Lynn Electronics SCSCDUPSM-2M 9/125 Yellow Duplex Single-Mode Fiber Optic Patch Cable, SC-SC, 2 Meters in Length Yellow 2 x TP-Link Fast Ethernet SFP to RJ45 Fiber Media Converter | Fiber to Ethernet Converter | 10/100Mbps RJ45 Port to 100Base-FX Single-Mode Fiber (MC110CS). They look different as I bought them on different dates. One version 4.0 and another version 6.6. Work fine and were part of my audio optical network. 1x Lynn Electronics SCSCDUPSM-2M 9/125 Yellow Duplex Single-Mode Fiber Optic Patch Cable, SC-SC, 2 Meters in Length Yellow Please note that these use the SC format of fiber cable All combined $30 plus shipping ******************************************************************** I also have the following that I was using with them: 2 x HY1503C Variable Linear DC Power Supply, Analog Display Meters. 0-15V, 0-3 A. They weigh ~6 Lbs each. They are $25 each plus shipping. Ultracompact Network Isolator from the German company EMO Systems. $50. (Was $200 when purchased) Seller tranz Date 03/26/23 Price 30.00 USD Category Music Servers / Streamers  

Right, about that PRO iDSD thingy people talk about lately? IT! IS! HEEEEREEEEE! Well, almost. OK, as per usual, we can't give too much specifics, teasers will have to do the trick today... But let's take it one day at a time and dang, things are going to get heavy. Stay with us just a little longer! Juicy details are to be served very soon. In the meantime, ENJOY! UPDATE!!! We have some major news to share. First of all, the Pro iDSD premiere date: The 15th of February 2018 We don't expect any difficulties along the road towards this day. Yet if some shifts will occur, we'll update this very post to keep you good CA people properly informed. And secondly, the Pro iDSD retail price: $2,499 (ex-tax) €2,999 (inc vat) £2,499 (inc vat) Additionally, this thread will serve as the official Pro iDSD repository, which means that every publication (or its location link) related to this device will be listed in this thread for as easy access as possible. 1. Our take on digital filters How iFi audio sees digital filtering in general. 2. Digital filters/options in our Pro iDSD Explanation of how and what is upsampled in the Pro iDSD. Tech talk Part 1: Part 2: Part 3: Part 4: Part 5: Major GE5670 related announcement Pro iDSD front panel Part 1: Part 2: Pro iDSD - The GTO filter Part 1/4 (and the 5.3C FW release announcement): Pro iDSD - The MQA firmware FW 2.01:

View Classified SOtM sMS-200ultra & sPS-500 + 7N UPOCC Silver cable I've decided to sell my music server as I've actually 'downgraded' to a pi2aes which has AES outputs that I'm enjoying with my Yggy. Included is an sMS-200ultra that has the optional feature of running on 12v. Also included is the sPS-500 power supply, as well as an upgraded 30cm 7N UPOCC Silver DC cable. Additionally, I'm including my Sandisk Extreme Plus 64gb microSD card. Just this morning I freshly formatted it with the newest version of Eunhasu (the operating system), and verified that there were no more updates available within the Eunhasu update section. This means it's as close to turn-key, plug-and-play as can be for the next user. About the condition -- I'm an extremely careful owner. These have always been run in a cool room, and both units were only powered on when I was actually listening to music. They were always plugged into a high performance power conditioner, which was always unplugged during storms or threatening weather. Additionally, when not in use, these were covered with a cotton cloth to keep dust out, and were also never allowed to be exposed to direct sunlight for any part of the day. So yes, I am OCD with my gear, and I thus do believe these are deserving of the 10/10 condition I rated them. I used them for a few years, but only occasionally within that period were they actually 'used', in that they were turned on. I'm not home half the time, and even when I am, I'm not always listening to music on my "big" system. I purchased them directly from a reputable dealer within the US. Shipping is free anywhere in Canada or US if purchased at my asking price. All original boxes and padding are included, and is what will be used for shipping. The padding is very good, surrounded by custom cut foam, so they should easily survive the rigors of transport. The two custom SOtM boxes will be packed together in a larger box with additional padding (bubble wrap, foam, etc.). I also have all the original literature that came with both units, and will also include a stock IEC power cable. Local pickup also available within both the Syracuse and Montreal area. Expect each unit to be in the same shape as when purchased new. Let me know if any further questions arise. Seller tea_hous Date 05/19/22 Price 1,300.00 USD Category Music Servers / Streamers  

View Classified O.G. Sonore ultraRendu network streamer PRICE REDUCED! Used, excellent condition. This is the pre-2021, O.G. version (not the newer 1.2 variant). From Sonore - ultraRendu: The Sonore ultraRendu project is an extension of the microRendu project that came before it. The design is inspired by audiophile gear and meant to bring grace and simplicity to a microcomputer. The original microRendu was very small and intended to be hidden out of sight behind your other gear. The ultraRendu can be powered by your favorite power supply. The ultraRendu remains as an Ethernet input and USB-Audio output, but all the connectors are located on the rear of the unit for easy cable routing. The ultraRendu utilizes a new proprietary printed circuit board with only the essential components and many updates to match its ultra designation. The best way to connect the ultraRendu to a USB device is via your favorite USB cable. The ultraRendu is easy to configure, accepts streams from various sources, and includes our latest version of our operating system Sonicorbiter. From positive-feedback: "Sonore's next-generation unit is the UltraRendu; it takes the streaming experience to a new level of transparency and intimacy, while adding enhanced features and greatly improved casework. More great news is that there's obviously been some cooperation going on between the folks at Sonore and UpTone Audio (whose Regen USB interface created quite a stir among computer audiophiles a couple of years ago)." Includes Software 2.8 ($29 value) on a pre-installed microSD card. No power supply is included. Please provide your own. I found that a Farad Super3 6v Supply was a revelatory upgrade to the ultraRendu. Why sell it? I built a DIY Extreme music server about 6 months ago, so I don't require the ultraRendu. Price includes CONUS shipping & PayPal fees. Seller Jeremy Anderson Date 04/29/22 Price 450.00 USD Category Music Servers / Streamers  

So are you afraid of ESD? Does the thought of Arctic Silver Heatsink Paste make you go cold? Are you fearful of Phillips screwdrivers? Do you still want to play with the NUC? I have found the Goldilocks computer for you. Semi-Custom Fan-less NUC using the Dawson Canyon boards, we have come to love! Orderable with Optane SSD and much more. The system is fully warranted and you can extend the warranty. You can order it with our without an OS installed. (At least get Ubuntu installed for backup and order a USB stick from them) Simply NUC has a custom build that is perfect: https://simplynuc.com. At the top of the page see the custom NUC button. Click that and scroll down to the Fanless case section and pick the i7 model. The options I have selected above are "perfect" for a NUC to run Roon Server, etc. Get Ubuntu installed so the machine has something to run when you start up. The PORCOOLPINE comes with a power supply so you can get going right away. I purchased my Dawson Canyon board from them so I am only a happy customer. I was going to have a model of these custom built for resale, but there was not enough interest and my budget would not allow speculation. You can get an upgraded power supply at some point. You can order any of the options you would like. I just did an Euphony OS setup post that you can follow or you can setup Audio Linux from my NUC build post: HAVE FUN Bob Here is an interesting review of the PORCOOLPINE from another site: https://techsterweb.com/2019/01/27/porcoolpine/

Hi After many years with the ATOM based music server (win 7 used as roon renderer) connected via firewire to Weiss DAC202. I am looking for a roon ready streamer to feed the Weiss DAC202. Few considerations... 1. It should sound as good/better than the Ayer7 transport CD also connected via XLR to Weiss 2. Cost up to 2K.. with the higher priced (4.5-5K) alternatives i might go for a new DAC with build in streamer My Setup: ROCK Server > MS > firewire to Weiss DAC202 Ayre 7 > XLR to Weiss DAC202 CJ CT5 and CJ Premier 140 Magico S3 Mk2 Thx

I run Roon Core on a Mac mini (2012 model, i7 quad, 16GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 3TB FW800 HD). Playing to a dCS Rossini over the network. Rossini is connected directly to the mini's ethernet port, the switch is connected to the mini via an Thunderbolt/Ethernet adapter, and the two ethernet ports are bridged together (so I can see the Rossini from anywhere in the network). Questions: 1- Are there sound quality difference from switching to, say, a Roon Nucleus+ or other servers - assuming I always play over the network? 2- Are there any network configurations and/or hardware that are better? 3- Any other advice? Thx.

The Amazon Streamer is now available for pre-order. Very curious about this, anyone get a listen at a pre-production unit? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0798DVZCY?ref=em_1p_0_ti&ref_=pe_2409890_229390510

Hey, guys! Just sold my NAD M51 and looking for a new amazingly sounding DAC with maybe a streaming option. Would be nice also if that was capable of DSD 512 and maybe PCM 768kHz, just in case Must have XLR balanced outputs and Toslink input. The budget is around $6000 US. Can go higher if needed. My other components are: Foobar2000/HQplayer MacBook Pro (late 2017), USB digital interface: "Gustard U16", Integrated amplifier: Musical Fidelity - "Nu-Vista 600", loudspeakers: "ProAc D48R". Would be super grateful for all suggestions! Thanks!

Hi Everyone, I would like to know in detail about the different implementations of data pathways. I currently use windows and I can hear stark difference between music players with different libraries. Most music players with same library sound similar or identical. HQplayer, Winyl and Xmplay sound identical at identical settings while musicbee is similar but slightly sounds lacking in depth. Aimp sounds very different. Foobar sounds very different and lifeless (apparently goes through windows mixers even in asio and has measurable distortion). Albumplayer sounds very different. I can pretty much narrow it down to - if any uninteded processing is happening (like in foobar), or to the way instructions are laid out. The science of getting jitter free data out of CPU is a topic in itself, and I would like to know if there is any kernel/compiler available for linux/bsd that tries to remove the effect of speculative Execution Jitter. From what I know, the current ways are to have tonnes of Lfence instructions or modify the clang so that the instructions are in such a way that spec/ooo execution or other enhancements always returns a predictable sequence (a miss). I have tried a few such programs and while I can hear differences (with the usb dac and supra cable I have), I am not sure if it is all improvements or if there is any skipping going on. I am planning to upgrade my dac. I am thinking of the dddac but haven't setted on one single dac yet. Without a doubt it will be diy and my intention is to use custom coded upsamplers/dithers that I would pre-processes and store before sending the data in 192khz or 176khz, 24 or 32 bit.. I am now confused on the available ways to transmit the information from the processor to the DAC. I will split up the question into two parts. First question I have is, What are the available protocols that communicate data to the dac? I currently use USB, I can see that the data is fetched, packeted, sent to the USB port dma controller. From here it goes to a USB slave which also has a buffer and converts this stream to timed i2s data which will be fed to the dac. Since USB transfer sequence is timed (i think at 125ms between polls) Isosynchronous mode of USB frame skips frames if 44100hz sample rate is used (8000*5 or 6 alternating missing 100 samples). Asynchronous buffers these things so no interpolation in terms of data transfer but doesn't have any error detection or correction and god knows what type of errors/issues could pop in (I hear changes in cables so I don't believe all is well in USB). I went around looking at other protocols - spdif, toslink etc. SPDIF uses manchester encoding and the slave has to decode clock from the data stream. This kind of makes it necessary to have very good engineering in both the master and the slave, and i'm unsure if they will be that much issue free even after that. And the standard looks variable, general certification is only upto 48khz 24 bit though there are implementations that go till 192khz 24 bit. Toslink does the same with optical format (but not the high quality optical standard used in internet transmission and hence apparently varies with cables). I am unsure if any of these support error detection and/or correction. Also all of these seem to have single serial data line. Is there any dual channel data alternative (Ethernet seems to support dual channel, or is it just full duplex they are meaning?). Another interface I saw was aes which is similar to spdif (or is it a subset of spdif?). Ethernet based audio transfer seems to be what is used in the network streamers, with custom protocols on top of the ethernet protocol if I'm right and it seems to be a good way to go about things before sending to the slave. And direct i2s communication over RJ45 or HDMI seems to be available as well but then again i-i communications are a blank slate meant mainly for inter-ic data pathways and I'm unsure how the protocol will hold up to sending over a large line. I would like to get more enlightenment on this topic and subjective experiences of what works best at the moment, the reliable brands of decoders, reclockers, the available chips, diy-options etc. The second question I have is, how is the data taken out from the CPU/memory. For usb, cpu communicates to the USB controller and fills up the data in its buffer before it sends. Another option I've seen common in single board computers is that i2s is available as an i/o from the board itself. As usual, since a general mass production unit may not have good timing (besides they run out of switching power supplies), there are units that take in this i2s stream, buffer, and regenerate them into i2s,spdif or usb signals (like allo kali,digione etc). I have seldom come across chips that communicate to cpu through PCIe and spit out i2s signals (except maybe pinkfaun). Why is it so. What are the other options available for taking data out from cpu with as minimal jitter as possible (provided the software makes sure the cpu is not introducing a lot of jitter). Are there any dedicated computer architectures meant to handle music streaming well enough (ignoring realtime microcontrollers running dos like operating systems). I'm sorry if it sounded too pedantic. I already have a setup I enjoy even out of usb, and I'm only planning to get a better experience. I just want to learn all the options before diving in. And as an EE student, learning these is a lot of fun, and implementing even more so. This is the reason I'm buying diy dac as well and doing my own custom upsampling, just to learn.

Hi there, Hope everyone is sound and safe during this historic event. I am looking for setting up a budget bedroom system that is compact and simple. Does anyone have recommendation for an all-in-one DAC/Streamer/Pre unit? I have an OPPO 103 which does have streaming capacity but the sound quality is not at audiophile level. I have a pair of Meridian 605 mono amp and a pair of Proac tablette monitors. I am not up to date with current market, and I think Naim has Uniti, and NAD has something similar, but I haven't heard them in person. My budget is $2000 or less used or new. Any suggestions anyone?

Dear gurus, I own ArcamAlpha 5 amplifier. To enter into digital era I subscribed to Tidal. I also added ArcamMiniBlink. Now I want to improve expirence a little. I would like to receive advices about following combinations: ArcamMiniBlink + ArcamAlpha5 amplifier (existing one) or Bluesound Node2 + ArcamAlpha5 amplifier or simply Bluesound Powernode2 and pair of speakers. Which one is expected to work the best? Is amplifier part in Powernode expected to be better than old ArcamAlpha5? Thank you blaz_si

Well, I’ve just moved my gear around for the 4th time in as many months, always a PITA with squat lift grunts picking up and moving tube amp, getting speakers positioned for correct bass response and the inevitable, oh - I forgot and put the interconnects on with arrows the wrong way between components. But what I really, really have come to hate is reconnecting the streaming solution. Network renderer.. check… USB cable.. check… USB clock regenerator.. check… asynch USB converter.. check… coax cable.. check… DAC.. check… oh and cant forget LPS, battery and AC wallwart devices/connections and power strip, oh my, oh my. It’s a spaghetti way of doing things, and I’m ready to move on, just wish someone like Sonore and Schiit would collaborate on a one box Roon ready endpoint solution.

I'm hoping for recommendations on a streaming DAC in the $3000 or less price range with the following features: No built-in storage No volume control If it has a volume control, it must have a bypass setting The ability to unfold MQA Gapless Playback Roon capable A nice smooth musical sound (not edgy) WiFi capability Thanks Guys, for any suggestions you can offer me.

I have been out of touch for a few years thinking that my digital front end is all sorted for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, my world is a bit upside down right now after direct comparison between my transport & my file as source player. The transport with spinning disc seems to sound better than the file player. I have been dabbling in computer audio since the late 2000's with RME sound card, Foobar 2000 etc & progressing to my current setup. Now, it seems if I want to get best CD / redbook playback, I have to go back to spinning disc. Therefore, I need help from all to point me in the direction which component can beat my transport in terms of sound quality. My current digital front end consists of : 1) Aurender W20 (wordclock fed from DCS master clock with RS232 interface for auto switching) 2) DCS Vivaldi 4 stack with latest streaming hardware in the upsampler & latest firmware + Antelope 10M Reference clock 3) Songs mostly ripped to FLAC level 5 using dBpoweramp Since the above revelation, I have tried a few things : 1) ROON with ROCK with upsampler as end point & QNAP fanless NAS as file server 2) ASSET with QNAP fanless NAS as file server into upsampler via network 3) SSD direct into upsampler USB input So far none is even as good as the Aurender. (2) does come quite close though. What other components should I audition to challenge my transport ? In this day & age, cannot be nothing that can surpass the transport.

I found an interesting review published on 23rd of September 2017. You may need to use google translator. Link: http://www.salonav.com/arch/2017/09/audioserver-aurender-n10.htm

I've been happily living with Modwright Oppo players for about 6 years now, and I've recently decided to go in a completely different direction, wanting more resolution and honesty than the Modwright units supply. Although I do listen to SACDs occasionally, 98% of my listening from my digital front end is from either an external HDD plugged in to the Oppo's USB port. Soon I will have the ability to connect my router directly to my new digital source (whatever that may be), however. I'm leaning toward an Auralic Vega at ~$1200 on the used market. Whatever DAC I go with, though, how will my front end selection impact the sound that ultimately comes out of the speakers? Will an Auralic Aries sound much better than an Aries Mini? Will it really sound significantly different than, say, a Bluesound Note 2, or a stock Oppo 105? Many thanks in advance for your insights! Best, HC

Just launched by Audiophonics in France ... a complete network streamer with the Allo DigiONE S/PDIF interface, including RCA and BNC outputs. A simple, neat looking unit with a Touch Screen. https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/network-audio-players/rasptouch-digione-touch-screen-reader-with-digital-output-p-12429.html

Hello all, My current setup involves a Cambridge Audio CXA60 amp, Azur 851D DAC (Which I picked up for an absolute steal) and a Yamaha WXC50 which I use as a network streamer. I am absolutely happy with the sound quality I get out of this setup, but as you know with all things audio, the question of "Can it get any better?" is always at the back of my mind. The way I look at it, the streamer is the weakest link in the chain, more of a budget component than the other two, so I am wondering if it makes any sense to upgrade this. I have my eyes on either a Linn Majik DS or a Naim ND5 XS (Can't justify the investment yet, but maybe in some months or sooner if a good used deal pops up). But honestly, would the streamer make any difference when all analog conversion duties are being handled by the outboard DAC (851D)? I am not talking about minute differences that one can only measure with lab equipment, but actual, audible difference that makes one sit up and notice? Any thoughts would be highly appreciated.