Search the Community

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/

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:

Hi all new to this site and thinking of how to improve the sound in my system and was wondering whether a new streamer or a separate DAC would be the way forward. My current system is mainly CD quality files in AIFF format stored on a Synology NAS streamed through a Squeezebox Touch to a Leema Pulse amp then out to a pair of Proac Tri Tower speakers. Would I be better changing the SBT for a new streamer or adding a separate DAC to current system? If a new streamer had thought maybe starting off with Auralic Aries mini but not sure how much an improvement that would be. I once auditioned a Cyrus XA streamer which at £1200 was only very marginally better than the SBT, well to my ears anyway. I have the chance of a second hand Audiolab MDAC + which I could then add to SBT but again not sure how much improvement over the internal DAC of the SBT this would give me.

Hi Guys, Up for sale is my Syrah Server from Playback Design, Optimised for Audio through Hardware and software. Built upon the Jriver Platform and remote control is free to download from Apple or Android App Store. Sounds Excellent, Universal Voltage. Purchased from an Authorised Distributor. Retails: 6500.00 US. Asking Price is 3500.00 US dollars. + Shipping.. Price is negotiable for serious buyers with reasonable offers. Can Ship World Wide via Fedex. Paypal Is accepted or Bank Wire to a US Account. If your using paypal a 4% Charge is required for fees, Otherwise a friends and family method is fine by me. Can be shipped in its Original Wood Crate Package or to save cost i can get a customised Cardboard box one made (of course strong enough for international shipping) Comes with 2 TB hard drive. I can load this up with DSD and PCM before shipping out. Buy with confidence, my proven track sales on computer audiophile speaks for it self.

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!

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

For sale is a SOtM "Trifecta" of SMS-200ultra Special Edition, tx-USBultra Special Edition and SPS-500 PSU. Included is a D-Link 5 port switch modified by SOtM with upgraded caps and components, which uses a clock output from the SMS-200ultra. These have taken my system to the best it's ever sounded. I am sadly selling to fund some unexpected non-audio related costs. These are about 1 year old - I am the original owner, purchased directly from authorized SOtM dealer Crux Audio. Condition is conservatively a 9/10 - they've been only installed in one place on my audio rack and never moved aside from one trip back to Korea for upgrades (see below), with a total of maybe at most 10 plug/unplug cycles. Rock solid reliability and stellar reviews throughout the web! Reviews: https://audiobacon.net/2017/05/23/sotm-tx-usbultra-usb-regenerator-review-the-ultimate-digital-defuzzer/ https://audiobacon.net/2017/11/18/sotm-sms-200ultra-network-audio-player-sps-500-power-supply-review/ https://www.audiostream.com/content/sotm-sms-200ultra-mini-network-player-and-sps-500-power-supply http://hifiknights.com/reviews/transports/sotm-sms-200ultra-sps-500/ Additionally, all three units have been fully upgraded at SOtM Korea a few months ago for substantial additional cost, with details below: SMS-200ultra Special Edition - originally purchased as Special Edition unit (9V power setting) - included modified Ethernet switch using onboard SCLK board with clock wire (5V power) - upgraded silver internal wiring (+$180) - eABS-200 EMI absorption material (+$20) - further upgraded to the latest Evox capacitors which was recommended by May Park over the Neo capacitor.(+$100) Retail $1,500 (streamer + switch) + $300 (SE and Evox upgrades) = $1,800 Asking $1250. tx-USBultra (9V power setting): - upgraded silver internal wiring (+$150) - upgraded eABS-200 EMI absorption material (+$20) - upgraded Evox capacitors (+$100) Retail $1270 (identical to a "Special Edition" tx-USBultra). Asking $900. SPS-500 - upgraded eABS-200 EMI absorption material (+$20) - upgraded Evox capacitors (+$100) **Included with the SPS-500 is a 30cm 7N UPOCC copper Y DC power cable (+$300) Retail $500 + $420 upgrades = $900 Asking $650. Total = $3970 retail. Asking $2600 as a bundle, with individual prices as above. Shipping and Paypal fees (if any) are the buyer's responsibility. The upgrades a few months ago took the trifecta up another notch which I did not think possible. This brought up even more detail and realism in the sonic picture, with some improvements in midbass and soundstaging as well! All original packaging, boxes and accessories included. Serial numbers available on request to confirm with SOtM regarding update status, if desired. I'm located in Maine, with local pickup welcome!

Hello everyone. I am in research for a streamer or network audio player. Expectations: - it can read mp3, flac and DSD from NAS (network attached storage, in my case Synology DS212j) and USB memory stick - it should transport digital signal (via SPDIF or USB) to external DAC - reliable while operating - price of the player should be within 1500€ (linear power supply included) - I don't want solutions that need external display (e.g. computer monitor). It should be HiFi device that can be turned on via button Advantage: - dedicated mobile application, and not just web control interface - AirPlay - Internet radio - streaming services Current candidates: - Sonore microRendu - no dedicated application. 640 $ + linear power supply. - Sonore ultraRendu - no dedicated application. They say at several forums that this model is better than its predecessor. 875 $ + linear power supply - SOtM sMS-200 - no dedicated application, didn't hear it. 450 $ + linear power supply - SOtM sMS-200ultra - no dedicated application. They say at several forums that this model is better than its predecessor. 1200 $ + linear power supply - Auralic Aries Mini - dedicated application. AirPlay + internet radio. 550€ + linear power supply - Auralic Aries LE - dedicated application. AirPlay + internet radio. I heard there are several problems with the stability caused by network problems. 1000€ + linear power supply - Auralic Aries - dedicated application. AirPlay + internet radio. I heard several problems with the stability caused by network problems. I do not know the price. - Bluesound Node 2 - dedicated application, Airplay, internet radio. No DSD support. 600€. - Electrocompaniet Rena S1 - dedicated application, Airplay, internet radio. 600€. - Onkyo NS-6170 - dedicated application, Airplay, internet radio. 350€. I heard only Sonore microRendu which had great sound for me. There are not candidates: - Raspberry Pi - there is no customized version of the HiFi I just buy, without having to do anything, put together, buy separately etc. that is sonically good enough for my system. Correct me if I'm wrong. - Aurender - great equipment but out of the price category. - dCS Network Bridge - great equipment, but out of the price category. Questions - do you have candidates to add to this list? - did you ever heard one of this candidates or can you compare it? It is own hearing experience that is most relevant to me, not reviews from 3rd sources. - if there is perfect or near-perfect process of comparing different streamers, what would it be? I noticed there are no such information available publicly. Many thanks!

Hello, I would like to buy a pure streamer device (without DAC just accurate, low jitter digital output). I found the Digione (Signiture) Player. But it has digital coax/BNC 75ohm output while my sound processor (the streamer will feed it) has digital XLR 110ohm connection. Is it any way to add XLR connection to Digione Player ? Or could you advice me other "chap", accurate Streamer device with USB for USB stick/HDD and digital XLR output ? I found one XLR board for RB Pi, but I'm not sure it works with Digione Player; https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/dac-and-interfaces-for-raspberry-pi/audiophonics-digipi-aes-toslink-tcxo-digital-interface-aes-ebu-for-raspberry-pi-p-13316.html Any idea, please ? Thank you all the idea/advice sharing with me, Istvan

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.

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.

Hi All, I am new here, so be kind ; ) After a network streamer with USB out, I know there is a couple of such devices out there but they don't suit my needs. Before I proceed, here my current setup: - Cambridge Audio Dac Magic V2, subscription with Spotify - Gryphon amp with Dac module, connected to Dac Magic via toslink/spif - Qnap server running Plex library - 90% flac files - Control app via either Cambridge app or BubbleUPNP - Android only Had a few sample DSD files and they sounded really good. But have not done any critical listening and compare with flac files of the same songs. The issues are, DSD can only be played over USB, so the DAC magic is out of the equation. Yes, it can play DSD but I would like to utilise the better DAC in the Gryphon. The Aurender A10 - http://www.aurender.com/page/audiophile does have USB out, but I don't think it supports Spotify and is a bit overkill just to fetch digital files, price for their lower end N10 model cost 4K in AUS. Their app only come in Apple IOS. The other is Auralic Aries mini, again does not support Spotify and also limited to Apple IOS. I work IT infrastructure support, so having a permanent laptop attached to the stereo does not appeal to me at all. What are my options? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers, Morebeer

Hello All, I will upgrade some parts of my system but i am not sure where to begin: There are 4 things that i will be adding / upgrading (step by step): 1.- My current DAC (OPPO 205): i am considering: Denafrips Terminator, PS AUDIO - PerfectWave DirectStream Junior DAC OR Upgrade the Power supply of the OPPO 205 with the new one from CLONES and keep while see more reviews about these and other DACs. 2.- Streamer SOtM-sMS 200ultra & sPS-500 w/ Modded Switch OR ZENITH MKII 3.- Tellurium XLR Ultra Black IC's & Speakers 4.- A better Isolation Transformer, a balanced and grounded one from Alexander Tsankov (my actual one is a Topaz 1kva .001 pF) If i go with the PerfectWave DirectStream Junior DAC , if its good enough i could be doing 2 steps in one (DAC & Streamer) but i would like to know if the Terminator/sMS-200ultra would be a lot better than the single PS Junior...that is some important point!! I hope you can share your experiences... Thanks to all for reading and God bless!!

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.

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

I’ve been using the Allo DigiOne + Shairport Sync (https://github.com/mikebrady/shairport-sync) running on Volumio to play audio from and Apple TV over Airplay for TV and movies. This setup works very well from sound quality and lip sync perspective. Was wondering if other streamers such as Auralic Aries that support Airplay handle AV sync well? I’m looking for a step up in sound quality without sacrificing AV sync. ?

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'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

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

The exceptional Sonore Micro Rendu in "as new" condition with original box and USB A-to-B link. NO POWER SUPPLY. The micro rendu requires an external power supply- many different choices and price ranges available from others. Roon ready. See http://www.sonore.us/microRendu.html List $640.00. Sell for $540 via PayPal and will include shipping in US.

Like new DAC / Streamer. First owner from a pet and smoke free environment. Serious buyers only. Pickup welcome in Toronto. Shipping anywhere in North America for the asking price. Buyer pays paypal fees. The unit is in rare silver finish and comes with the MiND streaming board with the latest firmware updates. Please check out the link for more info. Many reviews are available online. Non serious and tire kickers will be politely ignored. Not looking for trades. Thanks for looking. Original box, papers, remote. $3400 USD

MicroRendu, year old. Perfect condition. 2.5 OS, iFi 9v PSU, brand new Supra Cat 8 Ethernet cable, mesh stand. Selling because I pwurchased SOTM SMS 200 ultra. Great sounding device at an incredible bargain price coupled with tons of extras. $370. I'll pay for either shipping or PayPal.

I am selling my Auralic Aries (upgraded version with dual Femto clocks and low noise linear power supply). I am the original owner ($1599 retail) but decided to use a different server for Roon. The unit has received light use in a dust-free environment and works great. Asking $899 via PayPal with free shipping in the U.S. Thanks!

Hi Chris and fellow members, Did you hear about any new developments in the "Ravenna protocol" ? I found a short video (dated 2010) where Genelec shows an "audio over IP" speaker. Now they are waiting for so called AVB products to hit the market, although Merging already has one. Is there anymore you can tell us about it ? Kind regards, Jeroen

The HOST is the first digital music server of CLONES audio. Equipped with a high performance USB digital audio output, Ethernet port, solid-state drive for music storage, full linear power supply with the super low noise regulator modules. Providing the solid foundation to the high performance playback. The great solution for playing and storing high resolution digital music collections. Custom Linux OS with the ROON Server for the best performance. Also providing the DAPHILE as the difference choice for the user. The HOST also is the platform for audiophiles to make his own PC based Computer Audio System. • SHAAR USB gateway for the clean and high performance USB audio class 3.0 output. • Full linear power supply. • Double POWER STATION regulator supply the SSD/SHAAR and the Main processor board separately • 256GB/ 500GB/ 1TB/ 2TB internal storage option • Machined aluminum case, same structure as the ASHER DAC • Gigabit Ethernet LAN Port for network connectivity Specification • 322mm(W) X 260mm(D) X 90mm(H) • Weight: 7kg • Mucic Storage: 256GB/ 500GB/ 1TB/ 2TB • Digital Output: 2 - USB • Other I/O: Gigabit Ethernet, USB Port X 4 • 2 YEARS WARRANTY Price: Starting from HKD11,799(EUR1,377)* *Solid-state hard drive and ROON licence are excluded CLONES audio SaveSave