Post by Owen Y on Aug 8, 2020 13:24:40 GMT 12
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Post by Citroen on Aug 8, 2020 15:44:20 GMT 12
Bluesound Vault2, for convenience (over a computer), into the COAX digital input of the McIntosh 2500 pre-amp. Not high end HiFi but it does all that I need from a streamer.
As good as high end digital (e.g Antipodes, Auralic Aries G2.1) that I've heard can sound, it just isn't for me.
Also have Windows laptop via iFi USB, with linear power supply, into Metrum OctaveII DAC.
And a FiiO X7 DAP and phone that I can stream to my HiFi via Bluetooth.
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Post by michaelw on Aug 8, 2020 18:51:27 GMT 12
i don't stream 
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Pundit
Post by Neil on Aug 8, 2020 19:07:49 GMT 12
A dCS Network Bridge feeding an AcousticPlan dac... I really didn't expect it to be as good as it is. Lucky me I guess.
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Post by colinf on Aug 8, 2020 19:22:07 GMT 12
Windows 10 computer, Tidal with Audirvana, usb connection to my own Soekris-based dac. Also AMR DP-777 (highly tweaked) and currently developing my own design dac.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by belbo on Aug 9, 2020 2:38:21 GMT 12
Mine are pretty simple: an iPad that “Airplays” to a modified Apple TV 1st generation and then via optical to a Sparkler S306 DAC on the one system and a MacBook “Air” via USB to an Arcam rDAC on the other.
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Pundit
Post by harvey on Aug 9, 2020 20:05:22 GMT 12
I hadn't had a digital source in my main system after moving house about 8 years ago but bought an ex demo Nad M50 late last year. I trialled a Chord Qtest (couldn't justify the extra $$ when compared to a Topping D50s) and Luxman DA-150 (not to my taste). In the end I took a leap of faith and ordered a Denafrips Ares 2 without a demo. Due to Covid 19 took 4 months to arrive but it was worth the wait.
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Pundit
Post by beeman on Aug 10, 2020 15:11:23 GMT 12
I use a 32bit Antipodes DF Reference. It has been reconfigured to run Roon so not Antipodes any more as Antipodes need 64bit to run. Plays to a Clones Sheva Dac which is currently in Taipei having a Dac replacement & a couple of upgrades. Looking forward to having it back. Used a friends (dodgyconnections) Mytec Brooklyn Dac on the weekend. Fantastic device with all the bells & whistles.
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 10, 2020 16:07:02 GMT 12
So, chaps, - are you mainly playing as a music server from local storage? Or streaming music (high res or other) from the Net?
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Post by Citroen on Aug 10, 2020 16:48:11 GMT 12
1 here for mainly streaming (Tidal).
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Post by foveaux on Aug 10, 2020 16:56:55 GMT 12
Innuos ZEN Mini MK3 + LPSU here. Ripped all my CDs. Getting lazy/smart: can now scan through the ripped collection on MacBook from armchair. Especially enjoying the convenience of constructing play lists from various CDs. [RCA from Zen to RCA Mapletree preamp > Ecofan power amp > ELAC B5s (my second system)] Presume this is 'serving.' ZEN has capability to access the Net for 'streaming' - yet to sort this.  I also Spotify thru a bluetooth receiver to the preamp in the above system. In comparison, the sound from the ZEN is heaps better - phew...
"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]
"Free - I miss that band, but when I look back, we were very young" [Paul Rodgers]
848 posts
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Pundit
Post by belbo on Aug 11, 2020 0:36:06 GMT 12
So, chaps, - are you mainly playing as a music server from local storage? Or streaming music (high res or other) from the Net? Both: I have my CDs ripped and stored on the Apple TV (roughly 2000 CDs, the Apple TV has been modified to have a 1TB internal drive) but I'm also streaming via Spotify and quality is pretty good as well.
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Member
Post by robertr on Aug 11, 2020 10:39:12 GMT 12
I would guess about 90 % of the music I listen to I stream using Roon, either from CDs ripped and stored on my Naim Unitiserve or from Tidal. Streaming, using Roon and Tidal, has given me access to music I would otherwise never hear. I now get to hear the latest releases and, if it is readily available, I then buy what I like (so the musicians get fair payment for their work).
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Post by rmc001 on Aug 11, 2020 11:37:41 GMT 12
Windows 8.1 laptop w Fideliser and JPLAY playing FLAC files stored on laptop controlled w Android phone (Bubble UPNP) via wifi. Streaming Spotify with wifi via laptop (and phone). I'm into this Hify app which plays Spotify thru' JPLAY which is well worth doing. Big improvement.
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Post by sub on Aug 11, 2020 14:53:29 GMT 12
I have the Innuos Zen mini Mk3, the same as foveaux, except I do not have the upgraded power supply - running off the supplied wall wart.
It is roon ready and can be used with the usual streaming services. However, I am still ripping my CD collection to its 1TB hard drive. Only up to C so have a long way to go.
I use iPeng, an apple app, downloaded to my iPad To keep track of titles, artists, etc, and it also enables my iPad to work as a remote control, make playlists etc.
There is a shortcoming in the way it identifies titles from box sets. Eg, it describes albums from the “Beatles mono box” set, by that title and disc 1, 2, etc instead of the album title, eg Revolver, which will make things difficult for searching when I have around 2000 CDs ripped.
Use random play quite often.
Streaming will wait until I have ripped everything.
Connect the Zen via rca interconnect to cd input on my Plinius 8150 amp.
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Pundit
Post by beeman on Aug 11, 2020 15:26:52 GMT 12
The beauty of Roon is it does not differentiate between stored software, hidef files or Tidal favourites. All digital source is available from the same portal. On top of that it is a fantastic player & archive. I have not used better & have tried most players.
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Pundit
Post by harvey on Aug 11, 2020 15:55:37 GMT 12
I bought digital to access new music and consequently stream Tidal 70-80% the time.
I also got wary of the price of vinyl, plus like a couple around here I've been cataloging my collection and finding stuff I haven't listened to.
Being a compete numnut I sold a lot of CD's back in the day to fund vinyl purchases. At least they are cheap to buy back now... 😏
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Pundit
Post by tonyd on Aug 12, 2020 8:49:46 GMT 12
Antipodes of course ... mixture of stored and Tidal.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Aug 14, 2020 10:09:27 GMT 12
Another Innuos Zen Mini with Linear PSU user here. I use the built in DAC as the differences between more expensive DACS I tried just wasn't worth it for me.
Tidal only.
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Pundit
Post by paulsaints on Aug 17, 2020 19:29:27 GMT 12
2012 Apple Mac Mini with dual 1gb SSD’s (one as backup). Roon -> two DACS off USB - Mytek Brooklyn directly to lounge amp, the other uses Ps Audio LANRover to music room with Burson Conductor Virtuoso (Burr-Brown version). Roon also manages any Airport connected amps and Apple TV to the main TV. Sometimes I’ll activate a subscription to Tidal, sometimes to Qobuz, iTunes is always available from the SSD’s but I stay away from Apple Music as it messes with the iTunes files in the actual library. The Mac Mini / Roon combo has been faultless and really blurs the local and network sources.
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Post by andrewp on Aug 17, 2020 20:41:00 GMT 12
A nuc thing through the dac and using ROON. WAY cheaper than the Aurender N10!!
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Post by Citroen on Aug 26, 2020 16:58:03 GMT 12
I'm about to throw my streamer at the dog!
Did the latest "upgrade" to the Bluesound Vault2 and now its permanently stuck in upgrade mode (full red light permanently on). Tried all the things on the website but still no go, including full restart, full reboot via USB stick. Emailed Bluesound but still no help.
Very frustrated. No wonder I prefer vinyl!
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Post by sub on Aug 26, 2020 17:41:43 GMT 12
Another Innuos Zen Mini with Linear PSU user here. I use the built in DAC as the differences between more expensive DACS I tried just wasn't worth it for me. Tidal only. Been wondering, as I also use the zen mini, if a separate dac would improve performance. Or should I save for the upgraded power supply? what Dacs did you try, Gryffles? Am watching a nad M51 on TM, but being from 2012, when it was a Stereophile Class A recommended product, but I’m sure dac technology has improved in 8 years.
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 26, 2020 17:43:35 GMT 12
I'm about to throw my streamer at the dog! Did the latest "upgrade" to the Bluesound Vault2 and now its permanently stuck in upgrade mode (full red light permanently on). Tried all the things on the website but still no go, including full restart, full reboot via USB stick. Emailed Bluesound but still no help. Very frustrated. No wonder I prefer vinyl! 
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Pundit
Post by cartridge on Aug 26, 2020 18:51:27 GMT 12
I'm about to throw my streamer at the dog! Did the latest "upgrade" to the Bluesound Vault2 and now its permanently stuck in upgrade mode (full red light permanently on). Tried all the things on the website but still no go, including full restart, full reboot via USB stick. Emailed Bluesound but still no help. Very frustrated. No wonder I prefer vinyl! There's a new distro in NZ, send it to them and get them onto it.
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Post by Citroen on Aug 26, 2020 18:57:10 GMT 12
I'm about to throw my streamer at the dog! Did the latest "upgrade" to the Bluesound Vault2 and now its permanently stuck in upgrade mode (full red light permanently on). Tried all the things on the website but still no go, including full restart, full reboot via USB stick. Emailed Bluesound but still no help. Very frustrated. No wonder I prefer vinyl! There's a new distro in NZ, send it to them and get them onto it. Who's that cartridge?
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Pundit
Post by Neil on Aug 26, 2020 21:01:52 GMT 12
Connected Media in Wellington
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Aug 27, 2020 13:08:47 GMT 12
Another Innuos Zen Mini with Linear PSU user here. I use the built in DAC as the differences between more expensive DACS I tried just wasn't worth it for me. Tidal only. Been wondering, as I also use the zen mini, if a separate dac would improve performance. Or should I save for the upgraded power supply? what Dacs did you try, Gryffles? Am watching a nad M51 on TM, but being from 2012, when it was a Stereophile Class A recommended product, but I’m sure dac technology has improved in 8 years. The Linear PSU makes a difference. It's not night and day but easily heard and for me was well worth it. Everything has a bit more weight to it is how I'd describe it and that is welcome with digital. I used an expensive external DAC with it and decided that it just wasn't worth it so now I use the internal DAC and happy with that. I think it's very good. Keep in mind that I'm a vinyl guy so I don't chase the last few % of performance out digital.
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Post by Citroen on Aug 31, 2020 15:09:51 GMT 12
I'm about to throw my streamer at the dog! Did the latest "upgrade" to the Bluesound Vault2 and now its permanently stuck in upgrade mode (full red light permanently on). Tried all the things on the website but still no go, including full restart, full reboot via USB stick. Emailed Bluesound but still no help. Very frustrated. No wonder I prefer vinyl! Just noticed that the Bluesound light is now Blue, so has bizarrely spontaneously started to work again!  Bluesound Help desk found that strange as well, as if it was just slow to upgrade then the light should have been flashing red during the process (and shouldn't have taken several days).
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Member
Post by pq on Jun 20, 2021 18:43:45 GMT 12
I am using several. My high end room has a German T+A MP3100HV which I find to sound superb - as good as any of my digital sources. In my whole house system ai am using a Cambridge Audio StreamMagic - which has quite a different app but does the job well. For the office I am running a variety of streaming services (tried most of them) via my Windows 10 PC into a T+A DAC8DSD via USB. All have their quirks and the Apps change on a regular basis, so you are continually kept on your toes to stay up to date, but all good fun.
TuBe or not TuBe - that is the question.
PQ Imports - a Passion for Quality - since 1986.
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