Wireless Network Music Servers

[serverbaboon]

Although predominately a vinyl listener I have a CD player and several hundred Cd's I still listen to, and I also realise it is not always possible to get new music on vinyl so I still buy Cd's. However I'm thinking of replacing my CD player with some sort music server outputting digital into an external DAC. The logic, however flawed, is that the the DAC coupled with the lack of CD transport foibles will be just as good as my CD player yet I will have the advantage instant access to any album and the ability to listen to Internet radio which in many cases has better sound quality than DAB. I'm thinking of something like the Sonos, or a mini pc with a decent quality sound card.

One query I have is wireless interference with the rest of my system. I know that the 2.4Ghz frequency and any measurable harmonics of wireless networking is so far out of the audio ranges it should not interfere in theory but my lack knowledge coupled with the hard earned knowledge that theory is theory I still wonder. Even if you use wired Ethernet connections with unshielded cat5 cables have 10MHZ or 100MHz signals radiating from them.

I must admit that the interference thing is based on Graham's post about energy saving light bulbs (only 40kHz though) in another forum, the same type of light I am typing this message and under wondering about sneaking the good old glacier melter bulb back.

[Sol]

I use a Squeezebox 3 ... wirelessly .. using flac encoded files streamed from the PC. The interface is fantastic, and as far as sound is conerned, when coupled with a decent DAC, it really isn't all that bad.

It may not be vinyl quality, it certainly is as good as decent CD player, and the ability to interact and choose genre, albumn, artist, track and the flick of a switch more than makes up for any shortcomings you may percieve in sound quality.

Coupled with an external power supply giving 2amps, the SB3 is not to be sniffed at, and at the price is a steal.

SB3 comes in a wireless model (which also can do ethernet) or ethernet only. There's often one son ebay at around 200 quid for brand new models.

Well worth a punt!

[Deleted]

"The logic, however flawed, is that the the DAC coupled with the lack of CD transport foibles will be just as good as my CD player "
Yes, the logic is flawed. It is a convenient way to store and distribute music, however there is always a small reduction in quality,even with the Squeezebox and Transporter. Rip your CDs using E.A.C. and store them as .wav files. Hard Disc prices and capacity seem to be getting better and better.
SandyK

[serverbaboon]

SandyK
Are you talking about the the quality of the power supply and Jitter on the coax interface as losses in sound quality? Have dismissed the idea of mini-pc for this reason as I don't have the hardware knowledge to deal with it, that and the potential need for fans.

I have noticed that Slim devices have produced a more expensive upmarket device aimed at audiophiles. Not sure about the claims of beating the most exotic CD players though but they seem to talk the talk.

www.slimdevices.com/pi_transporter.html?


Still there is always the newly announced and obscenely priced Linn Klimax at a mere £9600

Sol
Are you using a DAC with your squeeze box, if so which one?

[serverbaboon]

The slim devices don't hold music just serve it, you need a PC for it connect to. Not sure if it will work with a NAS device yet, maybe someone who uses it can confirm.

I know the Sonos kit does and a few people are saying good things about the Sonos 80 coupled with an external dac (but not the MF X-Dac)

[Deleted]

serverbaboon
We have done extensive listening sessions this way with SBs,both modded and unmodded, and possibly due to the use of FLAC, as well as high jitter due to USB implementation not being a full 2 way data exchange, they and the Transporter lack in soundstage etc. compared to a good standalone CD player. Although better power supply to the SBs does improve things.I won't go into detail about the USB data problem, but it is common to all such devices, and I think due to the specified PC standards. I did read about it ,but have forgotten much of the detail. I love the look and facilities of the Transporter though, and expect it would improve some, with PSU mods etc.
SandyK

[serverbaboon]

Interesting, do you feel that prcessing FLAC files loses out over WAV quality wise?

Maybe I'll stay with my Audio Analogue CD player a bit longer.

[Deleted]

serverbaboon
I have done a couple of threads regarding this subject in Rock Grotto. If you are really keen , you should be able to find them using the Rock Grotto "Search" facility.The short story is that I have been able to demonstrate to friends , using my Class A equipment, that there is a drop in quality due to conversion to FLAC, then back to .wav again. This goes against the claims of many in other forums (and here !) We are also readily able to pick the drop in SQ when SB output is fed via SPDIF into my modded X-DAC V3

SandyK

[serverbaboon]

Ok will do.