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Audiophile quality streamer/server-in-one without a DAC. Does this exist?

I have a very simple system and want to upgrade my digital player which is currently my  5 year old Acer laptop.  I listen to Tidal a lot.  Sometimes I listen to high-res downloads (I only have about 20) and ripped FLAC albums (only about 100) stored on my Acer  and play them using JRiver 19.  That's about it.

My system is a Wyred 4 Sound Dac-2 plugged directly into a Wyred 4 Sound ST-500 power amp which is paired to a pair of KEF LS-50.  My Acer is my only source component.  

My question is this: is there an all-in-one digital source that can replace my computer as a server and streamer?  I don't need a DAC and I don't want several more pieces, peripherals, power supplies, etc.  I don't want to make my own.  My wife will tell you I'm not talented enough to do so.  I would agree with her.

Seriously, I just want one box that can do the same friggin thing as my computer but better.  I don't think I want a Apple computer either as I know that is a good solution for many.  

I feel ridiculous asking if there is something out there like this, but I either don't see it or my request is akin to looking for unicorns.  I'm ok with either answer.  Just hit me with the truth or some recommendations.

Thank you, Josh    


joshelston
yyzsantabarbara
4,917 posts
 
There is nothing as powerful as a computer as an audio streamer. However, a computer is not a good audio device since it is electrically noisy. My solution to this is to use the Sonare mircoRendu or SonicOrbiter (I have 2 rooms with speakers). Put your computer in another room. Hook up the Sonare to your Ethernet either by a direct connection or a Powerline adapter (uses copper wiring in your house for Ethernet).

You need a DAC for this solution but I would recommend that you sell your passive LS50 (I also own these) and buy the new ACTIVE LS50 with built in DAC. Hook it up to the Sonare. Done.


"The LS50 Wireless includes an end-to-end 192kHz/24-bit high-resolution digital signal path with two dedicated digital-to-analog converters per channel, for a total of four. Each speaker features a bi-amp dual-mono configuration (200 + 30 watts per speaker) and streaming preamp, so no wires are required to connect the two. A time-correcting DSP crossover makes sure that everything stays in sync."
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
Audio is all about facts and what you can really hear and reveal. When you hear most separate dacs and streamers there is almost no diversity in sound.

We are not talking about personal preferences. No human being prefers a networkplayer or dac with less diversity. It is a fact that diversity in sound influences our emotion for the biggest part.

Most people believe that 0/1 are always the same and it does not matter how you connect it the sound will be the same. Audio is not based on what you think or what people say.

No it is based on what you really can hear and reveal. Because the sound you hear always tells the truth. The source who can reveal more layers and diversity in sound will be prefered by each single human being.

That is why people need to learn how instruments ans voices sounds in real. When you want to understand audio, first you need to understand music.

The facts show and proof that most dacs and sources does not sound as in real. The people who bought these products often have no idea what they are missing.

Diversity in sound will make the same music so much more intense and emotional.
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
Facts proof that many networkplayers/streamers with an inbuild dac can create a higher level in diversity. Facts also proof that USB is not a great choice for audio.

The level in diversity is very low by the use of USB. And no cable, powersupply or clocklink can solve this limitation.

Audio is all about shootout and the things you can hear. The emotion is inside the music. Each source was is better in revealing all the emotion of the music wil be prefered by each single person.
wisnon
700 posts
 

www.thememoryplayer.net


The Mini runs from $2.5K to $3.5K

Lots of embedded tech trickling down from the big brothers.


Review: http://www.stereotimes.com/post/laufer-teknik-memory-player-mini/


cheapbob
50 posts
 
I use Raspberry Pi SBC as end-points for my networked music system. I have found the Allo DigiOne SPDIF to my Multibit DAC to provide the best Diversity and Emotion in my Music. You build a RasPi/Allo with a clean PSU for under $200.
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