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AirPlay - "Best" solution help...

Hi,

 

My goal is to build a cost-effective, high-quality, AirPlay-based streaming solution and I seek your help.

(I have chosen AirPlay for MANY reasons and would prefer not to debate its merits, please;-)

 

My simple needs are only two channel, one room, iOs only, independent system consisting (today) of:

 

Belles Soloist 1 Integrated amp (possible Aria soon)

Apple TV(Gen3)>TOSLINK>iFi SPDIF iPurifier> Peachtree DACit

Dynaudio Focus 140s (Special 40s in the mix)

MacBook Pro server running Audirvana+.

DH Labs cables

 

Yes, I know that the DAC needs upgrading. But, this set up sounds pretty good. It’s in the budget.

My room is small (9x13’), in the basement, well insulated with dedicated AC lines. I have had all kinds of systems over the years.

 

Options to improve the AirPlay/DAC “front end” include:

 

1.       Get an Apple Airport Express and a better DAC with jitter attenuation

2.       Get a streamer like Bluesound (does AirPlay) and a better DAC

3.       Get a combined streamer/DAC (Cambridge Audio, Auralic, etc.)

 

My budget peaks at about $1,500 all-in for the time being. Am aware of the jitter issue and of products from Empirical and W4S

My current thinking is to get an AAE (doesn’t upsample like ATV) and a Benchmark DAC2 or a Bluesound Node 2i and a Mytek Liberty.

Welcome all thoughts here.

Thanks.

Ian


ianrmack
ljgerens
155 posts
 
I have been using Airplay for 8 years streaming my lossless ripped CDs and currently have 4 systems in different rooms. Two of the systems use an Airport Express (Gen2) and two use Apple TVs (Gen3). I have switched the Airport Expresses and Apple TVs many times but could never hear any differences. They both sound great. 

I was wondering about jitter and really do not know what jitter does to the sound quality so I tried a iFi SPDIF iPurifier. For my systems it did not improve the SQ. In fact the sound became somewhat muddled and not as clear with it so I returned it.

I also auditioned a Bluesound Node2 (not the 2i). Using my external DACs, i could not detect any difference between the Node2 and my Airport Express or Apple TV. Using the internal DAC in the Node2 did not sound as good as my external DACs. I only had a brief audition with the Node2 but I do not think the WiFi in it was as robust as the Airport Express or Apple TV. I did notice some dropouts with the Node2 during my brief audition but I have never had a dropout with an Airport Express or Apple TV over an 8 year period.


Ag insider logo xs@2x
hk_fan
459 posts
 
The Micromega AS400 is a KILLER, KILLER piece.

https://micromega.com/en/products/mo-range/as-400/
mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
@ljgerens 
 
The iFi Purifier is more for extremecases, like 30ft cable runs and whatnot. It adds some low frequency noise and distortion due to its power supply and whatnot, but should be low in level. 
 
Here are some files with varying amounts of “jitter” (and measurements of the “jitter” added for each variation is shown). 
 
Unless your source and/or DAC just are horrible in regards to jitter and jitter suppression/reduction, you don’t have to worry when music is playing (maybe, just maybe it’d be an issue with single frequency test tones).

ljgerens
155 posts
 
@mzkmxcv

Thanks for your comment. I only mentioned the iFi Purifier because the OP has it listed in his setup with his Apple TV and I wanted to describe my experience with it. I only tried it because of all the discussion regarding jitter from an Airport Express and the iFi Purifier was recommended to eliminate jitter. My systems all sound great but I was curious if something (not sure what) could be improved using the Purifier.
mahler123
3,284 posts
 
OP

  I think that your current plan sounds great.  My only reservation would be using AE, since Apple no longer supports it.  The poster that has not noticed a difference between AE and ATV for AirPlay is very helpful.  Also be aware that with Bluesound it is the 2i version that does AirPlay, and since they have just added that capability they not have all the kinks out of it yet...
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