Digital Storage/Server, Sans DAC- What's Available?
"Or did you mean an all in one server & renderer streamer something you can drop files onto and it has interfaces suitable to connect to any DAC?" Yes- and as Mahler mentioned, a way to manage files, without a computer(etc). Something like this: https://www.naimaudio.com/product/uniti-core |
the Naim UC runs right at $2450 US, retail. it does not come with storage does allow some sort of proprietary CD ripping though does have more than USB output is a box needing rack space otherwise it doesn’t do much more than the sonar Micro Rendu thingy, which if ROOn is in the mix makes setup way simpler. is the S MR plus a NAS device the end of the line? Dunno. but it do seem an option for dipping a toe in the water without going in over one’s head. bought new with the $150 PS as reported in the Digital Trends review, or the Commp Audiophile account, you sit at $800. add your own USB and maybe a likewise upscale E Net wire @ $100 each, a bit of browser configuration, and at $1K, you are streamingh HD files beyond 24/192 and arguably riding in Business/first class in terms of SQ. naturally, if bought preowned? less. unless you want to use something like an OPPO MFD or some other upper end DLNA player, I’m wondering what other options are there for less than a grand that supports as many file types or formats as the micro rendu. so far they all appear to be controlled by their own apps or browser interfaces via phone or tablets. I’ve no horse in this race, merely interested. with ‘bucks’ in hand I’m gonna opt for a less hands on, hopefully higher sQ one box solution, but those avenues appear to be libving in the 5 to 10K side of town. also, depending on options from a recent audio show I could not properly distinguish significant sQ diffs from the Aurenders, Wolfs, or Lumen likewise gizmos. therefore without further scrutiny, as said, they are in the ‘pick em’ category for the moment. albeit, wolf’s on shore advantage of support is pretty attractive. good luck. |
Again: " Or did you mean ... and... has interfaces suitable to connect to any DAC?" Yes. The CD ripper is also something I wanted to try. I have a couple spare hard drives, far as storage, but- I’m not buying the Naim anyway. I don’t want my computer, or anything USB, in the mix, at all. I’m looking for an easy method, plug-n-play, way out(or- in, as the case may be). High-Res downloads can wait, I guess. Perhaps, until I find a used Naim(might be a minute). Thanks for the tips. Oh, yeah: What’s an OPPO MFD(I couldn't find any info)? |
If you’re going to use a external DAC, you could consider Bluesound Vault 2i. I am using one with my external DAC and it sounds pretty amazing. The app is easy to use, many streaming options as well as direct high-Rez downloads from HDTracks to its internal storage, all easily manageable from the app. You get server, CD ripper, decent built in DAC, 2TB storage all for $1299.00. |
