So, for sound quality, is there a significant advantage using a dedicated music server over a computer? I think in theory, the main difference is the hardware, where a dedicated music server remove all unnecessary stuff that may degrade the sound quality. The player also make a difference. When I compare Foobar vs Groove, at the beginning, I like Groove more thinking it gives a warmer sound. After more listening, I realize it also not as detailed and switch back to Foobar. Given a computer, I can try different player. But for a music streamer, I am stuck with what comes with it, and it is hard to compare which one is better. These are the trade offs, I feel.
Need help on buying a streamer / network player
Please help me to pick the right streamer.
I am currently streaming wirelessly from a NAS to a Windows laptop, and play using Foobar2000, digital (USB) out to a DAC. There are some intermittent "interruptions" while playing. I think that is caused by Foobar because the computer is fairly new, a powerful one and not running anything. Also, I can't setup Foobar such that I can create smart playlist based on my rating, part of the reason is I play FLAC files with separate cue sheets. Thirdly, I can free up the laptop for somethign else. So, I am thinking to get a streamer, but I have some specific requirements:
1) There is no ethernet cable. So, need to discover and stream music from the NAS wirelessly, and I can control it using my phone or tablet wirelessly. If I buy a server and move all my music, than I don't need wireless for streaming, but I still need wireless to control it.
2) Can handle cue sheets. I can split them up by track, but then it is (a lot of) additional work. But if I can't find one, this may be one of the requirement to be dropped.
3) When I compare Foobar to Groove, I like Foobar better. So, I hope the player in the streamer sound as good, if not better, than Foobar.
4) Stable. No intermittent interruptions or drop out. I read some comment for the Bluesound Note 2i that it sometimes failed to connect to NAS wirelessly. Same thing happened on my Windows computer, sometimes the NAS drive disappear.
5) <$1000
6) I don't need a DAC, but it seems most of them has it.
7) I don't need multi room support
I am surprised many doesn't support wireless. I gather the list below, and would like any feedback on them about stability.
1) Yamaha WXC-50
2) Bluesound Note 2i
3) Primare NP5 Prisma
4) DenonDNP-800NE
5) find another software on the computer
Especially, I am interested to know CUE support, stability, and sound quality.
I know the Bluesound is widely recommended, but I read the audioscience testing saying that the Toslink is having some problem. It also doesn't support CUE sheets.
Buying a streamer or network player is much harder than I thought. =(
I am currently streaming wirelessly from a NAS to a Windows laptop, and play using Foobar2000, digital (USB) out to a DAC. There are some intermittent "interruptions" while playing. I think that is caused by Foobar because the computer is fairly new, a powerful one and not running anything. Also, I can't setup Foobar such that I can create smart playlist based on my rating, part of the reason is I play FLAC files with separate cue sheets. Thirdly, I can free up the laptop for somethign else. So, I am thinking to get a streamer, but I have some specific requirements:
1) There is no ethernet cable. So, need to discover and stream music from the NAS wirelessly, and I can control it using my phone or tablet wirelessly. If I buy a server and move all my music, than I don't need wireless for streaming, but I still need wireless to control it.
2) Can handle cue sheets. I can split them up by track, but then it is (a lot of) additional work. But if I can't find one, this may be one of the requirement to be dropped.
3) When I compare Foobar to Groove, I like Foobar better. So, I hope the player in the streamer sound as good, if not better, than Foobar.
4) Stable. No intermittent interruptions or drop out. I read some comment for the Bluesound Note 2i that it sometimes failed to connect to NAS wirelessly. Same thing happened on my Windows computer, sometimes the NAS drive disappear.
5) <$1000
6) I don't need a DAC, but it seems most of them has it.
7) I don't need multi room support
I am surprised many doesn't support wireless. I gather the list below, and would like any feedback on them about stability.
1) Yamaha WXC-50
2) Bluesound Note 2i
3) Primare NP5 Prisma
4) DenonDNP-800NE
5) find another software on the computer
Especially, I am interested to know CUE support, stability, and sound quality.
I know the Bluesound is widely recommended, but I read the audioscience testing saying that the Toslink is having some problem. It also doesn't support CUE sheets.
Buying a streamer or network player is much harder than I thought. =(
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- 24 posts total
- 24 posts total