I’m not a computer moron (pretty close tho), but regardless I absolutely HATE troubleshooting computer crap. HATE HATE HATE. If that sounds like you, I’d just bite the bullet, ditch the frustrating NAS, and get a server/streamer like the Innuos Zen Mklll. Why? In addition to avoiding computer operational, configuration, and other optimization nightmares, the Zen is already self contained and optimized to be an audio server/streamer that minimizes noise and maximizes performance. Done. No more frustrating troubleshooting battles or headaches. Also, loading CDs into the Zen Mini couldn’t be easier, but once you start streaming something like Qobuz you’ll probably find yourself rarely playing your own music (that’s my experience anyway) as most of it’s available on Qobuz anyway — some of it maybe even available at higher res. And the Mini can be significantly upgraded later as funds allow with a better power supply and/or separate DAC. Anyway, that’s my $0.02 FWIW. Best of luck in your quest.
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