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SB Touch...buh bye. Hello Android Media Box...

OK folks, here we go:

MINIX NEO X5 RK3066 Dual Core Cortex A9 TV Box

RK3066 Datasheet (PDF download)

Just got one of these $99 Android boxes from a US retailer yesterday. Prior to ordering, I had been researching the device a bit and it turns out it is fairly well supported on
Facebook and its own forum. Over the weekend, I scoured the forum and armed myself with
firmware updates, rooting instructions and a few other specific apps in anticipation of receiving it.

Anyhow, within a few hours of opening the box I had the device rooted, with the latest Jelly Bean firmware installed and my Google Play account details set. Basically at this point, I had just turned my 46" LED TV screen into an Android tablet that I was now controlling with my Android phone via the vendor's free remote client app. I installed a number of well known streaming apps and then plugged the unit into my trusty Sony EP9ES via the available TOSLINK port on the MINIX. To my surprise, it sounded very good! As good as I've heard streamed content to be through my SB Touch anyways.

Now it was time to try some of my lossless flac files. I haven't bought into the high rez game yet, however I do have a substantial collection of redbook audio ripped. I had heard that a beta version of XBMC had recently been released for Android, so I decided to install this app to access the audio files on my network drive as I could see that it (XBMC) supported my preferred format and gapless playback. Prior to proceeding, I wanted to check out one other thing. The MINIX device has (3) USB 2.0 ports, but I could not confirm that the device in fact supported USB Audio. For giggles, I pulled out my Valab DAC and plugged it into the USB port. The USB light lit up on the DAC, so I patched it into my GFP-750 and selected it as the source. I then launched the XBMC app, found my network drive and selected a flac file to play. I almost sh*t myself when I saw the USB light flicker on the Valab and then heard the sound that was coming through my speakers! Plug and play USB audio support - no drivers, no snap crackle pop, no dropouts. Wow. The sound was absolutely fantastic. What a great way to consolidate my favorite streaming apps and have my ripped collection just a click away as well. All controlled remotely from the comfort of my easy chair and viewed on my big screen TV. I AM Slothman!

In summary, this was all an exercise in music listening convenience for me and obviously NOT an audiophile quest. However, I do believe that devices such as these and the applications being developed are on the verge of further revolutionizing this hobby in a big way soon. After my initial experience with this (basic) media box, I can certainly see why Logitech decided to kick the SB Touch to the curb. I hope this thread may spark a little more discussion and interest in these Android media boxes/ mini PC's. I haven't seen much mentioned about them here or on computeraudiophile.
slothman
ecruz
402 posts
 
Looks a lot like a Mac Mini to me. : ) Although at $99, it is a LOT cheaper.

I recently sold my Squeezebox and switched to a Mac Mini setup for my music. Couldn't be happier.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,179 posts
 
Interesting device. Might have to give it a try. I own two SB Touches running external DACs currently. Used Roku Soundbridges prior with same DACs. Sound quality has never been an issue for me.

Multifunction devices like this would indeed appear to be the wave of the future. Cool stuff!

So Slothman, sounds like you are finding sound quality via USB with this device to be the cats meow, better than prior SB Touch via S/PDIF? I might pick one up today just to hear if that is the case.
slothman OP
311 posts
 
Mapman, I believe the biggest user base for this device are movie/video streaming buffs and that's where the majority of the support issues remain focused right now in the forums. I'm not a video/home theater enthusiast, so I'm just watching it play out.

I've only had the box for a few days and am still discovering its features. I had planned on just utilizing the TOSLINK connection into my EP9ES for my streaming apps, however USB audio support was a pleasant surprise. Granted I have only tried the Valab (which is arguably no slouch on redbook), but I honestly believe that it sounds as good or better than the SB Touch (<--on its own). I am unsure of what negative influences there may be on the digital signal of this device in its current configuration (chipset, firmware, power source, etc.) However, I am certain that one of the best things going for it is the fact that it is essentially a quiet PC.

I must say that I am impressed with the XBMC application. I am still learning my way around the interface, but it appears very solid and well thought out. Apparently the developers have recently done a serious upgrade to its audio capabilities, including high resolution support. I do need to dig deeper into the audio configuration options as there is a volume control within the application which I feel may be degrading. I am unsure of the optimal settings. I just installed the Yatse remote control app for XBMC. I had to add a few port forwarding strings to my router, but was easy to configure. This is an excellent app to control XBMC via smartphone or tablet.

Mapman, I'd say go for it. I've been more disappointed with more expensive cables. At least there are other features beyond 2 chan audio that this device could be used for.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,179 posts
 
"I am unsure of what negative influences there may be on the digital signal of this device in its current configuration (chipset, firmware, power source, etc.) However, I am certain that one of the best things going for it is the fact that it is essentially a quiet PC."

That's an important thing and could well be it.

Even my old Roku Soundbridge (similar Wifi connection to remote noisycomputer, similar to TOuch) to external DAC sounded very good. I really did not notice a difference switching to Touch and I think my TOuch digital currently is still just about as good as most anything I have heard, at least on my main audio system.
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