Goodbye Sonos, hello ????

knghifi - GET OUTTA HERE!!! Rolling ethernet cables - really? :-)

Every cable in my system makes a DIFFERENCE, why NOT ethernet? Hopefully they will arrive next week ...

I saw Michael Fremer's Newport Show interview where he mentioned AQ ethernet cable demo. Hard wired much superior to wireless. AQ entry level ethernet cable much superior to generic brand. Couldn't hear a difference between AQ entry and best ethernet cable.

The computer based ones were easier to assess and cheaper to implement - plus you can change interfaces pretty easily and as sample rates get better you can grow with them.

However - with computers you do have to do a fair bit of investigation and setup and there can be some setbacks along the way.

Having worked in computers for 39 years my choice was easy, but it's not for everyone

Boxed solutions are close to plug and play once connected to the network, so for some a boxed solution is preferable

There is clearly a market for both products and they both have similar performance capabilities - it's really a matter of which one suites the person using it

Luckily I understand computers so NO black box for me. I want the flexibility and don't want to deal with someone elses bugs and limitations.

In order for a DAC/computer to play/process, data must be loaded into memory whether via transport or computer. The only difference is computers offers options in ripping and serving the data. Too many options are overwhelming for computer challenged unlike a transport just load the disc and hit play.

I switched to computer audio 6+ yrs ago. I use Itune ripping cds to Apple Lossless and high rez to flac. Use Logitech Media Server or PS Audio Music Manager to serve the music to the DAC. IPhone to control the devices. There are zillions other ways now but this works for me so no reason to change unless to improve quality of sound. Will probably look into Apple mini server and running vm (virtual machine) next.

Over the years I've made improvements by going hardwired from wireless, new computer configurd runnig only necessary services to save cpu cycles, copied all my music to computer internet hard drive ... now rolling ethernet cables.

I believe computer audio has arrived years ago and it's only to get more confusing with more options/improvements ... not going to get easier.

I suggest to get started, pick/install A ripping and serving software. Start simple, get it working and once gain knowledge, then experiment.

Knghifi, you mention the sound quality is better wired vs wireless. Can you please describe the differences you hear?

Tboooe,

With wireless, sounds like something is missing, not as continuous, coherent, and vivid. In theory if the buffer is big enough, it shouldn't be a problem, but ...

IE: Watching a video in a browser, flash player buffers data to avoid interruption when play begins. When buffer runs out whether slow server, bad connection ... , play stops and re-buffers before start again.

Take it one step further, if buffers whole track or cd before play, essentially changed loading data into memory from a synchronize to asynchronize operation which is much simpler to implement. No need for over priced transports, external clocks ... Abstract out the interface and only requirement is loading data before play.

Got my AQ ethernet cable and it's a major improvement over HD cable. Similar going from wireless to wired +1.

Michael Fremer interview .

There are several Servers that would fill your needs. The W4S units, Sonore, Resoulution Audio,Bryston.. these are all stand alone, with a seperate DAC needed.. I use a PS Audio PWD MKII, and either a Cullen Modded Sonos, or The PS Audio Bridge.. The Bridge sounds great but is a bit wonky..

Let's try Michael Fremer interview link again.

Michael Fremer Interview

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/analogplanet-editor-appears-scott-wikinsons-home-theater-geeks-podcast-0