2. digital
  3. 1375969641

Goodbye Sonos, hello ????

I've been a happy Sonos user for over 10 years and will continue to use it in my casual listening areas in my house. However I dont think I am doing my dedicated 2 channel system justice streaming from the ZP-90. In addition, Sonos does not do high resolution. Therefore I am looking for a high quality digital transport/streamer that can replace the Sonos. Here are my requirements:

1. High quality, low jitter digital output
2. Awesome user interface with remote control via IPAD, ANDROID, iphone, etc
3. Wireless and wired digital streaming from music stored on a NAS
4. No built in DAC as I prefer to mix and match
5. Ability to handle various audio formats including high resolution.

So far it looks like my options are the Bryston BDP-2 or DIY my own streamer. I have built several low powered (ATOM) HTPC in my home to stream 1080p movies so this is definitely an option but I am not too sure about how to get the best possible, low jitter digital output from a PC so this would be something I need to investigate. I can build an ATOM based, fanless system running Jriver and my IPAD to remotely control my music. I know there are products from Linn and Accustic Arts but these all come with either a DAC or an amp.

So are there any other audiophile quality products on the market that fit my need or should I just go the DIY route?

Thank you.
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williewonka
3,082 posts
 
Kriskdf - on paper, cat5/6 should suffice, but once the real world kicks in there can be many factors, such as noisy environments, poorly installed connectors, noise from the WWW and quite often these days - crappy quality network cable, that can effect performance.

Cable ratings are supposed to protect against crappy cable, but there are so many cables out there from less than reputable manufacturers, that would fail the test they are supposedly rated at.

Purchasing quality cables goes a long way to ensuring the rated throughput is attained, but I think stepping up to cat7 as well will "future-proof" my system.

For a little while at least :-)
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
Williewonka, I'm a Linux and Windows guy. Didn't find much info on Audirvana.

Is Audirvana a program that runs on a Mac, read and cache the data and sends it to a DAC? Basically a music server?
kriskdf
12 posts
 
I should have emphasized "properly installed". :) Poorly installed cat 7 may be insufficient for what you want. I've actually had some limited training on cable installation (though, i'm admittedly no pro) and to get cat 5e *certified* for gigabit, there are a lot of details in the installation process that if missed, can limit the network speed. Things like minimum radius bends in the cabling and termination techniques can take gigabit capable and reduce it down to something much lower.

I'm not against future proofing either. If money was no object, I'd run "fiber to the desktop" in my house. I've also spec'd out cable installed for network and phone and had people look at me funny when I asked for cat5e for phones. Cat3 was the norm for phones, but we wanted to be able to easily convert to VOIP or network if needed in the future.

If you do ever get up to 10 gigabit going, i'll be impressed and a little jealous. :)
williewonka
3,082 posts
 
knghifi - yes, Apple only I'm afraid

But maybe there's a Linux version - contact Damien at contact@audirvana.com

He is very responsive

Also see http://audirvana.com/ for a full description

Basically it's a media player that can be standalone or integrate with iTunes
williewonka
3,082 posts
 
kriskdf - your comment " Things like minimum radius bends "

Happen to know what that minimum radius is?

Tighter than a 3.5" radius by any chance?

That's about the gap in my wall space for the outlets - the rest is fairly straight runs or a much larger radius.

Thanks
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