AVForums.com - View Single Post - 192Khz/24bit Capable Streamer/Transports?

Crustyloafer · 08-09-2011, 6:38 AM

On a similar subject to the streaming BD players, we have just had the new Pioneer SC-LX75 and SC-LX85 AV Receivers arrive at work recently and they are advertised as supporting 24/192 FLAC streaming.

However, as with all streaming products, the user interface is a key factor when you have to be able to quickly and easily browse through the thousands is music tracks in most people's collections. In my experience so far none of the other types of devices that happen to also offer streaming capabilities in addition to their main function have a user interface for browsing that is anywhere near as good as the stand alone streamers.

Sonos is a prime example of how a user interface for streamers should be done, and the new Kinsky app for the Linn DS is not too far away from that in terms of ease of use and speed of browsing. Most other devices that I have used that happen to also offer streaming as a secondary function have very crude interfaces and generally rely on having to use the up and down arrow keys to tediously scroll through the list of artists/albums in your collection whilst having to have the television on to be able to see what you are browsing through. Having a touch screen interface in your hands makes browsing and typing in search queries for what you want so much easier and faster and without the intrusion of having to have a television on at all. It doesn't matter how good the product sounds or what formats it supports if it is not easy and enjoyable to use. Sonos is so successful not because it offers the best sound quality but because it offers the best user experience and that's what ensures that their customers always want to use their system and recommend it to friend and colleagues. Likewise, for the best sound quality and a user interface and experience that approaches that of the Sonos products, the Linn DS range combined with an iPhone or ideally an iPad would be the ideal solution for your needs.

If your budget doesn't stretch to to the Majik DS then you should certainly look at the Sneaky DS which offers the same functionality but with not quite the same sound quality as the Majik.

Cheers,

Chris.

08-09-2011, 6:38 AM	#26
Crustyloafer Conspicuous Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Edinburgh Thanks: Gave 214, Got 1,281 Posts: 9,301	On a similar subject to the streaming BD players, we have just had the new Pioneer SC-LX75 and SC-LX85 AV Receivers arrive at work recently and they are advertised as supporting 24/192 FLAC streaming. However, as with all streaming products, the user interface is a key factor when you have to be able to quickly and easily browse through the thousands is music tracks in most people's collections. In my experience so far none of the other types of devices that happen to also offer streaming capabilities in addition to their main function have a user interface for browsing that is anywhere near as good as the stand alone streamers. Sonos is a prime example of how a user interface for streamers should be done, and the new Kinsky app for the Linn DS is not too far away from that in terms of ease of use and speed of browsing. Most other devices that I have used that happen to also offer streaming as a secondary function have very crude interfaces and generally rely on having to use the up and down arrow keys to tediously scroll through the list of artists/albums in your collection whilst having to have the television on to be able to see what you are browsing through. Having a touch screen interface in your hands makes browsing and typing in search queries for what you want so much easier and faster and without the intrusion of having to have a television on at all. It doesn't matter how good the product sounds or what formats it supports if it is not easy and enjoyable to use. Sonos is so successful not because it offers the best sound quality but because it offers the best user experience and that's what ensures that their customers always want to use their system and recommend it to friend and colleagues. Likewise, for the best sound quality and a user interface and experience that approaches that of the Sonos products, the Linn DS range combined with an iPhone or ideally an iPad would be the ideal solution for your needs. If your budget doesn't stretch to to the Majik DS then you should certainly look at the Sneaky DS which offers the same functionality but with not quite the same sound quality as the Majik. Cheers, Chris. Last edited by Crustyloafer; 08-09-2011 at 6:57 AM.
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