[quadnutter]

I've seen the cambridge stream magic 6 on the Richer Sounds website at gbp699. Has anyone got one and how do you rate it?

[YellowSphere]

It's basically a streamer with a built in DacMagic Plus. It's well made, sounds good, and the phone/tablet app is great. It's also particularly good at Internet radio. Misses out on native Airplay support, but I don't think that's major personally. FWIW an aptX Bluetooth dongle is available for it.

[Ed Selley]

It is (if useful) also a digital preamp. It uses a DSP based volume control as well so no messy bit reduction or similar.

[amcluesent]

Certainly has a sensible range of features, would have been nice to have an EAS/EBU digitl input; too bad Logitech lost the plot as this could have been the Transporter II in 2010. Will be interesting to see if they can hold the price point.

I wonder if it can do loop-back to insert a digital room correction processor?

[YellowSphere]

Originally Posted by amcluesent

I wonder if it can do loop-back to insert a digital room correction processor?

wouldn't work. When you choose a digital input you can't access any other function.

[quadnutter]

Originally Posted by YellowSphere

wouldn't work. When you choose a digital input you can't access any other function.

I was interested to see the specs mention 24bit 384khz up sampling. Whilst it will support 24/192 I wonder if this suggests some future proofing built in?

Whilst most of my downloads are mp3 or standard WAV files I have been experimenting with higher res downloads.

I have an old NAS which is not DNLA compliant so I would also need to look at a minimum 4TB NAS to replace it and a streamer like this one which I feel might offer a decent high res solution to play through my hi fi system.

These specs, at first glance, seem to offer an affordable way forward with up sampling 384 suggesting it is ready for even higher res options?

Your thoughts are welcome.

[Ed Selley]

Originally Posted by quadnutter

I was interested to see the specs mention 24bit 384khz up sampling. Whilst it will support 24/192 I wonder if this suggests some future proofing built in?

Whilst most of my downloads are mp3 or standard WAV files I have been experimenting with higher res downloads.

I have an old NAS which is not DNLA compliant so I would also need to look at a minimum 4TB NAS to replace it and a streamer like this one which I feel might offer a decent high res solution to play through my hi fi system.

These specs, at first glance, seem to offer an affordable way forward with up sampling 384 suggesting it is ready for even higher res options?

Your thoughts are welcome.

At the moment, it tops out at 96kHz over ethernet and 192kHz over USB. The upsampling is then applied to all inputted signals. I'm not sure if it is capable of native 384kHz. Given that 192kHz files are already bulky and capable of a bandwidth higher than anything our brain is likely to process, I'm not completely sure I see the point.

[YellowSphere]

Agreed with the above post.

[quadnutter]

Ed Selley,
I agree with your point of view, but I am intrigued by this "384khz upsampling" which suggests some potential for "future proofing"
Anyway, I am sure it will be some while before 384khz is available natively. So, given it supports 192khz albeit over USB which is not a problem, it does seem to be quite good value unless I am missing the point.
It seems that CAMBRIDGE (through Richer Sounds) seem to be producing some good kit at the moment.
Many thanks to everyone for their feedback. I guess the best thing to do is go and listen to the kit. It does not look like anyone on the forum has one of these yet?

[amcluesent]

I am intrigued by this "384khz upsampling"

Yep, Linn make a thing of their own upsampling DSP before the DAC in Majik DS and above, and s/w releases actually improve the sound as they implement smarter filters etc. Would be good to know if Cambridge have a configurable DSP or are using an off-the-shelf chipset.

[Ed Selley]

Originally Posted by quadnutter

Ed Selley,
I agree with your point of view, but I am intrigued by this "384khz upsampling" which suggests some potential for "future proofing"

It first appeared on Cambridge Audio products in 2006 with the 840C. The idea as I understand it is that it gives enough "samples" to create a true polynomial curve. I don't think it necessarily translates that the entire board is 384kHz capable though.

EDIT

Originally Posted by amcluesent

Would be good to know if Cambridge have a configurable DSP or are using an off-the-shelf chipset.

The parts used in the circuit are standard but of reasonably high spec. The software that makes it happen is bespoke and was developed in partnership with a Swiss firm Anagram Technologies.

[quadnutter]

Interestingly What HiFi have just done a review. Hopefully this link will work http://www.whathifi.com/review/cambr...icle1_readmore

[therixonator]

Hifi News also has a feature in the latest issue on network audio players. Think they've reviewed 5 also including the marantz, the pioneer and the meridian.

[YellowSphere]

I think CA basically own Anagram Technologies now.

[Hoppipolla]

I bought one last week and I have to say it is superb. Set up was 15 minutes & very straightforward. First thing was to check for firmware update, then we were ready to roll.

I am ripping to a USB HDD in Ogg Vorbis.

Sounds fantastic, and once I get the structure of my HDD sorted it will be a piece of cake to find stuff.

The Android is simple and intuitive.

Really can't fault it (yet).

[GW43]

Originally Posted by Hoppipolla

I bought one last week and I have to say it is superb. Set up was 15 minutes & very straightforward. First thing was to check for firmware update, then we were ready to roll.

I am ripping to a USB HDD in Ogg Vorbis.

Sounds fantastic, and once I get the structure of my HDD sorted it will be a piece of cake to find stuff.

The Android is simple and intuitive.

Really can't fault it (yet).

Did you compare it with any other products? I'm planning a listening session this weekend to compare the Naim ND5 XS, the Musical Fidelity M1CLiC and some Linn thingy. Would like to save myself over a grand if possible if the CA is up to it!

[Hoppipolla]

Originally Posted by GW43

Did you compare it with any other products? I'm planning a listening session this weekend to compare the Naim ND5 XS, the Musical Fidelity M1CLiC and some Linn thingy. Would like to save myself over a grand if possible if the CA is up to it!

I listened to Naim Uniti/SuprUniti and the Linn one, and the naim was streets ahead IMO. Having said that I wasn't sure that the Linn Kans I have would have done the Naim justice. Space is a bit of a premium for me, so bigger speakers are not an option. I therefore decided that the Stream Magic was the right product for me and my listening environment.

It feeds an Azur 640A and I am also listening through Audio Technica ATH-M50 headphones, and the improvement on what I could hear from my Azur 540C CD player is staggering to me.

I couldn't justify the extra £1500 for the Naim, and I doubt I would be able to tell the difference in my little house.

The Stream Magic really should be auditioned. It is as good as What Hi-Fi says.

HTH

[Ed Selley]

I've got an ND5 XS and a Stream Magic 6. The Naim is better but given it is £1,300 more, that isn't really a reflection on the Stream Magic 6. I can't think of a streamer sub £1k that is better than the Cambridge unless you are absolutely convinced that 192kHz files are going to take off in a big way.

[Jedibitch]

Demoed one of these today and it's a stunning piece of kit. One of those things you really have to have. Arggghhhhh.

[YellowSphere]

Ed, don't forget you still have some provision for 192KHz via USB.

[GW43]

Originally Posted by Ed Selley

I've got an ND5 XS and a Stream Magic 6. The Naim is better but given it is £1,300 more, that isn't really a reflection on the Stream Magic 6. I can't think of a streamer sub £1k that is better than the Cambridge unless you are absolutely convinced that 192kHz files are going to take off in a big way.

Could you be more specific in terms of the Naim being better? At almost 3 times the price it ought to be, but I guess it will be nowhere near three times better!

Cheers!

[** Verve **]

I've been looking to get a streamer to go with my CA 650a and 650c. Was originally looking at getting a Squeezebox touch, but tempted by one of these. What would the advantages be of this over the Touch?

I presume the higher quality DAC would mean better sound. Apparently this can also be used a digital pre-amp too, but what does that mean in real term uses, what could I do with it? Could I use the optical out on the 650c and input into this to improve the sound?

I'm also looking at trying out some hi-res audio, would this be significantly better than the Squeezebox for handling hi-res formats?

I've also read that this doesn't support spotify, is there another way I could use spotify with this?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the noobish questions!

[Ed Selley]

Originally Posted by GW43

Could you be more specific in terms of the Naim being better? At almost 3 times the price it ought to be, but I guess it will be nowhere near three times better!

Cheers!

The Naim is voiced to sound like other recent bits of Naim digital- quite "dark" with real low end shove to it. I actually believe the Stream Magic 6 might actually be more accurate but in subjective personal preference, I like the Naim sound. The Stream Magic is wonderfully neutral though- like other Cambridge Audio Digital products it is perfect if you either want to have an accurate system or induce colouration somewhere else in the system.

Features wise it is swings and roundabouts- the Naim has direct Apple device connectivity, the Cambridge Audio has a preamp and a bluetooth option. Given how close this is, the Stream Magic 6 is excellent value for money.

[amcluesent]

I see a s/w update is awaited before it'll support gapless. C'mon, son!

[Ed Selley]

Originally Posted by amcluesent

I see a s/w update is awaited before it'll support gapless. C'mon, son!

That's being tested at the moment and should be released pretty soon.

[Hoppipolla]

Originally Posted by Ed Selley

That's being tested at the moment and should be released pretty soon.

And it's out now.

Works perfectly. This was the only thing I didn't like about it, but when I found there would be firmware updates I took the plunge.

The quality of detail from it is fantastic. I am chuffed to bits with it.

[Gavinbat]

Hi,
These are now £599 in RS.
So do I go and see Uncle Julian or buy a secondhand MK 1 Transporter?
Cheers,
Gavin

[Crocodile]

Transporter is a bit of risk IMO. It may well give many more years of trouble free service but if something does go wrong, it's an instant brick. Logitech never offered any out of warranty service on these when they were still being sold! But at least you had a chance of leaning on them for a replacement. Now you'd be completely stuffed.

Remember that one of the driving forces behind the Touch was that Logitech could no longer source the displays for the SB3. The same displays that are in the Transporter. And that was what, three years ago?

But then I've read of a less than inspiring case where RS/CA wouldn't repair an NP30 under warranty as they considered it uneconomical. But at least the buyer was refunded. So I'd say if you go for the Stream 6, the RS extended warranty is essential.

[Gavinbat]

Hi,
I really like the look of the Transporter, but as you rightly say if anything goes wrong you've got a new door stop.
Another thing to consider, is that there won't be any software/firmware updates from Logitech, but then again the android app from CA isn't much good by all accounts... but at least there's some chance of it getting sorted...
Cheers,
Gavin

[Crocodile]

Originally Posted by Gavinbat

Hi,
I really like the look of the Transporter, but as you rightly say if anything goes wrong you've got a new door stop.

I'd always wanted one & was sorely tempted by that thread as well, but IMO it's just too much of a risk. Can't believe he knocked you back for the price of a courier.