AudioJosh
Established Member
Hi everyone, just hoping for some advice for playing FLAC/ALAC files offline.
I'm sorted for online with a USB drive connected to my Bluesound Node 2 (very happy with the sound) but late at night and early morning I like to have the tablet and laptop turned off.
So ideally I'd like some kind of media device with a front panel display.
My current 2 options for playing FLAC/ALAC files offline are unsatisfactory. I mainly use an iPod Classic (playing ALAC's) connected via a Marantz CD6005 (USB input) but it sounds kind of flat to me. I've come to the conclusion that the iPod is far from an ideal source after comparing MP3's using a USB drive in the CD6005 (sounds very good) vs the iPod using the same USB input. Unfortunately the CD6005 will only play compressed audio via a USB drive.
The other is playing FLACs via my BluRay player but I don't want a TV/monitor in the bedroom ideally.
Some options I've considered:
Cambridge Audio NP30 streamer. Quite old now but will play Hi-Res audio via USB (but not up to 24bit/88.2kHz). Aesthetically pleasing with decent size front panel display. Radio channels could be a bonus. Main issue is I'm not a fan of the Cambridge sound from experience and it's another box added to the rack.
Yamaha CD-N500. Supports Hi-Res audio via USB so would be ideal in many ways as it aesthetically matches my amp, but it's hard to get hold of and the front panel display is small. Still supports iPod which would be useful for audiobooks so I could sell my CD6005 on. I don't really need the network features though.
Yamaha CD-NT670D. Will do the trick too but a bit pricey and lacks iPod compatibility.
Marantz CD6007. Will play hi res audio via a USB stick but I loathe to pay nearly £400 for it as a CD6005 owner and I think it's dropped iPod support.
Arcam. They seem to have some good CD/USB options but are pricey.
A Hi-Res audio player from the likes of Fiio or Astell & Kern. The issue with this is I'd like a digital output to connect to my own DAC as I'm rather fond of it.
It would be great to find something with a front panel display that plays hi res audio via USB, keeps iPod compatibility so I can listen to Audible audiobooks, can connect to my own DAC and, as a bonus, plays CD's so I can sell my Marantz CD6005 on. I guess that sounds like the Yamaha CD-N500 but if there is anything I have missed I would love to know. Budget around £200 but happy to up it to £300 if something really takes my fancy
Cheers!
I'm sorted for online with a USB drive connected to my Bluesound Node 2 (very happy with the sound) but late at night and early morning I like to have the tablet and laptop turned off.
So ideally I'd like some kind of media device with a front panel display.
My current 2 options for playing FLAC/ALAC files offline are unsatisfactory. I mainly use an iPod Classic (playing ALAC's) connected via a Marantz CD6005 (USB input) but it sounds kind of flat to me. I've come to the conclusion that the iPod is far from an ideal source after comparing MP3's using a USB drive in the CD6005 (sounds very good) vs the iPod using the same USB input. Unfortunately the CD6005 will only play compressed audio via a USB drive.
The other is playing FLACs via my BluRay player but I don't want a TV/monitor in the bedroom ideally.
Some options I've considered:
Cambridge Audio NP30 streamer. Quite old now but will play Hi-Res audio via USB (but not up to 24bit/88.2kHz). Aesthetically pleasing with decent size front panel display. Radio channels could be a bonus. Main issue is I'm not a fan of the Cambridge sound from experience and it's another box added to the rack.
Yamaha CD-N500. Supports Hi-Res audio via USB so would be ideal in many ways as it aesthetically matches my amp, but it's hard to get hold of and the front panel display is small. Still supports iPod which would be useful for audiobooks so I could sell my CD6005 on. I don't really need the network features though.
Yamaha CD-NT670D. Will do the trick too but a bit pricey and lacks iPod compatibility.
Marantz CD6007. Will play hi res audio via a USB stick but I loathe to pay nearly £400 for it as a CD6005 owner and I think it's dropped iPod support.
Arcam. They seem to have some good CD/USB options but are pricey.
A Hi-Res audio player from the likes of Fiio or Astell & Kern. The issue with this is I'd like a digital output to connect to my own DAC as I'm rather fond of it.
It would be great to find something with a front panel display that plays hi res audio via USB, keeps iPod compatibility so I can listen to Audible audiobooks, can connect to my own DAC and, as a bonus, plays CD's so I can sell my Marantz CD6005 on. I guess that sounds like the Yamaha CD-N500 but if there is anything I have missed I would love to know. Budget around £200 but happy to up it to £300 if something really takes my fancy
Cheers!
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