Hi I'd appreciate your thoughts on moving away from using a computer as the music server (currently using Win PC - foobar -ifi Micro idsd - headphones). The idsd offers great flexibility as regards file type, sample rate and sound quality.
My first thoughts led me to investigate a dedicated music server that can process hi res files; flac & DSD up to the same sample rates as the idsd but these units tend to be at the high end of the audio market. They also tend to function as streamers and allow access to Tidal etc which pushes up their cos. I have less interest in the streaming option at this point. The cheaper or older servers seem not to handle DSD or only process up to PCM 24/96. The other attribute I need is a display on the server to allow me to see the file info such as track names etc. Many servers uttilse apps for this function which complicates the issue.
The mid-range devices eg Pioneer, Marantz etc. process hi-res files from a usb drive but don't output over usb which means I lose the bit perfect capability of the idsd's usb input (or any other dac if I upgrade). I was hoping to find a solution for about £500 but this is very unlikely. It looks like I will have to spend considerably more.
My requirements for a device (either a dedicated music server or a device which incorporates these functions):
usb input for hdd or usb drive
Output via usb for bit perfect playback
Can process PCM to 96/192 DSD to 512
Remote to control menu
Display to show track info etc.
Android app friendly
Any suggestions gratefully appreciated
My first thoughts led me to investigate a dedicated music server that can process hi res files; flac & DSD up to the same sample rates as the idsd but these units tend to be at the high end of the audio market. They also tend to function as streamers and allow access to Tidal etc which pushes up their cos. I have less interest in the streaming option at this point. The cheaper or older servers seem not to handle DSD or only process up to PCM 24/96. The other attribute I need is a display on the server to allow me to see the file info such as track names etc. Many servers uttilse apps for this function which complicates the issue.
The mid-range devices eg Pioneer, Marantz etc. process hi-res files from a usb drive but don't output over usb which means I lose the bit perfect capability of the idsd's usb input (or any other dac if I upgrade). I was hoping to find a solution for about £500 but this is very unlikely. It looks like I will have to spend considerably more.
My requirements for a device (either a dedicated music server or a device which incorporates these functions):
usb input for hdd or usb drive
Output via usb for bit perfect playback
Can process PCM to 96/192 DSD to 512
Remote to control menu
Display to show track info etc.
Android app friendly
Any suggestions gratefully appreciated