Quality Streaming - Another approach ?

wytco0

Established Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2004
Messages
166
Reaction score
4
Points
38
Location
Hastings UK
I am still hunting for a quality streaming options, Currently I have rejected the Sonos solution as it lacks HD Audio capabilities and I have rejected Squeezebox as its range has been reduced and its future seems uncertain.

I am looking for 3-4 streaming devices, 3 for use in bedrooms and kitchen and one for my mail Hi-Fi system, a major requirement for me is the ability to synchronise across multiple players (which both Sonos and Squeezebox do very well).

I have all my music stored a flac files on my NAS and I will also be using streaming from the internet (radio and possibly spotify).

My main System has a DAC already so I don't really need a streamer with a DAC for that system. This started me thinking that another approach would be to use active speakers with a built in DAC? and the control the whole lot via software control. This raises 3 questions:
1) are there any reasonably priced active speaker with a built in DAC.
2) What coudl I use to take the stream from a central server to feed it into the DAC?
3) Is there a software only solution to multi-room?

Well for Q1 the answer is yes, I have found at least one the "AVI ADM9", this has a DAC that can handle 96Khz, I would prefer 192Khz capability but that's not essential, if I can handle the complete streaming solution with software.

Q2 I know that I could use a small media PC with a Digital outpout sound option, but would something like the new Dune players or Apple mini or TV be an option?

However for question 3 I don't know and I am not sure what to search for as I don't know enough about the streaming control software options, something open source and community supported would be great.

The ability to synchronise multiple players is essential as I like having the same music playing round the house.

Appreciate any thoughts comments and suggestions on the practicality of this and possible solutions.
 
Last edited:
Q2 - Apple TV will only output at 48Khz so re-samples everything - not good. The AE only supports 16/44. An Apple mini would be a better option but is a bit overkill just to run as a streaming device. The Dune would need a TV to see what is going on. The AVIs still need a streaming device to work as they do not have network connection.
Q3 - You don't say what NAS you are using. If it can run Squeezeserver then this can stream to multiple squeeze players, either software or hardware and you can control it remotely from an iOS/Android/PC using one of the various squeezecontrol apps. That would also allow you to sync all the players as well. Not sure why you are bothered about Logitech products as they do the job and once you have bought it what is the problem if they stop making them down the line? They work now.

I use Squeezeserver on a Vortex box and can control it simultaneously from my Android tablet , PC, iPod Touch, or HP Touchpad and direct streams to any one of three players.

You could look a Simple Audio's new products but not sure when they are out. Simple Audio - Multi Room HD Music Systems

I wouldn't worry un-duly about 24/192 as there is little original material being produced at this resolution yet. Just because companies are releasing back catalogues saying they are re-mastered at 24/192 doesn't mean that the original material was produced at anywhere near that resolution. You can record a wax cylinder onto a CD at 16/44 but would you call that recording 'CD quality'? If you buy it re-mastered at 24/192 then you know you are being conned - caveat emptor.
 
The ability to synchronise multiple players is essential

IMHO the only proven kit with zoning/sync capability is Sonos or Squeezebox. Airplay is all-or-nothing, Apple may introduce zoning later.
 
Last edited:
Q2 - Apple TV will only output at 48Khz so re-samples everything - not good. The AE only supports 16/44. An Apple mini would be a better option but is a bit overkill just to run as a streaming device. The Dune would need a TV to see what is going on. The AVIs still need a streaming device to work as they do not have network connection.
Q3 - You don't say what NAS you are using. If it can run Squeezeserver then this can stream to multiple squeeze players, either software or hardware and you can control it remotely from an iOS/Android/PC using one of the various squeezecontrol apps. That would also allow you to sync all the players as well. Not sure why you are bothered about Logitech products as they do the job and once you have bought it what is the problem if they stop making them down the line? They work now. .

Thanks for the info re Apple that's them crossed off my list;-)

The reason I am not considering Logitech is that I am not convinced that they will continue to support their range, they have dropped the Boom, the Duet and the Transformer with no replacements. I have been a long time user of the SB3 and love it and the software but now I am looking for an new system. If they had replaced the Boom I would have bought several of them and a touch for my main system. I have thought, and not yet fully rejected, using several touch players with active speakers, its not ideal but it may end up being an option.

I use a QNAP NAS and also an HP WHS server I know that I can run Squeezeserver on the QNAP.

I use Squeezeserver on a Vortex box and can control it simultaneously from my Android tablet , PC, iPod Touch, or HP Touchpad and direct streams to any one of three players.

You could look a Simple Audio's new products but not sure when they are out. Simple Audio - Multi Room HD Music Systems .

I have been watching AS carefully and they look to have a lot of potential however they have repeatedly delayed their launch and until we see real production units on sale I am not going to commit to them. Even now their web site says that they will be on sale in Autumn 2011 and yet they have said that it wont be available until 2012. I know launch time is difficult but I don't think its good that they don't keep their website up-to-date. Its not clear how well their synchronisation will work, they say it will be as good as any others but I want to see this confirmed.


I wouldn't worry un-duly about 24/192 as there is little original material being produced at this resolution yet. Just because companies are releasing back catalogues saying they are re-mastered at 24/192 doesn't mean that the original material was produced at anywhere near that resolution. You can record a wax cylinder onto a CD at 16/44 but would you call that recording 'CD quality'? If you buy it re-mastered at 24/192 then you know you are being conned - caveat emptor.

Well on this I don't agree, I understand HD audio well and I agree with some of your points re-remasters etc. For me HD (24 bit) is now essential and I have a growing collection of HD music. I want a system that can play HD natively, I am not prepared to re-sample my library and keep multiple copies for different players. If Sonos had HD options I would go with them but they don't and they wont say when or if they will support HD.
 
Well on this I don't agree, I understand HD audio well and I agree with some of your points re-remasters etc. For me HD (24 bit) is now essential and I have a growing collection of HD music. I want a system that can play HD natively, I am not prepared to re-sample my library and keep multiple copies for different players. If Sonos had HD options I would go with them but they don't and they wont say when or if they will support HD.

You should have a read of this then before you spend your cash on any more HD music

HiFi News Investigates the Truth Behind HD Downloads

and

http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/the-truth-about-hd-audio
 
Last edited:
Hi Larkone,
Oh yes I have read those and plenty of other similar ones, again I don't disagree with them but it makes no difference to my belief that in the future HD will become more available to those that want it.

I don't really understand why every time there is a change of format there is a long drawn out debate about how the earlier format was in fact just as good if not better that the new one. Personally I generally chose not to get involved in those debates and I do not need to be convinced one way or the other.

Perhaps me and anyone else asking about HD should start all of our threads with a disclaimer. Maybe something like "I understand that I am a complete idiot even thinking that there can ever be anything better that 78/LP/45/Cassette/CD/SACD/DVD-A (cross out those that don't apply) however I do not wish to engage in discussions that will further highlight my ignorance"


:):):):) Please note smilies. :):):):)
 
I to am a supporter of HD music and wish that the record companies would take this on board - but do it properly and not try to con the public. I just don't think they are going to get their act together on this any time soon. The true specialist few that are producing GENUINE HD music are very limited - mostly jazz and classical.

The point I am making is that you could spend a large amount of money on kit capable of playing very high resolutions and only end up with a very few tracks that truly exploit the capability. There is now kit that can handle 24/384 and 24/768 but I don't see any content for those devices. This is why I set myself an upper limit of 24/96 for my kit for the time being as I am struggling to find anything in the 24/192 that is truly recorded at that resolution for any of the music I would listen to. Most of it has been up-sampled.

Ditto Similies
 
Larkone, in that case we are in 100% agreement.

I think the record companies are mainly interested in selling low bitrate (mp3) stuff to the vast majority of people who don't care about fidelity or selling pretend higher quality remasters to people who have already bought an earlier versions.

In my case I would like to have 24/192 capability but I may have to accept 24/92.
 

The latest video from AVForums

Is 4K Blu-ray Worth It?
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Back
Top Bottom