frednork Posted February 20, 2024 Posted February 20, 2024 If you mean will it do better than a decent server then (without having heard that unit) I would expect not . More circuitry and functions etc are the enemy of High quality streaming. Would it be worse than what you have atm , Dunno. would need to try it I guess. Just depends on what your current focus is and what you want to achieve.
Silent Screamer Posted February 20, 2024 Author Posted February 20, 2024 1 minute ago, frednork said: If you mean will it do better than a decent server then (without having heard that unit) I would expect not . More circuitry and functions etc are the enemy of High quality streaming. Would it be worse than what you have atm , Dunno. would need to try it I guess. Just depends on what your current focus is and what you want to achieve. It would be less components than I currently have. Currently I have NAS into Shield into Oppo into Groundsound. This would be NAS into Marantz into GroundSound. 1
frednork Posted February 20, 2024 Posted February 20, 2024 Yes, neither is ideal If you wanna watch movies with surround then you need an avr. If you want to stream at a higher quality than you are currently you need a better streaming setup. The avr may not lose anything to your current setup in sq (but we dont really know, it could be better it could be worse). A streamer wont help with movies at all. Jus depends on what is more important to you
Silent Screamer Posted February 20, 2024 Author Posted February 20, 2024 I am sick of watching movies in stereo, especially when I need to change to stereo every time I watch a movie on Netflix. I'm not really getting the full movie experience. I guess what would be a big part of the decision is how good the phone app is, since this is what I am really buying. The Oppo has a very disappointing network interface. I would want the Marantz to be at least as good as Kodi to make a switch. 1
Guest Posted February 20, 2024 Posted February 20, 2024 (edited) 1 hour ago, Silent Screamer said: Doing a little side step... What if I put the money I was going to put into a network streamer into something like this https://avaustralia.com.au/marantz-av7706-11-2-ch-8k-imax-enhanced-av-pre-amplifier-w-auro-3d-sound-heos/ Since at some point I need to reinvest in a multi-channel AV? It does movie and music streaming from the network, so that is the main thing I want. It does internet radio (nice bonus) and should I want to use a music streaming service it does that as well. Since this unit has no amplification I could always still output the two main channels into the GroundSound. Sound quality thoughts? Please have a read of this long thread, where some people have shifted from 2 channel to the latest AV processors, but note that AV7706 is not the latest generation. However, it may be good enough for your streaming requirements? Personally, not convinced that an Arcam AV41 (SNA AV Processor of the year for 2024) can bridge the large gap between my stereo and my top of the range Arcam AVR30 (with Class G amps) for music. Edited February 20, 2024 by Snoopy8 Typo
Silent Screamer Posted February 20, 2024 Author Posted February 20, 2024 2 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said: Please have a read of this long thread, where some people have shifted from 2 channel to the latest AV processors, but note that AV7706 is not the latest generation. However, it may be good enough for your streaming requirements? Personally, not convinced that an Arcam AV41 (SNA AV Processor of the year for 2024) can bridge the large gap between my stereo and my top of the range Arcam AVR30 (with Class G amps) for music. Are the Cinema XX the latest range?
Guest Posted February 20, 2024 Posted February 20, 2024 1 minute ago, Silent Screamer said: Are the Cinema XX the latest range? Cinema series is latest gen. Cinema 10 is an AV Processor, Cinema 30, 40 etc are AVRs
Guest Posted February 20, 2024 Posted February 20, 2024 8 hours ago, Silent Screamer said: AV10 is $12,800 OUCH! Hence, my earlier comment on whether the 7706 can meet your music streaming requirements? You will be feeding digital from a relatively noisy box full of HT electronics but will be simplifying your setup. Maybe HEOS is good enough?
Silent Screamer Posted February 21, 2024 Author Posted February 21, 2024 3 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: Hence, my earlier comment on whether the 7706 can meet your music streaming requirements? You will be feeding digital from a relatively noisy box full of HT electronics but will be simplifying your setup. Maybe HEOS is good enough? There might be cheaper options for now. The Oppo BDP 105D has significant RCA analog outputs. So I could take the L/R analog outputs and feed them to the GroundSound and feed some surround sound speakers via the Oppo. Probably further complicate two channel music listening, but it would mean that I can use existing hardware. It's a pity that the only separate option they offer is a flagship model.
Silent Screamer Posted February 21, 2024 Author Posted February 21, 2024 6 minutes ago, Silent Screamer said: Maybe HEOS is good enough? I have been avoiding HEOS since it first hit the market, consequently I don't know a great deal about it. For me it simply doesn't feel right to wirelessly send music around the room. It feels like something is being massively compromised. I have been thinking of actually scaling back my surround sound speakers and selling the RAAL 70-10 AM tweeters I bought for the surrounds. It really is over kill for surround sound speakers and would make someone better main tweeters.
Guest Posted February 21, 2024 Posted February 21, 2024 You are tying yourself into knots by trying the AV7706, the Oppo 105 etc. Just get a streamer with USB output and be done with it....
Silent Screamer Posted February 21, 2024 Author Posted February 21, 2024 52 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said: You are tying yourself into knots by trying the AV7706, the Oppo 105 etc. Just get a streamer with USB output and be done with it.... I am also at that point where I have to decide what I am trying to build... Whether I am trying to make it do both home theatre and music (which might require compromises) or if I build two separate systems. Or if I start with one and transition to the other.
Silent Screamer Posted February 28, 2024 Author Posted February 28, 2024 I am the first to admit I don't know a lot about the bits and pieces that make up a good system, but this thread has brought up a number of things that I hadn't really even considered like reclocking etc. I was watching a YouTube video that led me to this website and wondered if something like this might be worthwhile. As I say I have little idea what I am even looking at. https://iancanada.ca/products/flagship-full-function-fifo-re-clock-ddc-streamer
POV Posted February 28, 2024 Posted February 28, 2024 On 21/02/2024 at 10:57 AM, Silent Screamer said: For me it simply doesn't feel right to wirelessly send music around the room. It feels like something is being massively compromised. I'm a bit confused, if you feel this way why are you looking at streamers?
frednork Posted February 28, 2024 Posted February 28, 2024 6 hours ago, Silent Screamer said: I am the first to admit I don't know a lot about the bits and pieces that make up a good system, but this thread has brought up a number of things that I hadn't really even considered like reclocking etc. I was watching a YouTube video that led me to this website and wondered if something like this might be worthwhile. As I say I have little idea what I am even looking at. https://iancanada.ca/products/flagship-full-function-fifo-re-clock-ddc-streamer Well Snoop suggested something similar way back on the first page. Iso regen does similar, plenty of other ddc's out there. ian Canada is supposed to be good value but I havent heard them. I still think you could improve the server/streamer quite a bit instead of trying to polish a turd (no disrespect to the nvidia shield, its just not designed as a music streamer) but hey if you wanna try, let us know how it goes. Maybe you can get a satin finish?
Silent Screamer Posted February 28, 2024 Author Posted February 28, 2024 45 minutes ago, POV said: I'm a bit confused, if you feel this way why are you looking at streamers? Because I am not looking to wirelessly move the music. The streamer would be cable connected to a NAS where the music would be stored.
POV Posted February 28, 2024 Posted February 28, 2024 Just now, Silent Screamer said: Because I am not looking to wirelessly move the music. The streamer would be cable connected to a NAS where the music would be stored. Hmm....I don't really understand why you see a distinction between cable network and wireless network but OK. Personally I think there is better solutions than NAS to be frank but it does depend on your budget and use case.
Silent Screamer Posted February 28, 2024 Author Posted February 28, 2024 11 minutes ago, frednork said: Well Snoop suggested something similar way back on the first page. Iso regen does similar, plenty of other ddc's out there. ian Canada is supposed to be good value but I havent heard them. I still think you could improve the server/streamer quite a bit instead of trying to polish a turd (no disrespect to the nvidia shield, its just not designed as a music streamer) but hey if you wanna try, let us know how it goes. Maybe you can get a satin finish? Still playing with options. I have no idea what DDC even is... To me all I see is multiple PCBs. But Snoop mention reclockers, and since that from what I can see does that, I wasn't sure if something like that might do instead of paying thousands for just a reclocker. Still missing lots of parts but was wondering if it was suitable or totally wrong for what I am trying to do. I don't see a NIC on it, but assume you can use the one on the RPi you have to supply.
Silent Screamer Posted February 28, 2024 Author Posted February 28, 2024 (edited) 4 minutes ago, POV said: Hmm....I don't really understand why you see a distinction between cable network and wireless network but OK. Personally I think there is better solutions than NAS to be frank but it does depend on your budget and use case. I was talking about wireless speakers, but still it is a bandwidth thing... Nothing would stop me putting a HDD in whatever streamer comes along. Currently I have movies and music on the same 10TB drive, but could always buy a smaller drive just for music. Or maybe even buy an SSD for the streamer. Edited February 28, 2024 by Silent Screamer 1
frednork Posted February 28, 2024 Posted February 28, 2024 17 minutes ago, Silent Screamer said: Still playing with options. I have no idea what DDC even is... To me all I see is multiple PCBs. But Snoop mention reclockers, and since that from what I can see does that, I wasn't sure if something like that might do instead of paying thousands for just a reclocker. Still missing lots of parts but was wondering if it was suitable or totally wrong for what I am trying to do. I don't see a NIC on it, but assume you can use the one on the RPi you have to supply. DDC digital to digital converter. it just depends on what type of signal your dac is likely to prefer. Expect something like the setup in the vid would be pretty good but not sure how cheap
POV Posted February 28, 2024 Posted February 28, 2024 (edited) 22 minutes ago, Silent Screamer said: Still playing with options. I have no idea what DDC even is... To me all I see is multiple PCBs. But Snoop mention reclockers, and since that from what I can see does that, I wasn't sure if something like that might do instead of paying thousands for just a reclocker. Still missing lots of parts but was wondering if it was suitable or totally wrong for what I am trying to do. I don't see a NIC on it, but assume you can use the one on the RPi you have to supply. My advice is to stay away from USB reclockers, these devices are unnecessary and really don't achieve anything. With USB data transfer for audio it is asynchronous, meaning that there is no clock signal and the clocking is done within the receiving device. For years now audiophiles have been convinced that USB data transfer introduces jitter, hence the demand for so-called reclockers, but it really verifiably doesn't in the vast majority of circumstances. All you need is a well designed DAC and let it do it's thing. If a re-clocker is verifiably making an audible difference then there is a problem with the DAC design in question, but really this is unlikely with modern DACs from reputable manufacturers. Too much of this stuff gets overcomplicated and a shroud of mystery appears that is unhelpful in my view. Edited February 28, 2024 by POV 2
POV Posted February 28, 2024 Posted February 28, 2024 (edited) While I'll acknowledge I'm not 100% sure what you are seeking to achieve, I gather that it's a means to stream your stored music with a decent graphical and user interface and you have a budget of between $1k and $2k. I would look at an Eversolo DMP-A6 like the one linked below and then add an SSD drive (can be installed inside the unit via an access plate one the base) to it for your music. This ought to give you what you are looking for, and it has a pretty decent onboard DAC as well as digital outputs so you can use it as a streamer/DAC or as a digital streaming transport. https://www.stereonet.com/forums/topic/607940-eversolo-dmp-a6-streamerdacpreamp-mint/ Edited February 28, 2024 by POV 1
Silent Screamer Posted February 28, 2024 Author Posted February 28, 2024 18 minutes ago, POV said: While I'll acknowledge I'm not 100% sure what you are seeking to achieve, I gather that it's a means to stream your stored music with a decent graphical and user interface and you have a budget of between $1k and $2k. I would look at an Eversolo DMP-A6 like the one linked below and then add an SSD drive (can be installed inside the unit via an access plate one the base) to it for your music. This ought to give you what you are looking for, and it has a pretty decent onboard DAC as well as digital outputs so you can use it as a streamer/DAC or as a digital streaming transport. https://www.stereonet.com/forums/topic/607940-eversolo-dmp-a6-streamerdacpreamp-mint/ Checked my music and I could fit everything on a 1 TB drive. This would eliminate the need for network connectivity to play (might need it to be able to store new content). Basically what I am looking for is something to play my own music, not really interested in all the streaming services. Wouldn't mind if I could play internet radio, but it is not a deal breaker item. Don't really need a DAC because it is just other link in the chain I don't need. My active crossover has to convert any analog signals via its ADC before it can work its magic. Then one everything is done it outputs an analog signal via 8 Burr Brown DACs. So for me I would prefer something digital out. Price is dependent on quality. I like to get value for money, that doesn't necessarily mean cheap, but I want value regardless of price range.
Silent Screamer Posted February 28, 2024 Author Posted February 28, 2024 (edited) 49 minutes ago, frednork said: DDC digital to digital converter. it just depends on what type of signal your dac is likely to prefer. Expect something like the setup in the vid would be pretty good but not sure how cheap OK before this very moment I had never heard of a digital to digital converter before. Kind of seems silly to make one. Why does it exist? That was the guy I was watching (different video) of when he mentioned the DIY route. He seemed to be raving about this Ian guy, so I thought I would check out his website. I have no idea what I would need to buy or if it is even what I am looking for, but perhaps Ian could steer me in the right direction, if I decide to go down a DIY route. Since he is running an open baffle system not so different to mine he obviously isn't scrimping on buying decent equipment (the price of those RAAL dipoles are scary) and if he has chosen this guys gear for his system it cant be too crappy. Edited February 28, 2024 by Silent Screamer 1
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