Digital music

[Michael]

Hi all,

A quick question, I have a sonos connect into my stereo via a musical fidelity M1 DAC ( selling the DAC as I just bought a Moon 300D). Sonos won't play HD audio, so I want a change, but a higher end change (feeding a Marantz PM15S2 and Wharfedale Jade 5's). I want something as sexy as Sonos to use, but better sound, hence I am looking at a moon 180 Mind, favourite at the minute. I still have an M1 Clic in my head (good prices at the mo) and a Marantz (standard or if I can afford it the premium series, which I can't now).

Anyone used any of these, if so, what do they sound like, and is the app as good as the Sonos app. I have about 1900 cd's ripped so ease for scanning and finding something that fits my mood (I.e. Not something I'm specifically looking for) is important.

As they say, Help!

[tony]

Welcome Michael, If you have a look around you will see we are a bit odd on CA here!
Convenience is really not where it is at!

Haven't a clue on the streamer you are considering it looks nice. TBH I don't see the logic, I accept it might have a nice display and give you convenient streaming. You still need a pc and a dac?. I have all music on an external HDD. It could be on an SSD or be in the PC if I choose. Ok my set up will not look as sexy but the SQ is better and finding stuff to play I don't find problematic. I just use total commander(more basic version of windows explorer). If I wanted more detail I can use Jriver software or Jplay but choose a hairshirt player.

Not trying to frighten you off! You have only just arrived but maybe offering a different view point.

Cyrus do a streamer also and they are fairly neat looking units. Not the Lyric mind you that looks like something out of star wars!

[Gerry D]

Michael have you looked at the Bluesound Vault ?
Been investigating it recently and it seems pretty nifty.
Cloney Audio do them.

Welcome to Tir na HiFi too

[Michael]

Hi Jerry, will do, a few people have mentioned bluestone to me.
Tony, all my music is on a Synology NAS. I like the convience, the artwork, ease of use, but I also pretty much demand performance. I think the moon will be a pretty serious piece of kit.

http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php ... c-streamer

I don't like PC's, too much gets in the way, also I don't want to have it powered on all the time, so the NAS powered 24/7 is a better bet really. I always say, life's too short for faff, or ugly hi-if, with so much stuff out there, and plenty of competition at all levels, why buy ugly or awkward to use.mMy car analogies.......it's like buying a Hyundai Santa Fe new, with extra's, when a Volvo V60 is the same price, no brainer.

[ianminch]

First time on Tir na HiFi, so hi everyone.

Hi Michael,

I use my Synology NAS (212j) to store my FLAC files and I stream these via Cambridge Stream Magic 6 v2 to my Arcam A39.

I love the sound that I get from both hi res sources (24/192) and CD rips (16/44). The Stream magic always delivers a really warm and detailed sound. Joni Mitchell's Ladies of Canyon employs echoed piano and vocals yet the phrasing and timing are spot on. Mick Taylor era Stones mixes blues from sax and guitar with perfect clarity and you can hear Ritchie Blackmore scraping the fretboard while he's thrashing Bach scales on Deep Purple's Paris 75. The SR 6 has an excellent DAC and internet radio capabilities too.

One thing that Cambridge needs to improve though is the Android app that accompanies the SM6. It can be a bit moody and occasionally needs a few "goes" to connect to the SM. I've often used BubblePnP as a substitute so you're not goosed without it, but really it should work much better. I also use JRiver to control play from my PC, but you're not really interested in emplying this method to play your music.

Pioneer have a new streamer out that got a decent review in What HiFi this month but I haven't heard it play myself. If you do end up getting the Moon, please put up a review - it looks like a lovely piece of kit.

ATB, Ian

[Ivor]

welcome Ian and Michael, have a nose around the other forums while you're here... you might find them interesting!

[Michael]

Hi Ian,

Yes I've heard a bit about the Pioneer's, heard a bit of trouble with the app though, but they are supposed to be sensational. The MF Clic seemed perfect, but Fanthorps put me off that, it's all very dodgy with digital gui's it seems.

The moon has some brilliant reviews, seriously good, problem is cost, staring at the sharp end of €1400. Need to sell my MF M1 DAC to generate some cash, take a bit, but I reckon it's worth it.

[tony]

Tony, all my music is on a Synology NAS. I like the convience, the artwork, ease of use, but I also pretty much demand performance. I think the moon will be a pretty serious piece of kit.

I don't like PC's, too much gets in the way, also I don't want to have it powered on all the time, so the NAS powered 24/7 is a better bet really. I always say, life's too short for faff, or ugly hi-if, with so much stuff out there, and plenty of competition at all levels, why buy ugly or awkward to use.mMy car analogies.......it's like buying a Hyundai Santa Fe new, with extra's, when a Volvo V60 is the same price, no brainer.

Is that not pretty???

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1494&start=1150

[nige2000]

funny how its possible to hear with eyes :)

just 15 secs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WBX6SA ... u.be&t=240