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Slettix

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  1. Thanks for great feedback! Seems like I'll go with a dedicated music server and DAC as the first step. Currently I have a Yamaha 3067 surround receiver powering Monitor Audio GS20 speakers and a custom built HTPC running Windows 8 and JRMC, but I'm considering moving to a passively cooled server like the Zuma. I'm going to buy a new DAC as well and then look into a separate stereo setup with HT input (either integrated, separate pre / power or using a pre + DAC / power combo). Some DAC's I'm planning to look into are: Wadia 121, W4S, Auralic, T+A, Bel Canto and Naim. Any other suggestions on where to start and the order of purchases? Decisions, decisions...
  2. Absolutely - I was just mentioning it as it would make sense for certain streamers like a SqueezeBox, Sonos or similar. Not that I'm considering those for this setup though...
  3. Thanks for all the great feedback - highly appreciated :-) I agree in general on the statement from realhifi about listening to the different alternatives. However, it's just way too many different variables in play here, and almost impossible to try out the difference as this was more of a "philosophical" question - which route to go when it comes to my next-gen setup. When I've decided on the philosophy (music server vs streaming) I will definitely compare various alternatives (which DAC is best, what's the difference with or without SOtM USB etc etc) up against each other. But for now, I was wondering if - in general - a well-built music server is better (with a high-end DAC), worse or indifferent from a high-end streaming device (with the same high-end DAC, or integrated in an all-in-one like SuperUnity, Devialet etc). As some of you mentioned - there is A LOT of different options and alternatives here, I'm simply trying to decide which path to choose. I'm leaning towards building my own music server (the Zuma looks great), adding a nice DAC up-front and gradually building out from there. However, if you think this would result in lower sound quality vs a streaming device then I would have second thoughts. I'm not concerned with issues around simplicity as I'm very comfortable with handling a computer (installing drivers, building a pc etc) Again - thanks for great feedback. This is a truly great forum I will be visiting frequently!
  4. Hello,I'm new to this forum so please forgive me if this is a silly question: it seems that more and more amplifiers have built-in support for streaming music directly from a NAS. Devices such as Naim, Devialet and Electrocompaniet (just to mention a few) now have Wifi / Ethernet, asynchronous DAC and amplifier in one box, which might look attractive. On the other hand, you could build / buy a music server with JRMC or similar, connected to an external DAC. What are the arguments for choosing one over the other? For me, the most important criterias to evaluate would be SQ, useability, flexibility and price in that order. I guess you could argue that useability and flexibility could favor a separate music server (a lot of choices, great selection of remote apps, could adapt and change over time, easier to replace components without replacing everything), but what about SQ? Would a well-designed music server, such as the Zuma combined with a separate DAC be as good or better as an all-in-one device from for instance Naim with approximately spending the same amount of money? What if price is not an issue - would that change the conclusion? I'm a "computer guy" and not afraid of building my own pc's (built my own pc's and HTPC's for many years), and we are of course talking about lossless, bit perfect setups, not MP3 and Spotify here... Hope to get your opinion here as I'm about to decide on a path for my next setup.
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