AvilleAudio

My experience using the TP-Link AV2000 was similarly positive. Running Ethernet cables through a second floor apartment in a 3 story building constructed about 1910 was not an option. I used the TP-Link to connect my Roon Core (a Mac Mini) via the DSL Router/Apple Time Capsule in the dining room to the MicroRendu in the living room. It runs 24/192 without a hiccup. Before this I tried using an Apple Express as an Ethernet Wi-Fi adapter. It only worked for 16/44, with anything higher bandwidth causing Roon to freeze every few minutes. My power lines are old and supply a window AC and refrigerator. Even though they're about as noisy as it gets, the SQ is great--far better than supplying my DAC from the Mac directly. I haven't strung an ethernet cable across my apartment to compare wired versus power line ethernet. It's a worthwhile experiment, but I choose not to know since it's not a permanent option and I choose to be happy. Does the combination of Microrendu with a Uptone Audio Ultracaps LPS-1 effectively shield the DAC from power line noise?

Wow...great event! I'm a Roon user with a pretty basic setup (a 2010 Mac Mini into an Ayre DAC). I'd love to learn about improving the experience and the various Roon options. Any plans for a similar event near Chicago?

I think you're right.

WRONG! It's the 3rd. 1st: Neo 3, 2nd: Linn Exact. Check your facts, man. ;-) Signed, Your friendly neighborhood troll. And Chris: Thanks for the review. I'm intrigued--someday I'll audition a "fully" active loudspeaker system. Enjoyed running into you at AXPONA.

Downloaded it. Impressive! My tastes run the gamut, but classical is a big part of my listening. This is the first playback software that gets it right when it comes to classical music. I've got a lot of obscure albums...some from tiny, out-of-business labels. Albums, works and movements were absolutely perfect. So far I haven't found any metadata that needed edited. Album art wasn't as spot on as the metadata, but the few albums missing artwork were easy enough to google and download to Roon. So far, so good. This is the first piece of consumer/audiophile software I've seen that comes close to hitting the mark. Still waiting for the iPad remote and DSD capability! Based on the initial release, I expect to be impressed.

This is a huge deal. It takes computer audio, a tiny segment of the music biz consisting of dollar-waiving connoisseurs and tight-fisted hobbyists, and moves it much closer to the mainstream! The price seems fair, especially the $500 lifetime subscription. But...given that this is a very polished and innovative product, it looks like it's ripe for the picking by a large, mainstream company that has lots of money (maybe stockpiled in Ireland?) and wants to enhance its offerings in the computer- and cloud-based music distribution business. Then what happens to the subscribers? Am I crazy for asking? Chris or others, I'd value your opinion.

Question: Do you or anybody else have any thoughts on the Aries ($1700) versus the Aries LE ($1000)? I'm running a mac mini with A+ into an Ayre QB-9. The QB-9 is relatively isolated from electrical noise, but maybe there's more to it than I understand. Great review Chris. I'm seriously thinking about switching to the Aries, but it's an act of faith, given that there are no dealers in my small town: Chicago. A well thought out review from a reliable reviewer helps. See you at AXPONA?

That's what I assumed, but I thought it should be disclosed upfront by you or anyone else who submits an article or review. I appreciate the direct reply. As I continue to refine and improve my setup I appreciate the great resource that CA is! Thanks.

Chris: I'm not sure you view yourself as a journalist, but your readers do. Therefore I think it's important to disclose whether you're receiving any direct or indirect compensation and what or how much (e.g., product, free airfare, meals, accommodations or money). This should be disclosed in the the article or review. If it's zero, that's important, too!

Good points and I acknowledge the difference in price. My point is that the Oppo may not be the the crazy good moderately priced solution everyone says it is. It's worth trying other solutions. I think they Oppo has a very cozy relations with the audiophile press--they seem unable to do wrong. But heck, if others are happy, who am I to say their wrong. The other thing to consider would be if it sounds better or worse with a particular computer or software. Not every combination of software and hardware is magical. My experience is limited to a Mac mini with Audirvana 1.5.12. BTW, I had to read and re-read your metaphor. Nice! I find this forum fun and entertaining because of the give and take. I only have two audiophile friends in real life and everybody else I know thinks we're nuts. But everybody at CA is nuts, and that's a good thing.

I completely agree. I used the Oppo 105 as a USB DAC for about 9 months before switching to an Ayre QB-9 DSD 6 months ago. The 105 never excited me as a USB DAC. Once I heard the Ayre I knew what I was missing. There was no going back. Of course I'm comparing an expensive Swiss army knife to a very expensive one trick pony. But if great sound is what you're after, dump the Oppo as a DAC solution. On the plus side, I think the Oppo sounds great with discs.

I am going to start saving my pennies for an OPPO HA-1, I think the Ayre QB-9 is out of my price range. Well, for what you'd get on eBay for the Oppo 105 you could buy yourself quite a nice DAC. Silvery discs are so very 2009. I'll try out the Aurdirvana 2.0.xx as soon as they release a stable iOS remote. Sounds like a great upgrade for $$'s, not $$$$'s !

Edo: Your setup sounds similar to my original CA setup. I felt the Oppo 105 was a great disc spinner but just not all there as a DAC. My system sang when I switched DACs to an Ayre QB-9 DSD . The sound is almost palpable--detailed but at the same time pleasant and relaxed. The downside is that badly engineered recordings are revealed for what they are. Your electronics and speakers do better with the Oppo 105 as a DAC than mine did, but you may want to consider demo'ing another DAC at some point.

I've been super-content with Audirvana 1.5.10. I'm running it headless on a mac mini with Apple remote on my iPhone and iPad. In my music collection I have about 30 or so albums in DSD (.dsf). So... Can't wait for the iOS app. Once it's out and everything's reasonably stable, I'll be upgrading for sure.

I suppose anyone who spends $3,250 plus tax for a DAC needs to convince themselves they made a good choice. I'm certainly one of them. I got mine in July 2014 and think it just gets better with time. It's both incredibly revealing and NOT annoying. CD rips sound like never before. Before the Ayre I was outputting from my Mac Mini (via Audirvana 1.5.10) to an (overrated) Oppo 105 I was using as a USB DAC. No comparison. The QB-9 DSD blows it away.