Joshua_j

wonderful review. Thanks for your input! Joshua

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look forward to the comparison to the other products!! JB

Thank you for the info! I wonder how it would compare to these other products that are getting review like the ones from Ayre and Peachtree, or others, in the same price-range. It seems fairly feature rich. I wonder how it works in real world conditions though. JB

I was looking for some info about a unit and was perusing their site, saw this little ditty and it piqued my interest.... anyone have any info other than what's here? http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Audio-Components/Hi-Fi+Audio/N-50 Thanks Joshua

Can you please explain what the benefit/significance of this is? thank you in advance Joshua

This is exactly what I was talking about in my previous post. Thank you for the thorough review. It seems like Marantz is far from making things work nicely with today's technology. For what it's worth, I don't understand why people seem to be attacking you (Chris) for choosing to review this.<br /> Joshua

There is no place for your comment here as far as I am concerned. This is an open discussion forum and if you don't like the thread then don't subscribe to it and/or don't read the posts. Why is there a review of the Peachtree Nova here? Or Speakers? This is Computer Audiophile!!! Why is there a review of hi-res music? This is Computer Audiophile!!! Why did the Phillips set-up get reviewed? There are other magazines that review speakers. There are plenty of other magazines that review music. We come here because we respect the reviews and each other. The initial post was about how the new systems worked with Computer Audiophile. I did not ask for a comment if Pioneer Elite was better sounding than Marantz, or if Krell sounded better than Levinson. I asked about the current interfaces and how they played with everything else computer based in the house i.e., did the interfaces integrate remote applications and such so that having a separate Mac Mini, HTPC, or other device (such as a squeezebox touch), especiallly if you have 3 other computers in the house, not ecessary now. Maybe now you don't need a separate computer because there is a dedicated pre-pro/avr already in your system that can now effortlessly stream and you don't have to waste money on the other devices. As I previously stated, using the AV8003 to access the network is about as enjoyable as sticking needles in one's eye. But maybe with a new device I can passthrough to my 2 channel system effortlessly now and don't need a separate computer attached to the marantz do that. Joshua

Thank you everyone involved with keeping this thread alive. I think it funny that although there is a review of a sonos, a sooloo, and a others, there has been no review of the interface between today's pre/pro's and or avr's and CA. I would stilll love to hear from more people… yes, i have been to other sites, and they are fine and dandy for everyone that loves the particular piece in the thread. However, for anyone that would like a comparison of multiple devices or for that matter a comparison of how these devices integrate into the real world of computers and modern multichannel or stereo sound from modern devices…. well we are pretty much SOL unless you get to page …….. ummmmm about 89 at avsforum for the marantz av7005, or IDK of the other newer models from Denon or Pioneer or Sony…… So, how are the interfaces? Are they as good as Apple or Computers???? I would love to know since I can't try them all…. despite living in Los Angeles…. I have a 6 month old and a 22 month old….. so time is limited for me….. Joshua

I guess it is not important though, because the finest piece of equipment ever was missed by me!!! http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,fmj,av-amplifiers,AVR600.htm But seriously, has anyone used the new features on the latest avr's that are supposed to work seemlessly with the ipads or the iphones? Since the DACs in the avr's can be good, aren't they to a higher level than what is found in the mac mini or the apple tv? Reading through the other threads here, the AppleTV2 upsamples everything to 48k. Isn't that opposed to most of what is trying to be accomplished by bit perfect playback? I think that my "request box" inquiry is very valid and very relevant. Nowhere did I ask for a review of all the features, or a comparison of the self contained amps within the AVR's (the AV8003 has no internal amp and is used exclusively as a preamp, which is the same for the pre-outs of the ones even with internal amps). In the end, wouldn't it be nice if we could just attach the ethernet port or the WI-FI to the device such as the AVR and circumvent the Mac mini or the AppleTV? I think the Oppo solution is fantastic and might use it myself, but the monitor would need to be on correct? I would like to use it headless and with the iPad or Iphone and run itunes (amarra or others) in lossless with the only processing being the DACs within the AVR. I have a separate pre-amp, the McIntosh C2300, that could be used in conjunction with an AVR or the Oppo.... There are numerous other sites on the internet that give info on the video switching, the video performance, and th other capabilities, but none have honest reviews of the wireless/wired computer friendly capabilities of the said devices. For example, the AV8003 was hailed as such a great musical device and it has an ipod docking stand, navigating through the music is like sticking hepatitis c infected syringes into ones eyes.... not user friendly!!!! Stay away!!!! that is an honest review. So that is the original thrust of my query and I really appreciate the other input here...and I think that many others share the same opinion. Joshua

For what it's worth, My System thus far is based on Dali Euphonia 5.1 MS5 LF/RF, CS4 center, RS3 rears and AS2 for sub duty. Sony PS3 fat boy for blu ray, OPPO DV983H for sacd, Marantz AV8003 as the av receiver, mcintosh mc2300 as a preamp with passthrough mode for tv and movies, used for 2 channel direct from the oppo, Sunfire Cinama Signature 5 channel amp for power, with Furman and panamax, FIOS with Motorola cable box, APPLE TV all viewed on a 60 inch Pioneer Plasma Kuros In the bedroom I have a 5.1 system as well, with a Vienna Acoustic speakers- the Weberns around the TV and the Bergs on the wall behind the bed with a REL sub under the nightstand. All of the audio equipment was wired out of site under the bed with plenty of breathing room. Pioneer is the AV receiver and powerhouse,FIOS motorola box, Samsung generic BDP,and Samsung LCD 50 inch with panamax. So, I have spent a good amount on audio and video, and would like to integrate the audio better. So I asked the initial question because now everyone and their mother has come out with net friendly receivers, the ones I have are not friendly in any way shape or form, and I would love to see if the functionality of the receivers is up to par with what we are dealing with in terms of computer audio, because in the end aren't they just specialized computers? So, I appreciate all of the comments thus far and it is nice to know that I am not the only one interested in such things. In the end, almost all of the manufacturers are using the same chips (almost) and the circuitry is a bit different so the sound will be different and it is personal choice, but the user interface is the most important aspect. Have we reached the time that Apple TV is obsolete and I can just surf through my collection using the receiver I already have without adding another layer? I would love that... to just turn on the system with my Universal remote and have bit perfect playback through the system, using the specialized circuitry in the system and the superior DACs. Joshua

I mean no offense, but I think that you missed the point of my query. I think that the video players themselves have better processing power than any of the current avr's. So my point was how do the current avr's play with the networks and computers in the house. Many are there as "network ready" and many have ipad apps… so I am wondering how they really are… and how they compare to an apple tv and how they integrate the airport express etc….. Everyone has the same chips to use and the price of the chips to the big guys is very cheap. You know, Denon is not evil and neither is Marantz…. nor is Pioneer…. but they are really never mentioned on this site. Really only Apple and then Weiss and Berkeley…. but the truth is that many people use other systems and integrate and it would be nice to know how things have progressed. I want my wife to be able to switch between YO GABBA GABBA and Coleman Hawkins….. and I would like it as well considering I have only one listening room….also, since I am busy with work (many of us have lives outside of our audio dreams) I cannot sit and listen to every piece of equipement or every company so I rely on sites such as this for expert advice… That is where this request came from. Thank you for your time. Joshua

Hi, I hope that I am not alone in wanting to have a review of some receivers and how they interface with computer input…… So, what I would like to see is….. Pioneer just came out with a "network" receiver… how is it? does it succeed? is it worth buying and using the new apple controller with it? Or does marantz have a better interface? How about Denon or Lexicon? Can I easily use them at this point to access my music and use them and their DACs? I am not concerned about how the receivers play video, but I am concerned about how they fit in with the rest of my system and are we closer to reaching the goal of full integration? I think that a round-up and a listening session, by Chris , would be great!!! Thank you, Joshua

@Pale Rider,<br /> it was just a question regarding the 2.5 drive. So from the info in this thread and the other thread on NewEgg I gather that the NAS using the 1TB WD drives is not the way to go. I am just being redundant and making sure that I understand it.<br /> thanks for your time,<br /> Joshua<br />

Hi everyone! So I am a bit confused because one of the links here was to newegg and the dicsussion about the drives that can be used within the storage device all complain about the 1 TB small drives. However, this is because they are slower and especially because they are being used as the boot drive for laptops. So, does this not make a difference for the NAS?<br /> Thank you for your time<br /> Joshua