Plasmatico

Not a toslink connector, but I understand the headphone output is digital. I think the best option is USB to adapter to SPDIF.

Hi - I've been thinking of upgrading my computer speakers and realized I could probably use my unused Meridian DSP5000 instead and it'd probably sound a whole lot better than most things out there. Being an active digital loudspeaker with internal DACs all I need is to feed it with a digital source. My iMac doesn't have a Toslink output, which is what most people have suggested. I think the best way is to use an adapter and go from iMac to adapter with an USB cable and from the adapter to the speaker input with an RCA (SPDIF) digital cable. Can anyone recommend a good adapter or any other (better) solution? TIA MJC

Does any body know if Lumin has any plans to support Roon?

Thank you. If I connect my Shunyata Hydra 8 or Jena Labs power conditioner to the CyberPower do you think it will further improve the sound quality? I will only connect low power components (Lumin A1 and Shindo Pre).

Does anyone knows which UPS comes or is recommended to use with the Baetis Reference? TIA, MJC

I have been away from my thread for a while, and you probably can imagine why... I'm enjoying my system so much I just don't have the inkling to be lurking online. The level of audio quality I'm now enjoying is just unparalleled to anything I have heard before (be it in my house or anywhere else), even with components costing exponentially more. Not sure if it's the synergy between components or components and the room, the highs extend to "infinity", they just hang in the air with a naturalness that is spine tingling, the mids have a weight and presence that it's just extraordinary and the lows which until now have been the source of a lot of angst, is solid, tight, extended. Amazing. I feel blessed to be able to enjoy this level of SQ. All I can report is that the Sanders Speakers/Magtech Amp + Shindo Pre + Lumin A1 is just sublime.

I've not used the Lumin yet as I'm waiting for the NAS to arrive, but I'm looking forward comparing the app to Meridian's Sooloos. I never really liked Sooloos, the app was sloooowwww on my iPad, the playlists, edit/changes all had to be done on the computer app and you couldn't even edit the name of playlist or "focus" once created. Really looking forward to a better "experience". One thing I can tell you right off the bat, the A1 feels a whole lot more "substantial" than any other player I've had.

In the end I decided to go with the Lumin A1, I really didn't feel confortable with the enthusiast type streamer - I wanted a real company behind the product. Much better fit for me, plus I love the iPad app. Thank you all for your advice, MJC

Well, I have narrowed down my list of music servers and at the top is Sonore - based on favorable user reviews, price and support. I'm still trying to find a way of auditioning the Line Magnetic DAC and/or the Luxman DA-09, in the mean time a friend lent me his Benchmark and that's what I'd use. Since both LM and the Luxman have USB input I'm thinking of going with the Sonore Orbiter. As far as I can tell, Jesus has consistently suggested the Orbiter for USB based systems. That said I would appreciate if any one who have had the benefit of listening to both the Orbiter and the Rendu to shime in. Thanks to all who have contributed with their suggestions/advice.

Excellent, thank you. My confusion came as a result of reading reviews where the sources was a MBP/iMac instead of a higher end render or music server. I thought if Art Dudley and Michael Laborgna are using their stock computers to review $5000+ DACs or Gordon Ranking from Wavelength using his MBP since early 2000's then maybe I should rather spend my money on the best DAC I could afford and not on pimp'd up music server.

Wow, no replies! So I guess these are really dumb questions or no easy/right/wrong way to answer them. Cheers!

Guys - I'm new to the forum and computer audio in general. I'm considering buying a CAPS micro Zuma from SGC, almost ready to pull the trigger, but I think I have information overload and I need your help in pointing me in the right direction. - I had a Meridian MS/MD 600 for several years, sold it. I was never truly impressed with the sound or the Sooloos UI quirks. - Now I have a two channel audio system, I'm not interested in playing multi channel audio. - For the DAC I think I will go with either a Berkeley Alpha DAC or Luxman DA-06 (I'm inclined to get the DA-06). - Music will be on a NAS (Synology or the QNAP 251). Streaming (Tidal) is also extremely important. - I'm looking for an elegant, simple and reliable solution that gives me the best SQ for a reasonable investment. I've been reading a lot about the CAPS and I'm attracted by the flexibility, upgradeability and presumed sound quality, specially with the SOtM USB card and linear power supply. SGC builts looks very solid. I will use JRiver though I'm also following the development of Roon. Will use an iPad to control everything. - Similar to the CAPS and see there is the Baetis Rev media server and a Silenzio server that I assume are both similar to the mZuma, not sure why I should chose one over the other. Coming from a Meridian Sooloos system I think I might like the new Aurender N100 or Auralic Aries better, at least in terms of the whole "pre-packaged experience". For some reason I prefer the N100 over the Aries, but I haven't heard neither one. Something I have noticed, in practically 100% of the DAC reviews I've read and on audio shows for that matter, is that most use their Mac Book Pro laptops connected directly to the DAC as their machine of choice. Even people I respect like Art Dudely uses his iMac to review DACs. Going with a MBP will be cheaper and may get other uses other, but would still be say 80% strictly for audio. To those who have used a regular laptop like a MBP, or a computer based music server like the mZuma/Baetis, is the SQ just about the same or (a lot) better compared to an Aurender or Auralic? Is the Aurender/Auralic more about the experience than SQ? What are the advantage of going one way or the other? Thank you, MJC --- Current source: Oppo 95 Pre: Shindo Aurieges L Amp: Magtech Speakers: Sanders 10c

I will use a NAS - QNAP or Synology. Ethernet. Tidal streaming is a must. No room correction needed. No interested in other media (like movies), this will be music server/streamer only. In terms of UI I'm inclined to use JRiver, but I'm also following the development/availability of ROON. As I stated, SQ is most important, but wihtout going overboard and start messing with AO, Win Server 2012 and the likes... So the two things I'd like to get feedback on is: MicroZumba vs Auralic/Aurender - Again main thing under consideration is SQ. If going the mZuma route, how can I connect a Berkeley Alpha DAC to it?

Hi all, I'm new at the forum and new at computer audio, but an "audiophile" for more than 20 years. I am looking at the options available to order a CAPS micro Zuma with SOtM USB card from SGC with and have a couple of questions. First, the way the mZuma is spec'd, the only output option is USB. I'm seriously considering buying a Berkley Alpha DAC, is there any way to order the mZuma to connect directly to the Alpha DAC2? I'd prefer if I could avoid adding another box, but my main concern is getting the best sound possible. Second, I understand the flexibility a server offers, but to those who have had a chance to compare the mZuma to an Aurender N100 or similar device, which sounds better? Thank you and kind regards,

I know, I like everything I've read about it, but I also like Tidal and without it the HAP is not an option for me. Bummer big time!