Dlna enabled network music player with optical out

[saj2001ind]

As far my knowledge is concern, CA NP30 is optimized for 2 channel audio only, so it will be a definite step up over Himedia 900B.

But you have a strong contender on same price range as a media player. Popcorn hour A-410 which is also optimized for Audio (along with Video).

I already own HD900B so need to see a huge difference to upgrade and invest extra

So I needed to know how much processing is done on network player itself

Also as per my reading there won't be any difference specially in audio in HD900B and pop corn a 410

 

[srisaikat]

"huge difference" is huge talk compared to such amount you are interested to invest, it is kind of relative perception for individuals in case of Audio. If audio quality is your only concern, then within the budget of yours, go for 'CA NP30' or 'Denon DNP-720AE', there will be definite upgrade.

 

[srisaikat]

Processing done by network player-

The function of the player when file is on FLAC format-

Flac is a compressed (but loss less) format, it is like zip file. So the streamer (like CA NP-30) will decode (like unzipping) it to LPCM (or wave) which is basic loss less format of any digital audio and it will be sent over optical or coax interface as a basic digital signal for further processing by external DAC (in this case nad viso 1) to convert it to analog.

CA NP-30 also have internal DAC, but you are by passing that DAC by using the signal of optical. You are just using the streamer to access the files (from network) and it's codec capabilities.

 

[srisaikat]

I got a pm from this thread starter 'saj2001ind' who send it reading my previous post with the heading "Processing done by network player". I am sensing it might be misleading for some readers to make a wrong conclusion that all transport are quite same to do such simple job. But it is not a perfect world and all player or transport not same.

This whole digital signal transmitting job has some structural problem. Sending the digital signal through Spdif maintaining lowest possible phase and jitter related distortion as well as using high grade components with utmost care is another skillful part. So here comes the genius of the designers and corresponding target audience. That is why so varying slab of Players and DACs available in the market for audiophiles in terms of price. More perfection means more cost, it is a simple equation. So please do not put an immediate conclusion.

Acknowledgement: I am not anyway an expert or professional related to this matter, but for last few years I am studying about digital transport and DAC for my own interest on hunting down best possible solution to enjoy high quality audio with great convenience within a certain monetary limit.

 

[saj2001ind]

I got a pm from this thread starter 'saj2001ind' who send it reading my previous post with the heading "Processing done by network player". I am sensing it might be misleading for some readers to make a wrong conclusion that all transport are quite same to do such simple job. But it is not a perfect world and all player or transport not same.

This whole digital signal transmitting job has some structural problem. Sending the digital signal through Spdif maintaining lowest possible phase and jitter related distortion as well as using high grade components with utmost care is another skillful part. So here comes the genius of the designers and corresponding target audience. That is why so varying slab of Players and DACs available in the market for audiophiles in terms of price. More perfection means more cost, it is a simple equation. So please do not put an immediate conclusion.

Acknowledgement: I am not anyway an expert or professional related to this matter, but for last few years I am studying about digital transport and DAC for my own interest on hunting down best possible solution to enjoy high quality audio with great convenience within a certain monetary limit.

I was playing around with hi media hd900 and saw an option in audio to make SPDIF output as RAW instead of LPCM...does this mean with this option turned on I will be sending unprocessed signal out of its optical out to speaker or external dac/amp ?

 

[Shivam]

I am a big fan of Musical Fidelity M1 Clic. It lacks optical out but its DAC is extremely enjoyable and never have I felt the need for optical out in this. Give it a try if you can find it with any dealer near your place.