Has Computer Audio Reached Mainstream?

[venkatcr]

I remember a few months ago we had various threads arguing about the good and bad of various audio formats. My arguments were that - (1) Tapes are dead. (2) Turntables are too esoteric, the media expensive, and prone to wear and tear. In my mind, computer based audio, or, shall we say - digital audio - was the best format for multiple reasons - (a) it can be measured easily (b) there is no wear and tear - you will always hear the music in it's original quality irrespective of how many times you used it.

Digital audio was brought to the world through CDs (Tanks Thad). Digital audio was further popularised by the iPod that brought it to the mainstream. Over the last few years various companies worked hard to make digital audio as close to being accepted as possible by people who insisted on the 'analog' format. All these companies were specialised and fulfilling the needs of the audiophiles who frowned upon MP3s and went for uncompressed and lossless compressed formats.

Meanwhile, the march of digital audio was unstoppable. 5.1 sound was completely digital. Wav, FLACs, and a host of other formats became popular. DSD offered resolutions unheard of before in any format. BUT, all these continued to specialised for audiophiles. None of the mainstream companies such as Denon, Marantz, Onkyo ventured into this field though many of their equipment had DACs built in.

This has now changed - Denon has joined the host of companies that have a DAC as a separate unit. I am sure the others will follow suit quickly.

DENON UK | Denon USB D/A Converter

There are some reviews and discussions here.

Denon DA-300USB DAC Preview | Audioholics

REVIEW: Denon DA-300USB DAC | WORDS AND MUSIC

Denon's $500 DA-300USB is a super-versatile DAC for any audio file | Digital Trends

Denon launches DA-300USB high-definition USB DAC | whathifi.com

New DENON DSD DAC/Headphone Amp

Denon DA-300USB DAC review an aural makeover for digital music files | Technology | The Observer

 

[venkatcr]

Another interesting point is the number of companies that are offering portable players that can beat an iPod hollow in terms of sound quality.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Digital audio was popularised by the iPod...

You've forgotten the CD!

 

[venkatcr]

And today, I found another product that takes the concept of digital audio even further. Can this be the replacement for Squeezebox? I am saying this because it does nothing but move music from on place to another on your Wifi. In another words, it does not add any masala of it's own. I think this is an extremely cool way of listening to music across your house.

ROCKI - free your music

My son has just purchased three and I am going to give it a listen over the next few days.

Cheers

 

[hemantwaghe]

And today, I found another product that takes the concept of digital audio even further. Can this be the replacement for Squeezebox? I am saying this because it does nothing but move music from on place to another on your Wifi. In another words, it does not add any masala of it's own. I think this is an extremely cool way of listening to music across your house.

ROCKI - free your music

My son has just purchased three and I am going to give it a listen over the next few days.

Cheers

Thanks Venkat

EXPECTING REVIEW SOON!

For 3 K seems too good to beleive

How is Internal DAC of Rocki??
Or need Rocki + dac for better quality?/


what is the purpose of HDMI on Rocki + ?/

 

[venkatcr]

How is Internal DAC of Rocki??
Or need Rocki + dac for better quality? .... what is the purpose of HDMI on Rocki + ?/

There are two versions. The $49 version has it's own DAC and outputs analog from a 3.5 mm jack to two RCA jacks. The DAC of this version cannot be serious under any circumstances. But, at 3K, this is serious contender for playing your music across the house in the background. If you have a good Internet connection, you can stream music from your NAS, from that stored on your phone, and from the Net itself.

The Rocki+ is what I am excited about. It has digital output you can send to a serious external DAC and enjoy your music. The digital out is through either optical or through mini HDMI.

My son connected the Rocki ($49) today. Connection took all of 60 seconds, and I was able to stream music from my Android device. I did not do any serious listening. I will do that over the next few days and report back.

I am astonished at the design. If the Rocki+ works well as a digital transport, it will wipe out players such as Raspberry PI and Sonos from the market. Where you do not need high quality use the Rocki. Where you need it, use the Rocki+ and attach it to a DAC. A brilliant concept. Of course, if it works. This is inexpensive enough to be given as a gift!

Cheers

 

[venkatcr]

Sorry for the delay in writing my review of the Rocki.

Ok. To start with the connection. Believe me it took all of 30 seconds. Connect the power cord, and the output to your amp, and you are done. Rocki searches for the existing Wifi and latches on to it. My son connected the Rocki to his Onkyo 727 connected to Wharfedale Series 10 speakers.

You also install a small application on your Android. Once you install the software, it searches for the Rocki unit and starts UPNP services automatically. Essentially if you have set up your network properly, you can play music you have stored anywhere within the network.

I had copied a set of music as FLAC files onto my Micromax A92 and it consisted of the following.

Classic Revival - 34 - Yeh Dil Diwana Hai\
R. Clayderman - The Phantom of the Opera
James. Last - Nights in White Satin
Enya - A Day Without Rain
Michael Buble - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Ravi Shankar - Jogeshwari
CCR - Bad Moon Rising - Album Version
Concerto No.2 for Sitar & Orchestra ''Raga Mala - A Garland of Ragas'' - 1. Lalit. Presto.flac
Concerto for Sitar & Orchestra (1976) - 1. Raga Khamaj.flac
Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin.flac
Michael Buble - Sway
Herbert von Karajan Conducting Berliner Philarmoniker - Beethoven Symphonie Nr. 5 c-moll op.67

I started with Bad Mood Rising, played for a few seconds and paused it. I turned the volume on the Onkyo pumping nearly 75 watts to the front speakers. what did I hear ? - Absolute silence. That itself to me was impressive. The Rocki was not adding any noise and was dead silent.

I then reduced the volume to acceptable levels and continued with CCR. The twang of the guitar as well as the nasal harshness of the voices were clearly audible.

Compared to CCR, Michael Buble voice was strong and romantic, and that impression came through without any issues. At the end of Nights in White Satin, there is a small dialog delivery. I was (though I have heard this songs 100s of time) able to understand every word clearly.

Raga Khamaj and A Garland Of Ragas had been originally recorded with low gain, and I had to increase the volume a bit. I could still feel the thunder of the trumpets, though it was not as good as I had heard in other systems.

Beethoven's symphony # 5 was a surprise. I was not expecting anything much, but the image of an large orchestra came through clearly. I ended up listening to the complete recording forgetting I was reviewing a system. The Classic Revival as well as the Jogeshwari were also enjoyable

If the Rocki is so impressive with it's own DAC, it will sound far better with digital output played through an external DAC.

I have decided to set up home wide music system using the Rocki to transport from my hard disk to various playback devices. At $49 it is a steal and very easy to setup and play. I am getting a couple of Rocki and a couple of Rocki+.

Cheers

 

[spirovious]

The Rocki+ is what I am excited about. It has digital output you can send to a serious external DAC and enjoy your music. The digital out is through either optical or through mini HDMI.
Cheers

Can mini HDMI be connected as spdf/coaxial to RCA input of DAC?

 

[manniraj]

Congrats venkat :clapping:

Does it play FLAC files stored in a network storage HDD via UPNP or any other streaming service. I am interested in this device as it plays over wifi and can be controlled via android device. As per your views the internal DAC is more than sufficient for secondary system listening in my bedroom, and I am also looking to use this device to stream all my collections over the wifi network via UPNP

 

[venkatcr]

Can mini HDMI be connected as spdf/coaxial to RCA input of DAC?

If you get a converter, I suppose so. But the best would be optical.

Cheers

 

[venkatcr]

Congrats venkat :clapping:

Does it play FLAC files stored in a network storage HDD iva UPNP or any other streaming service. I am interested in this device as it plays over wifi and can be controlled via android device. As per your views the internal DAC is more than sufficient for bedroom listening, and I am also looking to use this device to stream all my collections over the wifi network via UPNP

It can play files stored anywhere and literally any format. I tired WAV, FLAC, MP3 etc. Remember, the Rocki is just a a receiver. It picks up music being played and transfers it to the amp. It also plays last.fm and Sound Cloud.

It is ideal for casual listening all over the house. For serious listening, you can always go to your audio room and listen to the music with the equipment of your choice. For me, this is going to transmit music to my bedroom and my drawing room where I will have small micro systems amplifying and playing.

Cheers

 

[manniraj]

Ok I just ordered one in Pink color for my wife :lol:. How long does it take for the shipping to India and also any customs/duties that will be charged?

 

[venkatcr]

Ok I just ordered one in Pink color for my wife :lol:. How long does it take for the shipping to India and also any customs/duties that will be charged?

Wow! That was faaast! I have no idea about shipping to India. I did the testing in Dubai, and I ordering my pieces through Dubai. I reckon it should reach you in about a a week. There should be no customs duties. Indian Customs should be ashamed of charging duties for a < 50$ item!! And yes, this comes like a document.

cheers

 

[manniraj]

Wow! That was faaast! I have no idea about shipping to India. I did the testing in Dubai, and I ordering my pieces through Dubai. I reckon it should reach you in about a a week. There should be no customs duties. Indian Customs should be ashamed of charging duties for a < 50$ item!! And yes, this comes like a document.

cheers

I was actually planning to get a Belkin or some other brand music receiver for bluetooth streaming for my better half but I think the Rocki looks amazing for the price and also good reviews all over. The total damage is $64 which includes $15 shipping charges to India.

 

[venkatcr]

I am sure you and your wife will enjoy it.

Cheers

 

[manniraj]

Just got the email confirmation from the Rocki team that my order will be shipped by the end of next week.

 

[spirovious]

Congrats Manniraj,very fast decision to buy from you.:clapping:

 

[manniraj]

Congrats Manniraj,very fast decision to buy from you.:clapping:

Thanks spiro, I was actually more or less decided to purchase the Belkin bluetooth receiver for my bedroom system for almost the same amount or slightly less. Came across this from venkat and with some positive reviews took the plunge. Hope it turns out good with its in-built DAC with my Marantz 6004 + Zaph DIY bookshelf speakers.

 

[Santy]

Nice little device. Funky colors. Cool pricing.
I am looking forward to get one for myself.
Had I known this before, I would have avoided getting the HiFiMeDIY DAC.
But I am not sure how Rocki would compare to such cheapo USB DACs.

I wish it had bluetooth streaming too so that it works without wifi.
And may be USB port in Rocki+ instead of micro HDMI.

Is the app available for idevices?

 

[manniraj]

Nice little device. Funky colors. Cool pricing.
I am looking forward to get one for myself.
Had I known this before, I would have avoided getting the HiFiMeDIY DAC.
But I am not sure how Rocki would compare to such cheapo USB DACs.

I wish it had bluetooth streaming too so that it works without wifi.
And may be USB port in Rocki+ instead of micro HDMI.

Is the app available for idevices?

Santy, I think the wifi feature would make it invincible compared to a bluetooth for which you require to be within the mandated distance for trouble free pairing. Also as per the site yes there are apps for android, iOS, Windows, Firefox plugins etc., I think this device should be comparable or better than the HiFiMeDIY DAC but the best advantage is it being standalone device where as the USB DACs should connect to another device (source) to playback along with the storage. So the Rocki gets rid of this extra device.