Most VFM digital music player

[subro99]

Dear All,

Starting this thread to arouse discussion and reaching a common consensus on the most preferred platform for playing/enjoying so called "audiophile" grade music through most value for money components of the chain....

The components that come to my mind are :

• For transport and source - Raspberry Pi, Beaglebone Black, Android Tablet
• OS could be Volumino, Daphile, Raspbmc, you name them - there are plenty...
• VFM Dacs - either USB or I2s - Please suggest
• The value for money pre-pro combination or an integrated if DIY amps are not an option.
• And finally what matters most - ending with a Q Accoustic 2020 or some thing which is reasonable but very "pennyworthy"
  
  Well - this is a thought process which will invite comments from each one of you - so as to name some component that you came across in life, and was cheap but very effective and enjoyable.
  
  Having completed that, in our second phase we might choose to look at which combination attains synergy and if it has some bit of DIY, then Gurus, here will help us out.
  
  In the end we will achieve the best bang for buck system ( not one, i am sure, there will be many) which any forum member can attempt to assemble/procure.....
  
  Sounds interesting? Then why not start giving inputs.....
  
  Cheers

 

[sound_cycle]

WDTV Live

advantage: delivers a bit stream to a DAC

disadvantage : very bad at organizing music, no browser based control of music playlists etc, **may not be audiophile ***

cost : 6K INR.

what I hate the most : is headless and I need to keep it near my telly to play music, on board DAC is so-so

 

[manniraj]

I have been using a dedicated fanless music-pc along with Audio-GD DAC as well as a Raspbmc+PI with ODAC. The second option is a VFM but there are some disadvantages like playlist creation/maintenance is a pain. But overall its a best bang for the buck that you can get. When it comes to the music-pc its a great combination with Foobar+WASAPI+Audio-GD to my ACA (AmpCampAmp) with my DIY Frugal horn speakers. Both the systems are headless as I use the respective apps on iPhone/Android phones/tabs to control the playback. So it is up to you to decide the combination based on your budget and the listening taste.

 

[subro99]

Guys,

Suddenly i see widespread interest in volumio and xmos dacs like the one here :

Building my reference dac (xmos2 to i2s dac sabre 9023) - RaspyFi

Don't you think this would be a giant-killer if implemented properly....

I wish to try this but not feeling confident about it...


Please suggest.

 

[subro99]

I have been using a dedicated fanless music-pc along with Audio-GD DAC as well as a Raspbmc+PI with ODAC. The second option is a VFM but there are some disadvantages like playlist creation/maintenance is a pain. But overall its a best bang for the buck that you can get. When it comes to the music-pc its a great combination with Foobar+WASAPI+Audio-GD to my ACA (AmpCampAmp) with my DIY Frugal horn speakers. Both the systems are headless as I use the respective apps on iPhone/Android phones/tabs to control the playback. So it is up to you to decide the combination based on your budget and the listening taste.

In terms of "Sound Quality" how much would be the difference? I am sure the frugal horns and ACAs are quite costly as well as painstaking.....please comment.

 

[manniraj]

In terms of "Sound Quality" how much would be the difference? I am sure the frugal horns and ACAs are quite costly as well as painstaking.....please comment.

Not sure about the comparison but yes the dedicated music-pc with Frugal Horn+ACA is better for me. Cost wise I do not think they are very high as I believe its a VFM budget setup that sounds better than other brands above the budget. ACA soldering is not much of a effort if you know how to do it and regarding the Frugal horn yes they might be slightly complicated but a dedicated effort should get them done easily.