Why I am not buying a network / digital media player !!!

[Shivam]

I have searched high and low for various players that will suit my purpose. I have a lot of 24/192 flac files on my computer.

The drawbacks which I found in all the players I looked at -

Linn Magik DS - a built in amp which I felt a waste of my money since I already have amp.

Linn Akurate DS - No USB port and I can't connect a flash drive or a USB hard disc.

Marantz NA7004 - Doesn't play 24/192 files comfortably over USB.

Musical Fidelity M1 Clic - Cannot be controlled using an ipad or an android based phone.

Naim HDX - I don't want to rip discs. Why pay for something that I don't need ?

I still haven't looked at a lot of other brands. I'll update once I find out more.
Another thing - I have not yet found a quiet NAS too. Most of the good ones have fans in them. No passive cooling.

 

[odyssey]

The nas can be in any other room
Try Logitech squeezebox or the sonos products

Cheers

 

[Shivam]

Mods : After posting I felt that it should be better posted in Media and Streaming players. Can you please move this thread ?

 

[Shivam]

The nas can be in any other room
Try Logitech squeezebox or the sonos products

Cheers

Squeezebox and Sonos don't support 24/192

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

24/96 maximum, for squeezebox, I think.

What are your essential requirements?

The easiest solution it to put your PC within cable's reach of your hifi and simply play from there, via a good quality interface or an external DAC.

More aesthetic may be to create a small, low-power, silent-PC audio server to be near the hifi and connect as above, and use your PC, elsewhere in the house, as a file server.

Of course, there are other variations. Main thing is, you are happy with your amplifier: there is no need to add another HiFi-name HiFi-price box to get your music to that amplifier ...

 

[Shivam]

That's what I have been thinking too. I am happy with the system that I have. I just needed a solution for enjoying my 24/192 flac files. It seems that the market players still don't have the needed hardware solutions.

Maybe a good USB DAC and my computer will do the job.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

If you can hear the difference between 96 and 192*, then I don't imagine you'll want to have the average standard PC fan noise, which then gives you the choice to make the PC quieter, or go for the tailor-made quiet-pc unit. It's still a PC, and it is still the answer to your question, and I guess it will cost a great deal less than any of the things you've already decided not to buy.

Personally, unless it is to be the centre of a multi-source digital system, I would buy a soundcard/interface rather than a "DAC". That is mainly because I want to be able to record as well as play, and partly because I remain, as yet, unconvinced by the must-have-a-stand-alone-DAC thing.

*I'm still unsure that I can hear the difference between 44.1 and 96, but my ears are getting a bit old.

 

[Shivam]

I still can't hear the difference between 96 and 192 but I sure can make out the difference between 44.1 and 192 on my present system.
Presently I am using a Seagate hometheater plus with a small screen attached to it. The signal is fed using an optical connection into a no-name DAC and then line-level to my preamp.

I hate the fan noise so I am presently using a passive heatsink for my processor. All the components are taken care by heatsinks including the graphics card. I am underclocking the system. The cabinet itself is very open and the top has ventilation to let the hot air out.
Now I have to just find a power supply that is also fan-less.
Once I get the system ready, I'll use this comp for music. In case it remains noisy, I'll wait for the time when some company comes out with a good streamer.

 

[Shivam]

The reason why am looking for 24/192 support is because I have a good collection of these files from various record labels.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Shivam, it sounds like you are very well set up to use your PC, especially as you have dealt with the noise aspects already: you've done a great job. Your existing DAC does not go to 24/192?

Whilst I'm dubious about the 96 and 192 differences, If I had such a collection as yours, I certainly wouldn't want to spend money on anything less than the full 192 capability: it just wouldn't make sense. Even if I cannot currently hear the difference in 96khz, I still (since recently) digitise vinyl at 32/96. One day, somebody might hear the difference, or I might play the files on better equipment... it is a kind of "future-proofing" which costs nothing, except disc space.

 

[Shivam]

Shivam, it sounds like you are very well set up to use your PC, especially as you have dealt with the noise aspects already: you've done a great job. Your existing DAC does not go to 24/192?

It goes upto 24/192 but browsing files using seagate is tough. I want to browse using my computer now which is easier. My DAC doesn't have a USB input.

Two options which I had were - Buy a good digital / network player but unfortunately I have not found a good enough model to suit my needs. The other option is obviously the one that you have suggested and so I am now looking for a DAC with 24/192 support and good sound.