New to DACs

AsSiMiLaTeD

Here's my take on SONOS vs Squeezebox, I've had and used both extensively.

If you want to play high resolution tracks then you'll need the Squeezebox Touch. There is a mod or hack or whatever you want to call it to enable this on SONOS but it's expensive/tricky, my guess is only real hard core SONOS users would do this.

If you want the best sound WITHOUT buying an external DAC then you'll want the Squeezebox Touch, this still applies even if you're playing regular CD resolution files. The Touch has an AKM chip and actually sounds very good on it's own, you'd have to spends hundreds of dollars to get a materially better sound with a DAC. The DACs on the SONOS units aren't that great, they don't sound terrible but are not on par with the SB Touch.

If neither of those apply to you then I'd go the SONOS route. It's a very reliable connection, great user interface, and you'll continue to see software and hard upgrades going forward whereas the Squeezebox line is basically dead. The SONOS is also better in a multi-room situation.

If you get the SB Touch do yourself a favor and buy an external power supply especially if you want to use the built in DAC, the one from Channel Islands Audio is really good if you can find it. I was able to put that setup together for around $500 and honestly for that price I don't think you can get a better sounding setup, even with SONOS.

tonyb

tonyb wrote: »

Your welcome bro...this thing will change the way you listen to music.

BTW....depending on your android phone, if you want a bigger screen just pop for a cheap android tablet which can be found anywhere under 100 bucks. Download the free controller app from google play and you turn your tablet into a nice big remote for the sonos.

All you need is a zp90 and a bridge. Plug the bridge into your router, the zp90 into your receiver and your golden. Now of course to make things better, insert a dac between the zp90 and receiver, but you don't have to off the bat. You can use a digital coax and go into the receiver or analog RCA interconnects into the receiver. Your external storage device is hooked up to the computer and the sonos software which gets downloaded on the 'puter. Any problems feel free to give me a yell. Your gonna dig it bro.

I subscribe to Rhapsody for 10 bucks a month....aside from my downloaded cd's on my computer. Thinking of going Tidal but they are 20 bucks a month. With these music services, you get roughly 20 million songs...enough to please anyone with any genre too. Haven't bought a cd in years.

deronb1

That is all great info. Thanks fellas. best case scenario i would like to have the external hard drive and whatever thing i am gonna plug it into right nest to the avr.

AsSiMiLaTeD

If that's the case you'll need a player, something like the Oppo 105 and there's also competitor players from Cambridge and maybe Marants.

Having said all I've said about the Touch and SONOS I have actually moved away from a streaming setup and like playing files directly from my 105. Those devices are nice, but there's nothing simpler than a one piece solution like what I'm using. You give up the options of streaming services like Spotify, but I actually don't like those services so there's no incentive for me to use a streamer now.

tonyb

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

If that's the case you'll need a player, something like the Oppo 105 and there's also competitor players from Cambridge and maybe Marants.

No he doesn't...he can use the sonos without any additional players involved, aside from his computer which he already has.

Keep in mind the OP's goal here....and budget.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Maybe I misunderstood then, sounds to me like his computer is in another room but then in the post above mine said "best case scenario i would like to have the external hard drive and whatever thing i am gonna plug it into right nest to the avr".

If his computer is in another room and he wants the hard drive next to the AVR then I don't think the SB or SONOS will work, as far as I know neither of those will read directly from a drive.

Whatever though, carry on. At this point I think the options are clear and he has what he needs to make a decision so really nothing I can add.

tonyb

deronb1 wrote: »

That is all great info. Thanks fellas. best case scenario i would like to have the external hard drive and whatever thing i am gonna plug it into right nest to the avr.

Nope...the hard drive gets plugged into the computer. The Sonos, which will be plugged into the AVR, will give you access to that hard drive and any other music downloaded on the 'puter.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Right I get it, but he specifically said "best case scenario i would like to have the external hard drive and whatever thing i am gonna plug it into right nest to the avr". Maybe I'm reading that too literally...

tonyb

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Right I get it, but he specifically said "best case scenario i would like to have the external hard drive and whatever thing i am gonna plug it into right nest to the avr". Maybe I'm reading that too literally...

Gotcha man, I know what your saying but I don't think the OP understands fully how the Sonos works....so I take that statement lightly.

He only has 4 bones to work with, so that leaves out a lot of other options.

deronb1

Well...if the hard drive can plug straight into the sonos then im in. Dont want to do it wirelessly. We have too much other crap using up megabits around here to do that. Just want a machine that i can plug the hard drive into that will, in turn, plug into the AVR. Then i can make selections using the unit itself or hopefully on my phone with an app.

WLDock

deronb1 wrote: »

Probably used. Maybe new, if it is reasonable. Just want something to hook up to the AVR that will read the hard drive and allow me to get to whatever album or song I want to listen to. Onk AVR, B&W CDM 1nt or Dali Mentor speakers

deronb1 wrote: »

Older model from '07 TX-SR 875

I don't know? There are many ways to do what you need to do. However, it sounds like you are using an AVR as a music system primarily, correct? And if you have up to $500 to spend you could for sure just get a DAC that has media control. Or even something like the OPPO BDP-103 or your Sony BR might work...check to see.

Here is a second thought.....
You could sell your AVR and pick up a used TX-NR707 for about $300 that has networking and USB input. Just get a kit to turn your hard drive into an external USB mass storage device and plug it into the USB port on the front of the AVR. Plus it has internet radio-. vTuner, Pandora, Rhapsody, SIRIUS, Slacker, and Mediafly. Also, if you have files on your desktop PC you can access those as well through the network. Onkyo also has an Android app.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-TX-NR708-7-2-Channel-250-Watt-Receiver-/251695897374?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item3a9a3e9b1e
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-TX-NR708-7-2-Channel-250-Watt-Receiver-/271645476187?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item3f3f55055b
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-TX-NR708-7-2-Channel-/251716739436?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item3a9b7ca16c

Then, can get a nice yet cheap used 2 channel amp. Here is a used 3 ch B&K ST1430 that has 2 good channels but one bad channel. $195: http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-K-ST1430-series-II-power-amplifier-2-channels-work-fine-one-does-not-/261657577212?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item3cec01c6fc

Something like this should do the B&W CDM 1nt justice for the money spent.

deronb1

Not a bad plan. I really like my avr. The sony bluray? It does have a usb input and can play sacd, so im assuming the dacs can handle higher rez files. I can get all the internet radio stuff through it too. Not super keen of having to keep the tv on whilst listenting to music though. You are right, tons of options it seems.

AsSiMiLaTeD

deronb1 wrote: »

Well...if the hard drive can plug straight into the sonos then im in. Dont want to do it wirelessly. We have too much other crap using up megabits around here to do that. Just want a machine that i can plug the hard drive into that will, in turn, plug into the AVR. Then i can make selections using the unit itself or hopefully on my phone with an app.

This is what I was concerned with so I'm back to my statement, given what you want to do THE SB Touch and SONOS will not work for you

WLDock

deronb1 wrote: »

Not a bad plan. I really like my avr. The sony bluray? It does have a usb input and can play sacd, so im assuming the dacs can handle higher rez files. I can get all the internet radio stuff through it too. Not super keen of having to keep the tv on whilst listenting to music though. You are right, tons of options it seems.

Man what model Sony do you have? I think you might be all set....most of the models that have USB can play files from that drive. However, having the TV on would be needed.

Therefore, I still like my idea. If you like your non-networked Onkyo...you will love a networked model. With the android remote app you don't have to have the TV on.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.onkyo.onkyoRemote

Plus, an external amp should make the B&W's sing...

deronb1

Sony bdp s5100. Leaving the tv isnt a deal breaker. Could always upgrade down the road, but this might be a good start. Thanks again all for the input, this has been an all day affair!

tonyb

The Sonos doesn't use up your megabits, it creates it's own wireless network. That's part of the beauty of this thing.

Lets recap on your goals here. If you don't want to go wireless, if you want the external hard drive plugged directly into your stereo, your going to need something that can read it....and offer some playback options. For 400 bucks, I think your limiting yourself with other options like using a BDP. The oppo would be a good choice but way out of your budget range. A used networking receiver with a usb input...maybe, but those are spotty in dependability AND the software for playback is dismal at best. Ever try reading that tiny screen on an AVR from across the room ?

deronb1

Good to know. The computer is upstairs but the modem and router are right in the other room from where my set up is.

WLDock

Oh come on! All day just to find out what you already have will work. LOL! They even have the Sony TV SideView app available. I think it shows you networked and USB file content...I could be wrong? But if so, there you have it! No TV needed.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sony.tvsideview.phone

deronb1

Lol....I know right!?...yup, says can be controlled with either an apple or android app. Never wud a thunk it

tonyb

WLDock wrote: »

Oh come on! All day just to find out what you already have will work. LOL! They even have the Sony TV SideView app available. I think it shows you networked and USB file content...I could be wrong? But if so, there you have it! No TV needed.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sony.tvsideview.phone

The downside to using the Sony....the wifi works off the existing home's wifi, using the megabits the OP says he doesn't want to do. The Sonos uses it's own wireless network.

The Sony doesn't have usb inputs, but can be hardwired in from the lan connection. His computer is too far away to do that.

The sony only plays mp3 files from what I gather, could be wrong though. That's not a good choice for playback.

deronb1

I dont want to use wi fi at all if possible. Will have to check on the types of files it will read.

tonyb

Looks like I need to correct myself, it does have a usb port. Still trying to find what files it can or can't play though.

This is what I've found so far...

File support includes MKV, XviD, WMV, AAC and MP3 while external hard drives are also catered for via USB.
Read more at http://www.whathifi.com/sony/bdp-s5100/review#bQ1IvkihpepTDEpt.99

deronb1

It says it will play flac files, but not on a DNLA server, whatever that means

WLDock

It plays these files:

MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio -Layer III) - .mp3
AAC/HE-AAC - .m4a, .aac
WMA9 Standard - .wma
LPCM - .wav
FLAC - .flac, .fl

It also has networked (DNLA) file support.
Here is what that is all about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Living_Network_Alliance

https://docs.sony.com/release/BDP-BX510_S5100.pdf

tonyb

I dunno pal, reading some reviews I think your better off letting the BDP do what it does best, play movies. Seen talk of lots of lag time and buffering issues with the networking of this player.

...like all things, you can certainly go ahead and try it, won't hurt anything. I just think you'd be in for some aggravation and disappointment. Just my .02

polkfarmboy

This has been one serious audiophile thread and a very good read.

deronb1

You could be right. I think it would be smart to at least try it out if its capable. If not, ive received a plethora of info today to find something that will suit my needs. As per usual, you guys rock and i appreciate all the help.

WLDock

I think he should set it up since he has it...just to see what it is all about and what he is missing. Then, consider other options like Sonos, a networked AVR, or better BRP like the Oppo 103 that has a better interface to play files from the USP port.

deronb1

Ya, will have to judge on its merits. I think the app will allow me to navigate songs on my phone, but not really sure abiut that either. First step is to get the hard drive formatted. Transfer all the songs from THJ, plug it in and see what happens.

tophatjohnny

Keep your peeps out for the Cambridge Stream Magic 6. With the new model now rolling like crazy, the standard 6's will start to show up in that 3-500 range and even though the wireless feature is cool, the unit also allows for direct Ethernet connect and and it's pretty easy to use! Heck, you helped me get mine going. I'll get in the prowl!! Still ripping like a mad man, so your library will be real nice. The longer you wait, the more music you will have.