Pioneer N50
deronb1
Posts: 5,021
in Electronics
Just pulled the trigger on this network streamer. Anyone have experience with one. Has good reviews and the price was right, but primary sources are always the best.
Comments
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I have not but looked at them and they do look like a good unit. I look forward to your review.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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Supposed to arrive May 8. Will post my impressions
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I've been using one for a few weeks now. My use case may not be typical, I am feeding the optical out to my pioneer sc1523 for the main zone & the DAC output also goes to the receiver for zone two. The receiver already had streaming capability and sounds identical being fed the optical output from the n50. The analog out for zone 2 seems a bit stronger in the bass but this is zone2 so I'm not overly critical for that purpose. Really the only thing the n50 got me was the ability to shuffle, which I always use for zone 2. Ironically the shuffle capability is the source of the only complaint I have. When you power down the n50 it doesn't retain the shuffle setting and the android app doesn't have the ability to turn it on. Oh, the the front panel display is useless unless you are sitting within a couple of feet of it, but you probably already knew that if you did any research on it. BTW, I'm streaming flac ripped from CDs. I've also used the internet radio some and like it.
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Thanks Dave. Im gonna have a 2TB hard drive hooked up to it via USB A. Will probably use the Pio dac instead of Onk dac, so analog out
Will the android app work without the optional wi-fi adapter? -
I've been eyeing this up for a while but haven't had the time to dig into it.
Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
I've been eyeing this up for a while but haven't had the time to dig into it.
Lots of positive reviews. Should be here Friday. Ill post some comments a few days after.
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Thanks Dave. Im gonna have a 2TB hard drive hooked up to it via USB A. Will probably use the Pio dac instead of Onk dac, so analog out
Will the android app work without the optional wi-fi adapter?
You need to connect it to your network in some fashion for the android or iphone app to work. If you connect it via ethernet, then you will not need the wi-fi adapter. This is how mine it set-up.
By Onk dac do you mean the dac in your receiver/processor? Will you be using the bass management in the Onk while using the N50 as a source? If you feed the Onk analog from the N50 & use the Onk's bass management, you will be introducing a pair of A2D & D2A conversions since the Onk will take that analog signal & convert it to digital to do bass management then back to analog. If that is your plan you'd be better off just feeding the Onk a digital signal from the N50.
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Ok. Thanks. I will try both methods and see which sounds best.
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I wish the HDD USB connector was in back. I have be eyeing this unit as well as the CA Magic Stream 6 v.2.
This highlights the Oppos MAJOR strength; no need for a network at all if you connect a HDD loaded with music. Nor do you need an app, as your HDTV IS your interface/display.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2 -
I dont really want to have my tv on every time i listen to it. Thats what so appealing about the app. No chance to go eithernet, so guess ill have to get the wi-fi adapter.
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Yeah I looked into that as well as the Sony HAP which I had here for a in home demo. Fantastic piece by the way.I wish the HDD USB connector was in back. I have be eyeing this unit as well as the CA Magic Stream 6 v.2.
This highlights the Oppos MAJOR strength; no need for a network at all if you connect a HDD loaded with music. Nor do you need an app, as your HDTV IS your interface/display.
NAD also has one that I have access to which I want to bring home.
Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
Agree on the Sony. I almost pulled the trigger several times on it after a weekend in home trial.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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I dont really want to have my tv on every time i listen to it. Thats what so appealing about the app. No chance to go eithernet, so guess ill have to get the wi-fi adapter.
I know the N50 is already on the way, but did you consider the Marantz NA6005? It has built in wi-fi, does DSD, & is a second generation design. I didn't need either of those, but if I did I probably would have gone with the Marantz as once you figure in the cost of the wi-fi adapter the gap in price begins to shrink. Not to mention the Pioneer wi-fi adapter does not have a very good rep for working well.
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Is there such a thing as a usb b 3.0 to usb b 2.0 cable?
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Pioneer cs sucks. Been on hold for over 47 min
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57 min
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Dont think this unit can accept an external hard drive. Gonna send it back.
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Or does it not see a usb 3.0?Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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Or does it not see a usb 3.0?
Not really sure. The manual doesnt get into that. I waited for over an hour to speak with someone from Pioneer before i hung up.
The manual does say that the unit does not support an external hard drive. I found where it does with firmware updates, but really dont want to mess with it.
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Give the firmware updates a shot. I remember all the BS I had to go through before my Stream Magic 6 did everything I wanted it to do, and now it is so smooth. I'll bet the Pio will be great, just may need some love. And customer service departments all have busy times so these things take patience........I know right?? Just saying, don't give up until you try all options."if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
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tophatjohnny wrote: »Give the firmware updates a shot. I remember all the BS I had to go through before my Stream Magic 6 did everything I wanted it to do, and now it is so smooth. I'll bet the Pio will be great, just may need some love. And customer service departments all have busy times so these things take patience........I know right?? Just saying, don't give up until you try all options.
It says i need a flash drive formatted to FAT 32 with no other files on it. Then have to download the file, unzip it and intall it in the Pio. Not sure if i can do all that -
tophatjohnny wrote: »Give the firmware updates a shot. I remember all the BS I had to go through before my Stream Magic 6 did everything I wanted it to do, and now it is so smooth. I'll bet the Pio will be great, just may need some love. And customer service departments all have busy times so these things take patience........I know right?? Just saying, don't give up until you try all options.
It says i need a flash drive formatted to FAT 32 with no other files on it. Then have to download the file, unzip it and intall it in the Pio. Not sure if i can do all that
You can brother. I know you can!!!"if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
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I did the firmware update when I got mine. It's not as hard as it sounds. You can do it!
However, I'm not sure you really need the firmware update to use an external hard drive. But, the hard drive does need to be formatted FAT32. NTFS will not work. -
You are using the front panel USB input, correct? Some streamers also require hard drives that are "powered" with an ac/dc adapter. Does your HD have it's own power cable?Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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His HD does have its own power cable and is formatted to FAT32. It's ready to roll. Just needs that update I'm thinking.You are using the front panel USB input, correct? Some streamers also require hard drives that are "powered" with an ac/dc adapter. Does your HD have it's own power cable?
"if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
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tophatjohnny wrote: »His HD does have its own power cable and is formatted to FAT32. It's ready to roll. Just needs that update I'm thinking.
Cool then, he needs to learn how to do firmware updates anyway. Rock on...
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2 -
People still use fat32? Everyting I own and at the company I work for uses NTFS. Heck even my previous job they used ntfs. Can the streamer not see ntfs? or is it just fat 32 for that usb stick?Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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Ok, so it will read music on a thumb drive but still not the ext hard drive. The hard drive is FAT32. According to the manual, i need a usb a to usb b 2.0 cable, which i do not have, to do the update. Also, my computer is upstairs and the unit is downstairs. I didnt plan on hooking it up to a network or anything. Also found out that i need the wi fi adapter to use the android app.
Dont think this is the unit i am looking for. I can return it, but will cost 15% restock plus ship back.
On a positive note, it did sound very good with music on a thumb drive played through it.
If anyone is thinking of buying one and plans on hooking up to their network, this one is officially for sale. 300.00 shipped to your door. 310.00 if using paypal. -
I have plenty of usb 2.0 cables. I can mail you one.
Or they are usually 2-5$ at the store.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's. -
Thanks. Ill go pick one up.
