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Audiophile quality streamer/server-in-one without a DAC. Does this exist?

I have a very simple system and want to upgrade my digital player which is currently my  5 year old Acer laptop.  I listen to Tidal a lot.  Sometimes I listen to high-res downloads (I only have about 20) and ripped FLAC albums (only about 100) stored on my Acer  and play them using JRiver 19.  That's about it.

My system is a Wyred 4 Sound Dac-2 plugged directly into a Wyred 4 Sound ST-500 power amp which is paired to a pair of KEF LS-50.  My Acer is my only source component.  

My question is this: is there an all-in-one digital source that can replace my computer as a server and streamer?  I don't need a DAC and I don't want several more pieces, peripherals, power supplies, etc.  I don't want to make my own.  My wife will tell you I'm not talented enough to do so.  I would agree with her.

Seriously, I just want one box that can do the same friggin thing as my computer but better.  I don't think I want a Apple computer either as I know that is a good solution for many.  

I feel ridiculous asking if there is something out there like this, but I either don't see it or my request is akin to looking for unicorns.  I'm ok with either answer.  Just hit me with the truth or some recommendations.

Thank you, Josh    


joshelston
66 responses Add your response
djohnson54
396 posts
 
@bubba12 - I think the only one *with* a DAC is the A10.  All the rest are just player/servers (apart from the little headphone amp/DAC and the Pre/Power/DAC combo).  They get pretty pricey though. :)

@joshelton - I wish I did have one.  Still dreaming ...
jl35
3,976 posts
 
I think the mod itself was about $550 if you provide the Sonos. I think the Sonos is about $350
joshelston OP
53 posts
 
I read on the the Aurender N100H.  It looks EXACTLY like what I'm looking for.  Cost doesnt scare me away but it would be more than my amp and DAC combined. Finding a used one could be just the ticket...hooray for audiogon and craigslist.  Big thanks for that lead.  

@lalitk do you have an aurender?  What model?  You obviously like it.  How did you get to the aurender?  What was your previous setup?  How does your aurender compare?

I will also look into the Bryston bdp pi.  Thank you for the tip.  However, the comment about " just add your favorite outboard hard drive" deviates from my all-in-one solution I'm searching for here.  So, not exactly what I'm looking for.    

@jl35 how much was the sonos + the W4S mod all total?

Any others out there like the Aurender and the Bryston?


lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,425 posts
 
+1 for Aurender.  
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

 I am in the same situation. I looked at the  Aurender N100 and it only has a USB digital out. It needs a converter to work with some DACs like my Audio Research DAC8. The Bluesound has a digital RCA out so it can easily connect to non USB DACs or USB DACs that require software. The  SOtM sMS-1000SQ looks interesting. The digital version has both AES and RCA digital outs as well as USB.

dimora, I have a Synology NAS. How do you get from the NAS to the DAC? Do you use a USB cable? This sounds very interesting, can you tell me more about how this works? 

 Audio Stream has quite a few reviews and comparisons of audio streamers.
 http://www.audiostream.com/category/players-streamer-reviews


meadowman's avatar
meadowman
140 posts
 
Disclaimer, I am a dealer but the Bryston  bdp pi product is exactly what you’re looking for. Just add your favorite outboard hard drive and you have exactly what you specified
jl35
3,976 posts
 
Sonos has a great user interface too
jl35
3,976 posts
 
I think the mod bypasses the internal DAC, removes lots of jitter
jl35
3,976 posts
 
get on their website, it's a mod they've done for a few years,  you can send them one to mod, or they can sell you a new modded one...it sounds great, huge difference over standard Connect
joshelston OP
53 posts
 
@mahler123.  No budget specified at this point.  Just need to know where to start looking.  

Also, I want something to store my music media and be able to stream Tidal in one box with one remote and nothing else.  Riping CDs would be a cool built in would be cool but not a requirement for me.  I have an external optical drive I can use if needed.  Pretty simple, or so I thought, until I started looking.  

Everything with digital audio seems crazy complicated to me.  I have a doctorate but can't get my head around the terminology.  If I have to work that hard to understand it and define every acronym it seems less fun to me.  Hence, the requirement of simplicity.  

@dimora.  Just being honest.  I don't understand what you said, lol.  What is QNAP NAS?  I don't know what Twonky or DLNA is.  Sorry,  I know you're just trying to be helpful.  

@djohnson54  and @bubba12.  Thank you for the input.  I'll check out aurender.  I have heard of them.  Do either of you own one?  What do you think?  

@jl35 how did you get W4S to modify your Sonos connect?  I'm a big W4S fan these days.  

Thanks again, everyone.  Josh
bubba12's avatar
bubba12
436 posts
 
The Aurender N100 is the one without the DAC I believe.

jl35
3,976 posts
 
Wyred 4 Sound modified Sonos Connect
djohnson54
396 posts
 
This is what Aurender specializes in.  They have multiple price points. Check Music Direct.
dimora's avatar
dimora
61 posts
 
I use a QNAP NAS.  I run TwonkyMedia on it and it has a DLNA server.  I use my Oppo as a DAC into my Emotiva XMC-1.  I also have some Pioneer Elite receivers that use their internal DACs to stream from it.  My Pioneers allow use of an external DAC as well.  
mahler123
3,305 posts
 
Forgot to mention that the Bluesound will stream Tidal in MQA  and that may be important.  Of course you don't use a pre amp so I am not sure how you witch from one DAC to another...
mahler123
3,305 posts
 
You don't mention a budget, Josh.  And just to clarify; you want something that will rip and store CDs, or Play downloads, with no DAC?
  I myself use a Bluesound Vault 2.  It has a DAC which I bypass through it's digital outs and use my own DACs, and it has a 2 TB HD which  would be really ample for your collection.  It will play high res files and can recognize other sources such as your PC.  It cost $1100 and of course you would feel as if you were wasting some of those dollars on the unwanted DAC
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