2. digital
  3. 180342-146077

Digital source upgrade suggestion?

Hi,

I’m currently running my streaming (Tidal and Spotify) and digital files from a Macbook Pro (files on external HD connected USBC) with iTunes over Airplay to an Airport which is then connected via Audioquest mini Toslink cable to my Bricasti M1SE dac.

I have about 4TB of music files which are highly organized in iTunes (I run a record label and am a touring DJ, hence needing files portable on the external drive) so I’ve been hesitant to move into Roon simply because of the interface – the line spacing is huge and I prefer to view larger lists on the screen at a time – and I burn through new music files very quickly as I’m dealing with many demos, masters, etc. I know the consensus is Airplay is garbage, but feeling a bit stuck.

I’ve been thinking perhaps a NAS but I’d like something to also be an endpoint for Tidal, Qobuz etc. The M1 has the network upgrade, so don’t need a streamer per se. I’ve read many many threads here in the past 2 years but I’m in circles now. Thoughts?

If of interest (can’t imagine it matters for this part of the front end discussion) the rest of system is Cello Palette Preamp, Pass 1.2 Monoblocks, modded ADS L1290 floorstsnders.

Thank in advance, I know this topic is like beating a dead horse.

au_lait

Showing 3 responses by au_lait

au_lait OP
335 posts
 

@kota1 I will have a look, thanks!

@ghdprentice Right. Well I am not totally opposed to losing iTunes/Airplay. The organization for DJ/label work is not so tied to my "pleasure" listening, I can always keep the iTunes organization and use that when needed, but therefore re-direct this topic a bit...

The Bricasti M1SE has the network streaming upgrade for UPNP, so I can connect to a server, but I believe I would need a combo streamer/server like Innuos or the like (I know there are loads) if I want to use streaming services, right?

My current digital path is Airplay > Airport > mini toslink > Bricasti M1SE > Cello Palette > Pass Labs Aleph 1.2 > ADS L1290 (modded xover). ICs are all Audio Sensibility OCC and speaker cables are Acoustic Zen Zen Hologram II. I have also just finished building this Japanese style TX box using Western Electric 111C transformers, as an experiment, to try between DAC and preamp as my vintage obsessed friend swears it cleans up digital hash and gives digital "a more analog feel", something Japanese audiophiles did a lot when CDs came onto the market. Sorry went on a tangent there.

au_lait OP
335 posts
 

@yage Thanks for these suggestions, very insightful

au_lait OP
335 posts
 

@kijanki I'm just so many years down the road with itunes and have a huge record label catalog system through it, also really cannot stand viewing by album cover, I need to see more at one time, i need the smallest text version in list format, this is why i didn't contiue with Roon - the amount of lines of text in the interface is idiotic, way too much space and not enough shown on the screen at one time. 

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