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Local network HiRes storage and player


Looking to learn the best method for storing high resolution music files locally on your hardwired network and playing into a stand alone DAC>PassLabs system

*Currently I run an Eversolo A8 into a Luxman DAC and stream music. Looking to add local storage to have high res files stored locally. 

1) Is it best to have separate storage device and player (two separate devices) which would then run into the DAC?

2) Or is there a good quality combo device that you have experience?

The Eversolo has storage but I am planning to replace it so it may be nice to get something that does all three tasks (a) streaming (b) storage (c) playing network stored files 

All expertise with being a streamer and file storage user is appreciated focused on two questions - 1) what is best way of doing this device wise (separate eveyrhinf or combine) and 2) what devices are you using?

lastly, are FLAC files the ideal format to store or is there something better?

hifi_jed_1986

Showing 2 responses by mitch2

mitch2
4,376 posts
 

Many ways to (successfully) skin that cat.

Answers to two questions might help.

  1. Do plan to use Roon, and
  2. what is your budget, all in, to get the digital signal to your DAC?

In the meantime, you might look into Roon’s own website, Small Green Computer, and, at a higher price point, Grimm Audio and/or Antipodes.

mitch2
4,376 posts
 

@hifi_jed_1986 

I have not seen answers to my questions about Roon and your budget, but I will go ahead an answer your questions:

  1. What is best way of doing this device wise (separate everything or combine),
  2. what devices are you using, and lastly
  3. are FLAC files the ideal format to store or is there something better?

Answers, IMO:

  1. While some methods may offer better sound, some better reliability, and some may be better than others based on the size of your personal library, there are multiple methods of storing "high resolution music files locally on your hardwired network and playing into a stand alone DAC".  There is no one "best method" as several of the potential set-ups and a variety of different equipment could be used to provide a high resolution digital signal to your DAC.  As mentioned by @ghdprentice, it is also my opinion that, relative to that digital chain (i.e., prior to the DAC), the streamer has the most influence on the sound you hear.  Some will say there are sonic benefits to separating the server and streamer, but there are several high-priced one-box (server and streamer) solutions by companies such as Grimm and Antipodes that likely offer current state-of-the-industry performance.
  2. I use a separate server and streamer - two different components.  My sonicTransporter i9 (Gen4) is set up in a separate room along with my modem and router, and the digital output signal is converted to an optical signal, which is connected by a fiber optic cable to a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe streamer (located in the room with my main system) that either feeds my DAC through a USB cable or, depending on my set-up at the time, feeds a Singxer SU6 DDC via USB, which is then connected to my DAC via S/PDIF coax or AES/EBU XLR.
  3. While there are other formats, FLAC files should sound just fine (particularly for standard redbook CDs) and will in most cases equal what you hear by streaming.  
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