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Need Advice On A Network Music Player

I want to get into Hi Rez music downloads and need a player to make that possible. My initial research has identified the following as serious possibilities, but I can find no comparison reviews or anything to clearly differentiate them:



Logitech Squeeze Box Touch - $234.00

Cambridge Audio - Sonata NP30 - $599.00

Marantz - NA7004 - Network Audio Player - $799.99

Bryston - BDP-1 - Digital Media Player - $2195.00

My real concern is identifying what gives the best bang for the buck and still provides high quality sound output. The only purpose that I will be using this for is Hi Rez music downloads from HD Tracks, and some higher res music via USB thumb drives (such as the Complete Beatles Collection). I've read very positive reviews of all of these, but again, nothing comparing them in any way, so its extremely hard to gauge.



The only two concerns are that I have used Squeezebox software previously (when I owned a Transporter) and found it more difficult to use than I wanted to deal with, and hated the connection problems getting to their site. That's a negative to buying equipment from them. Also, over at the Hi Rez forum, they have many threads about how you have to spend about $400.00 modifying the Touch to get optimal sound. As far as the Bryston, as expensive as it is, Stereophile noted that the sound quality from it's USB input was not as good, and that would be a great concern for me.



I have Bryston BDA-1 DAC available for use with whatever I purchase. Any thoughts, recommendations, and expertise would be appreciated. I'm completely new to this game and could use the help. Thanks.
nightfall
nightfall OP
188 posts
 
"Do you have a DAC? If not, then the NA 7004 may be a more logical purchase than the sbt"

I do own an excellent DAC, the Bryston BDA-1. My original thoughts, if I went with the Marantz NA7004, was to bypass its internal DAC and use the digital out to route its signal to the BDA-1.
richardfinegold
196 posts
 
Well you have a fine DAC. Probably another reason you were interested in the Bryston transport.
I listened a bit to the Squeezebox today using the Marantz NA 7004 as the DAC. Perhaps not to surprisingly, the combo sounds a lot like the NA 7004 on it's own. I therefore would conclude that the Squeezebox is relatively neutral conduit that doesn't add any colorations. The only difference that might be there is a slight roll of on the very top end--extremely subtle.
You won't go wrong with either the Touch or the Marantz. If you buy the latter make sure that your unit plays high res files from a USB drive before you bring it home.
grit
3 posts
 
I own a Bryston BDA-1 and currently use an unmodded Sonos player. My Rotel 1560 receiver is the weakest link. Speakers are B&W 804 diamonds. I also recently had the very good fortune of demoing Bryston BDP-1 alongside my Sonos, connected to the BDA-1 via AES/EBU.

The Bryston BDA-1 made an incredible difference in the quality of the music through the Sonos. There was just clearly no comparison, and I could never recommend the BDA-1 enough.

The Bryston BDP-1 made a startling difference over the Sonos. Music had an unsuspected 3-dimentional feel to it. The same music (my bit-accurate CD rips via dbpoweramp) sounded... live? There was a distinct location to each instrument... not a "general" location. I did try a few recordings and was underwhelmed though. I don't think this is ANY fault of the BDP-1. Rather, I think it's the source material. It did NOT make them sound bad. Rather, it just didn't improve them as much. With respect to sound quality, I can't recommend the BDP-1 enough for active/critical listening.

Again, that was all comparing Redbook CD music, not HD. I can only assume the HD music is at LEAST as good, if not more so.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
Grit,

HD isn't inherently better than Redbook. Recording and engineering techniques have a lot to do with it IMO. Does every HD album sound better than say, Pink Floyd's Dark Side or Wish You Were Here? Redbook versions of those sound a lot better than some HD albums (not Dark Side and WYWH) I've heard.

Then again, I haven't heard too many HD albums, so as always, your milage may vary. Just one guy's limited observations.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,135 posts
 
I have the bryston bdp as well as dac using bd power amp for all
Library duties and ripping to get the best out of it you need good power cords, as well as USB and digital cables I am using Wireworld platinums
With superb results. Also the Hifi tuning Supreme fuses are a nice touch for added resolution.I will be selling my Bryston dac next week if Anyone
May be interested,like new with 4.5 years left inthe warranty.
Why I amI selling ? I purchased the Ayon Skylla-2 which I feel even betters the Weiss 202 dac. The bryston is superb at this price though
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