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Suggestions on using a Roku w/external DAC?

Howdy!

I'm a big fan of my Roku boxes(non-Soundbridge versions) for streaming music. I specifically use Panadora and love the flexibility of creating new stations. I'm finding that 95% of my music listening has now transitioned over to Pandora from traditional CDs and FM. I have less time to sit down to critically listen and enjoy my collection and the Roku/Pandora combination is filling my desire for variety and discovering new artist. I've upgraded my Panadora account to Pandora One which streams at 192K bits per second(not a techie, so I don't know if that's very good or not). I'm looking to improve the sound even more since I can't imagine the internal DAC of the sub-$100 Roku is a strong feature.I figure an external DAC would really open up the music. I'm heavily eyeballing the Cambridge Audio DacMagic because of it's many features, mostly positive reviews and the low cost. Anybody using the Roku w/an external DAC care to comment on the improvements or non-improvements it made? DAC suggestions(has to be Toslink)?

Hanx!
avalon65

Showing 2 responses by hgeifman

hgeifman
2,310 posts
 
As noted below, Pandora One subscribers get the option of 192k MP3 on the Web and when using the AIR Desktop App BUT these people are NOT listing to Pandora One on a high quality audio system where 192k MP3 would sound much better than the lower speeds.

From a business and revenue viewpoint, It seems strange to have the BEST bit-rate available on the web as most people are listening to that through comparatively low fidelity systems. It is my opinion that if Pandora One offered the 192k on these various in-home devices and Blu-Ray players, many people would easily pay the $36 per year subscription fee that would help grow your revenue stream. I would pay the $36 the minute the service is available.

Pandora said that the primary benefit of upgrading to Pandora One is no commercials. For me, I would rather pay the $36 for the higher quality bti-rate for a better sounding experience.

I have requested that Pandora offer 192k bit-rate streaming for Blu-Ray players like my Oppo Digital 105. Of course, I do not know the cost to make these software changes but I strongly feel that Pandora would get increased subscribers by providing this product enhancement.

Pandora has responded that they are a small company and do not have the resources to offer 192k on Blu-Ray devices.
hgeifman
2,310 posts
 
I noticed from the above post that your Roku is connected to a DAC (and then your amplifier). The Roku web site show the Roku only has one HDMI output. How does Roku display your Pandora albums for selection? I assume a monitor is connected somehow but how does the Roku get connected the DAC and the monitor from the single HDMI output?

Can someone please explain how these connections are made (monitor and DAC?
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