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Network Audio Player - need some basic advice

I am a bit of a Marantz fanboy and currently listen to mostly vinyl and cd's.  I have over 500 of each and never seem to be short of listening options. I use a Marantz PM-11S3 integrated amp and an SA-8004 SACD player.

This weekend my boys pressed me on why I cannot access music online.  Being an old fart, I had no response other than to offer to play them some of my vinyl.

Shamed by my spawn, I tried to read up on what was offered by Marantz in this category.  With at least  four products (NA-6005; NA-8005; NA-11S1; HD DAC-1) spanning in price from $649 to $3,499, I quickly realized I had no idea what the basic selection criteria should be - there are so many formats I am unfamiliar with as well as a variety of input connections.  In addition, I am quite concerned about the obsolescence factor given how rapidly these formats seem to change.  I also do not understand why some have wireless connectivity and some do not and whether this is a big deal or not as my system is on a different floor than my incoming service.

 My SA-8004 has a USB port on the front and coax and optical inputs /outputs on the rear, plus an input labeled "USB DAC" which is an unusual shaped input unlike the usb on the front panel. The PM-11S3 only has RCA inputs.

Can someone give me ( or point me to) a basic primer on this topic? What are the essential features to look for?  I am a complete luddite, so it needs to be REALLY basic, i.e. the more acronyms used, the more my ears begin to bleed.

I love my other Marantz gear, and start with a bias towards the brand , but are they offering a good product line for this, or are they behind the curve.  If not Marantz, then what does more for the same money?  If I cannot plug directly into my internet connection, is there a device I can buy to make a wireless connection?

Given my preference for vinyl and cd's, I do not want to spend a ton of money for another piece of gear, especially if it will be obsolete in a year or two.

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide.

sjtm
stewart0722
184 posts
 
I’ve had experience with Bryston BDP2, Sony HAPZ1ES, Aurender & Aries. The Aurender N100H is wonderful...

(If you have a USB DAC that will give you all the resolution the media player will send thru USB)

Original Poster’s SACD player will NOT......so he needs something besides a USB only DAC if he’s going to have any high res capabilities...
His DAC is limited thru USB to 48K. It also won’t do FLAC.....

To do 24/192 he needs to be able to use the coax or optical on the rear...

For his needs, I think the Aries represents the best value......is it as high performing as the Aurender? No......For the money? WAY BETTER VALUE and it gives him the capabilities that a USB only media player will not give him....and the interface I say is on par w/ Aurender.....

What media player do I use? I have played with several, but always go back to my Bryston BDP2. I have a 512G ssd internal drive along with an external 4TB drive.......As to original poster’s question concerning wireless, I just use a very inexpensive wireless bridge from DLink and it works like a charm. I even power it from the usb ports of the Bryston.....

If I ever upgrade from the Bryston, it will be to Aurender, but not a USB only solution as my CD Player also won’t do full resolution by USB (Estoeric K03)........the reasons for upgrade won’t have anything to do with sound quality, the Bryston is as good as it gets, it will have to do with slickening the interface and getting very smooth support for Tidal, which Bryston isn’t quite there with.....

As to the Sony HAP-Z1ES. It is the absolutely WORST PIECE OF JUNK you will ever use.......stay away......there is a very good reason there are a gazillion used ones on the market........getting your library into it takes 3 friggin weeks and if it crashes you get to start all over.....the sound quality sucks.......and the ipod/ipad interface crashes constantly.....it’s basically an overpriced BRICK......

I still think his needs would be best served by an Auralic Aries Mini....


jond's avatar
jond
5,687 posts
 
I second or 3rd or whatever the Auralic Aries Mini I think it's great and not just for the price. Upgrade the wall wart power supply to a linear supply like the Sbooster, around $300 and run it to a good outboard DAC and you have a very good sounding wireless system with a great interface. I wirelessly stream from my Synology NAS, think mini file server,  but most of my listening these days is via Tidal for all of $20 a month it's like the cd collection of your dreams. Plus pretty sure Auralic offers a free one year Tidal subscription.
escritorjuan's avatar
escritorjuan
120 posts
 
For what it’s worth, the LampizatOr DSD Komputer music server has been amazing in my system! Here’s a link to my review on it:

http://ayllonmedia.com/news/the-lampizator-dsd-komputer-an-audio-expo-in-your-living-room-or-not
sjtm OP
92 posts
 
I appreciate all the feedback.  Much like most other audiophile topics, opinions vary based on perspective.  

Given that I have spent about $6K for my entire system, I prefer at the moment to take a more modest approach to the budget for this so long as there is good value / $$$.  From the above, it would seem the Auralic Aries Mini is a good place to start.

jond - can you elaborate a little more on what the benefit of the upgraded power supply?  Also, can you give a more specific suggestion as to a brand / model of a "good outboard DAC"?  Not sure what the combined cost of the mini +sbooster+DAC adds up to, but would like to be  cost conscious. I assume there is no "all in one" piece that gives you the benefits of the above at a similar price point.

samac's avatar
samac
492 posts
 
Another great option you may want to look into is the Bluesound Node 2. It goes for $500, sounds great, the BluOS is outstanding, build quality is great and it looks good. I really enjoy mine and it's the main source in my system. You can pick it from Bluesound or many other online retailers and try it for 30-60 days and if you don't love it, return it. I picked mine up at Best Buy knowing if I didn't like it I could return it with no hassles. Good luck with your search.

Cheers,

Scott
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