2. digital
  3. 1246328522

Music Server with no DAC?

Why doesn't Logitech or Sonos create a version of what they have with no DAC? Who wants to buy 2 DACs? Many of us already have DACs. I would love to get into a Sonos, but all I want is digital out. Similarly, I like the idea of the Logitech Transporter, but how about no DAC and drop the price in half or a bit more? Just have AES/EBU, S/PDIF and maybe optical out...

I think there would be a big market for that because who wants to buy 2 of something when they don't need to, and particularly when people are particular about their DACs and don't want the one in the Music Server.
lightminer
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,879 posts
 
I think Cruz123 is probably right.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Not having heard an SB and having a Modwright TP, its hard for me to judge, but I'm also thinking that Cruz123 is correct. With an external DAC, that is probably the sweet spot in the price/performance/functionality spectrum.
lightminer OP
164 posts
 
This is something along the lines of what I'm saying - so there is a market for this... They are basically prepping the Sonos for high quality outboard DAC...

http://www.underwoodhifi.com/mod_sonos.html

"Our Sonos reclocker upgrade is now available. This upgrade completely replaces the mediocre Cirrus Logic CODAC and the associated high-jitter clocks used in the Sonos ZP80. The mod was designed to integrate the Sonos system into a high-end audio system thru an outboard digital-to-analog converter."

I'll read more about the 'classic' and compare that to Media Monkey!

Thanks for all the thoughts...
doctorcilantro
59 posts
 
J. River is the most functional with equal or better quality to Foobar or MM.

Can stream lossless to upnp or over wan to another instance.

Multiple zone playback, database driven, expressions, custom meta-data.

I look at reviews of Sonos and the price combined with lack of flexabiliry and customization is just laughable.

A good music server has to have, IMO, usability equal to its fidelity.

That said, netbooks getting cheap, one could choose anumber of great USB dacs if serving to another room/location.

Or buy a touch screen and build your sonos type setup as j. River just added ability to use their library server to control other zones (from one master instance on laptop etc ).

If using Windows, it's really the most functional front end while maintainig high fidelty.

Dc

Dc
doctorcilantro
59 posts
 
Sorry for my spelling, stuck on my iPhone for now.

The gist is, you can push 24/96 24/192 over your LAN with the right hardware.

These new netbooks keep coming to mind and something like the Proton DAC would give your a VERY nice hi-fi streaming solution with a highly customizable GUI. I could setup a system at your house and stream from Florida, lossless flac, ape, etc. at high resolution while playing my own files on my system.

If I had a summer home, Id have no need to copy 5tb of audio to another external drive, I'd simple access via wan and enjoy.

This is an extreme example but really showcases how powerful and cost effective this can be.

Happy 4th!

Dc
More to discover