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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
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Having heard Logitech Squeeze Box Touch, Marantz NA7004 and Bryston BDP-1 in one system I can only say - go with the Bryston !

Sound qualty wise, it is completely another league then the other two. More resolution, more micro dynamics, more soundstage depth, more ... everything.

You need to get the iPad to take full advantage of Bryston excellent user interface though - if you don't have one already that is.

BTW - there is a great synergy between BDP-1 and Bryston DAC. To me, it is one of the best, if not THE best sub $5000 complete digital source you can buy. A friend of mine (Bryston DAC owner) ended up buying one after trying it in his system.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
To the best of my knowledge, the USB performance issue with the BDP-1 has been cleared up, thanks to a different review that I can't remember the author of...

For some reason or another, having more than one USB device attached to the BDP-1 adds noise to the system. The reviewer measured the BDP-1 with one USB drive attached and two. Having two drives attached didn't make the BDP-1 measure poorly by any means, but having one attached had a measurable and audible increase in performance.

This was talked about in the Bryston circle at Audio Circle. If I can find a link, I'll post it.

I've only heard the Squeezebox Touch and BDP-1. There's no contest IMO. Then again, there really shouldn't be. I'd really like to hear the Cambridge, as my Apple TV 1 will run out of storage space eventually.

My next streamer will allow me to directly connect an external drive and use my iPhone as a remote. I'll also have to be able to afford it, which rules out the BDP-1 for me for a while. 1 year old daughters get to be expensive, and take financial priority.
4est
507 posts
 
Along the lines of the Bryston, Auraliti PK 90. It is not a network player per se, but an MPD. it owrks very similar to the Squeezebox.
stl114_nj
94 posts
 
Another mention for the Auraliti which is similar to the Bryston. Check out the discussions over at computer audiophile for some of the differences between The two.
richardfinegold
196 posts
 
I own the SBT and the Marantz NA 7004. The SBT is a great value at $300. I use it with a PS Audio Digital Link 3 Dac. I use an Ethernet connection so it had no network recognition issues.
The Marantz sounds a lot better playing high Rez files but has major reliability issues that I have detailed in recent posts. Most of the issues involve high Rez playback.
My advice? Don't bother. I get the best results running high Rez from a macbook (decibel software) into a Musical Fidelity V Link and out into the
Dac.
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