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Music Servers-Why so few?

With the explosion of Dacs and discussions of computer audio one would think the server market would flourish as well. Where are all of the "big" names and their offerings? They can certainly produce Dacs. With the exception of Bryston, it seems the small companies are the only ones who offer something and then its a crapshoot as to who will be able to answer an email or have a decent website with useful information. Where are they?
stl114_nj
stl114_nj OP
94 posts
 
Bondmanp= How does the Vortexbox integrate with the Squeezebox? I kind of dismissed the SB as I thought the resolution maxed at 24/96. I dont have much higher res stuff, mostly ripped CD's but still want to hear what the highest rez sounds like.

Kennythekey-so the SB will pull the music from the NAS? Just trying to picture what I need to go with the SB. I have a nice DAC with USB, coas and toslink. I need a computer running SB and does it stream wireless?

Guess I need to do some more research....
kennythekey
593 posts
 
The SBT plugs into your router directly or wirelessly. It then can find any drives connected to your router and play music from them. Right now, it plays music in my listening room from files that are stored in my Music folder of my computer in my office.

I will add a NAS and hang it off my router where I will store my audio files and redirect the SBT to play from there.

The SBT has a built-in DAC but I don't use it because its sound is not very good. However, the SBT has digital outputs that bypass its internal DAC to hook to your own DAC. I use the coax one.

Logitech now has Media Server for the SBT that is installed on a computer such as the one in my office. This means that the SBT only works if Media Server is running, so your computer must be turned on to play the SBT. There is an option, for installing a Squeezebox Server module directly on the NAS, so you do not need to have your computer turned on.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
The Cambridge NP30 seems like a great way to accomplish computer music without a computer being on. From what I gather, it's very similar to the Bryston BDP-1 in that you can connect a USB drive and control it through an iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch app. Unlike the BDP-1, it has an internal DAC and can do internet radio. Not sure about services like Pandora and the like though.

I'd imagine the BDP-1 sounds better and is built better, knowing both Bryston and Cambridge. Not that Cambridge is a slouch by any means, but Bryston is in a higher class for many reasons.

No experience with the Cambridge and only heard the BDP-1 once, so no comparisons beyond features from me.
kennythekey
593 posts
 
Same with the SBT, the server module is on a NAS, for example, and then you can install an App to control the SBT from a Pad device. You can also you the Touch's touch screen to control it directly and it comes with a remote as well.
williewonka
3,110 posts
 
Well - I know nothing about the Bryston - except they make really good gear.

Don't really know anything about the NP-30 - except it will play 24/96kHz music - if you can find a source.

But I'm seriously looking at getting one!

I do own the old DACMAGIC and the 640p phono stage, both with upgraded power supplies and they are amazing. So I believe the NP-30 will perform to a similar level with similar cabling choices

Based on their performance, I feel confident that the NP-30 will actually perform way above expectations if fitted with a really good power cord and really good Interconnects like those offered by DH Labs (i.e. the BL-1 Interconnect and both Encore or Power Plus power cables)

If you want more resolution step up to the Stream magic 6, which up-samples to 24/384kHz.

I have spoken to stores that reported no problems with playback and only really happy CA customers

if you have an Apple computer you will need uPNP software that allows the NP-30 to see files kept on it - that's about the only caveat I have found so far

If you are budget minded (like me) but still want amazing sound - the NP-30 is about as good as it gets WRT "Bang For The Buck"

Hope this helps
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