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Wrong section

We have an expert in our forum! 

Yes I can testify Puremusic makes a big positive difference. Since he is planning to feed digital to the Lab5s I will recommend an inexpensive USB to SPDIF converter instead of a DAC like the one offered by Musical Fidelity. 

However I think a streamer is what he is looking for. 

@ millemissen  "Note: if you use the AirPlay-part of the PM you can very well stream 24bit sound - but it will be downconverted to 16/44.1."  

Yes, I get that ATV and AE downconvert AirPlay.  I have been trying to find where it is downconverted if you are not using an Apple device, and I cannot find the place.  OraStream founder says it (and also true for Spotify) is not using the Apple EQ.  May I assume that goes for the "decoder" as well? Playmaker supports 24bit, and makes no statement that it is downconverting, so where is it happening, if at all?

I won't touch the "does it matter?" thread.  

Regards,

Thanks a lot for all your answers.

@ wonderfulelectric......From what i've have been reading, the Oppo Blue ray player looks perfect for what i'm chasing. Have yourself or anybody had any experience using one for streaming/digital music?

@ Millemissen.....thanks for your in depth response.  At present i'm using a first gen Apple TV predominately because of the HD attached. This makes things easier as i don't need a computer running. My music collection is currently on itunes (and backed up on an external HD).

In summary i guess i would prefer a digital player that i can attach/sync my external HD to (or possibly one that has a HD attached) that will produce better sound than the apple tv

Tks again

Before everyone is suggesting what you need to buy, it think it is more wise to tell how you want to control your player and navigate your library.

Do you mind to browse your library on your TV, or do you prefer a dedicated mediaplayer only for audio and use a controller/iPad to navigate to your library?

Millemissen wrote:

He also asked for best quality:

" I figure with such great mains I should give them the best digital input ie 24 bit sound"

That is why I started at the highest level.

There are many ways to get good sound on a set of BL5's.

If  Mark writes again, we could describe a solution "special-designed for his purpose".

But I would like to know a little more of his prefences (if it MUST be a streamer and so on...) and his budget (very important indeed), before getting into details.

@symnes I have used the PM intensively and daily ever since it came out 😁 - especially the line-in port for high quality files and "heavylistening".

My FLAC-files are on a NAS with a 'LMServer' running. I control a 'Squeezebox Touch' - on line-in/PM connected to my AudioMaster - with the 'Squeezepad' (on iPad).

I use AirPlay mostly for netradio, podcasts, Spotify, background-listening and so on - and occasionally on the  ATV on my Link-tv.

Note: if you use the AirPlay-part of the PM you can very well stream 24bit sound - but it will be downconverted to 16/44.1.

Playing the same files from a Pc/Mac/Linux-solution with a good DAC or a USB TO S/PDIF-converter might give you "full value for the money".

Greetings Millemissen

Good for you that you managed to get the touch; too bad the whole Squeezebox division of logitech is now shut down. I was waiting for a 24bit.196khz version but that day never arrived. I am going to stick with my planned computer system with an Audiophileo 1 with the optional USB battery power supply and hopefully if the new 2013 MAc Pro is coming sooner than later, I will be installing the Sotm internal noise reduction modules and USB cards. along with PureMusic and the official version of the Dirac room correction suite slated for release - I can only work a Mac I have been using Macs since I was like 13 and I have not turned back since. I think that will have the ultimate computer system.

OH BTW MIllemissen if you are fortunate enough to own a desktop you should check out Sotm cards and modules. I think it will serve you really well. All I have now are Imacs and MacBook Pros so.... 

I think reducing noise within the computer system itself is the key plus the modules look cheap as compared to those crazy battery power supplies that some make. Max $500 dollars for all the internal modules installed. That's a deal! And of course you can go even further by adding a external USB to SPDIF converters.

I really hope someday someone makes a streamer with build-in Dirac or some automated room correction DSP software so there will be no need for a computer. Tell me why hasn't anyone made one already? I can't imagine a streamer without a built-in DSP already. 

butch1 wrote:

buy a linn ds ,fantastic source to feed the lab 5 my dad has the same setup, they are pioneers in streaming just now,being what of the first to stop making disc players.5 year warranty aswell.

Isn't it a little wasteful not to use the DAC section of the Linn DS though? I mean the Lab5s work best with digital direct only no? 

I might be a little decadent but I am also quite a bargain hunter lol.... It's a paradoxical side of mine. I am all about waste minimization. 

That's why I never jumped on to any of the external room correction modules yet because they always include things I don't need. A/D and DAC etc... All I need is a top tier DSP okay?! And I can't imagine those extra functions not having a negative impact on the digital outputs. 

ollie75 wrote:

Thanks a lot for all your answers.

@ wonderfulelectric......From what i've have been reading, the Oppo Blue ray player looks perfect for what i'm chasing. Have yourself or anybody had any experience using one for streaming/digital music?

@ Millemissen.....thanks for your in depth response.  At present i'm using a first gen Apple TV predominately because of the HD attached. This makes things easier as i don't need a computer running. My music collection is currently on itunes (and backed up on an external HD).

In summary i guess i would prefer a digital player that i can attach/sync my external HD to (or possibly one that has a HD attached) that will produce better sound than the apple tv

Tks again

 

LOL... I have not gotten the pleasure of using the Oppo yet. My place is under renovation so.... 

The old Oppo served nicely for my system although I did not engage its streamer function then because I wasn't as tech savvy then. But I bet the latest series are way smoother in terms of user friendliness. But the old range is already well-knowned for its super low jitter ( around 100psec) outputs so I think i the current range might even do you better plus the built-in video upscaling and USB and Coaxial inputs with the option of expanding your system to a full-fledged surround system wouldn't hurt either. I think it is dirt cheap for what it is. 

I am sure you can find online reviews regarding tis streaming abilities. I will be going for the BDP 105 just because it has the added function of asynschronous USB inputs and 4K upscaling for only an extra $400. Don't buy straight from the official website cos then you have to get plug-in modules just to bypass the region restrictions. And trust me it isn't as simple as it seems. I literally fried the plug-in module and wasted over $200 and a ton of my time while doing so.

Get from here. http://www.220-electronics.com/oppo-bdp-105-region-free-blu-ray-dvd-player.html

or if you are in the EU. http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=431

Anyway just don't buy the unmodified ones without multi-region.

BTW tell me what you think after you started using it. I am going to get one as soon as my renovations works are done. 

I can't imagine that you will need anything more than what it is already on offer here.