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About to purchase my first network DAC between $2k and $3.5K

98.208.117.121

Posted on August 31, 2016 at 08:59:04
Intersted in Sony's with it's storage capability, otherwise Marantz' flagship player?

Need no hassle server capability, also want "pure" dsd conversion. Total newbie here but want a good piece of gear that I can place in my system and forget. A lot of fine print in specs of various brands rergarding reclocking, superior DACs, etc.

I'm clueless. Just tell me what to get, especially if you've had the luxury of auditioning many brands. Kal?

So many reviews claim "no digital glare!" I thought we were a long way from '82 at this point. Pl3ase tell me I'm not making a mistake leaving vinyl behind.

 

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I just e-mailed you privately - you're not making a mistake! [nt] ;-), posted on August 31, 2016 at 09:07:13
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RE: About to purchase my first network DAC between $2k and $3.5K, posted on August 31, 2016 at 09:40:59
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 12430
Location: New York
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You are not making a mistake going this way but:
1. AFAIK, those are network players, not simply DACs.
2. I cannot help much because I focus on multichannel DACs/players.

 

HUGE MISTAKE!!!, posted on August 31, 2016 at 09:49:30
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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Sez a guy with over 3,000 classical LPs lining the walls of his listening room and two TTs, one on either side of his flat panel TV, and who hasn't played a record in MONTHS because he spends his time streaming music over TIDAL, QOBUZ and ClassicsOnlineHD.

LISTEN!

HORRIBLE MISTAKE!






First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

Maybe I told jdaniel wrong, posted on August 31, 2016 at 10:27:19
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I thought we might, through a process of extrapolation, be able to take some of the enthusiastic words you used about exaSound's multi-channel equipment and apply them to exaSound's two-channel equipment?

 

RE: About to purchase my first network DAC between $2k and $3.5K, posted on August 31, 2016 at 19:52:23
John Elison
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What do you mean by "leaving vinyl behind?" If you are discarding vinyl for digital, that's a big mistake. Simply add a universal digital player to your system and enjoy both formats. I have never discarded vinyl yet I've been enjoying both formats for more than 30-years.

I bought an Oppo BDP-105D Blu-Ray Disc Player two years ago and it has become the heart of my audio/video entertainment system. It plays virtually every form of digital media available today. You might want to check it out.

Good luck,
John Elison


 

What Sony? I love my HAP Z1, esp in Precision Upsampling Mode., posted on August 31, 2016 at 20:07:10
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10574
Joined: April 12, 2002
I have a Mytek and Lampizator too, but the Sony is wonderful.
I hope there's a Z2 in there not too distant future.

 

Yes, that's the one. But Sony.... will be so strange buying the player in Costco and carrying it out along, posted on August 31, 2016 at 21:26:32
With my new gun, 50 frozen boneless chicken breasts, toilet paper and brake pads.

Seriously, Sony invented DSD iirc and it looks like a pretty solid piece of gear. I like the fact that it has on board storage. I wonder how many two channel dsd files make up a terrabyte?

Would be proud to have it in my system. The top of the line Marantz is marked down to $2700 online. The Dac Chris recommended is $3500.

We'll see....

 

RE: hap file transfer program: i don't have a PC, only Android tablet. , posted on August 31, 2016 at 22:42:43
Doesn't look like the file transfer is compatible with android, only windows and mac. A problem?

Actually I take that back: i've got an iphone with ios system. Can i download a dsd file onto phone long enough for the player to download it?

 

RE: hap file transfer program: i don't have a PC, only Android tablet. , posted on September 1, 2016 at 12:17:48
Mr_Steady
Audiophile

Posts: 2042
Location: North Florida
Joined: August 19, 2014
I have a HAP, and I believe you are going to need a PC. There is always a basic computer for sale at Best Buy for $250. It will do. You will want an external HD also for backup.

You may not find many native DSD files. Depends on what you listen to, but as a packaging format to be sold DSD is not common. I hate to say it's dead because of Blue Coast and Channel Classics, but I see ol' Sprezza Turra was right, it failed as a delivery system.

However the HAP converts PCM to DSD output, and it does sound very good. You will probably go with PCM files mostly. An advantage is they will work on hi rez portable players, DSD usually won't. OTOH the DSD files I have sound exceptionally good on the HAP.

And the internal spinning hard drives don't bother me one bit.


-------------------------------------------------------------------
Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!

 

I'm not in the misteak-finger-pointing business... , posted on September 1, 2016 at 12:57:10
Jim Treanor
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(or the tell-you-what-to-get business, either), but I think you might want to consider hanging onto your vinyl for a while until you either are or aren't satisfied that what you're proposing brings everything you want to the listening-enjoyment table in your particular listening space.

FWIW, both formats coexist here, and it's likely to stay that way for quite a while.


Jim

 

+1. nt, posted on September 2, 2016 at 18:59:36
oldmkvi
Audiophile

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/

 

What's it cost at Costco??? nt, posted on September 2, 2016 at 20:24:35
oldmkvi
Audiophile

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/

 

But isn't it true that some computers sound more analog than others?, posted on September 2, 2016 at 23:40:21
Seriously, Somy on order,should have by next Sunday. I really can't stand typing on a tablet anyway, so good riddance.

Can't wait to start downloading. Was thrilled to discover that HDTT digitized Stravinsly's Columbia Firebird and Frager's Prokofiev 2nd PC.

Top of my list after the 50s Juilliard Bartok cycle at Pristine.

 

Careful, posted on September 3, 2016 at 12:00:20
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I notice from your listings (Stravinsky's Firebird, Frager's Prokofiev 2, and the 50's Julliard Bartok) that you plan for your initial downloads to be older recordings - perhaps some of the same performances you already had on vinyl (?). I guarantee you that they will not sound the same as on vinyl. There may be dozens of reasons for these differences, among which the digital vs. analogue incarnation is only one. You should download some newer recordings too (say, from the last decade or so) to get an idea of what your new set-up is capable of.

 

First "new" recording will be the Wilson Debussy and Brahms Sonatas for Violin and Piano, posted on September 3, 2016 at 15:05:11
Was sampling hi res Brahms Trios and Faure Chamber music this morning. Any rise to top of your list?

 

That's now so new though, posted on September 5, 2016 at 00:41:30
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Do you like the Chandos sound? A lot of their stuff is over at The Classical Shop.

The BIS stuff is on eClassical. There's a lot of good stuff at the Canadian ProStudioMasters site. If you're going for chamber music, here are some possibilities:



(I've got all three, and I can vouch for them.)

Finally, I haven't heard it, but I can't resist recommending it (in view of your comments about the old Ansermet recording):

(available at ProStudioMasters)

 

Thanks for rec's, I'll be requesting them weekly. Regarding Rach Cello Sonata, was leaning towards BIS. Nt, posted on September 5, 2016 at 08:23:46
.

 

I'm sure the BIS is good - I just haven't heard it [nt], posted on September 5, 2016 at 08:33:20
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Sony HAP on way, thanks for rec's. Picking up Lenovo laptop but only 2GB of memory. Surely that's enough to , posted on September 5, 2016 at 09:35:08
download a single high res file and load it onto the Sony? Intel chip, Latest Windows. I really don't need the laptop otherwise and don't want to spend a lot.

 

RE: Sony HAP on way, thanks for rec's. Picking up Lenovo laptop but only 2GB of memory. Surely that's enough to , posted on September 5, 2016 at 10:04:33
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10574
Joined: April 12, 2002
When you get it set-up, you'll run a Network Update.
In the Settings Menu, check that you turn off the Sleep Function, or it could turn off while updating or transferring files.
I also turn off Stand-by, but I don't know if that's necessary.
Check Audio settings, and try the Precision Upsampling choice, which improves Signal to Noise Ratio.
I think there was a brief break-in period.
One day I noticed that it was sounding really good, better than I remembered.
I've upgraded Power Cord to Clarus Aqua Component Cable, made a nice difference to me.

 

Vladimir Jurowski Petrushka..., posted on September 5, 2016 at 13:51:58
Ivan303
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is up for streaming at 25/96 on ClassicsOnlineHD. Plan to listen to it later in the day.

Having no trouble with that service now that I have a decent, very fast web connection.




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

If you like that, try 25/97... , posted on September 5, 2016 at 17:52:07
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10574
Joined: April 12, 2002
It's just a skosh better!

 

Pshaw! Typical audiophile! [nt] l-), posted on September 5, 2016 at 17:57:34
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RE: If you like that, try 25/97... , posted on September 5, 2016 at 19:07:14
Ivan303
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Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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Old MK VI indeed!





First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

Bits are bits...., posted on September 6, 2016 at 08:10:19
Ivan303
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More bits are better bits.


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

Leave Vinyl Behind???, posted on September 6, 2016 at 08:39:03
sjg
Audiophile

Posts: 738
Location: Boston
Joined: April 8, 2004
Hi, As someone who has enjoyed your posts in the Vinyl Asylum for many years, I am very curious why you want to leave vinyl behind. Do you mean completely? Please do tell us.

I have both networked digital and LP setups and use both. I also have extensive experience with the HAP Z1. Loading music into it takes a lot of time (Be sure to use a wired Ethernet connection) but once it is there, the user interface is very good especially via ipad app. I helped a good friend load in his music (including many High Res LP transfers, SACD rips and DVD Audio Rips which I did for him). He says the 2x DSD files sound the best.

He has a 5TB USB external harddrive attached where most of his music resides.

Once you get the music onto the Sony, I think you will be happy with it. But I hope you'll still be spinning too!

all my best, Stephanie

 

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!, posted on September 6, 2016 at 08:49:52
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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OK, you can stop playing LPs but continue to use them to line the walls of your listening room as the make GREAT room treatment!




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

Yes, they're gone. How can I fall in love with the HAP when my Ex is hanging out in the same room?, posted on September 6, 2016 at 20:59:54
I actually don't have a huge library of downloads to transfer, so I'll be beaming a few downloads a week via wifi. Surely a whole night would be enough to transfer a typical symphony? Got Comcast high speed and latest modem.

I only have a Samsung Android OS in my home and the only annoying surprise (HAP reqpuirement) was having to buy another laptop with appropriate OS; that said I've discovered that I absolutely DESPISE typing on a a tablet screen, so no love lost there. The tablet was about to be flung out the window anyway.

 

BTW, I just downloaded another brand new BIS chamber music release earlier today, posted on September 7, 2016 at 19:05:29
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Faure, Debussy, Ravel - excellent performances and good capture of the "space":



It's being offered at a special price right now on eClassical - just over $9. I never know how long these special offers will last though.

 

well that's a bold move, posted on September 8, 2016 at 04:24:32
sjg
Audiophile

Posts: 738
Location: Boston
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I wish you audio joy in the digital realm. How many lps did you have? Did you have a list? Did you sell the collection whole? We will miss you over in vinyl.

Will you be doing Spotify via the HAPZ1? not high res but a decent classical catalog? Also the internet radio options are terrific.

You might find the Sony HAPZ1 Arrived thread over at Computer Audiophile Music Server forum helpful.

 

Nice. Debussy's Beau Soir puts me in a trance every time I hear it. nt, posted on September 8, 2016 at 20:08:37
.

 

Oh man: Veronique Gen's Ravel Scheherazade available too. Ondine 16/24 but better than nothing. nt, posted on September 8, 2016 at 20:31:53
/

 

Thanks. Collection of 700 lps cherry picked, rest will be sold in lots on Ebay, US only, posted on September 8, 2016 at 20:34:08
I'm unable to estimate shipping anymore, now that subsidies are being withdrawn world wide. $23 now to ship a single lp to UK. Still $12 to ship to China/Japan.

 

RE: About to purchase my first network DAC between $2k and $3.5K, posted on October 3, 2016 at 21:31:09
erik_sq
Audiophile

Posts: 150
Location: San Francisco Bay
Joined: September 28, 2016
I would DIY a Linux / Logitech Media Server / Squeezebox combination to serve as your source. Then you could use web/android/iphone and any DAC with USB 2.0 support.

Sounds great, and not locked into hardware/software. Also cheap, around $650 for a 2TB unit you can also browse and watch Hulu/Netflix from. :)

Supports DxD and DSD. :-)

Best,

Erik

 

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