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Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server.

99.137.6.87

Posted on January 14, 2017 at 09:34:13
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1921
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




Hi all,

As I'm looking into replacement options for my 2012 Mac Mini, so far I've researched and liked what's on offer by both the Aurender N100H and Lumin D1. But of late on a few of the forums I've noticed more then a few owners of CA based systems using devices like the BlueSound Node 2 and Auralic Aries Mini as well as said device in this heading.

http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=71&product_id=83

While it seems to me many are looking elsewhere besides the Mac Mini's, in favor of said devices ranging in cost between $499 - $550 at best, I'm just curious as to what those of you whom have been at this far longer then I, might view any of these options?, or do I merely stay put and see what's coming up in the months ahead as far as a dedicated file player?.

And by all means......., do share your opinions on each if you would.

Regards,
O_o scar

 

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RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 14, 2017 at 10:11:36
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18251
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since:
May 16, 2021
You could get a Raspberry 3 for Less than $100 and equal the performance of a Bryston BDP-Pi that sells for $1300. Because all Bryston did was put a Pi in a Fancy Case with a display.



 

RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 14, 2017 at 10:52:10
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1921
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




Cut-Throat,

Thanks for your response, as I've seen mention on the Pi, but never even took the time to look into them.

Thanks again......

 

RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 14, 2017 at 12:10:38
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18251
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since:
May 16, 2021
Also, very easy to set up..... With the PiCorePlayer.... Website link below.



 

RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 14, 2017 at 13:04:20
triodesteve
Audiophile

Posts: 802
Location: Walla Walla Washington
Joined: September 4, 2001
I guess it depends on what you want to do, and where you are headed.
The MP runs on Windows which seems like overkill these days (reviewers seem to prefer custom software installs) and the storage system seems unclear to me.

The Auralic doesn't do Roon, so if thats important.....

I personally went with a Sonic Transporter because its so dang cheap for Roon compared to a Mac Mini. Roon also gives me so many options for output (apple airplay, Raspberry PI, microRendu)

An even better deal maybe the Elac music server. It runs a light version of Roon and the lifetime subscription will be included in the purchase price.

 

RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 14, 2017 at 13:09:14
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1921
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




Thanks again, Cut-Throat.

 

RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 14, 2017 at 13:17:27
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1921
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




triodesteve,

Very valid point on the Aries Mini not allowing the usage of Roon, as well as recommending the Sonic Transporter and ELAC music server as I'm familiar with both. Yes as someone whom prefers to stay with Mac as my primary means of gathering and transferring my files, it seems that I've to find a means of formatting my entire music library, which is still one if those gray areas in which I've yet to prefect.

O_oh well........, it appears there are quite a few options to which I've overlooked, yet thanks to you guys, I'm catching up. In how.......

 

RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 14, 2017 at 13:22:57
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1921
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003

triodesteve,

It's adorable......

https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/collections/audio-server/products/sonictransporter

 

RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 14, 2017 at 13:28:10
triodesteve
Audiophile

Posts: 802
Location: Walla Walla Washington
Joined: September 4, 2001
I'm trying to figure all of that out also (I'm not giving up my iPhone with tons of storage)
I am going to go ahead and re-rip my whole library to NAS....this time in AIFF files. Maybe make another version of ALAC for my phone or iPod? I'm not sure.

Lots to learn.

 

RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 14, 2017 at 13:50:44
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1921
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




I know that's right. As for me......, I'm just not sold on any that's Windows OS required. So I guess in someways I'm limiting my choices after all.

As for formatting......, I very seldom use anything other then AAC based files, which are then upsampled via A+ and listened to in either DXD 705 | 385Hz(?) or DSD 128 and am quite happy in preserving space on my SSD, as I'm not looking forward to buying another 2TBs no time soon.

In that sense......, we are both learning it together......, let the education continue.

 

RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 15, 2017 at 11:27:26
triodesteve
Audiophile

Posts: 802
Location: Walla Walla Washington
Joined: September 4, 2001
So today is a new day. Let me preface my story first:

Years ago I wine to a hifi show and after an hour or so, I couldn't take it anymore....a bunch of old white guys (well thats me know I guess) listening to the same 5 or 6 crappy songs that sounded amazing....it was torture. I vowed to myself to make sure its always about the music first after that experience.

I subscribed to Tidal wanting to discover music but found it impossible to get thru it...sort of like dealing with Netflix...where is the good stuff?

I told you that I was setting up Roon and that it seems awesome. Well today I put together a Raspberry Pi with a HiFiBerry digital out card and I have to say wow. Even with a crappy iphone power supply and toslink out, it sounds great. I'm truly shocked.
So now I can listen to almost whatever I want, when I want for $20 a month.

Next order of business is getting an NAS set up. Just do Roon....its pretty amazing and looks to be getting even better.
My 2 cents





 

RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 15, 2017 at 11:48:40
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18251
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since:
May 16, 2021
The raspberry Pi is an excellent streamer.



 

RE: Musical Paradise MP-Berry V2 Music Server., posted on January 15, 2017 at 14:37:40
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1921
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




Trust me......, I learned years ago while visiting a few of my well heeled friends to hear their several hundred thousands dollar systems, and noticed a pattern. While willing to invest this sort of bread on their systems, their actual music collections here far from ideal as each had a total of maybe 75 LPs and 20 CDs each......., I came away knowing that at least I had my priories in order.

As my collection was in the tens of thousands.

As for my next upgrade, I'll definitely have to do a great deal of research, as it seems to become more complicated as one begins to look at more costlier units. So I've to step back and rethink said moves as I'm not in this to have to replace wares every 6-8 months, as I'm more of one of those sorts whom buys his system as a means of refining it with each passing year, as opposed to meaning buying things for slight differences in sonics here or there......, which aren't always for the best......, but sometimes just lateral movements.

 

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