The Dark Side; Digital audio equipment recommendations and setup.

I think my daughter has an ifi zen. She uses it to stream her spotify to her receiver. I don't think she has ever had any problems with it. I think she's had it for three years or so, I'll ask her what she thinks...
 
The Node will do exactly what you want to do but is probably at the top end of your budget and the size (about as big and thick as a medium sized hard cover book). Love mine. Cannot speak to any iFi products but they have always been something that has interested me.
 
I use the WiiM mini streamer to stream from my PC but plan on digging out my NAS and setting that up. Im 99% sure it’s supports NAS but I personally haven’t tried it yet. It’s a pretty easy setup overall. I got one on eBay for under $70.
 
jamieanderson1968 said:
The Node will do exactly what you want to do but is probably at the top end of your budget and the size (about as big and thick as a medium sized hard cover book). Love mine. Cannot speak to any iFi products but they have always been something that has interested me.
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I like the Node also.
Would be nice if it handled DD256... probably the only con besides price.
 
Kris said:
I use the WiiM mini streamer to stream from my PC but plan on digging out my NAS and setting that up. Im 99% sure it’s supports NAS but I personally haven’t tried it yet. It’s a pretty easy setup overall. I got one on eBay for under $70.
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How do you connect the WiiM to your amp?
 
jamieanderson1968 said:
The Node will do exactly what you want to do but is probably at the top end of your budget and the size (about as big and thick as a medium sized hard cover book). Love mine. Cannot speak to any iFi products but they have always been something that has interested me.
Click to expand...
Let me ask about the Node...

I may be able to accomodate its size. How's it sound - DAC? Would I benefit from sending it into my Marantz player or straight into amp via RCA?

Also I see it has a display on top. Is that necessary to use or can everything be done via phone/app to access NAS? I ask because I may choose to put it behind other components if I can get away with it.

Finally, how is the BT range? I don't need BT (ie it would be redundant in system) but still curious to know.
 
Heaven or Las Diaper Baby said:
Let me ask about the Node...

I may be able to accomodate its size. How's it sound - DAC? Would I benefit from sending it into my Marantz player or straight into amp via RCA?

Also I see it has a display on top. Is that necessary to use or can everything be done via phone/app to access NAS? I ask because I may choose to put it behind other components if I can get away with it.

Finally, how is the BT range? I don't need BT (ie it would be redundant in system) but still curious to know.
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I'll give you my experience.
I run the node to my Denon.
Coax and USB outs auto deactivate the internal node DAC.
If you have a Marantz with a DAC, it would likely be better.

The node DAC is average. Nothing negative in reviews.
Very nice budget DAC IMO.

Bluesound's app is great. I think it runs off your network and not BT.
No need to touch Node hardware to operate.
Works great with Roon if you want to take it up a notch and better the interface/functionality.
 
Heaven or Las Diaper Baby said:
Let me ask about the Node...

I may be able to accomodate its size. How's it sound - DAC? Would I benefit from sending it into my Marantz player or straight into amp via RCA?

Also I see it has a display on top. Is that necessary to use or can everything be done via phone/app to access NAS? I ask because I may choose to put it behind other components if I can get away with it.

Finally, how is the BT range? I don't need BT (ie it would be redundant in system) but still curious to know.
Click to expand...
My Node is away in my stereo cabinet, with just the RCA coming out the back to my Marantz. You never need to touch the controls on top.
 
A quick update/review of Roon ARC. I poopoo'ed it at first but have to say it was quite nice for a train trip to Montreal (4.5hrs each way). Downloaded several albums and a couple of playlists. Filled up the iPhone pretty fast but worked like a charm. Have not used it to connect and play directly from my music external hd.

Just wished there was an iPad version instead of a stupid 'universal' iPhone version. That is so 2017 and a real oversight by them.
 
Another queepy question Node...

It will fit (based on listed specs) on top of Marantz into which I'll input it. I can't find a good image view of the bottom...does it have any feet, rubber or otherwise, so I don't have to a hard surface on top of Marantz. Otherwise, I have plenty of silicon guitar pedal bumpers, but I'd like to know...

Thanks for fielding all my questions!
 
jamieanderson1968 said:
A quick update/review of Roon ARC. I poopoo'ed it at first but have to say it was quite nice for a train trip to Montreal (4.5hrs each way). Downloaded several albums and a couple of playlists. Filled up the iPhone pretty fast but worked like a charm. Have not used it to connect and play directly from my music external hd.

Just wished there was an iPad version instead of a stupid 'universal' iPhone version. That is so 2017 and a real oversight by them.
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I have only used it once in the car but was surprised at how quickly it loaded an album from my NUC at home.

I see why the iPad thing is frustrating but I only would use this on my phone most likely. Hope they do a full iPad version though
 
Heaven or Las Diaper Baby said:
Oooh that is good to know. I may very well have the real estate at the rear of my bottom shelf with system power supply and run a digital cable up to my Marantz on next shelf. That's a real option there!
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The only downside I see really with the Node is that you can’t play DSD but it’s not a very accessible format. If I was in the market for a streamer I’d most likely go for the Node. Seems like a solid choice
 
Alright so I think I may go Node. But regardless of what I have, anyone have a NAS they like? I'd like to spend sub-$300. Honestly, I only plan on using it for music. I don't really need redundancy, as I have multiple externals that I use to back up my digital collection (plus it is kept on a desktop and a laptop), so 1-2 bays is fine. Don't plan on using it for any other type of media, so TV streaming isn't needed.

Fast RAM is cool, if I'm really going to notice it compared to slower processors for what I'm intending. Ease of set-up is definitely important.

Synology & QNAP seem pretty popular and regularly mentioned.
 
Heaven or Las Diaper Baby said:
Alright so I think I may go Node. But regardless of what I have, anyone have a NAS they like? I'd like to spend sub-$300. Honestly, I only plan on using it for music. I don't really need redundancy, as I have multiple externals that I use to back up my digital collection (plus it is kept on a desktop and a laptop), so 1-2 bays is fine. Don't plan on using it for any other type of media, so TV streaming isn't needed.

Fast RAM is cool, if I'm really going to notice it compared to slower processors for what I'm intending. Ease of set-up is definitely important.

Synology & QNAP seem pretty popular and regularly mentioned.
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I ended up building a NUC but think that likely goes over your budget. I mostly did that to put Roon’s OS on it and use it as my roon core. I’ve seen people mention Synology and QNAP most too but haven’t done a ton of research on it
 
Heaven or Las Diaper Baby said:
Alright so I think I may go Node. But regardless of what I have, anyone have a NAS they like? I'd like to spend sub-$300. Honestly, I only plan on using it for music. I don't really need redundancy, as I have multiple externals that I use to back up my digital collection (plus it is kept on a desktop and a laptop), so 1-2 bays is fine. Don't plan on using it for any other type of media, so TV streaming isn't needed.

Fast RAM is cool, if I'm really going to notice it compared to slower processors for what I'm intending. Ease of set-up is definitely important.

Synology & QNAP seem pretty popular and regularly mentioned.
Click to expand...
This was going to be my 2023 project so I will be curious as well. Right now I just have an external hd connected to my iMac. But with Roon ARC available I would like to set up a NAS so I can connect to me music while at work.
 
jamieanderson1968 said:
This was going to be my 2023 project so I will be curious as well. Right now I just have an external hd connected to my iMac. But with Roon ARC available I would like to set up a NAS so I can connect to me music while at work.
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Are you then using your iMac as your RoonCore? I really like my NUC but not sure pricing in Canada...or current pricing in general now...I built one a few years ago and it was probably around $400 USD or less with all various parts (RAM + SSD) and was very easy to set up. So more than a NAS I think but I do like it.
 
@MikeH you like your denafrips gear right?

I think I might have a lead on some NOS of their avatar CDT from an official supplier of theirs to the Chinese market. It can take universal voltage so that’s all good too.

Just wondering about your experiences with reliability, build quality etc. it seems a better regarded device that what I’d be looking at.
 
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