Originally Posted by TRflash06
Hi All,
Very helpful threads. FYI, I'm having a similar experience. After finally completing my new system with all McIntosh gear and the new Dynaudio C50 speakers, I purchased a McIntosh MS500 music server/streamer to replace my legacy Request Audio F3.
Unfortunately, the MS500 sound was very disappointing when compared to my old F3. I loaded my 400 GB FLAC library onto the MS500 local SSD using their Media Bridge software (which was cumbersome at best), and then I tried balanced XLR analogue, Coax and Toslink interconnects to my Mc C49 pre-amp (which has a decent built-in DAC). So, I will return the MS500, and start looking for a new audio server/player.
At this point, I've narrowed my search down to Aurender's N10 or W20SE (if I can stomach the $22K). Despite the fact that there are a few features that I don't like about Aurender, my primary focus is on the best SQ I can afford.
Due to the Conductor software caching requirement, the max playlist/queue is 2,000 tracks, so you can never play "random all" across a total library (like an iPod). I asked Ari in Aurender customer service about this for the W20SE, and he said it's non-negotiable and necessary for the best SQ. Not a big deal, except that I will continue to run my F3 concurrently, when I want to casually play random all, i.e. during a party, etc...
In addition, there is no RS232 control for Crestron. Again, not a big deal if the improved SQ warrants...
Regarding DACs, Ari suggested that the Coax output will be "pretty good", so I may continue to use my McIntosh C49 pre-amp DAC, which will accept up to DSD512 file formats. However, I understand that if I plan to listen to DSD, then I will have to use the USB output (instead of Coax). In addition, my C49 does not have digital AES/EBU inputs, so that may be another reason to consider a new stand-alone DAC...TBD.
Given that my Flac music library consists mostly of 30 - 70 year old recordings, and I have no experience with DSD, if I were to invest in a new DAC, do you guys have any thoughts on the merits of DSD upsampling from my FLAC/PCM files?, i.e. like the EMM Labs DAC philosophy?
Furthermore, I have no experience with streaming technology, so I just signed up for a 30 day trial of uncompressed Tidal content, which appears to have a lot of music and videos for the whole family to enjoy. FYI, McIntosh DACs do not support MQA, so I don't have to worry about that for now...
Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to listen to any of the above players due to the fact that I live very far away from any dealers willing to let me test their demos on my system, so I will rely on the info from my fellow audiophiles online.
Thanks again for all the great info...
Cheers,
Bill
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