What Music Server and Dac Will Out Perform My Turntable and Phono Preamp

[crwilli]

SILENZIO runs ROON core so Yes. Besides being the brains of my two channel system in my room, it also runs my Sonos system around my house as I use ROON to stream my NAS and Qobuz sources to three different zones downstairs. And it can do all that simultaneously. I control it using my iPAD or iPhone via VNC.

Many computer systems will do this but I like a custom, purpose built, open PC to do this that I couldn’t design myself.

[enatai252]

As mentioned above the Silenzio is an optimized windows based computer which can run server software (JRiver comes with it but you can run Roon on it as well) ripping software (it comes with disk drive and Exact Audio) and solid state storage to library music rips and downloaded files. The Roon is basically a small NUC in fanless case running Linux based Roon software. Super simple code and the NUC turns off all drivers except what is required for the server to operate. It’s IMHO far better option than running even an optimized windows based computer. It does however require you to also have a separate NAS to store your files and a method to RIP CDs. I use a Naim Uniti Core which makes ripping simple, QNAP 5 bay 500series NAS and the NucleusPlus. I have found that to be preferable to all of the “customized Windows” computers out there. Then you just need a Roon endpoint (at each location you need digital as source). As mentioned the three Mytek Brooklyn bridges sit in home automation racks and feed three different distributed sound systems that I can control from my Control4 remotes. In my four more dedicated two channel systems I have use dCS units ( Vivaldi stack, Rossini, Vivaldi One and Bartok). In all cases (with both Mytek and dCS gear) the Roon allows access to my library of high rez, ripped CDs, Tidal (including MQA) and Qobuz. IMHO the Roon option is a no brainer for anyone who wants to start streaming digital. But YMMV

[W9TR]

Paul - great question with 1,000,000 different answers!

I would seek to understand what’s missing in your digital rig compared to your analog one.

The Cadenza Black is a fine cartridge - Shibata stylus, boron cantilever, Ortofon magnetics. Very detailed without being harsh. Great dynamics. Fine TT and arm to go with it.

So what’s up with your BDA-3 and/or Oppo 205? In what ways are they lacking? Is it dynamics and drive? Not natural sounding? Don’t like the user interface?

In digital playback everything matters, so some info on your cabling, power, etc would be very helpful.

I’ve gone through half a dozen DACs to find what I like. The best analogy I can come up with is that DAC’s are like Phono Cartridges - they each have a unique sonic character and you just have to find one you like.

Tom

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by W9TR

Paul - great question with 1,000,000 different answers!

I would seek to understand what’s missing in your digital rig compared to your analog one.

The Cadenza Black is a fine cartridge - Shibata stylus, boron cantilever, Ortofon magnetics. Very detailed without being harsh. Great dynamics. Fine TT and arm to go with it.

So what’s up with your BDA-3 and/or Oppo 205? In what ways are they lacking? Is it dynamics and drive? Not natural sounding?

In digital playback everything matters, so some info on your cabling, power, etc would be very helpful.

I’ve gone through half a dozen DACs to find what I like. The best analogy I can come up with is that DAC’s are like Phono Cartridges - they each have a unique sonic character and you just have to find one you like.

Tom

Hi Tom....my findings are I just enjoy listening to my analog front end over my digital. The analog is definitely more natural and involving. I know my analog setup costs over 3 times more than my digital.

So what I really want to know is do I have to spend as much on my digital setup as I have for my analog to bring them both on a level playing field?

I’ve been listening mostly to digital out of pure convenience but when I move to listening to LP’s I wonder why I ever listen to digital. Maybe vinyl setup is just better than digital or that I need to spend mega bucks to better it or that I’ve just grew up listening to vinyl and that’s what I’m used to.

Also....thanks to all for the replies. Some very good points.

[Audiophilehi]

BTW...the loudness wars don’t help either.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

Hi Tom....my findings are I just enjoy listening to my analog front end over my digital. The analog is definitely more natural and involving. I know my analog setup costs over 3 times more than my digital.

So what I really want to know is do I have to spend as much on my digital setup as I have for my analog to bring them both on a level playing field?

I’ve been listening mostly to digital out of pure convenience but when I move to listening to LP’s I wonder why I ever listen to digital. Maybe vinyl setup is just better than digital or that I need to spend mega bucks to better it or that I’ve just grew up listening to vinyl and that’s what I’m used to.

Also....thanks to all for the replies. Some very good points.

Paul... IMO my very best Digital Rig (Full Grandioso Stack/Clock/Cables) approx $145K retail can equal~best my top Analog Rig (ClearAudio Innovation/Goldfinger/Aesthetix Rhea Signature).

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Paul... IMO my very best Digital Rig (Full Grandioso Stack/Clock/Cables) approx $145K retail can equal~best my top Analog Rig (ClearAudio Innovation/Goldfinger/Aesthetix Rhea Signature).

Thanks Ivan...it’s way past any budget for me but nice to know it does exist if I’m ever in a position to take advantage.

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

It’s simply the truth, I also have an Aurender W20 here for comparative purposes.

What file formats are compatible with Silenzio?

What are the bit and sample rates?

Is there an option for an OCXO clock?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by brownbear

What file formats are compatible with Silenzio?

What are the bit and sample rates?

Is there an option for an OCXO clock?

Every file format; open architecture, no proprietary limitations.

Every bit/sample rate you can toss at it.

I clock my DAC’s not SilenZio.

[bigblue]

Audiophilehi, I am in the exact same situation. I have a Brinkmann Bardo with a Lyra Etna PU and for some reason I like it more than its digital counterpart.
A friend of mine has a 30 000 USD analog rig and a 30 000 USD cd/transport/dac set up. And they sound different to each other. I prefer the former. So does the owner. But that is just a preference.

To me, analog and digital are two different "routes". One is a boat ride on the ocean and one a trail in the mountains. Choose the one that fills you with the most amount of joy.