AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Audio & Video > CD Players, Digital Music & Servers

CD Players, Digital Music & Servers Aurender, dCs, Esoteric, Lumin.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #71  
Old 04-06-2020, 09:04 AM
jayvis1 jayvis1 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 116
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TRflash06 View Post
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
Unfortunately, many of us are in the same position when it comes to being able to demo components. Keep in mind that there are some reputable online retailers that have up to 60 days satisfaction guarantees on the items they sell. I used these to evaluate and side-by-side test some streamers in my system before deciding on one. You'll be out the return shipping charges but it was well worth it in my experience.
Reply With Quote
  #72  
Old 05-18-2020, 08:25 PM
rob725 rob725 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 108
Default

I went from from C53 to D1100. Even though D1100 uses an older chip, its sound quality is far better due to its better analog section. If you want to get the best DSD out of either C49 or D1100, you will want to run a streamer that can load the McIntosh windows drivers. Using Room bridge on the streamer/nuc and disabling things like updates, firewall and only using it for streaming, giving preference to background processes (run it headless, without monitor or keyboard), will give amazing sound quality over USB. I realize roon core costs several hundred dollars for a lifetime licence, but its pretty cheap compared to a $20K streamer.
__________________
Theater/Listening Room:
2 Ch: And LR for HT using passthrough
Speakers: Mc XRT1.1K tri-amped; 3 x Shunyata Sigma 1.5m SCs per side
Amplification Mc MC901 & MC1.25KW monoblocs; Shunyata Sigma ICs;1 AudioQuest Niagra 5K per side powering amps using Shunyata Sigma PCs
Preamp/Digital Mc C1100 Preamp Sh. Sigma V2 PC; Mc D1100 DAC Sh Sigma PC; Mc MCT500 transport Sh. Venom 14 PC; : Intel NUC w/Mc Drvr as Roon Endpoint, Sh. Sigma USB, Sh. Venom 14D PC; Sh. Denali 6000/s v2.
Analog Basis 2200Sig TT; Basis SuperArm 9 TA; Lyra Etna SL Cart;
HT:
Speakers: C-B&W CT8.2LCR; LRSur-B&W CT8.4 LCRS; R-B&W 804D2; CeilAtmos-4X B&W CCM8.5D; SUB-2X JL Gotham
Amps: C+Surr MC303; R+Atm- 2 x MC255
PrePro/Video: Marantz AV8805; KScape; Sony 4kBluRay; Sony VPL-VW995ES 4K Laser Proj.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:51 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video