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Happy with my Silenzio
I studied how to jump into the digital media world for almost a year learning much from the members here and in other venues. I have had a Sonos systerm for two years and used that experience to also educate myself on the basics. There was no question I wanted the same convenience, having access to and control over my music, that the Sonos provided, in a system that allowed for higher resolution. The two high level options were closed systems offered by many reputable companies and a PC based one. In the end, I decided that while the closed systems offer a mostly simple application and initial ease of use, I didn't like the somewhat limited upgrade \ expansion ability of most nor the cost of the best. Therefore, I decided fairly early on to move toward a PC based system. The only questions then were how best to configure it all and how to insure that my investment in the media was protected.
As the title suggests, I decided to buy a Silenzio from Emile of 'Audio by E' after a few discussions and as I said, lots of research. I have now had it installed for about three weeks. First impressions. 1) Unless you are burning a CD, it is silent. 100%. nothing mechanical in it other than the drive. Therefore, it is perfect for a dedicated audio room. 2) The software that Emile suggests works - period. Especially, the Exact Audio Copy which is used to burn CDs to FLAC (in my case). JRiver works well - although personally, I find it a little tedious coming up the steep learnign curve. Technically it works great. The JRiver Remote for the iPAD is excellent! 3) Emile's integration of the NAS is flawless. That is the one area I had no experience with and the simplicity of what seemed to me to be complicated has been greatly appreciated. I could have done it on my own with a great deal more time and aggrevation. It works great! 4) The Silenzio as a PC is super fast. It boots in seconds. Like 6. 5) The sound -- I now have burned roughly 40 CDs to FLAC and have roughly 30 CDs in HiResolution downloads. not to mention my 175Gbs of mp3's. All are streaming wirelessly (that's right!) from my NAS a floor away to the Silenzio through a WW Platinum Starlight USB into a McIntosh D100. To my ears, there is NO difference between the CD and the FLAC versions and very little difference between the FLAC at 16 : 44 and the 24 : 96\ 172\192 music I have. Yes, I can hear the difference wtih mp3's but they are great - like the Sonos, for background, party music. The biggest differences are simply the source recording. The sound is phenomenal. 6) Emile - the best for last. As has been stated many times, Emile is a pleasure to work with and provides a value add that more than justifies anyone beyond an expert from trying to do this on their own. From his design of the Silenzio to the thought of how to configure the software, to the seemless integration with the NAS of your choice to his willingness to spend the time it takes to get you up to speed and keep you there he provides a valued high end product. I am pleased with my purchase and really suggest anyone thinking about moving to media based music \video to make a point of calling Emile. It will be worth your time and your ears \ eyes will thank you.
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Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Clearaudio Performance SE. Satisfy tonearm & Maestro Wood MM cartridge. Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables, Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU, Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs, Other:Two PSI Audio AVAA C20, Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack Last edited by crwilli; 08-05-2014 at 03:55 PM. |
#2
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Craig,
Thank you very much for your wonderful write-up. It is a pleasure to bring you closer to audio nirvana with the solution that is Silenzio. -E
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Main: McIntosh XRT1K MDA1000 MC402 | JL F113 | Bryston BUC-1 | WireWorld Cabling | RGPC1200C | PPP
Office: Bel Canto S300iu 24/96 | KEF LS50 | REL R218 | WW Mini Eclipse | 18 TB Media Server Mobile: McIntosh MX406 MDA5000 MCD4000 MCC420M | JM Lab/Focal Utopia |
#3
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I'm going to follow you in this adventure very soon. Great to hear about your journey!
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Analog: VPI Classic Direct (12" Fatboy) with Ortofon A95 cartridge; Ortofon ST-80SE Transformer; McIntosh C2500. Digital: SilenZio Gen 3 High Performance Media Server; Esoteric K-03X. Supporting System: McIntosh MX122 A/V Center; MC205 Amplifier; Bryston 14bSST2 Amplifier; PS Audio P10 Power Reconditioner; Revel Salon 2 Mains; Revel Voice 2 CC; JL Audio f113v2 (2); JL Audio CR-1 Crossover; Focal IC1002 Surrounds |
#4
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Quote:
Craig, nice write-up and smart move going with the Silenzio! Enjoy!
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Well, it's official...I'm joining the Silenzio family! I echo Craig's sentiments above regarding working with E through the education and buying process. Funds are on the way and some time next week I will have my early Christmas present!
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Analog: VPI Classic Direct (12" Fatboy) with Ortofon A95 cartridge; Ortofon ST-80SE Transformer; McIntosh C2500. Digital: SilenZio Gen 3 High Performance Media Server; Esoteric K-03X. Supporting System: McIntosh MX122 A/V Center; MC205 Amplifier; Bryston 14bSST2 Amplifier; PS Audio P10 Power Reconditioner; Revel Salon 2 Mains; Revel Voice 2 CC; JL Audio f113v2 (2); JL Audio CR-1 Crossover; Focal IC1002 Surrounds |
#6
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Steve.......Good for you. Emile has many happy customers. Looking forward to your review.
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A |
#7
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Congrats!! I am fighting my way up the learning curve on this solution as well.
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#8
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Randy,
You're ready. The learning curve is heavily in your favor with me. I make sure you will get an A+ with digital media playback!
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Main: McIntosh XRT1K MDA1000 MC402 | JL F113 | Bryston BUC-1 | WireWorld Cabling | RGPC1200C | PPP
Office: Bel Canto S300iu 24/96 | KEF LS50 | REL R218 | WW Mini Eclipse | 18 TB Media Server Mobile: McIntosh MX406 MDA5000 MCD4000 MCC420M | JM Lab/Focal Utopia |
#9
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Go for it, Randy! Can't lose with -E- guiding you.
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#10
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Do it
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Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Clearaudio Performance SE. Satisfy tonearm & Maestro Wood MM cartridge. Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables, Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU, Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs, Other:Two PSI Audio AVAA C20, Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack |
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