One digital box to do it all

[nickjj]

I got back into playing records a few years back and haven't used the cd player (rega apollo r) much since, but suspect I may be missing out on what hi-res recordings can offer, and would also like to listen to internet radio on the main system. To be frank, I no longer really like the sound of the apollo r that much either.

As a result I'm looking for a single digital box that does it all and has decent sound quality. It must contain CD player, 192/24 DAC and streamer with internet radio. ipod connectivity +/- bluetooth and/or airplay would be nice too but isn't essential. I plan to run it through valve amplification so it needs a line out and ability to turn the amp off if it contains one. So far I've found two main possibilities:

Yamaha CD-N500 (no longer made but still being sold by a few outlets)
Naim Uniti (bit above budget, have heard CD may have issues)

The other option might be to buy something like a Marantz M-CR603 (or equivalent Denon, Teac, Pioneer, Yamaha) and use it as a stand-alone source. Is anyone doing this already?? Would SQ be OK? Are there any other options? I don't really want seperate CD, DAC and streamer as space is tight.

Cheers,

Nick

[Stratmangler]

Talk to Gary at Korus http://theartofsound.net/forum/member.php?8764-Korus-Computer-Audio

[brian2957]

+1. I've been using one of his excellent servers for the last 4 years without any problems.

[bazz]

Hi,

On the one box theme does anyone have experience of the MCRU Music Server?

I've only ever seen 1 review which was excellent but nothing since. http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/siteuploads/Serverreview.pdf

Unfortunately i'm a long way away from Huddersfield so a dem is somewhat difficult.

[kininigin]

+2 for one of Gary's servers! I've had one built to my specs and it sounds fantastic! I'm sure he could build you what ever you need!

[Tim]

On the one box theme does anyone have experience of the MCRU Music Server?

That's the same thing, Gary designed it and though I have not heard it, he and I have pretty much followed an identical path whilst developing music servers, so I know it's a good un'. So talk to/contact Gary (Gazjam (http://theartofsound.net/forum/member.php?619-Gazjam)) ;)

[nickjj]

Do Gary's servers need a monitor? I'm after something to put in te hifi rack and control with the iphone if poss.

[Stratmangler]

Do Gary's servers need a monitor? I'm after something to put in te hifi rack and control with the iphone if poss.

Haven't a clue.
I use a Squeezebox Touch.
Why not contact Gary (Gazjam (http://theartofsound.net/forum/member.php?8764-Korus-Computer-Audio)) yourself and ask him?

[Gazjam]

Do Gary's servers need a monitor? I'm after something to put in te hifi rack and control with the iphone if poss.

Hi Nick,
the Servers dont need a monitor, can be configured and used directly from an IOS/ Android tablet or phone.

[loonytunes]

You mentioned the Yamaha CD-N500 and that's all you would need!

I own one so I should know. It's versatile in the way you need it and the Yamaha software on your Apple device is good too (much better than the Marantz software at the time of choosing between a Marantz NA7004 and this).

You can of course build a silent PC with a good quality power supply and all the gubbins - but why bother when the CD-N500 is already such a beast in effect - with a nice slim design profile too.

If you can get hold of one - get one! I am considering selling mine but only for an upgrade to their more expensive Yamaha NP2000 - but whether it's that much better in real life of not - I don't know. Certainly this will meet your criteria perfectly and sound excellent too.

[Gazjam]

You can of course build a silent PC with a good quality power supply and all the gubbins - but why bother when the CD-N500 is already such a beast in effect - with a nice slim design profile too. :scratch:

If you can get hold of one - get one! I am considering selling mine but only for an upgrade to their more expensive Yamaha NP2000 - but whether it's that much better in real life of not - I don't know. Certainly this will meet your criteria perfectly and sound excellent too.

[loonytunes]

It's just a stripped down computer with a dedicated build to standards that allow for audiophile quality playback. And personally the simpler the and more dedicated the design goal for audio the better it is likely to sound and it will certainly meet your criteria as mentioned earlier.

The CD-N500 does not support Airplay but it has functionality built into the Yamaha software allowing you to stream music direct from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch allowing you to stream stored music direct from your Apple device over to the Yamaha - so a nice touch from that perspective.

It will not allow you to stream Internet music services such as Spotify or YouTube - but you can plug your Apple device into the digital dock provided by the Yamaha (digital dock meaning you use the DAC in the Yamaha rather than the inferior DAC in the Apple device) allowing you to then play anything you like off your Apple directly.

Remember of course there is no amplifier functionality included in the Yamaha - for that you would need to find something else. A great all-in-one alternative could be the NAD 7050 however this does not include a CD player - but does include Spotify Connect, a digital amplifier, and Airplay.

[Gazjam]

It looks a nice bit of kit mate.
Not just one box though as the OP asked about?

[loonytunes]

The OP asked if anyone had any experience with the Yamaha - hence my response.

I've tried computer audio - the Yamaha was streets ahead although I never went to the trouble of really fine tuning the computer to the nth degree. The Yamaha is already tuned for sound without the hassle of modifying and buying parts for a computer if you decide to take that route - and of course the Yamaha is cheap too.

The Marantz NA 7004 was also a very fine sounding machine - but no CD player installed and the Marantz software "was" awful.

[Gazjam]

Chris,
hadn't noticed Nick mentioned the Yamaha in his original post, my bad. :)