I had a NA7004 before I got the Moon 180 MiND, and agree it's a good transport. Have you tried using it as a DLNA endpoint? I'm pretty sure I used to use it with BubbleUPnP with good results.
I had a NA7004 before I got the Moon 180 MiND, and agree it's a good transport. Have you tried using it as a DLNA endpoint? I'm pretty sure I used to use it with BubbleUPnP with good results.
Rob.
Powered by crossed fingers and clenched buttocks
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 298
I'm Chris.
Yes I believe I did use BubbleUPnP at the time. I also thought the Internet Radio Stations sounding excellent too (again, out to an external DAC).
My favourite combo at the time was the NA7004 connected to an old Arcam Black Box 1 (TDA1541A). That DAC is so fussy of source and the NA7004 let it sound better than ever before by far. I'm looking to recreate that experience - and see if the Node 2i can do it too.
The Moon 180 MIND of course will thrash the Marantz for usability - but in the case of this old Marantz - I'm in it for the top notch audio quality.
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 298
I'm Chris.
I've just found out from ROON support that I could use a Sonore UPnP bridge between ROON software and the NA7004 thus giving the NA7004 a very good UI to work from.
The Sonore emulates a Squeezebox Touch which ROON fully supports.
Trying to make up for the crap software on the Marantz, despite the Marantz's engineering prowess.
So I can use BubbleUPnP and ROON as my alternative UI.
Rob.
Powered by crossed fingers and clenched buttocks
Roon supports a biggie...
no no better way to enjoy your music library imo.
AC POWER
Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
AMPS
Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
SPEAKERS
Wharfedale Evo 4.4
DAC
PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
TURNTABLE
Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
PHONOSTAGE
Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
DIGITAL
OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
MUSIC PLAYBACK
Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
Ipad Roon Remote.
Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
SPEAKER CABLES
Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
INTERCONNECTS
All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables
Up to now I've tended to go via a DIY approach for a network player as I've found it gives me the flexibility to improve things, use different software and so forth. But of course a dedicated network player is much simpler.
If I were to go for a dedicated network player the Volumio Primo would be a prime candidate.
Current: [P20] Roon/Tidal > Custom PC> Chevron Paradox NDF16 > Phast Pre > Neuro. 686 > Tannoy Berkley (RFC tweaks)
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 298
I'm Chris.
I will be revisiting the DAC stage on the Marantz - but no - I am SURE it was using the Marantz as a transport which impressed me the most. So much so I am bringing this unit back for another flogging despite the dated, clunky and useless UI.
I will get around that running Tidal via BubbleUPnP.
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 298
I'm Chris.
Yes I agree with that - and I have the ability to do this too. The Marantz though would be a very useful yardstick to go up against as a measure to how well I have put together a home build solution. I may well competently put together a Volumio Primo or Raspberry Pi iteration - but if the performance is not there when put side by side with the Marantz rendering quality - that would give me a useful feel of whether the DIY route is working out or not.