As a part of a larger system upgrade, I'm looking for a replacement for my SqueezeBox 3 to enable me to listen for high-resolution audio up to 24bit/192khz.
Currently, the SB3 is being served FLAC-files via an old mac-mini running the SqueezeCenter software. The devices are connected to the local LAN via gigabit ethernet.
While I really like the built-in screen on the SB3 I'm willing to give it up, as long as I can control the streaming via iPhonen or iPod Touch devices (like the iPeng app).
Here is the current shortlist (with the features that seemed most relevant for me):
1. NAIM DAC
- UPnP/DLNA support
- has the highest resolution support, up to 768kHz/32-bit
- has the most digital inputs (4x coax, 4x optical)
- is the most expensive, priced at 2490.00 €
2. LINN Sekrit DS-I
- UPnP/DLNA support
- streams FLACs up to 24bit/192khz
- two digital inputs (1x coax, 1x optical)
- priced at 2170 €
3. LINN Sneaky
- UPnP/DLNA support
- streams FLACs up to 24bit/192khz
- has no digital inputs
- Priced at 1470 €
4. Oppo BDP-93EU
- UPnP/DLNA support but still unstable
- streams FLACs up to 24bit/192Khz
- has no digital inputs
- priced at 605€ (BDP-95EU is 1050€)
The most important criterion is the high-resolution playback/streaming of FLAC files. After this comes the usability/reliability aspect - are the devices are actually UPnP/DLNA certified (or whether that really matters?), how well they handle large music collections or multi-channel audio, how different are the various UPnP/DLNA server software out there etc. Finally, since I tend to do upgrades to my system very seldom, a certain "future compatibility" does add some weight to decision (e.g. number and types of inputs/outputs, format support, likelihood of firmware upgrades).
For the control part, I've found 3 UPnP/DLNA compatible "remote controls" for the iOS: SongBook UPNP, iMediaControl and SmartStor Fusion Stream, all free. But since I don't have DLNA streamers I cannot really test them for usability/stability.
So here's my question: which of these devices would fill my needs the best? Are there any other solutions out there that I should also consider? Am I concentrating on the right aspects of the devices? Eventually I will start the actual audit of the devices, so obviously sound quality is also important but highly subjective and therefore I'm not asking for comparison in that area..
Thank you for your comments in advance.
(It should be noted that I don't have high-end equipment, but I've found that streaming music has really brought my music collection "back to me" - I converted all my CDs to FLAC a few years ago and haven't looked back since. Now I'm very interested in starting a digital collection of the studio masters and other lossless music sold by Linn, 2L etc. and I want to make sure my equipment can handle it.)
Currently, the SB3 is being served FLAC-files via an old mac-mini running the SqueezeCenter software. The devices are connected to the local LAN via gigabit ethernet.
While I really like the built-in screen on the SB3 I'm willing to give it up, as long as I can control the streaming via iPhonen or iPod Touch devices (like the iPeng app).
Here is the current shortlist (with the features that seemed most relevant for me):
1. NAIM DAC
- UPnP/DLNA support
- has the highest resolution support, up to 768kHz/32-bit
- has the most digital inputs (4x coax, 4x optical)
- is the most expensive, priced at 2490.00 €
2. LINN Sekrit DS-I
- UPnP/DLNA support
- streams FLACs up to 24bit/192khz
- two digital inputs (1x coax, 1x optical)
- priced at 2170 €
3. LINN Sneaky
- UPnP/DLNA support
- streams FLACs up to 24bit/192khz
- has no digital inputs
- Priced at 1470 €
4. Oppo BDP-93EU
- UPnP/DLNA support but still unstable
- streams FLACs up to 24bit/192Khz
- has no digital inputs
- priced at 605€ (BDP-95EU is 1050€)
The most important criterion is the high-resolution playback/streaming of FLAC files. After this comes the usability/reliability aspect - are the devices are actually UPnP/DLNA certified (or whether that really matters?), how well they handle large music collections or multi-channel audio, how different are the various UPnP/DLNA server software out there etc. Finally, since I tend to do upgrades to my system very seldom, a certain "future compatibility" does add some weight to decision (e.g. number and types of inputs/outputs, format support, likelihood of firmware upgrades).
For the control part, I've found 3 UPnP/DLNA compatible "remote controls" for the iOS: SongBook UPNP, iMediaControl and SmartStor Fusion Stream, all free. But since I don't have DLNA streamers I cannot really test them for usability/stability.
So here's my question: which of these devices would fill my needs the best? Are there any other solutions out there that I should also consider? Am I concentrating on the right aspects of the devices? Eventually I will start the actual audit of the devices, so obviously sound quality is also important but highly subjective and therefore I'm not asking for comparison in that area..
Thank you for your comments in advance.
(It should be noted that I don't have high-end equipment, but I've found that streaming music has really brought my music collection "back to me" - I converted all my CDs to FLAC a few years ago and haven't looked back since. Now I'm very interested in starting a digital collection of the studio masters and other lossless music sold by Linn, 2L etc. and I want to make sure my equipment can handle it.)