hemster
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Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,951
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Post by hemster on Jan 19, 2013 19:55:58 GMT -5
>> My take on this is that if there are 2,000 files on an attached USB device, the NAD will not handle them. I don't want to use this in my bedroom but in my office and use my 3TB HDD with a collection of > 40,000 tracks. << NAD claim that the 2,000 file limit is an inherent limtation of USB thumb drives. I have never heard of this before, can anyone shed any light? And yes, it would be nice to jack a 3TB drive into a playback system and be done. However, based upon the apparently inept NAD navigation UI (no search, no playlists, etc.), trying to navigate to given file from amongst 40,000 others would seem to be a real PITA... -RW- I don't really know where that claim comes from. My Squeezebox has no issues navigating my modest collection. I've conversed with people on Logitech's forum who have massive collections and SB handles them over USB. For music players it is the UI that counts, for sure. |
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Post by brubacca on Jan 19, 2013 20:10:27 GMT -5
In a complete contradiction of things I have posted before, the separates. I'd buy the Pre right now.
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Post by arthurz on Jan 19, 2013 20:23:35 GMT -5
AirPlay would be incredibly useful.
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Post by jefft51 on Jan 20, 2013 0:05:09 GMT -5
How about separates that are dockable/stackable with each other. Like Legos!
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Post by ottaone on Jan 20, 2013 1:06:20 GMT -5
I can see myself buying an integrated amp with a good DAC and around 100W/ch to 8 ohms at a sub-$500 price. It would be good for the study and bedroom.
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Post by GreenKiwi on Jan 20, 2013 1:17:52 GMT -5
One note, if it costs very much to add AirPlay, then I'd say skip it and people can just get the airport express or aTV. They are frequently $80 or so on sale.
Sure I'd love to have it all in one box, but there is always the cost side of things.
Though if you are going to have network ability, add network control too.
I really loved that AirPlay would turn on my pioneer, switch the input and control its volume. It made it all so simple.
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Post by garbulky on Jan 20, 2013 1:34:44 GMT -5
This is sad but that high quality display of the all in one makes me almost feel like it has better sound quality. Both are gorgeous. I keep thinking about this setup. It has a fantastic look to it and solves so many problems - mainly subwoofer and headphone outputs.
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Post by pdaddy on Jan 20, 2013 10:10:50 GMT -5
I like separates. This gives us Aimotiv and Mini-X owners more options. NO TUNER-Most radio stations can be streamed. I would by the pre NOW and match to my mini-x and my new Maggie Mini System.
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kt10r
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Post by kt10r on Jan 20, 2013 10:51:43 GMT -5
I'd love to have the pre to go with my mini-x's. Airplay would be great, tone controls would be almost a must have for me. Are they as deep as the mini-x?
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Post by ÈlTwo on Jan 20, 2013 11:51:52 GMT -5
^ Ditto. However, if a tuner is included, let it be an HD tuner, with RDS. A big +1 on this. |
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Post by Dark Ranger on Jan 20, 2013 16:35:33 GMT -5
This is sad but that high quality display of the all in one makes me almost feel like it has better sound quality. I agree. It's funny how that works, eh?  For me, the integrated version reminds me of the Reference series amplifiers more than the PRE-1/AMP-1 version does. Perhaps that's where it stems from. Although as you say, both are gorgeous. I wonder what they'll name the separate CD player? CD-1 would be an option, but it doesn't have three letters like PRE-1 or AMP-1. You know that would totally mess with someone's OCD. ;D Maybe CDP-1 would suffice. |
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Post by knucklehead on Jan 20, 2013 16:45:03 GMT -5
Just a thought on this integrated vs separates argument. I have no real world numbers on how many separate setups get bought vs integrated/receiver units but I'm pretty confident the integrated/receiver numbers overwhelm the separates numbers by a wide margin. One only has to look at the market place to see what is available. Integrated and receiver units are for sale everywhere - for separates you almost are forced to buy online from a high end audio store. Even Outlaw sees no need for separates in the 2 channel category. I'm pretty sure when Emotiva brings this out it will be an integrated format. And more than likely will have preamp outs for those who feel they need more power - which will be most of us. There is no proof that separates deliver better sound quality. And FWIW the best cheap stereo made is actually an AVR that has room correction and bass management. You can simply ignore those extra amp channels.
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Post by Dark Ranger on Jan 20, 2013 17:29:44 GMT -5
I disagree. The ultimate "integrated" component in my opinion is an AVR. Some of the flagships come with everything but the kitchen sink. Built-in amplifiers, built-in processing and pre-amplification, built-in room correction, built-in networking, etc. However, an AVR is, in my opinion, a design of compromise. Jack of All Trades, but Master of None. Unless you're willing to spend a lot of money for a flagship AVR, you're going to give up something compared to a dedicated unit that does only one thing and does it well. I think the majority of folks out there like AVRs and integrated units for the convenience and space-saving nature. It's usually cheaper, too. If someone does not see value in a product, they will not spend money on it. All my friends in Real Life (tm) do not care about sound quality the way I do. They are content with TV speakers, clock radios, and low bit-rate MP3s on their iPods. For some of them, even an entry-level AVR is more than enough and sounds just fine. I know a few people who think $100 for a pair of speakers is excessive. I don't believe Emotiva is targeting that audience with this new product. They're targeting folks like us who appreciate good sound, but desire it in a smaller form-factor than full-sized separates. In my experience, separates are usually better built with higher-quality parts and tighter tolerances than mass-market electronics. I remain convinced that separates deliver better quality and performance than most integrated units and AVRs based on product data (e.g. AP tests) and real-world evaluation. When it comes to separates sounding better than integrated units, that is a more subjective area. It really depends on a lot of things. Some may disagree, but there is something for everyone out there. I've owned products from both sides and I'll never go back to a traditional AVR after experiencing quality separates. |
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kse
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Post by kse on Jan 20, 2013 17:32:42 GMT -5
?.......tone controls would be almost a must have for me. Are they as deep as the mini-x? Yes! Tone controls, please! |
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Post by garbulky on Jan 20, 2013 17:47:37 GMT -5
I disagree. The ultimate "integrated" component in my opinion is an AVR. Some of the flagships come with everything but the kitchen sink. Built-in amplifiers, built-in processing and pre-amplification, built-in room correction, built-in networking, etc. However, an AVR is, in my opinion, a design of compromise. Jack of All Trades, but Master of None. Unless you're willing to spend a lot of money for a flagship AVR, you're going to give up something compared to a dedicated unit that does only one thing and does it well. I think the majority of folks out there like AVRs and integrated units for the convenience and space-saving nature. It's usually cheaper, too. If someone does not see value in a product, they will not spend money on it. All my friends in Real Life (tm) do not care about sound quality the way I do. They are content with TV speakers, clock radios, and low bit-rate MP3s on their iPods. For some of them, even an entry-level AVR is more than enough and sounds just fine. I know a few people who think $100 for a pair of speakers is excessive. I don't believe Emotiva is targeting that audience with this new product. They're targeting folks like us who appreciate good sound, but desire it in a smaller form-factor than full-sized separates. In my experience, separates are usually better built with higher-quality parts and tighter tolerances than mass-market electronics. I remain convinced that separates deliver better quality and performance than most integrated units and AVRs based on product data (e.g. AP tests) and real-world evaluation. When it comes to separates sounding better than integrated units, that is a more subjective area. It really depends on a lot of things. Some may disagree, but there is something for everyone out there. I've owned products from both sides and I'll never go back to a traditional AVR after experiencing quality separates. Well they are not targetting those kind of people who couldn't care less about audio. And that is 99% of the population. But there's a lot of people, one of whome was me who wanted to break into higher end audio. But these were standing in my way....I needed a good source and an amp AND speakers. But..I only had so much money. For $400 if I got what is likely going to be a really good source + amp + subwoofer outputs for later upgrades...then I could spend $600 on a set of level towers or bookshelves and really have a GREAT system much better than an HTIB system in terms of quality. I mean most people spend 400 on a DAC. To get a DAC and an amp is just a no brainer at that price. Because that's what they are offering. Not a throwaway DAC section in a reciever but a proper DAC. I can easily see: Exec + Tekton M-lore -> a great system. And around the $1000 mark. |
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 20, 2013 20:39:01 GMT -5
I voted separates for the obvious reason, they are separate, so I can select what I want for each application. I could have the pre in the home office where currently I have quality powered speakers. Then a pre with an amp in the kitchen/family room where I already have quality non powered speakers. For the bedroom I can get rid of the bulky old AVR and substitute a pre and maybe an amp. Not so good speakers there currently, so with separates I have the choice of powered or not.
Separates are about flexibility and that's what I need in a small room system.
Cheers
Gary
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harri009
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Post by harri009 on Jan 20, 2013 20:49:12 GMT -5
AirPlay would be incredibly useful. +1 for airplay |
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Post by pdaddy on Jan 20, 2013 21:47:33 GMT -5
another +1 for airplay
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Post by counterpoint on Jan 21, 2013 0:25:26 GMT -5
Wow, this looks pretty cool. I guess this is the next best thing to the Emotiva boombox I was dreaming of. As long as the unit is not too deep in dimension, sign me up for one. =)
P.S. - and a +1 for the lossless analog resistor ladder volume control.
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Post by entilzha on Jan 21, 2013 12:01:15 GMT -5
Either one would make for an awesome computer audio setup.
I don't care which you bring out. The separates look good, the unified unit is simpler. Build both if you can!
The only thing I would add is BASIC bass management in the form of at least a high-pass filter for crossing satellites easier. Ala Outlaw RR2150 style.
To take it one step further: A system like this with 5.1 analog inputs and a 5-channel amp in a 2U chassis for the ultimate computer audio surround sound setup.
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