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Post by Chuck Elliot on Jul 6, 2016 16:59:23 GMT -5
...You're looking at something more like a Raspberry Pi running XBMC or something like that. (And I'll bet someone has a Bluetooth adapter for it.) The new RPI3 has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in. |
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Post by garbulky on Jul 6, 2016 17:21:45 GMT -5
I think you've brought up an interesting point...... Which is: "Who uses what type of streaming?" Streaming from the Internet (like Hulu or Spotify) is very different than streaming over your own network - and has very different requirements. Personally, I have a small home, so I have one computer, directly connected to a USB hard drive - which works very well. I also don't do much music streaming, but that same computer is connected to the Internet for when I do - which also works well. You can also have a network attached drive, or a drive connected to one computer, which is then SHARED across the network. In both of those cases, while you may access that drive from multiple computers on your network, no streaming is required. Each computer accesses the drive separately; the drive acts as a FILE SERVER but doesn't stream audio TO anywhere. A player program on each computer grabs the files and plays them; you can even use different players on different computers. And, on this sort of setup, the client program controls playback - so you can set it to use a large buffer, or even to get the entire song before starting to play it. The only real "downside" to this setup is that each computer is separate - you cannot synch music playing in multiple rooms. And, if you wanted to use a streaming service with this setup, you might need multiple licenses - because the client would be running on EACH computer. But, if you set it up right, it should never have dropout issues. It's only when you want to have a central streaming server that is SENDING music to client devices (usually using DLNA) that you usually have network and dropout problems. (But, if anyone wants to continue this, let's start another thread.... nobody would find this from the Thread title.) I think the majority of listeners in that age group have smartphone sources. Hence the rise in popularity of units that plug directly in to smartphones or play from bluetooth (Eww! But it works though!  ). The ones that do have an HDD based source may likely be listening to it directly off their computer not a network enabled external hard drive setup. Now what would make some sense is if they offered a network streamer that also did everything else like hulu, netflix spotify, tidal. Then they also offered a large internal storage space for music. This is similar to the workings of a playstation three - except the playstation tended to not rip lossless. I promise this is my last post on streaming.... Regarding what you said about a network hard drive which is accessed from a computer. In a way that's what B'zilla has. He has a hard drive attached to a computer. A second computer in this case the Oppo receives the stream from the first computer using J-river. |
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Post by geebo on Jul 6, 2016 17:45:19 GMT -5
I think you've brought up an interesting point...... Which is: "Who uses what type of streaming?" Streaming from the Internet (like Hulu or Spotify) is very different than streaming over your own network - and has very different requirements. Personally, I have a small home, so I have one computer, directly connected to a USB hard drive - which works very well. I also don't do much music streaming, but that same computer is connected to the Internet for when I do - which also works well. You can also have a network attached drive, or a drive connected to one computer, which is then SHARED across the network. In both of those cases, while you may access that drive from multiple computers on your network, no streaming is required. Each computer accesses the drive separately; the drive acts as a FILE SERVER but doesn't stream audio TO anywhere. A player program on each computer grabs the files and plays them; you can even use different players on different computers. And, on this sort of setup, the client program controls playback - so you can set it to use a large buffer, or even to get the entire song before starting to play it. The only real "downside" to this setup is that each computer is separate - you cannot synch music playing in multiple rooms. And, if you wanted to use a streaming service with this setup, you might need multiple licenses - because the client would be running on EACH computer. But, if you set it up right, it should never have dropout issues. It's only when you want to have a central streaming server that is SENDING music to client devices (usually using DLNA) that you usually have network and dropout problems. (But, if anyone wants to continue this, let's start another thread.... nobody would find this from the Thread title.) I promise this is my last post on streaming.... Regarding what you said about a network hard drive which is accessed from a computer. In a way that's what B'zilla has. He has a hard drive attached to a computer. A second computer in this case the Oppo receives the stream from the first computer using J-river. I do that and it works awesome. I can stream hi-res multi-channel material without it skipping a beat. Mine is a BDP-103 however which is connected with CAT-5 to a wireless AC bridge. But I can send stuff from my laptop running jRiver or I can send from my WD NAS connected to my wireless router. |
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Post by brubacca on Jul 6, 2016 18:28:50 GMT -5
Talk about thread explosion. Wow, i go away half a day and this!
Better is such a subjective term.
Better, yes. Better at same or lower price... No.
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Post by garbulky on Jul 6, 2016 18:32:23 GMT -5
Talk about thread explosion. Wow, i go away half a day and this! Better is such a subjective term. Better, yes. Better at same or lower price... No. Let me throw a wrench in there. A DC-1 connected to XPA-1's .... better direct using its own preamp than with the XSP-1. |
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Post by DavidR on Jul 6, 2016 19:01:59 GMT -5
@keithl : Do you think Emotiva will ever come out with a strictly 2-channel (i.e no HT circuitry) Pre with great SQ and killer Phono ? An XSP-1 with some refinements sans HT.
Should I hold my breath or move on.
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Post by Cogito on Jul 6, 2016 19:56:54 GMT -5
I think the majority of listeners under the age of 30 probably have HDD based audio sources. But, as always, I could be wrong... Strangely, I don't. I've been an early adopter of technology all my life. For example, I was the first kid on the block with a computer (TRS-80 Model 4) back in '79. I For the most part, I still load the CD player for my serious listening and stream Slacker for my casual listening. |
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Post by geebo on Jul 6, 2016 20:07:06 GMT -5
I think the majority of listeners under the age of 30 probably have HDD based audio sources. But, as always, I could be wrong... Strangely, I don't. I've been an early adopter of technology all my life. For example, I was the first kid on the block with a computer (TRS-80 Model 4) back in '79. I For the most part, I still load the CD player for my serious listening and stream Slacker for my casual listening. I think you dated yourself to be over 30..  |
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LCSeminole
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Res firma mitescere nescit.
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Post by LCSeminole on Jul 6, 2016 20:49:31 GMT -5
Strangely, I don't. I've been an early adopter of technology all my life. For example, I was the first kid on the block with a computer (TRS-80 Model 4) back in '79. I For the most part, I still load the CD player for my serious listening and stream Slacker for my casual listening. I think you dated yourself to be over 30.. Personally I'm a 20 something and I don't have a HDD based audio source.  |
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Post by geebo on Jul 6, 2016 21:01:04 GMT -5
I think you dated yourself to be over 30.. Personally I'm a 20 something and I don't have a HDD based audio source. 20 something alright. Just not years. |
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LCSeminole
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Res firma mitescere nescit.
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Post by LCSeminole on Jul 6, 2016 21:04:49 GMT -5
Personally I'm a 20 something and I don't have a HDD based audio source. 20 something alright. Just not years. I've just not admitted it to myself yet.  |
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Post by geebo on Jul 6, 2016 21:11:46 GMT -5
20 something alright. Just not years. I've just not admitted it to myself yet. I'm on my fourth twenty. They get easier. Or maybe they don't... |
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Jul 6, 2016 21:13:46 GMT -5
I've just not admitted it to myself yet. I'm on my fourth twenty. They get easier. Or maybe they don't... They should... with enough practice! |
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Post by geebo on Jul 6, 2016 21:15:47 GMT -5
I'm on my fourth twenty. They get easier. Or maybe they don't... They should... with enough practice! Another 4 or 5 of them and I think I'll get the hang of it. |
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Jul 6, 2016 21:23:18 GMT -5
They should... with enough practice! Another 4 or 5 of them and I think I'll get the hang of it. Until then, just enjoy your muzak without worrying about whether it might sound an iota better if you spend more on the gear... because all that worrying would be paying an opportunity cost of missing out on one of the most enjoyable experiences in life. I rank eargasms only just second to.. well.. you know! (and sometimes I question that positioning!) |
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Jul 6, 2016 21:27:18 GMT -5
The OP wrote: " Does ANY preamp / processor sound better than Emotiva's" Boomzilla , the poll (currently) has 7 Yes and 8 No. Given this is an informed audience at the lounge, this surely speaks volumes? Can ya hear it? |
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Post by deltadube on Jul 6, 2016 21:30:33 GMT -5
The OP wrote: " Does ANY preamp / processor sound better than Emotiva's" Boomzilla , the poll (currently) has 7 Yes and 8 No. Given this is an informed audience at the lounge, this surely speaks volumes? Can ya hear it? sounds good.. the poll is missing an important factor .. for what price... don't think you can beat emo for the price... |
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Jul 6, 2016 21:31:56 GMT -5
The OP wrote: " Does ANY preamp / processor sound better than Emotiva's" Boomzilla , the poll (currently) has 7 Yes and 8 No. Given this is an informed audience at the lounge, this surely speaks volumes? Can ya hear it? sounds good.. How good? Is it good enough? |
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Post by deltadube on Jul 6, 2016 21:33:35 GMT -5
sounds good.. How good? Is it good enough? I'm very happy still with the sound of my emotiva gear.. and I have the old gen 1 stuff... vintage emo!!!! |
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Post by knucklehead on Jul 6, 2016 21:37:50 GMT -5
How good? Is it good enough? I'm very happy still with the sound of my emotiva gear.. and I have the old gen 1 stuff... vintage emo!!!! Then that settles it - vintage emo gear is the best! |
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