Thaddeus Smith Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I started to notice some degraded sound coming out of the Raspberry Pi.. i think it's because I was using USB for my dac, which is on the same circuit as network traffic, vs. the isolated i2s output. So I'm looking at the Cambridge Audio CXN: http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/cx/cxn it supports DLNA, Spotify, Apple Airplay, USB, etc and can also function as a preamp. iPad control (very slick app) But then there's also the Denon 4520ci: http://usa.denon.com/us/product/hometheater/avreceiversht/avr4520ci it also supports DLNA, Spotify, Apple Airplay, USB, etc and can function as a preamp. iPad control (not as slick app). The Denon, however, also adds features that could be useful for room EQ, additional connectivity, and built in solid state amps if I ever want to crank something louder than my tube amp can handle. I'm leaning towards the Denon. Your thoughts, as it pertains to using each device as a music streamer/preamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drobo Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 It's probably just my bad luck or an isolated case but my Azur amp from Cambridge Audio needed two warranty repairs in less than a year of minimal use. I replaced it with a Japanese made Marantz integrated amp (awesome). The Cambridge stuff is Chinese made. It's in storage in it's original box in my basement. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 I go back and forth. The Denon is total overkill and the CXN looks stupid simple to use. and the iPad interface... I'm basically done for a couple of years once I purchase this device, so it's causing me great anxiety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigStewMan Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I want to say you’re crazy; but, you haven’t been coming to any of the meetings. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 (edited) It's probably just my bad luck or an isolated case but my Azur amp from Cambridge Audio needed two warranty repairs in less than a year of minimal use. The Cambridge stuff is Chinese made. True it could be isolated but I too have had a couple of issues with a CA amp. On the other hand, I have owned three CA 840C CD player/DACs, two Dacmagics, one 751BD player with never an issue as well as the 540A v2 that I sold to Rivernuggets. All my NAD gear is Chinese made with never a problem. Bill Edited May 1, 2015 by willland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Am I Crazy? (keep it on topic) No question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Steven1963 Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Am I Crazy? (keep it on topic) ...there's a lot of material here, but since I have to keep it on topic, I got nuthin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigStewMan Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Am I Crazy? (keep it on topic) ...there's a lot of material here, but since I have to keep it on topic, I got nuthin. What manners Steven. Saying keep it on topic around here is an open invitation not to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 I know my audience.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigStewMan Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I know my audience.. and we’re not letting you down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I want to say you’re crazy; but, you haven’t been coming to any of the meetings. He doesn't have to show up….he's the president 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I started to notice some degraded sound coming out of the Raspberry Pi. Well first of all it's strawberry, not raspberry season. Raspberry season is usually late in September when tired major league arms start blowing saves and lead to unrest in the stands amongst the hometown crowd. What the hell is an uploading improver, or whatever they call it, anyway. I thought all these streaming sites weren't putting out mp3's but the real deal. If so how you upsample/improve on a digital release from the original source. Seems really goofy to me. Go spin a platter. Before not to long you will find your head bouncing along with the music, which is the only movement you usually have left after they strap you into the straight jacket. Ask me how I know? (Silly youngsters, ounce of knowledge, ton of stupid, mutter, mutter...) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted May 2, 2015 Author Share Posted May 2, 2015 What the hell is an uploading improver, or whatever they call it, anyway. I thought all these streaming sites weren't putting out mp3's but the real deal. If so how you upsample/improve on a digital release from the original source. Seems really goofy to me. I'm streaming lossless audio from my network attached storage. no MP3's in my system. turntables are too finicky and require too much storage footprint for my space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted May 2, 2015 Author Share Posted May 2, 2015 thank you everyone for your bounty of useful advice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 What the hell is an uploading improver, or whatever they call it, anyway. I thought all these streaming sites weren't putting out mp3's but the real deal. If so how you upsample/improve on a digital release from the original source. Seems really goofy to me. I'm streaming lossless audio from my network attached storage. no MP3's in my system. turntables are too finicky and require too much storage footprint for my space. If it's already lossless, ie bit-for-bit, what is the point of upsampling? I thought upsampling was to reduce jjjjjjjjjitter or bug in cd, not internet, playback. In other words to address mechanical stability playbackproblems. Of course I could be wrong and probably am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted May 2, 2015 Author Share Posted May 2, 2015 What the hell is an uploading improver, or whatever they call it, anyway. I thought all these streaming sites weren't putting out mp3's but the real deal. If so how you upsample/improve on a digital release from the original source. Seems really goofy to me. I'm streaming lossless audio from my network attached storage. no MP3's in my system. turntables are too finicky and require too much storage footprint for my space. If it's already lossless, ie bit-for-bit, what is the point of upsampling? I thought upsampling was to reduce jjjjjjjjjitter or bug in cd, not internet, playback. In other words to address mechanical stability playbackproblems. Of course I could be wrong and probably am. it wasn't clicking that you were talking about the 384million bit up-sampling blah blah.. I agree with you there and it's one reason I've always avoided the cambridge audio stuff, but the rest of the features are compelling enough to just live with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBPK402 Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 I have the 4520, and it does the job nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 it wasn't clicking that you were talking about the 384million bit up-sampling blah blah.. I agree with you there and it's one reason I've always avoided the cambridge audio stuff, but the rest of the features are compelling enough to just live with it. Funny you say that, when I listen to CD's(16/44.1K) with my CA 840C, I don't prefer the upsampling to 24/384K but with Pandora(16/48K), I think it sounds better upsampled to 24/384K. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 Dont upsample thad... it degrades the file/playback even though the upsampled file/playback is of higher resolution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted May 2, 2015 Author Share Posted May 2, 2015 then I'm at a loss for options. i need something that handles streamer/dac/preamp and at $1100 or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.