Hello everyone. I have seen discussions around and even polls about media network tanks and devices, but I have not seen anyone complaining about why this media players do not bitstream DTS-MA or Dolby TruHD or pass 24/192 HD music files. I have a WDTV and I use it connected via HDMI to a Pioneer Elite A/V receiver with all this decoding capacities, to find that this unit only outputs 16/48. Does the eGreat or the popcorn hour or any other unit can pass the signal untouched either thru optical SPDIF or HDMI so it can be decoded by an external DAC? I have all my music in WAV uncommpressed and many blu-ray's ripped into a 1TB HDD and it would be cool if I can listen to the audio without any restraints. Would You buy someting like this in that kind of small packaging? And please, no complains or comments about mp3. mp3 does not have place in high quality audio reproduction, only in utilitary and temporary audio storage only...
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Not even a comment??? Anyone?????? Did I say something wrong? Am I asking too much for such a device?
Have you looked at the abigs T6? It will pass through a digital audio signal (I use 24/96) and does a reasonably good job of playing HD video. As far as I can tell, it's the only HD media player with an e-sata port, which allows you to use an external hard drive (to keep the data away from the vibration and other noise in the main unit) and stream the data at a high enough rate so that there is no compression. When I tried using the USB port, the audio sounded very compressed. Unfortunately, the digital audio pass through has a volume control, which I am sure degrades the sound. In other words, it's very good, but could be better.
If anyone knows a better device, I would love to hear about it.
Joe
If anyone knows a better device, I would love to hear about it.
Joe
The Popcorn Hour C200 does all these formats in pass through (or what they call RAW) and I believe it can do 32/192 all through HDMI and spdif coax . It does not alter the sound as long as you keep the volume at 0 .
The hard drive can be used externally as well as being powered externally if you buy a SATA powerpack .
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Hello !
i do not know if you are still on line but i would like to sympathize with you on the issue.
Let me explain my situation.
I like the idea of a pc based system for its convenience, flexibility, etc.
So i started reading forums, reviews and articles on the subject.
A real nightmare ... a huge quantity of problems.
Then i remembered to have read a review some years ago about jitter measurements on spdif outs of cheap media players.
At least one i think from Iomega had very low jitter through the digital out = very good digital transport.
Silly me that i did not write down the model.
To end all I have the strongest feeling that out there a quite cheap media player exists that can be an excellent digital source to be used with the dac of your choice.
I asked everywhere ... i was not able to get a straight answer.
Why ? because it is too easy.
If you get a very good digital source any decent dac will sound wonderful. Any.
In the past some german magazines used to test media players spdif out for jitter.
I am afraid even they have stopped.
Personally i have a friend who speaks highly of the Popcorn C200.
But my search goes on.
I do not like computers any more
You fix one thing and another one shows up.
Sorry for the outburst.
Kind regards,
gino
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HiMedia Q5 for the price when run on a battery is very imppressive (unless if you have had a few and wire it the wrong way then the sound is some what distasteful 🙂).
I think most of the Adroid based media players are half decent but I have only tried the HiMedia Q5 in which two people I know of have bought one straight after having an audition .
My Popcorn Hour C200 as a Home Theatre media player is priceless for the files it can play , though the Q5 does do better audio the picture on the C200 is a better comprimise .
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Dear Paul,
i would like to thank you sincerely for your very valuable advice.
Wait a moment ... you mention HiMedia
But actually i am currently using this one 😱
http://www.himediatech.com/article_24.html
from the same brand.
I was hearing nice sounds really ... but you know when the brain says ... come on .. cannot be that good
By the way i trust you and i will be hunting for the exact model you mention
Maybe i will go with just a linear power supply instead of batteries
thank you very much again
Kindest regards,
gino
That uses the older realtek chips which I find very poor for audio .
I also have a HiMedia 500B with realtek chip that sounded terrible as a transport .
I think it is the new ARM Cortex A9 CPU's that make the difference and miniscule Android OS that in my opinion make these type of media players so promising also considering the cost $120 Aus delivered .
I am also considering purchasing a "MiniX NEO X7 Mini Android Quad Core"
and am hoping this also has similar potential with bettr processing power to possibly play with XBMC and throw in a few mods to boot .
Thank you very much again Paul !
i will hunt for the exact model you mention
The MiniX i have found ... but it has only toslink out while i prefer coaxial.
Kindest regards,
gino
Well there you go I mightl not bother with the X7 either as I only like SPDIF coax though you most likely could mod it to output SPDIF coax .
Thanks again Paul and excuse me if i bother you again.
I see two models here with same model number ... which is the best one ?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2/278-1432302-2776412?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=HiMedia%20Q5%20
thanks and regards,
gino
I have not tried the MKII version I would wait until these guys get the original version in stock again Himedia Q5 Android 4.0 Media Player, Hisilicon 3716C Cortex A9 1Ghz, 1GB RAM, 4GB ROM
You are going to use this with a DAC ?
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Thanks ! i am not an expert of buy oversea but i have to try
I bough it from here ...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300948800922?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
Yes of course
I have already 3 dacs to try with it
But i really think that with the right transport almost all decent dacs will sound at least very nice.
I am pretty sure of this because i remember a best sound at a CES where the CD transport was an exceptional Krell feeding a very cheap dac
And still the sound was judged phenomenal.
So first a nice spdif digital out ... then life is much much easier.
I am very optimistic indeed
Thanks very much again !
Kind regards,
gino 🙂
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Hi Paul ! arrived this evening ! 😀
It sounds really good indeed as you said 😉
Thanks a lot again.
Kindest regards,
gino 🙂
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