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Joined 2009
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I don't normally plague the forums with these kind of consumer questions but I've been mulling over how to get myself a digital source in place. The 'obvious' DIY choice is a raspberry pi. But I want something very presentable, nice box and all that and to be honest with the amount of work required to achieve that something off-the-shelf from a major brand can be a god send and then I can always put my own 'stuff' inside the box.
This box offers me a good digital source and a DAC all-in-one box. And that it has an FM tuner adds icing to the cake as that would reduce the number of boxes. I have no intention of using the amp as I like to roll my own.
Anybody any idea how good these boxes are ?
Perhaps more importantly, anybody have experience with similar boxes from other brands like Pioneer - most likely the Yamaha isn't the best option just because it's the first I came across.
This box offers me a good digital source and a DAC all-in-one box. And that it has an FM tuner adds icing to the cake as that would reduce the number of boxes. I have no intention of using the amp as I like to roll my own.
Anybody any idea how good these boxes are ?
Perhaps more importantly, anybody have experience with similar boxes from other brands like Pioneer - most likely the Yamaha isn't the best option just because it's the first I came across.
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Hi Gareth
I bought my daughter a Yamaha R-N500 which works well but sounds ordinary with no engagement. I don't know if that's because of the front end, pre section or power amp. I do know the power supply is the size of a thimble and main power caps seem to be rated 25V? (looking through vent holes). I did try a Yamaha HT receiver on streaming but the ESS DAC was too aggressive. Both of these though had great apps on IOS and Android. I think if you use it as a source, the record out only does directly connected sources such as analogue or digital inputs but does't output signals from a NAS or internet.
I do use a little Denon CEOL Piccolo in my study and it's a cracker with great sound and put me on the path of streaming. No good for your needs as is an all in 1 box but I use it more than anything else as it does NAS, USB, Computer, Internet radio, iPod, Optical input (I have a TV attached) and has a subwoofer out which I use. I think Denon also makes a stand alone streamer such as the DNP730 but I don't know how good it is. I know there CD and BDP around with streaming capabilities but for me added more complexity.
My main system uses a Cambridge CXN which led me to selling all my better CD players. In fact I haven't played a CD for 2 years. The CXN is also a DAC with 2 digital inputs/outputs, 2 analogue outputs (1 balanced) and can be used a pre amp with volume control.
I ripped all my favourite tunes to FLAC via dBpoweramp and store on a NAS, USB and computer. I never thought I'd let the silver disc go.
I'm looking how I can access my NAS via an iPod or Nexus 9 so I can play FLAC tunes in the workshop. At the moment I use AAC in there via the iPod and works good enough.
Cheers Peter
I bought my daughter a Yamaha R-N500 which works well but sounds ordinary with no engagement. I don't know if that's because of the front end, pre section or power amp. I do know the power supply is the size of a thimble and main power caps seem to be rated 25V? (looking through vent holes). I did try a Yamaha HT receiver on streaming but the ESS DAC was too aggressive. Both of these though had great apps on IOS and Android. I think if you use it as a source, the record out only does directly connected sources such as analogue or digital inputs but does't output signals from a NAS or internet.
I do use a little Denon CEOL Piccolo in my study and it's a cracker with great sound and put me on the path of streaming. No good for your needs as is an all in 1 box but I use it more than anything else as it does NAS, USB, Computer, Internet radio, iPod, Optical input (I have a TV attached) and has a subwoofer out which I use. I think Denon also makes a stand alone streamer such as the DNP730 but I don't know how good it is. I know there CD and BDP around with streaming capabilities but for me added more complexity.
My main system uses a Cambridge CXN which led me to selling all my better CD players. In fact I haven't played a CD for 2 years. The CXN is also a DAC with 2 digital inputs/outputs, 2 analogue outputs (1 balanced) and can be used a pre amp with volume control.
I ripped all my favourite tunes to FLAC via dBpoweramp and store on a NAS, USB and computer. I never thought I'd let the silver disc go.
I'm looking how I can access my NAS via an iPod or Nexus 9 so I can play FLAC tunes in the workshop. At the moment I use AAC in there via the iPod and works good enough.
Cheers Peter
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Joined 2009
Paid Member
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the reply. I'm afraid that DIY gets harder to justify when there are so many new 'boxes' out there. I have also found HT receivers have relatively small power supplies but I think they all expect that you'll have a stand-alone sub-woofer so they never get put under a lot of pressure.
Interesting comments on the DAC. I have a hifime USB DAC that uses an ESS chip and it irritates me. I don't know if it's the chip or poor implementation but I've read other people saying that the ESS chips aren't for them.
I trust then, that you are happy with the CXN, it looks like a nice player ?
Thanks for the reply. I'm afraid that DIY gets harder to justify when there are so many new 'boxes' out there. I have also found HT receivers have relatively small power supplies but I think they all expect that you'll have a stand-alone sub-woofer so they never get put under a lot of pressure.
Interesting comments on the DAC. I have a hifime USB DAC that uses an ESS chip and it irritates me. I don't know if it's the chip or poor implementation but I've read other people saying that the ESS chips aren't for them.
I trust then, that you are happy with the CXN, it looks like a nice player ?
I think you are right that DIY can get harder with all the new choices but I still feel there can be great benefits with DIY on speakers and power amps. I gave up on power amps due to poor hand motor skills (especially anything with SMD components) but still DIY speakers up to this year. Saying that, I needed a very small sub recently and was easier and cheaper to buy one off the shelf.
Yes Gareth, I'm very happy with the CXN and hopefully the last stereo source I'll ever need. Not cheap but very well thought out and implemented. Uses Wolfson DACs and upsamples to 24bit/384kHz so now have my CD player set up as a transport only. I use a digital out to my separate system HT amp if I want a bit of aggro and head banging. It has an app available to control it but I find it easy and quick to use the front panel or remote. I've had it almost 2 years and never missed a beat. I've connected it to the network via Ethernet as the new ISP supplied router seems unstable with music on WiFi where my previous Netgear router was fine. Anyway, I think hardwired is better and was just a matter of running some CAT6 under the floor and a couple of wall sockets.
Yes Gareth, I'm very happy with the CXN and hopefully the last stereo source I'll ever need. Not cheap but very well thought out and implemented. Uses Wolfson DACs and upsamples to 24bit/384kHz so now have my CD player set up as a transport only. I use a digital out to my separate system HT amp if I want a bit of aggro and head banging. It has an app available to control it but I find it easy and quick to use the front panel or remote. I've had it almost 2 years and never missed a beat. I've connected it to the network via Ethernet as the new ISP supplied router seems unstable with music on WiFi where my previous Netgear router was fine. Anyway, I think hardwired is better and was just a matter of running some CAT6 under the floor and a couple of wall sockets.
Yamaha R-N301
Yamaha R-N301
Used in the tvroom by my wife.
Bought nearly one year ago for 250,-- Euro at a lokal market.
Used with speaker vifa TC9FD, member xk971 recommention case
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/232778-fostex-fe83en-right-small-box.html#post3427671
sounds good. Bass, midrange and treble are fine with this combination.
Used with a small TV system, clear voice, nothing is missing.
Like the network funktion controlled by android app.
A very good test (in serbian, use google translator) u can find here:
Yamaha R-N301 – Hi-Files
No wischi waschi (dont no spoken in englisch)
some good user review here:
Review: Yamaha R-N301 Network Receiver | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
Cheers Rolf
Yamaha R-N301
Used in the tvroom by my wife.
Bought nearly one year ago for 250,-- Euro at a lokal market.
Used with speaker vifa TC9FD, member xk971 recommention case
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/232778-fostex-fe83en-right-small-box.html#post3427671
sounds good. Bass, midrange and treble are fine with this combination.
Used with a small TV system, clear voice, nothing is missing.
Like the network funktion controlled by android app.
A very good test (in serbian, use google translator) u can find here:
Yamaha R-N301 – Hi-Files
No wischi waschi (dont no spoken in englisch)
some good user review here:
Review: Yamaha R-N301 Network Receiver | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
Cheers Rolf
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