Network Player Reviews
23 October 2024
The Melco E100A audiophile hard disk drive offers an extra 8 TB of audio-grade storage for all audio systems relying on HDD storage. Naturally, this includes Melco Digital Music Libraries, as well as systems running Windows 11, MacOS, exFAT-compatible Linux-based equipment, and the Raspberry Pi.
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17 August 2024
In addition to the existing UPnP, HQ Player, and HQ Player Core + NAA modules, Aqua has introduced a Squeezelite renderer module for the LinQ Network Interface, adding ongoing significance to this streamer's future-proof nature.
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9 August 2024
XACT S1 Music Server
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With a custom 100% linear power supply with 100% linear regulation, a fully custom motherboard, a custom Operating System written from scratch and optimized for the hardware, and proprietary Femtoserver software running, all under control from the superb JPLAY for iOS app, the XACT S1 is a truly unique proposition.
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2 August 2024
Melco N5-H50
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The Melco N5 Digital Music Library features a sleek build and very solid build quality. The N5 has all-new electronics, with a new mainboard, high-grade low-noise internal linear power supply, and extensive pro-grade Amphenol and Neutrik connectivity.
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14 February 2024
Antipodes G4 K22
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Review samples supplied by Antipodes Audio Retail price (world) USD 9.000 excluding storage Upgrade price G3 to G4 USD 2.000 Storage can be included at purchase or later installed by the user Available in Black or Silver Part of the KALA series, the Antipodes K22 offers the best performance the New Zealand company can squeeze […]
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31 December 2023
Grimm MU2
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Principally, the MU2 does not deviate all that much from the MU1, which is a good thing! But instead of relying on active digital speakers or an external DAC, the MU2 includes the company's proprietary 'Major' DAC and a relay-based analog preamp section.
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3 June 2023
This is not an in-depth review but a Quick Impression of these two streamers with the aim of providing a high-level (overall) comparison of their features and performance.
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3 April 2023
Antipodes servers have always offered a wide range of server and player apps and this makes them unique in a world dominated by single-purpose servers and streamers. But the brand's core quality is that they are all about conveying the soul of the music.
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31 March 2023
Playback Designs MPD-6
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The Playback Designs MPD-6 is a discrete DAC with integrated analog volume control. As part of the Edelweiss series, the MPD-6 has its roots in the Dream series from which it borrows key technologies and combines these with new ones to create a more compact and cost-effective package.
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5 March 2023
Playback Designs MPS-X
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The concept behind the MPS-X Interface is to connect digital sources such as computers, servers, network-attached storage, internet streaming services, and any other digital sources to it rather than directly to the sensitive circuits of a DAC. The MPS-X is a full-fledged standalone Network Endpoint / Streamer compatible with streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, and vTuner, as well as local storage solutions on a NAS via DLNA/UPnP, and importantly, Roon.
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23 November 2021
Recently, Antipodes updated the firmware to from V3.0 to V3.1 to support the upcoming changes in how Roon runs on home servers and they took this opportunity to also further streamline and enhance their User Interface. Interestingly, I also noticed significant sonic benefits with the K50!
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10 November 2021
Lejonklou Källa Network Player
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When Lejonklou launches a network player, you better believe that it will be anything but ordinary.
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Network Player Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews,
Phono Preamp Reviews,
Preamplifier Reviews
10 November 2021
The D10 is a highly versatile control point, built in a modular fashion. As standard, it contains a preamp and DAC. Optionally, one can add a streaming input and a phono preamp. With every input that it offers, the D10 has surprised me with consistently fantastic performance.
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22 October 2021
Grandinote Volta Network Player
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Contrary to many similar devices that offer every conceivable input, output, and protocol, the Italian Volta does not try to be the equivalent of a Swiss army knife. Rather, it focuses on a single task that it aims to perfect.
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26 May 2021
The Core + NAA module marks the perfection of the LinQ as the universal and class-leading network player.
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15 May 2021
Grimm MU1
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After countless Music Servers and Streamers, not to mention various server software and playback applications that I have tried throughout the years, I figured that, by now, surely, there'd be no more large surprises for me. Well, of course, that's when a new server entered my premises and totally surprised me.
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2 May 2021
Mola-Mola Tambaqui
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Originally available only as a two-board stack for use inside the Mola-Mola Makua preamp, the DAC with its special proprietary design is also available as a separate unit.
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28 March 2021
Vermeer Audio TWO
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Vermeer Audio is a relatively new French company that was started by a group of technicians and passionate investors that have roots in another famous French company, Audio Aero. In its curvy enclosure, the TWO houses a streaming endpoint, a DAC, and an analog tube preamp, all of superb quality.
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Network Player Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews,
Power Amplifier Reviews,
Preamplifier Reviews
22 February 2021
The third-generation Delta product line includes the STEREO amplifier, MONO amplifiers and the PRE preamplifier with built-in DAC and streamer, and conceptually based on the CP-800. Reviewed here are the preamp and stereo power amp.
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5 November 2020
he addition of the HQPlayer module allows using Roon and all of its benefits along with even better sound than was possible using the now-discontinued RoonReady module. Additionally, Aqua's modularity ensures that the product remains up to date.
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28 September 2020
Antipodes K50 Music Server
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Having reviewed several Antipodes Music Servers and having owned the CX and EX for close to two years as my references, I was excited to hear of the OLADRA project and even more so the arrival of an all-new range with the K50 as the King of the Hill.
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2 July 2020
Aqua LinQ Network Interface
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Never before has a digital interface, network or otherwise, behaved so utterly consistently and dependently. The LinQ has the uncanny ability to improve the quality of upstream components but it does this while refraining from imposing any discernible character onto the proceedings.
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14 May 2020
The DAC502 is an absolute reviewer's dream. It contains every function that one could ever want, poured into a very responsive UI with direct access to every function, topped off with utter stability. Soundwise, this is a dead-neutral, highly-revealing DAC with a solid, punchy, crispy and no-nonsense delivery.
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1 February 2020
Bryston BDA-3.14 Renderer+DAC
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The BDA-3.14 is Bryston's current reference DAC and with its many inputs, streaming capacity and built-in volume control, it is meant to perform the central role in a multiple-digital-source system.
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3 December 2019
Ayon S10-II Signature
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The S-10 MkII is not only a streaming endpoint and a DAC but also an analog preamp complete with two analog inputs. And, unlike many competing products, the Ayon's preamp can actually replace a very good separate analog preamp.
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29 September 2019
The C1 has simply never sounded better than via this new connection. And as a bonus, you get to use the superb Roon interface. It's a win-win!
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17 April 2019
It baffles me why the Bricasti brand does not pop up everywhere, it certainly should. Beautifully sculpted and with immaculate build quality, these components are not inexpensive but in context, they surely are also not extravagantly priced.
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10 December 2018
There comes a time when a reviewer just lacks the superlatives to describe the latest experience and for me, this is it. This combination is, quite simply, the very best digital front end that I have heard.
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2 June 2018
Antipodes EX Music Server
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With its ODAPS2 power supply, four separate shielded chambers, and user-installable storage, the relatively affordable EX server marks the start of a new Antipodes range.
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31 May 2018
Not all NAS servers are created equal!
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28 April 2018
Easy to use, yet highly versatile digital music player.
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10 April 2018
CH Precision C1 + A1
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The C1+A1 combination sounds ultra-transparent, clean and controlled but also smooth and fluid, and organic, wholly musical and absolutely convincing.
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17 August 2017
Antipodes DS Base Music Server
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After having reviewed the costly Antipodes DX and proclaiming it my new reference, here is a product of the same manufacturer, but at the other end of the cost scale. At 1995 euro, it is far removed from the DX' lofty 6000+ price, but does it offer comparable sound quality? Read on to find out!
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14 August 2017
Bricasti M5 network player
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The Perfect Roon Ready Streaming Endpoint.
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1 July 2017
Antipodes DX2 Music Server
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Ones and zeros are not just ones and zeros and music servers are not all created equal
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11 May 2017
Euphony Buggy/Zotac
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Futuristic looking highly versatile Music Server with class leading sound quality
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9 October 2016
Meridian Ultra DAC
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Meridian's DACs were usually assigned a number such as 606, 563 and 818. And now there is the Ultra DAC. Purely on appearance it is hard to see the differences with the 818 but soundwise it is immediately clear that this DAC deserves more than just another number.
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Active Digital Speakers Reviews,
Music Server Reviews,
Network Player Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews
1 May 2016
For the first time, there are a pair of active Meridian DSP speakers in my listening room, along with an 818v3 Reference Audio Core and a Media Core 200. This makes for some very interesting comparisons.
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17 January 2016
Devialet Firmware
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Devialet Expert Firmware - newer versions add functionality, but also change the sound.
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30 November 2015
EC Designs Mosaic T DAC
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Non-conformistic, superbly unforced and natural sounding DAC.
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22 August 2015
Devialet Expert 120 and 200
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Devialet Expert 200 and 120 hybrid class A / class D integrated amplifiers compared directly.
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29 November 2013
A versatile music streamer equipped with a high accuracy direct I2S upsampling digital coaxial output.
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30 January 2013
Discovering the original Sooloos experience.
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16 July 2012
The very best Meridian Sooloos Streaming Audio.
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23 June 2012
Sooloos products had me hooked right from the start
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30 May 2012
The new Dynamik power supply and a newly designed circuitboard make sure that the Klimax DS stays on top.
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27 May 2012
Meridian Sooloos MD600 and MS600
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After being so enthusiastic about the MC200 and almost having purchased one, I decided to first review its bigger brothers.
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17 April 2012
Meridian Sooloos Media Core 200
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Combination of Sooloos server and endpoint in one neat and compact package.
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5 April 2012
Naim NDX, CDX2, DAC and XPS2
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After being so enthusiastic about the UnitiQute and Uniti, I was curious to find out how much more there would be in the Naims higher up on the scale.
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An upgrade that positively transforms the PWD.
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24 January 2012
Linn Klimax DS Network Player
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The Klimax DS/0 was the first high end music streamer.
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26 November 2011
Musical Fidelity Clic
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Comparable in size to the Naim UnitiQute, the Musical Fidelity Clic promises even wider compatibility, albeit without built in amplifier.
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13 October 2011
The Uniti is the UnitiQute's bigger brother, with a cd player added, a bigger amplifier and more inputs.
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13 October 2011
The UnitiQute is a smaller version of the Uniti, minus the CD player, but lacking none of its bigger brother's functionality.
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8 July 2011
The PWD initiated quite a chain reaction Network cables, switches, power cables, and NAS placement were all examined and found to have an influence on the sound. Here is the final installment of the PWD review. Compared to the Audio Synthesis DAX Decade In the meantime, I had received an Audio Synthesis DAX Decade DAC for […]
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26 June 2011
Here's part two of the review of this interesting netw0rk player.
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10 June 2011
The PWD has long been on my list of things to do but there was such high demand for this unit that I couldn't get one in for a review.
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30 March 2009
Logitech Sqeezebox
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The player reviewed here is no longer available. Instead, there is now the Squeezebox Touch, but I'd bet that soundwise nothing has changed.
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