David H.

I just wanted to add that what ever Music Streaming Device you may choose, expensive or not, It will bring back the excitement of  new Music and also the Nostalgic of the older tunes. I love the Music Streaming world and what it has to offer in the endless library of Music, High Def and the Clarity of depth of the music sound. Along with the feeling  of being in this “Huge massive open Library with Row’s and Row’s of endless music “ to go through and never being disappointed,  Add the Music Software management of your music with “Roon”, I feel like I did as a Kid when I got a new Vinyl Album opening it and seeing all the artwork, then putting the needle down and listening to the new music with such excitement. The added bonuses is the clarity and depth that was never revealed in the the analog world, but also it will give you information on the music and the Artist that wasn’t available on the old vinyl and cassettes.  Don’t get me wrong, I still love the sound and excitement of opening up a new vinyl album for all the reason described above, But now I listen to vinyl album for just that feeling and sound of the album with it’s occasion “cracks or pops” from the old albums. But , If its clarity and depth,  or Hi Res  audio files,  I go to the Music Streamer. 

Also with the music streamer come the ease of just listening to whatever your in mood for at the time, and letting it just choose that music your in the mood for and not have to go back to the source like the turntable to either turn over the album, or put on something new. This is all done by the music steamer along with it putting music on that you may forgotten or hearing for the first time. I’ve found such excitement and enjoyment in this new digitial world that when I hear something on the radio, I write it down so I can hear it in more detail at home on the music streamer. I still love putting on a vinyl album on the turntable and listening to it,  But for me,  If its clarity and depth in the music I want to hear, there’s no comparing to this new sound and world of the digitial Music Streaming and it’s high def library of music to choose from.

Below is a quick pick of the Innuous Zen Mk lll and the L.K.S Digitial audio Dac. If there’s any I can be of help with inregards to Music Streaming systems or Roon Software, Just let me know and I’ll do my best to answer or find what you may be looking for.

I’ve always loved the sound from the Oppo’s CD players, and the Oppo 103/105 players sound good and can work with your Carver audio gear. Oppo uses the ES DAC chips and that’s one of the reason why I purchased the L.K.S. Digital audio dh-004 Dac for apx $1,425.00  which uses 2 of the ES3808 pro dac chips in mono combined to give stereo and used my Oppo 95 as a transport and loved the combo for the sound they both produced. I did a lot of research into the Music Streaming Devices out there, and again with the audio world , with quality of the sound and what they offer in abilities and dollars the Sky’s the limit. I ended up purchasing the Innuous Zen Mk III music streaming system which requires an external DAC W/ 2TB internal storage system and a built in ripper with it own software to operate it for apx. $2,400.00 or use 3rd party software like Roon , which I use and highly recomend . Hands down the Best Music software management out there, at least for me.

Roon

“ Brief description of “Roon “is  a monthly, Yearly or Lifetime Subscription available which manages your Music Streaming, Music library either on PC or Mac, But it can manage your music library wherever it’s located on your network: on the computers hard drive, on a NAS Box or in folder on multiple networked devices. You can establish multiple user profiles so that each person in your household can compile their own lists of favorites and have their own unique play history and music recommendations.Roon installed on other computers (endpoints) on your network and you can use them as remote controls for the primary computers audio system, or you can stream your music over your network to those endpoints. In both scenarios . You can choose between the computers onboard audio subsystem and any connected outboard hardware. Roon is the Music operating software system which is setting the standards that music streaming companies and developers and building there’s hardware system to incorporate and manage the music. 

I did a lot research in the Music Streamers that were available at the time I purchased the Innuous Mk III and spent over double of what I was looking to invest, But I found at this time there were not a lot of high end quality Music streamers used for sale due because of it being still a New Medium and there are not a lot of used hi end music players available, so I went with a system which I can used for many years to come, and I absolutely love the quality of sound and what it has to offer.

Other’s I liked and received great reviews:

I purchased the Cambridge Audio 851 N music Streamer, and liked the quality of sound, The front display to see what is playing and operations for apx. $1,450.00 but returned it for the only reason that it upsampled everything it played. Though I liked the sound, I did not like not having the ability of not upsampling the music and it was missing a few things I was looking for and new that I would want in the future.

Here’s a few Music streaming systems out there to considered-or get a feel for what’s out there and cost:

One of the favorites for starting at Apx, $485.00 and up is the Bluesound Node 2i music streaming system, and it has received great reviews and I was very close in getting one for apx : $925.00 , But I havn’t had an opportunity to listen to with my system. But , I’ve read very good reviews for the Monies spent.

Audiolab 6000N Play - review” Great sounding streaming solutions needn’t cost a lot” - Very good reviews in 2019 Apx. $650.00

Audiolab 6000A apx. $1,000.00- very good reviews

Sono’s systems starting at apx. $350.00 and up/

Sony HAP-S1 high Resolution music streamer apx. $ 1.000.00  but had mixed reviews

NAD C 658 : Unbalance and balanced RCA outputs- Hi resp support 32-bit/192 kHz  apx $1,650.00 -  good reviews

Cocktail Audio X30 all in one Hifi audio system w/ music server/network streamer- apx. $899.00 -again very good reiveiws.

Cambridge audio CXN (V2) reviews very good, “the best at this price range “ apx. $995.00 and up

lumin M1 - starting at apx. $2,000.00 to there high end up to $14K, A very good Music streaming co with high Standards

There’s Many Music streaming system out there, I feel you can get a nice system like the Audiolab 6000N for $625.. the Bluesound 2i used for less $500.00 and they both have very good reviews. I hope this helps, If there’s any more specific questions I can help, Just pm me, or post and I’ll do my best to answer or find out the answers. I researched for months back back in late 2018/ early 2019 before deciding, but it comes down to what specific needs or wants that may be looking for your system. I preferred having a seperate music streamer form my CD player, but there are some nice CD player /music streaming systems that can also work well with your system. For example, the Oppo 103/105, Marantz  network music playerNA6006 refurbished for $479.00,

Again, I hope this helps. I will do a seperate post on “Roon” music management software to show it abilities and eases of use.

I’m just a huge Bob Caver Fan, I love and enjoy his all audio Gear .. 

His vision and and what he has created to me is so inspirational.

Hey Guys,

Sorry for being so quiet these last few months , It’s been a Crazy busy time for me through the Fire and floods, and repairing the smoke damage . 

I had reached out to the group asking about N.A.S Storage and Music streaming network and player  some time ago and found that it seemed to be a topic of interest for some,  and at the time not a lot of info so far was within the group.  I felt that with all the great support and advice I’ve been given from all within “The Carver Site” , This may be a way for me to try a give back some  with information what dI’ve found so far with hope that it can be of help to others.  Again , I had no idea of how much there would be to learn and research in all those categories,  so through all these months I’ve been doing my homework. I’ll do my best to be as accurate and detailed in what I have found. I’ve always been a little , or “ VERY”  intimidated in doing a post because of how incredible sharp and knowledgable most of you are when it came to the world of audio. But  everyone has always been so supportive, and giving of all there knowledge,  and for all that I “ Thank all of you “. 

So, Here we go. I’ll touch base on:

1) external DAC

2) NAS Storage

3) Music Streaming devices

4) Network music players

     ( All in one System’s and individually Music players and network streaming devices together, examples , low $$ to High$ $$$)

5) ROON -   Operating system for music that is hardware agnostic. 

 One app that brings all of your stored music together with all your music streaming services, including. Tidal and Qobuz , high res music services in one search interface.  ( This App will be the one that all will be using for there digital music world - IMOP. ) All new digital music streaming system’s are being developed for Roon, with some also having there own operating system.  I can’t cover it all, cables, all the various system, etc.., but with a little help I’m sure in the end we’ll all have a good starting point, if interested in the digital world. 

N.A.S Storage  and Network Music Streaming for HI Def audio I found  when I really got into the Digital Audio world , it really wasn’t as complicated as I though it would be.  But again as with everything in audio , it can be as simple or as complicated as one wants within there system.  I think I’ll go in the above order,  Because that’s how I entered it.  First I wanted to improve my digital sound and to make it not just as good  and warm as my beloved Vynyl world, and favorite albums, But better.  Then I heard about storing my CD’s , and  digital music in what was know as NAS music storage. After hearing how incredible my digital  music was sounding, I wanted to enter the world  of a Music Network streaming system , Pandora, Spotify, to  Hi Res music services like Tidal and Qobuz , and the muisic streaming player that with some individual systems accompany  the streamer so that so I hear it in the System.  But What was this thing Called Roon that I found all these new high end Music  Streaming / Player system were developed with Roon , the New universal Operating system for music That is hardware Agnostic.

Please let me know any of the routes that you may have chosen or thinking of going with for your system. I will be adding to this as I go along,  Please bear with me as I pull all my info together on each subject to best I can so as to give you a feel and hopefully route you may like to start. It’s wide open from very affordable systems to the point I always dream of, But to rich for me.

When I say this in my  own humble option, This is where Music has been on its way and heading in a Directions I feel will open up a New World of Music ,  With it’s depth in clean Hi Res , warm  music  and a huge Music library services when one can find and hear pretty much what one would want to hear. It keeps getting better and better.

I still love my vynyl , But in my next post I’ll start off with the benefits of adding an external DAC. 

Below is a picture of where my system is now, I’m just now finalizing and getting my digital music streaming 

playing device. Pictures to follow when I get it, very soon.  

Nice site for SCAD's, Thanks.

My follow up on the Cambridge 851n.

I really liked this unit, But ended up returning it for a couple of reasons.

One major for me was that I wasn’t able to take advantage of the DAC inside it while place SACD’s. Even though I don’t own a lot of SACD’s, the idea was that I wanted to improve my CD experience in any form that I played it. Another issue was for some reason I was not able to hook up the unit to My Oppo 95 via the  hi def Co axial cable. The signal would fade in and out. I purchased this units as a refurbished unit, so there  is a possiblility that is may have had some minor defect, But I’m sure that if I wanted to hang on to it I could of recieved another without having any issue’s.

On the positive side, I really did like the sound and ease of how it played. It has a great look, and for the monies it comes with all the bells and whistles that you can’t find for that price range. It did upscale everything which worked out great when you were listening to Sirius, pandora or anything else less than the quality of Tidal, which is a HI Def streaming service, a must for us high end audio nuts. But, I was told that this upscaling , which there was no way of turning off is not nescessarly a good thing. I personally didn’t mind it, but can see where it may be an issue.  

I’m going back to my original plan of getting a new DAC, and using the Oppo 95 for the time being as a transport. After a lot of research on my end, I have settled on a DAC by the name of :

L.K.S audio MH-DA004 , with dual ESS 9038 pro  running in mono on each side , amanero USB Audio’s DAC , made in china which some may not perfer , for apx . $1,395.00. What I liked about it is the use of the two high end 9038 DAC’s by ESS, The various inputs including HDMI,  which I understand is the only way to really transfer the SACD /DSD info back and forwth between the Oppo CD player and DAC, both optical and coaxial digital inputs, rca and balanced input with Balanced outputs. So Far, very good reviews on both build , quality control and sound performance for it price range.

But my biggest project now will be my roomtreatment to handle all the issues of the reflections of the low ceiling, glass and hardwood floors. I hope you find some of this info of some help, please just PM me if you would like more detailed information.

From what I found out, that very nice unit that you are using. Free is good, I’ve been spending a fortune on Vynly and Cd’s/SACD ‘ s are hard to find locally. Cambridge from what I’ve read really stands out for the monies for network devices . Looking forward to the audition, and see how the DAC’s are for CD’s. Thanks for the info.

HI Guys,

After researching and looking into Network Player, The Cambridgge Azur 851n really fit the bill in what I needed. It originally started with looking for a new CD/SACD player and that alone had big price tag inregards to any kind of upgrade from my Oppo 95 cd/SACD player. I also was looking for a new New Network server since the Polk 1 omni was driving me crazy. It was a pain in the ass to get hooked up to the network, and then it would just drop off. So I was basically not using it any longer. I am going to use this as  a DAC, and use the Oppo as a transport. It's gotten great reviews, it was a little more pricey than what I originally was looking for, But I purchase one of these on ebay, through Cambridges site and got a 

"Refurbished" unit for $1,124.99. I should get it next week some time, so I'll keep you posted with my thoughts and more important how it sound. If anyone out there is familiar with the Cambridge  Azur 851n, It would be great to hear your thoughts.

Very Nice,

Makes it easier to keep up on the latest topic, Which makes it easier and quicker to keep up.

Carver fest 2018

I havn’t had a moment to express how great of time and experience I enjoyed at attenting Carverfest 2018. Everyone there was increadibly  warm and welcoming  to me, and I felt right at home . I was finally able to meet not only My Hero,  Bob Carver,  But all the other names and friends  that I’ve met  and have spoken on phone , or through emails an such while on the site. There so many people I caught up with,  it would take some time to name them all, But ,  That was the main reason I wanted to attend so as to meet all person attending.

Bob Carver, is the one of the nicest man I’ve ever met,  when meeting  him, he makes you feel as  if you have know him for years . To see him in action was an incredible experience for myself.  To listen and see how comitted he is in making the finest tub amp for us,  and how increadible sharp and focused he was working on the tube amp project. If anyone has has every thought of going,  I would highly recomend it. You will meet some of the nicest and generous people willing to share there knowledge and insight, and make you feel right at home  in all the different cabins where each had set up one of there audio system to listen and experience.  That for me was also a great event, because I don’t know of anyone on the west coast that I can  catch up and listen to there system. It was also great to see how everyone came together and worked extremely hard puffing all the the Carverfest Tube amp Kit together, so no one walk away missing anything. I thought that  a week might be to long, but it went bye in a flash and I had a great time and experience that will not  soon be forgotten.

David

Welcome,

You have stumbled upon a great group of guys here who’s knowledge of not only the Carver audio world is finest , but just about everything else to deal with audio. I’ve never met a better group of guys who are increadable generous with there knowledge and time, But always kept an eye on me so as not to do anything that could blow up my systems in smoke. I too stumbled across this site mainly because every time I looked any info on Carver equiptment , I landed here. If you are planning on purchasing Caver audio  and sending it out to be worked on, I would reach out  to guys here who are incredible fair and you can’t find anyone or place out there that can match there knowledge and expertise when it comes to working on Carver system. As they said, Beware of the Carver black hole , I fell into it, But loved the ride. 

I haven't tried an external drive, really not sure how I would do that , at least not being to complicated.  Thought my iPad , You get the album art work, genre and able to search for the artist your looking for on Tidal, If that what you are asking.  Reach out if you need anything more specific,  I'll get back you .

I understand the "Limited Patience" thing also. Right now I'm still using the  Omni P1 with great results using "Tidal" for high res music. So far the best that I have been able to find.

With Tidal streaming source, I've been so far pretty amazed at it large library of music, at least in my taste. I just got my Oppo BDP-103 this weekend and have been listening to it and getting a feel of it's sound, so  far very happy with it for playing my CD collection. This morning I was running a comparison test listening between the two sources, #1 being the Oppo and the other Omni P1 while listening to the same tracks of music, and so far there really close in sound to my surprise.  I've only done a few tracks , like Adels " hello", Steely Dan "Dirty work" from can't by a thrill, and again the comparison between the two was very close. I plan on continuing to compare with different tracks and see how it goes. So Far, I haven't tested higher quality recorded sources like , SACD, or so far my own collection of FLAC CD recordings, that's next. So far in general, I do prefer the  Oppo 103 over all, I feel I'm hearing a more detail to the music, But I'm looking forward to testing the higher Res recordings. I haven't explored the Oppo 103 internet streaming sources , But for the Omni P1 I do like the ability with my iPad  to just look up an artist and play the music chosen that I don't have available in my own library. I did order the  the premiere version of the  Avantree blue transmitter and awaiting it's arrival to see what it capable of doing. I never would of thought that Blue tooth  would work with High res if not for Gregg information and articles given, So I'm looking forward to getting that and trying that out so I can access my own library and other sources. As soon I receive the Avantree Blue, I'll run that through some comparison and let the forum know of my thoughts on it.

I thought this looked promising, It the Premium Version Avantree Oasis Plus apX HD 164 feet fpr $79.00 . 

https://www.amazon.com/Avantree-Bluetooth-Transmitter.../dp/B07BQYYDNJ from amazon.  Whats your thoughts on this one. I thought I would give it a try,  I liked to try this to replace the Omni P1 with hopes of streaming HD music and mainly to access and stream my HD music library from my iTunes library. It seems to have the range, and ideally the iPad can run it.  . Does itunes supply high enough data for HD streaming music through itunes. 

Any thoughts on this one!

Greg, 

Thanks again  for the great info, and I was speaking to you. Your information is alway right on, understandable for all,  and backed up with various options as above. it's amazing!!  Thanks..

This is what I've  Been looking for and at such an affordable price. I'm thinking of getting the #1 , or #2  if it has the distance  range like the definitely  Oasis long range blue tooth system. My music library is on one side of the house with my HT System, and my 2 channel system is on the other side.  Greg,   If I understood in the article of a recent post, it is best to look for a system that has the AptX technology, or capable to work with other AptX devices so as achieve the non lagging/ instant streaming of HD music, TV, Games etc.. I' m not sure if the #1 definitely Oasis has that, It's looks like the #2 does have AptX . Earlier I was speaking of the Polk Omni P1 , which does has RCA connections, Was that it  has been working great for me for streaming HD music from Tidal, and other streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, etc....  as long as you have a good internet connection. But, The biggest disappointment  the Polk Omni P1 is that it does Not stream my music library , which I run Mac OS system. I've also heard from another with a PC of having iTunes of streaming there music library .  It  does have it limits and having to connect your iPad, phone device to the Omni P1 each time does take some time to hook up.  By the looks of these bluetooth devices, it seem they could  be a much better fit  for me , and foremost  playing my music library in HD for me has alway been my main goal. I"ll definetly give one a try, just need to figure the best fit and hopefully there definitely.  

Great post about blue tooth tech , when I originally looked into it I was told  it wasn’t able to transfer high res files, but I see with your article you supplied about AptX, compression enable Bluetooth to that. When looking AptX product list that AptX is used in, which is quite large and varied, so  do you know of any products that could be used for accessing  and playing ones own  music library , through iTunes and Pc bases sources to play high res music from streaming sources that would n’t be that wouldn’t be to crazy expensive. It looked impressive what AptX can do, just curious. 

Thanks again for all your detailed post that enable me  and others with basic technical knowledge to understand.

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you on a update of the Omni P1, But I had surgery a few weeks ago and just getting back on my feet.

When asked about other units out there, I really couldn’t find anything out that offered what the Omni P1 at first said it was capable of doing. But after using it for some time now, it defineitlhy has it limits and doesn’t quit do everything that it states. For one,  It was said that it could play your music library , which I’ve found is not the case if your running iTunes. I spoke with Polk about this and was told that it can’t stream your music library from Apple iTunes . That was disappointing for me, since I do run Apple Mac for everything. On the positive side,  My main goal was to be able to stream High res music files , and the only source I’ve found so is from the 

music steaming source of “ Tidal “ , and I can say it works great for me. Tidal music library  is available for apx. $25.00  a month. , has an extremely large library I have found so far, anything I’ve looked with different Artist,  I’ve found and have been able to stream there high files for hours, as long internet service is running smoothly . I can’t say how “ High Res” these files in numbers are in comparison to what Caseletti was making reference to,  in no way can I compare with the knowledge that most of you all have on the Carver site, But for the sound I’m hearing with my system, “ Tital “ high res music is the best I’ve been able to find so far from a music source offering “ high res music files” , and with the Omni P1 . It would be great to hear of some more options if there out,  hopefully in my budget,  which I still havn’t set as of now , with either  a DAC music streaming source, or music high res source like Tital. I’m just enjoying the sound and experience of it all. As time goes on using the Omni P1, I’ll give updated status and If I do find another source I’ll give that a try also.

Welcome Bill,

Your at the right place, You will not find a better group of guys who's  knowledge of the Carver and audio equipment  is amazing , and they have been incredibly generous with there time and help. They'll get you straight.

Polk Omni p1 for $65.00 is a great price for those, they can be as high as $299.00

firvtgsr price you can’t lose. I’ll see what I can come up with speed of high res files.

HI Guys,

Some time ago I had asked what and how was the best way for streaming high res music to my 2 channel system which consists of a 4000t,

2 -m500tmkll’s (Dennis miller) Onkyo 7030 ( Kevin tube buffer) and my new Polk lsim 707’s , and I love these new speaker’s. 

I found  the the Polk Omni P1 is the best system out there for streaming not only high res files from Tital,  you can stream your own music library, pandora, Spotify, etc.. As far as I have found, and have tried many different  system without any luck for streaming high res files. 

So far, for me , there is no comparison when using the Polk Omni P1 for streaming. 

If anyone has anything else, I would love to give it try. I purchased the Polk Omni P1 system on ebay for apx. $ 200.00, but they retail for $299.00

I’ll follow up with more spec’s and info if anyone is interested, just let me know.

David