I keep being told this. I should test. I need some more boxes.
Thanks, Vince. I suspected you were using that network for work as well as pleasure. One of the advantages of a pure music system in only one location… less variables in the mix.
Wow that’s quite something
I wanted a one box solution and am quite happy with the Wyred 4 Sound MS1. I can rip with plenty of storage and I2S configured for the PS Audio gear and sounds great in my system.
I did get a linear PS and use EtherRegen switch.
One of my goals was to have the network as flexible as possible. I have six wireless Access Points all tuned so they just overlap with one another but still create seamless transitions to one another. Two of the AP’s are outside and provide amazing coverage all around our yard.
I can’t tell from the Fritz site if the 5530 comes with a fiber SFP, but if it doesn’t the one you’ve posted from Small Green Computer will work. the OM1 LC connector is the type of Fiber OM1 and the LC is the connector like the one I posted above. All standard stuff. The good news as you’ve seen it’s all relative inexpensive. I’d order the SFP and a few lengths of the fiber to have on hand during the install and either stash away or return what you don’t need. Having an extra SFP in your kit is a good idea just like fuses and tubes.
Based on your switch, you really have two choices.
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Connect fiber from the ISP into your FRITZ!Box (by the way this is an annoying name to type) you can then go Ethernet from the FRITZ!Box to your PhoenixNet and you are all set.
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Connect fiber from the ISP into your FRITZ!Box. You hen could convert to fiber by running a short ethernet cable from one of the ethernet outputs of the FRITZ!Box to a RJ45 to Fiber media converter, run fiber to just before the PhoenixNet and covert it to Ethernet with another media converter and then plug the output Ethernet of the media converter into the PhoenixNet.
Personally I would do as you suggest and plug the ISP fiber directly into the fritz and then stay with traditional ethernet. I don’t think you need to do run fiber to your stereo rack and convert it with media converters based on what I read about the PhoenixNet.
Is this clear?
Thanks a lot, let’s go fight the service provider war!
I concur on the first hypothesis, less is more once more time. The PhoenixNET will be placed on the system rack (the main one) while the FRITZ!box on the second one (dedicated accessories boxes and devices dedicated like router, Matrix, LPS, MacMini and so on - oh and the Degritter washing machine on top I was forgetting there are also vinyls!). Why having more boxes/converters in a so short distance, the two racks are so close one to each other.
That is also the reason why I will not enable the router to operate a wifi network, I want my new dedicated music room to be a wifi-free zone (other than the already existent - Orbi mesh with the closer satellite one floor away). I’m spending so many hours in this small room, a basement, that a second wifi is not the air I want to breath, don’t know your opinion but I suppose my health and audio gear will be more than happy. Can’t wait march to start the refurbishment!
I agree with this approach. It will be as simple as possible with maximum utility. Win!
Well, I did it –I just placed an order for the DS Mark II. I was planning to wait until late February or March, but the bigger trade-in that expires at the end of this month was just too good to pass up.
Now I have to figure out how to get my network files to play. Thanks to all the information that people have shared in this forum, I have a good idea what my options are.
Right now I think I’ll wait and see when the Bridge Box becomes available. If all the stars align properly, that may be only a short time after I get my DAC. Otherwise, I’ll go with the cheapest solution I can find (at the moment, that seems like the iFi Zen). Then I can decide on a long-term solution after the AirLens comes out. I like the looks of the Holo Red, but the website says it will take at least six weeks to build, followed by shipping from China, and it’s more expensive than the Zen or (I hope) the Bridge Box.
I am in a similar though different kind of boat. Of what is available or becoming available out there, probably an Innuos Pulse would be quite good for me. And maybe it would help me cut down from running five servers: HQPlayer NAA, exaSound UPnP, Twonky UPnP, LMS and Plex. But I am really enjoying running RoipeeeXL on a Raspberry Pi4 right now. I can use BubbleUPnP to stream from the exaSound streaming surround sound DAC’s built-in music server thru the Pi4 to the MK2 over USB. And I can also use the same RoipeeeXL Pi4 with HQPlayer NAA. The iFi Zen Stream would bring Tidal Connect, as would the HoloAudio Red. But I am thinking only the Red would bring I2S over HDMI and high DSD rates. And the price gap is not so much if I spend a bit on a power supply for the iFi Zen Stream. Anyone else with good arguments for me to go with one or the other or the other?
Can just attest that Innuos stuff is very good. I jumped from MacMini to ZENith MK 3 and it was a step up. My digital journey started at that point.
I was using Roon running on the MacMini and then on ZENith and it sounded wonderful, my experience was limited at the time just within CD quality and Qobuz HiRes.
Having the MK II a so remarkable USB input, I think the Innuos philosophy (based on USB output) in not a problem anymore.
You know after that where I decided to go, both software and hardware side.
The Zen has no I2S output but supports DSD up to 256.
which mk3 did you get?
IMO the cheapest option is a used Chromecast Audio device. No doubt there are SQ concerns, but at least it has a 24-96 fiber output to your dac.
Perhaps this buys you some time for a full fletched alternative.
ZENith
nice
Cheap but work? Raspberry Pi (USB)
Cheap and Simple? Wiim or Wiim Pro (Optical or Optical / Coax)
Fancy PSU, clocks, and other special circuitry all about ~$1000?
- Holo Red (all interfaces)
- Sonore Rendu (USB)
- Stack Audio Link (USB)
- SOtM (USB)
- iFi (various)
- Pi 2 Design (I2S)
Fancy and over $1000
- Mano Ultra (I2S)
- Musica Pristina (I2S)
Streamer + Music Library Management
- Lumin (no I2S, most everything else)
- Auralic (no I2S)
- Aurender (no I2S)
- Innuos (no I2S)
- Antipodes (I2S)
- Grimm (no I2S)
- Linn (no I2S)
I’m missing a ton, someone can keep adding to the list. Anyway, there are lots of things out there.
Thanks for the suggestion. Even as a temporary solution, I do need higher rate PCM as well as DSD (both of which the iFi Zen provides). I will, however, do some research about Chromecast. I’ve seen this term but have no idea what it really is/does.
Thanks for this list! I just looked at Pi 2 Design’s Mercury v2. It has most of the same features as the Holo Red and is the same price, but is shipping now (according to the company’s website, as of today), which makes it more attractive.
Just make sure you’re aware from their website:
* **PARALLEL I2S OUTPUT** - The I2S Signals are buffered and accessible via an RJ45. Pinout confirms to the Metrun series of DAC's.
I don’t know what you would need to do in order to get this converter to HDMI connector and PS Audio pinout. (edit, I mean I know technically what you need to do is build a custom cable but I don’t know if there is easier option)