Finally an SBT replacement??

Everything Else
1

I should have a demo unit very soon. I’m anxious to hook it up in my den for casual listening.

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2015/05/auralic-launch-aries-mini-streamer-at-munich-high-end-2015/

2

Nice to see a decent price on this unit. Should be fun!

3

Eagerly awaiting your impressions G. I’m considering getting one as a wedding present for a good friend (the bride-to-be was very impressed with my streaming set-up and I think she would be at least as responsive as he would). Beats giving them a blender.

4
stevem2 said Eagerly awaiting your impressions G. I'm considering getting one as a wedding present for a good friend (the bride-to-be was very impressed with my streaming set-up and I think she would be at least as responsive as he would). Beats giving them a blender.
Indeed.

The learning curve for Lightning vs Sonos is a bit longer but so are the potential SQ benefits.
I have orders for 8 of them already and anxiously awaiting my tester unit. Crazy good value at this price level if it does the job as reputed.

5

What is an SBT?

6

Logitech Squeezebox Touch.

7

Lately I have been thinking about using a cheap Windoze tablet as a player. Almost all of these tablets have a USB port and many are even a full size USB A connectiin. An 8in. tablet can be had for $100 or less, with 2G RAM and 32G storage. The Atom processors are usually quad core at 1.3GHz or so. Any Windoze software that can be installed in 20GB or so of hard drive space would work - I am thinking Foobar2000, but even JRiver might work. Obviously, music storage would be on a server or NAS and network connection over WiFi. Still, maybe worth trying as they are cheap.

Just a thought to chew on. When I can afford one, I intend to try it out.

J.P.

8

This week I received my demo unit of the new Mini. [I posted a short blurb on the CA Aries Mini thread.] http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f22-networking-networked-audio-and-streaming/auralic-aries-mini-25054/index10.html

Bottom line: It surpasses all my expectations. It may be an entry level streamer [ compared to Audiophile] but It is well thought out and a great stocking-stuffer, if you can get one. Comes bundled with a Tidal HiFi subscription.