Hello Fellow Audiophiles,
I will start with my quandary since the context is lengthy.
I want to hear high resolution songs on my system and I cannot decide if , and how, I should deliver the high res tracks to my Rotel RDD 1580 DAC, or if I should just sell the Rotel and replace it with a Sony HAP-Z1ES. Both of these components are reviewed by Stereophile if you are not familiar with them.
I am providing the information below in hopes that it helps you help me with solving this quandary.
I am about 18 months into the audiophile world and I have enjoyed the journey. My father gave me his Phase Linear gear from the late 70s. I had a professional get them back in good working condition thanks to the positive encouragement and guidance of people on the Stereophile forums. Best decision I barely made!
I want to complete my system and the last piece of the puzzle is the digital music delivery component.
Current Hardware Setup:
Currently I am playing Spotify on an iPad 3 via Apple's 30pin to USB cable to the USB port on the front panel of my Rotel RDD 1580 DAC. The DAC connects to my Phase Linear Model 3000 Pre-Amplifier via RCA. My amplifier is a Phase Linear Model 400 and my speakers are the Bowers & Wilkins CM5 bookshelf speakers, the model just before the S2.
State of Music Collection:
My High Res music library consists of zero songs. My CDs I play via PS3 to the Rotel DAC. If I got the Sony HAP I would probably rip the CDs to it since, without any digital inputs or outputs on the Sony HAP, I cannot connect the PS3 to the Sony HAP.
The Goal:
I don't want to deal with a computer on my audio rack. I am on computers all day as I work in software. I love the idea of an IOS device app that allows me to play and select my downloaded music library while I go for the musical ride on my couch and good single malt scotch (this can't just be me doing this right?). The Sony HAP appears to be the solution, but I find it a little expensive for what it is and the demo I heard of it was on B&W 800s so I can't say the comparison was fair and I can't say it sounds as good or better than the Rotel. All I can say is B&W 800s are awesome.
Just to keep the discussion focused, assume that DSD is not terribly interesting to me. I am happy with the Rotel DAC's sound at maximum possible PCM 192.
I would like to know the forum's opinion on music delivery alternatives to the Sony HAP where there is storage and a decent user interface for song selection etc. on an iPhone or iPad.
Your suggestions are very greatly appreciated.
Hello Fellow Audiophiles,
I will start with my quandary since the context is lengthy.
I want to hear high resolution songs on my system and I cannot decide if , and how, I should deliver the high res tracks to my Rotel RDD 1580 DAC, or if I should just sell the Rotel and replace it with a Sony HAP-Z1ES. Both of these components are reviewed by Stereophile if you are not familiar with them.
I am providing the information below in hopes that it helps you help me with solving this quandary.
I am about 18 months into the audiophile world and I have enjoyed the journey. My father gave me his Phase Linear gear from the late 70s. I had a professional get them back in good working condition thanks to the positive encouragement and guidance of people on the Stereophile forums. Best decision I barely made!
I want to complete my system and the last piece of the puzzle is the digital music delivery component.
Current Hardware Setup:
Currently I am playing Spotify on an iPad 3 via Apple's 30pin to USB cable to the USB port on the front panel of my Rotel RDD 1580 DAC. The DAC connects to my Phase Linear Model 3000 Pre-Amplifier via RCA. My amplifier is a Phase Linear Model 400 and my speakers are the Bowers & Wilkins CM5 bookshelf speakers, the model just before the S2.
State of Music Collection:
My High Res music library consists of zero songs. My CDs I play via PS3 to the Rotel DAC. If I got the Sony HAP I would probably rip the CDs to it since, without any digital inputs or outputs on the Sony HAP, I cannot connect the PS3 to the Sony HAP.
The Goal:
I don't want to deal with a computer on my audio rack. I am on computers all day as I work in software. I love the idea of an IOS device app that allows me to play and select my downloaded music library while I go for the musical ride on my couch and good single malt scotch (this can't just be me doing this right?). The Sony HAP appears to be the solution, but I find it a little expensive for what it is and the demo I heard of it was on B&W 800s so I can't say the comparison was fair and I can't say it sounds as good or better than the Rotel. All I can say is B&W 800s are awesome.
Just to keep the discussion focused, assume that DSD is not terribly interesting to me. I am happy with the Rotel DAC's sound at maximum possible PCM 192.
I would like to know the forum's opinion on music delivery alternatives to the Sony HAP where there is storage and a decent user interface for song selection etc. on an iPhone or iPad.
Your suggestions are very greatly appreciated.