Over the past 5 years almost every Hi-Fi brand has released at least one model of media streamer. We chose 5 devices worth 200-800 thousand rubles to evaluate how they will work in a high-end audio system with Kef Blade loudspeakers, Jeff Rowland Corus preamplifier and Jeff Rowland Model 725 power amplifiers. For reference comparison we used a four-block High-End dCS Vivaldi source.
all the devices under test were played back via analogue outputs and, except for naim, were connected in the balanced version. flac and wav files were placed on a computer and a network drive. during the pre-test phase, streamers were connected to the local network both via ethernet and wi-fi. comparison of the sound of the two interfaces revealed a small but quite noticeable difference in sound quality in favor of the ethernet connection, which is common to all the devices under test, i.e. a little more transparency, so streamers were connected later on.
The audition was conducted by members of the Club of Good Sound. soundex.ru For the sake of completeness of the picture we also included the results of FSQ tests in the description of the sound.
Wadia M330
Price 696 000 rub
The site: http://www.wadia.com/en-us/products/m330
High class music server Wadia M330 has a built-in 1 terabyte hard drive and also plays files from the local network and the Internet, including those hosted on well-known streaming services.
The device is made in the original minimalist design in high-tech style, designed by the famous Sonus Faber acoustic studio. Player Wadia M330 The only control is the on/off button on the front side of the device. The height of the case is less than 9 centimeters - thanks to the small size of the media streamer is easy to install on a narrow shelf.
All patch connectors are located on the rear panel. Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analogue outputs are available to connect a wide variety of audio system components. Digital outputs are also available - coaxial S/PDIF and optical TOSLINK. If your own hard drive is 1 terabyte small, you can connect external drives. 4 USB and 1 eSATA connectors are available on the rear panel for this purpose. The USB interface also allows the player to connect to a computer.
The device can play music files in most popular formats up to 24 bits/192 kHz. FM radio and Internet radio are also available. Wi-Fi and AirPlay support enables easy wireless synchronization of the server with other devices. With integrated interfaces, the player plays music files from the most popular cloud streaming services such as TIDAL, TuneIn, Pandora, Rhapsody, Spotify, SiriusXM. The list of supported services is constantly expanding.
The Wadia M330 can be controlled by a complete remote control or iOS or Android mobile device with a special application, as well as the ability to control the music server directly from your computer via a web browser.
During the installation/connection process, there were problems detecting some network drives, but when all the difficulties are over, it is quite convenient to use them.
Sound.
Streamer Wadia M330 According to many listeners, it gave the most lively sound, which was really interesting and enjoyable to listen to. The tonal balance is generally flat, with some emphasis on the tweeter. The bass is deep enough, well articulated, with good attack, although swollen in some places. The scene is continuous, but on the test recordings does not go beyond the base of the speakers. The space and air of the stage is transmitted satisfactorily. The detail is high, in some places excessive. On speakers less comfortable to listen to, the sound was sharp. However.
Primare NP30
Price: 213000 rub
The site: http://primare.ru/streamers/np30/
With a media streamer Primare NP30 You can play music from virtually any device, including smartphones, iPods, iPads, iPhones, and external storage devices of various types, as well as streaming audio from your network.
The device is made in a massive case (media streamer weight is 8.5 kg), which can be silver or black. The case has three legs, which due to its large size securely ensure the stability of the device. The front panel is slightly extended forward. It has two buttons responsible for switching on/off the device and selection of the signal source. There is also an LED indication that shows which input is currently involved.
the rear panel of the media Streamer has a full set of input and output connectors for switching with virtually any component. this includes usb-a and usb-b inputs, coaxial s/pdif and three optical digital toslink inputs, as well as wlan and lan connectors. the output connectors - analog rca and xlr - are also available. in addition, there is a line connector and a connector for an external sensor icon. there are also connectors for integrating the media player into a smart home system. the device is connected to the computer via interfacing.
Primare NP30 is equipped with a modern DAC, which is capable of playing music streams with a maximum bit rate of up to 32 bits/192 kHz. It supports the most popular formats, including WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MRZ, AAC, WMA, OGG, ALAC. The media player uses Audivo's well-established network development module, which plays files stored on external devices (computer, NAS server, mobile devices, etc.) via UPnP over Wi-Fi or wired connection. Of course, you can also play music from USB drives.
The music server is powered by a switching power supply unit and separate power stages are provided for the digital and analog parts of the device, which allows to achieve optimal sound quality.
The Primare NP30 player comes with a remote control, which allows you to select Streamer mode, adjust the volume, switch the input sources, turn the device on and off. Full-featured device control is available with the Primare Arr application, which is supported for iOS and Android mobile devices. The application allows you to configure the network, view music files, control the playback of network content. The interface of control applications is simple and easy to understand.
Sound.
Although the device is relatively inexpensive, it was quite well integrated into a high-end system. During the listening there was a fairly even tonal balance, but with some emphasis on the bass. The bass is deep and, in general, well articulated with a quick attack. The scene is continuous and, on the test recordings, sometimes goes beyond the base of the speakers. We liked how Primare NP30 Sound images were well localized. This was particularly well heard in Black And Tan Fantasy, where two pipes sound simultaneously.. The height of the instruments corresponds to the natural height - the trumpet players play standing up instead of sitting down, as is the case in many cases. Sound images are poorly associated with the speaker. Details - quite high, though lower than the most expensive devices in this test. Microdynamics - almost good, macrodynamics - good. When the volume level is lowered to a minimum, the timbre of the instruments and voice remain reliable.
Trinnov Amethyst
Price 792 000 rub
The site: http://www.mms-cinema.ru/?m=product_view&id=962
Trinnov Amethyst Combines a wide range of features, providing not just preamplifier and DAC functions, but also optimised sound in rooms with inadequate acoustic processing.
The device has a very solid design in a solid (more than 11 kg) silver housing with a beautiful display and large control knobs. We were impressed by its switching capabilities. On its back panel there are linear unbalanced and balanced stereo jacks. There is also a wide range of digital audio jacks, including balanced, coaxial, optical, as well as an interface for connecting an external clock frequency generator.
The device has a built-in software module that allows the calibration microphone to correct the sound to achieve optimal parameters for almost any room. High accuracy and quality of adjustment is provided by a dual-core intel processor with a clock frequency of 1.8 hertz to perform precise sound adjustment.
The Network Player feature allows the Trinnov Amethyst to play audio streams from a computer or NAS drive, as well as from a variety of wireless devices. The music streams can be played using both wired and Wi-Fi connections, and can be played in formats such as WAV, AIFF, OGG, FLAC with up to 24-bit/192 kHz sampling.
The power supply circuit of the device is implemented in such a way as to ensure its minimal impact on sound quality. Separate blocks are provided for the power supply of analog and digital paths.
Trinnov Amethyst is equipped with an on-board remote control, which allows convenient volume control, selection of connected inputs, and the possibility to work in the control menu. Full control and fine-tuning capabilities of Trinnov Amethyst are opened with the help of a mobile device with a special application. The device was controlled via WiFi (via the built-in router of the device) via VNC Server application. Not so easy, but it worked. The launch of music programs was carried out via Twonky Server, installed
Sound.
This device was used in rum corrector mode. Listeners' opinions were divided. For some, the sound was Trinnov Amethyst for others, this sound seemed more "computer" and harder than an order of magnitude more expensive reference source dcs. but it was noted by all that when the correction system was turned on, the wind was more rigid and honest, the general nature of the system opened and became more open, the voice became brighter, got the necessary overtones, but at the same time there was a steel shade. the device successfully combines with the acoustics of kef and is in the same "class", the shortcomings of both of them are not eliminated.
Naim ND5 XS
Price 218 000 rub
The site: http://www.naim-audio.ru/naim-by-range/XSSeries/4507#panel1
Music Streamer Naim ND5 XS The player has three S/PDIF digital audio inputs with different types of connectors - coaxial RCA and BNC, as well as optical TosLink, which provides the most convenient connection of various digital audio sources, including computers, CD players, etc., with the achievement of wholesale
Naim ND5 XS is a truly versatile media streamer that allows you to play audio files in almost all popular audio file formats: MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, WMF, AIFF, Ogg Vorbis. Thanks to the use of a modern PCM1791 DAC, music streams can be sampled up to 24 bits/192 kHz. The source can be any USB drive or any UPnP-enabled device, which can be, for example, a computer, smartphone, tablet. Connection to network devices can be via Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) or WiFi.
In developing Naim ND5 XS The device is powered by a proprietary power transformer; independent power supplies are used for analog and digital pathways, which in combination with a special grounding circuit and smoothing capacitors allow to drastically reduce the noise level from the power supply.
The user is offered the possibility to choose the interface of device control that is most convenient for a particular situation. High functionality is provided by both the remote control and buttons located on the front panel of the media streamer. Control from "apple" devices is also available through the n-Stream application. With this application it is possible to centrally control the system as part of the Naim ND5 XS The control application interface is simple and straightforward and can be installed and connected via the internal menu, which is displayed on the built-in display. Once connected to the network, all the folders and files required for playback are automatically found. Very convenient.
Sound.
Sound Naim ND5 XS not very detailed and transparent, but incredibly musical. the tonal balance is smooth enough, but with a few remarks, there is a slight accent on the upper middle. however, that's why the unit is very good at playing vocals. adele's voice, for example, in the test track skyfall sounded magical! the bass is not blurry, deep enough, well articulated. the stage is continuous, but limited by the limits of the speaker base. the space and air of the stage is transmitted at least as much as possible.
Astell&Kern AK500N
The cost of 800 thousand rubles
Information: http://astellnkern.ru/cat/AK500N
We've already published a review Astell&Kern AK500N at Soundex.ruThat's why we were very interested in playing this player in a much more expensive system that we built for the test.
Among all the media extremists that were provided to us for this blind test, Astell&Kern AK500N It had the most unusual and, consequently, the most recognizable body, made in the form of a cube with a large 7-inch touch screen display. However, because of its design, this player was the most viewed by visitors after auditions.
Recall that the player does not require a special power supply in the form of expensive power cables. It has a battery that automatically disconnects from external power during playback. In search of good sound audiophile ready to pay a fairly round sum for the power cable, which means in this case will be an excuse to save money. Battery is charged from a 12-volt adapter. With full charge the player can play for up to 7 hours in a row.
The AK500N is equipped with a CD drive and with the help of a special software it is possible to "rip" music to the built-in SSD, 1 Tb. The information on the disk is taken automatically from the Gracenote database. The playback results from the built-in disc can be studied in our previous test, this time we tested only network playback capabilities.
to connect to pc or nas, both wi-fi and lan can be used. ak500n is set up using the internal menu, which is displayed on the built-in touchscreen display. to use external network discs, a proprietary media server must be installed on the respective computers and the media content discs must be specified directly, after which the content becomes available both through the control applications and from the built-in display.
The device plays audio files up to 24bit/192kHz, as well as DSD64/128, and has two chips built into it, the Cirrus Logic CS2398 digital-to-analog converter, which proved itself well in Astell&Kern's AK240 portable player. This DAC works directly with the DSD64/128 format, so the player has the ability to enable up-sampling to the DSD. However, according to the test conditions, we didn't use any additional settings or "enhancements" to make the records play back naturally as they were recorded.
Like all the other devices in the test, the AK500N was connected to the preamplifier using ballast cables.
Sound.
Astell&Kern AK500N The instruments sound the way they were recorded on the disc, like the old The Ultimate Andrew Sisters "Bel Mir Bist Du Schon", which does not have deep bass and the sound of the trumpet is not annoying. All the rustles of the recording can be heard, the hissing that continues through the whole song, it seems that the listening room is transferred to the studio where the song was recorded. The detail of the device is high, in some places even excessive. This is probably the only device in our test that can somehow approach the detail.
The other song, "Caramel" by Suzanne Vega, is recorded with very deep bass. And the player... Astell&Kern AK500N The bass is not only deep, it's also well articulated. Depending on the music you're listening to, you can adjust the tonal balance with the built-in equalizer if necessary.
The scene is uninterrupted, and sometimes goes beyond the speaker base. The space and air in the scene is generally good, so in Sex Mob's "Black And Tan Fantasy" we can clearly hear the audience greeting far beyond the speakers. Good microdynamics, macrodynamics are even better. The sound of the double bass at the beginning of the song is whipped, with a good attack.
Horizontal focus and localization is at least good. The vertical plane is a little worse. Although the height of the instruments is quite guessing. Sound images are poorly attached to the speaker. Sound at low levels is at least good, the timbre of the instruments and voice is quite reliable.
Conclusions
Network streamers belong to this class of devices, the quality of which is determined not only by the hardware, but also by the software component. And the impression of excellent product performance can be spoilt by an unsuccessful driver or service program. Fortunately, this does not apply to our test subjects. Drivers of all devices, without exception, did not cause complaints. Everything was established, found, launched, flirted. With service programs, everything was a little more complicated. But not so much so that they could not be dealt with by a user from the average.
In general, any of these devices are worthy of an expensive system. There are players with more detailed sound - Astell&Kern AK500N и Wadia M330on the other hand Naim ND5 XS Even without such detail, it demonstrates incredible musicality - this player has its own special handwriting, so beloved by fans of this company. How well each player fits your system depends on its characteristics. With the soft, comfortable and relaxed sound of Kef Blade speakers, the hard sound of the players is hard. Trinnov Amethyst and Wadia turned out to be a good fit. An inexpensive player. Primare NP30 - plays it very smoothly and correctly. And, of course, you should pay attention to the correction system... Trinnov Amethyst - It can solve many acoustic problems in the listening room without costly repairs.
