Streamers
Thanks to interweb magics, it's now possible to listen to just about any piece of audio ever recorded whenever you feel like it. How good it sounds though, is going to depend on your streamer. Streamers connect to the internet, pull your music across the world (or your network) and play it back on demand. Streamers not only need to sound good, but they've got to help make it easy for you to find that Whitney Houston track late on a Saturday night after your fourth gin and tonic. Don't worry, your secret is safe with us.
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Cyrus Classic STREAM
Cyrus has always produced musical streamers without a brittle harshness to the sound that often creeps in to this purely digital medium. They have a lyricalness akin to vinyl that is effortlessly listenable.
The new Cyrus streamers now use the BluOs software also used in the Bluesound gear. But they haven't deviated from the path of the essential Cyrus sound. Both of the new Cyrus streamers exude that classic Cyrus musicality...but now with a seamless, easy-to-use software interface!
This Streamer doesn't have the fancy high resolution screen or the lovely touch buttons of the Stream XR. It also has only the first generation QXR DAC and not the upgreaded 2nd generation DAC.
It is upgradeable with a PSX-R2 power supply but you won't be able to plug in the superior PSU XR into this unit.
Still what a precision unit that oozes musicality and musical definition.
Come and here it at Carlton Audio Visual today!
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Rotel S14 Streamer amplifier ... just add speakers ...
Rotel amplifiers have a number of absolute positives:
They are so well made, everything is done in house and they are built for the duty cycle of a Steinway but priced like an I Phone. These are not throwaway devices. Even forty plus year old Rotel amplifiers that people bring in to us for service are easily repaired.
The construction is robust and the facilities are always Hi Fi appropriate. Other brands come and go with fashionista frippery but Rotel feature like pre outs, good phono stages, high quality terminals, toroidal power supplies hand wound with a particular copper, all contribute to usability and musicality.
The S14 Streamer Amplifier is a just add speakers product and it is really simple and easy to set up. Where previous rotel ventures into internet products have been slightly cryptic this is just a plug and play distance from the music.
I paired with really inappropriate $20K plus Sonus faber Olympica Nova 3 loudspeakers to test it that are usually loaded with the likes of 1000watt Michi monoblocks and this thing just ... sailed through ...
What struck even on the first trial was that I was able to keep turning it up ... this slim box carries a lot of real drive and it is a testament to Rotel design that such a compact slightly innocuous chassis can turn the wick up so far on difficult speakers staying clean and focused.
There is that characteristic Rotel tonality where there is a forwardness to the upper mid that can benefit certain loudspeakers and put the singers in the room with you.
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Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier
The Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier is the new entry level integrated amp from Roksan.
The Attessa range has been built around a design ethos of simplicity and useabilty and that shines through particularly with this amplifier.
A built in streamer using the BluOs software first developed for BlueSound means this is a traditional amplifier with all the built in modern conveniences. You can even pair this unit up with BlueSound devices, or other BluOS compatible units, to create an easy multi-room audio system in your home.
A decent 130W into 4Ohms and it's ready to pair with a whole range of speakers.
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PS Audio Airlens Streamer
The Airlens streamer from PS Audio has arrived in the country!
This is a new product from American manufacturer, PS Audio. Previously their streamer was an optional add-on to their reference DAC. Now they have a dedicated box for a streamer.
'You've not yet heard how great streaming can sound until you experience audio through the Airlens'.
By making sure there is no physical connection between your (very noisy) computer, network and your dac the Airlens creates the ideal streaming conditions. Employing separate power supplies and complete isolation between the input and output stage of the Airlens device. The connection then between input and output on the Airlens happens 'through the air'. Thus creating the best in performance for your music streaming.
Read more about the ins and outs of the Airlens here at PS Audio's website.
On display now and ready to order at Carlton Audio Visual! Yippee :D
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Cyrus Stream-XR
This is the much anticipated Cyrus Stream XR - the high end streamer from the boutique British manufacturer.
Cyrus has always produced musical streamers without a brittle harshness to the sound that often creeps in to this purely digital medium. They have a lyricalness akin to vinyl that is effortlessly listenable.
The new Cyrus streamers, the Stream XR included, now use the BluOs software also used in the Bluesound gear. But they haven't deviated from the path of the essential Cyrus sound. Both of the new Cyrus streamers exude that classic Cyrus musicality...but now with a seamless, easy-to-use software interface!
You can now pair a Cyrus Streamer with a Bluesound all-in-one speaker for an easy to set up multi-room audio system. Win all round.
The Stream XR has the highly lauded QXR DAC onboard. A DAC that eeks out the finest details of music against an inky blackness devoid of background noise.
Expect a wider soundstage and musical emotionality.
This unit can also be paired with the Cyrus PSU-XR power supply which will make this great unit, an epic.
We love this upgradability. Being able to invest in a piece of high quality HiFi that will stay with you on the upgrade journey.
These units have already been extremely popular and we have pre sold a handful before they even arrived in Australia and we expect them to be one of our most popular high-end digital front ends.
Read more about the Stream XR at the Cyrus website here
On display now at Carlton Audio Visual.
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Leema Acoustics, Stream IV, Black, OPENED BOX
This unit was opened and played at the recent Melbourne HiFi show, then packed up and left in its box. It is in perfect condition and will be sold with its full warranty.
A streamer and high quality CD player combined into the one convenient box.
Leema has been a boutique, well respected HiFi brand from Wales for decades. The Stream IV combines the Quasar's streamer module with their superior CD mechanism for an ultra functional, premium streamer/cd combination.
Learn MoreRegular Price: $4,750.00
Special Price $3,999.00
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Creek Voyage CD Player ... uber digital replay machine.
Creek Audio Voyage CD Player can convert all your high-resolution digital data files into analogue, and play CDs on it's reliable Stream Unlimited CD80 slot-drive transport.
This EU manufactured piece of slick and thick alloy has a fabulous diversity of inputs and outputs ... it is a multifunction and multiply connective device for serious quality digital music.
Creek's own website on the Voyage CD Player
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Naim Uniti Core
The simplistic, elegant way to enter the streaming universe with Naim.
Pair this with a Naim streamer and then rip all of your CDs easily onto its hard drive. No fiddling around with software to rip them to a hifi level quaity, easy access onto network attached hard drives.
Once music is on the Uniti Core you can share it to multiple streaming devices around the home. Giving you a powerful real HiFi quality multi-room system.
This unit really opens the digital musical realm.
Naim products bought from us, a genuine approved Naim dealer, include the full 2 year warranty.
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Leema Acoustics, Stream IV, Cd player & Streamer
A streamer and high quality CD player combined into the one convenient box.
Leema has been a boutique, well respected HiFi brand from Wales for decades. The Stream IV combines the Quasar's streamer module with their superior CD mechanism for an ultra functional, premium streamer/cd combination.
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Auralic Aries G1.1
The previous Aries G1 has been superb but relatively Auralic has released a new model with some significant upgrades including a high mass base and it now supports Airplay 2.
The new high mass plate not only looks great but increases sonic performance as well.
Reviewers have been very positive with the upgrades for the new version as well. Jason from The Ear says when compared to its predecessor:
"what surprised [him] given that they aren’t that different under the skin was that the G1.1 sounded so much better. It has finer detail, is fuller and richer and even excels when it comes to melody, painting a much more complete picture of the music.”
Read the full article here
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Marantz SACD30N ... the Model 30 CD player and streamer
This is something of a reincarnation product but with rather cutting edge digital disc and streaming tech . . Made in Japan with love. Physically the SA30 is actually gorgeous, the photos don't do it justice, it really exudes a quality aesthetic presence. In combination with the matching amp it is a piece of Hi Fi art that will make people who know nothing about stereo want to go and fondle it inappropriately ...StereoNet on the Model 30 release
Marantz UK site for the SACD30 "Hi-Fi News" loves the Model 30 Learn More -
Yamaha RN2000A Streaming Receiver ... heavy cruiser stereo tuner amp
Have your cake and eat it with a Yamaha Receiver born again for the third decade of the 21st Century … the RN2000 is going to be very much in demand. In some ways this hearkens back to the Receiver wars of the seventies where the likes of Yamaha Marantz Sansui and Hitachi made increasingly higher powered and more heavily buttoned AM FM receivers that became the battleships of the marketplace. This RN2000 is more of a Heavy Cruiser than a Yamato class product though ...
Like the Heavy Cruisers of the Japanese Navy in the early forties, the RN2000 is outstandingly useful and versatile with a remarkable number of functions and high performance in a single chassis. Unlike the mad flagship battleships they proved to be tough and largely survived the awful depredations of the Pacific war until sunk as target practice in 1946.
This RN2000 is really nice though, actually a straightforward combination of the highly acclaimed AS1200 stereo amplifier with a high grade multifunction streaming engine and DAC. Come and listen to it through sweet natured loudspeakers. The FM section by the way is absolutely fantastic, hearkening back to the Yamaha T7 tuner of yore that is considered a reference for analogue broadcast quality.
"What Hi-Fi" on the Yamaha RN2000
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Aurender N150 Streamer and Caching Music Server
Aurender is the new kid at Carlton Audio Visual. The choice for digital streaming options in the realm of real HiFi has blossomed over the last couple of years and for the uninitiated the nuances and the differences between a good digital front end and an incredible digital front end get lost in a lot of computer terminology.
Like a caching server. What is caching? And whiy is it useful in a streamer?
Caching is a temporary storage of information using certain drive and memory chip hardware. Having this caching server on board the streamer means the music files are stored right there at the streamer once selected so data is handled at dramatically increased speeds. It also eliminates annoying drop out problems from sub optimal internet connections.
This all means a better musical experience.
And more than the caching server, the Aurenders examine all the detail within the circuitry and connections in their units to reduce or eliminate noisy electronic componentry corrupting the musical signal. This means quieter noise floor, more detail and soundstage...in essence...more Music, less noise!
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Auralic Aries G2.1 Wireless Streaming Transport
ARIES G2.1 manages every connection so you can explore your entire digital universe right
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from our Lightning DS control app and take advantage of features like On-Device Playlists,
Memory Caching, Gapless Playback and Bit-Perfect Multi-Room functionality. With a
supercharged hardware platform -
Naim Uniti Star
A killer all-in-one unit including amplifier, streamer and CD player. And this isn't just a thrown together assembly of various componentry. Each of its parts are in their own right, exceptional value and performance.
Naim products bought from us, a genuine approved Naim dealer, include the full 2 year warranty.
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Auralic Altair G2.1 Streaming DAC preamplifier
The Altair G2.1 is the unit in Auralic's range that does it all. A Preamplifier, DAC and Streamer with options to put in a 2TB hard drive and even a CD ripper.
The Preamplifier is also a full blown analogue preamplifier. Not only does it have the analogue line and Moving Magnet phono inputs, it also doesn't simply convert these into digital signals within the chassis. Rather they are kept completely separate from the digital circuitry. Also the volume control is an analogue design based on resistive ladder construction. A less noisy, cleaner choice than other designs out there. Such all-in-one units have tended to use cheaper less fullfilling preamplifier modules that I normally recommend customers to bypass. That's not the case here.
Also a superior power supply and thick copper shielded chassis with isolating feet mean that noise and vibrations are kept to an absolute minimum. Couple that with a pair of super accurate clocks reducing jitter and this is a unit that stands above others in its category.
Clean, effortless sound and a unit that ticks all the boxes.
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Aurender ACS10
Aurender has just recently joined our ever expanding group of digital streamers. Aurender has quickly established themselves as one of the very best digital front end offerings in the world. Found in 2011 by Harry Lee, Aurender is made in South Korea and has at its core a team of people passionate about producing the very best in streaming.
The ACS10 is a streamer, CD ripper, hard drive storage & caching server. A veritable do-it-all unit for your digital front end. When your source material is dealt with from start to finish in an audio sensitive manner avoiding laptops and computers that easily corrupt and infect your source with noise, the music is simply better.
See the official Aurender website here
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Auralic Sirius G2.1 Upsampling Processor
SIRIUS G2.1 operates on an open standard, upgrading both the processing power and the original performance envelope of their Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs).
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Auralic Vega G2.1 Streaming Dac
Every aspect of the VEGA G2.1’s engineering has been designed to push the boundaries of
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sonic performance, reshaping data into vibrant musical performance. From the addition of
integrated streaming to its unique casework, the VEGA G2.1 is transforming the idea of
what a DAC can be. -
Naim NSC 222 New Classic series streaming preamplifier
This is a unit that is ultimately a high-end Hi-Fi component but it's ease of use and multitude of functions put it into the upmarket lifestyle realm as well. 'Lifestyle' for me has become a bit of a cringeworthy term that has too often become associated with some compromise in audio quality for the sake of a better end user experience. To be honest though, we should be aiming for both and they are not mutually exclusive!
Naim embody that ease of use combined with incredible sound. Their streaming app works every time, they have on board DACs to simplify connections and the units are sleek, beautifully finished yet understated and classy.
And this combination takes things to the next level. Where the Uniti Nova lets you down on separation and power to drive a difficult set of speakers, this combination proffers that in spades.
We tried a couple of different sets of speakers with these three units and like them most with the Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage...but come in and try some combinations for yourself.
Naim products bought from us, a genuine approved Naim dealer, include the full 2 year warranty.
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