Digital
There are 10 types of people in this world, lets hope your the one that gets that joke. Digital is the default setting for our music collections these days, but our ears aren't digital. There's a range of products out there to help make the 1's and 0's into sweet, smooth, silky sound. From smart speakers to DACs to the humble CD player, theres plenty of sources for your music out there.
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Aurender N30SA Caching Music Server/Streamer
The N30SA is the top of the range in terms of digital source componentry. A dual chassis design separates the very sensitive audio outputs from the noisier CPU boards and power supplies making it incredibly quiet. The blackest black of noise floors presents detail, emotion and resolution in extraordinary quantities.
Like the N20, the N30SA has at the Coax output the oven baked crystal clock reducing jitter on the output but it also has the capability of adding a master clock to take this unit to new levels of realism.
Internal 8TB storage comes standard with this unit but it also has the option of adding another SSD or hardrive in the same manner as the other models of Aurender.
A sublime unit for people who require the best of a digital front end.
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Aurender A30 Flagship Streamer
The A30 is Aurender's flagship best of the best audio streamer, server, CD ripper and DAC. A jack of all trades and master of them ALL. This is the ultimate in what digital front end can do. Every inch of it is thought out and executed to perfection.
This unit is going to sit in our reference system with the Sonus Faber Aida 2.
Read more about the A30 here at HiFinews review
And another glowing review from Audiophile style here
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McIntosh 12000 series amplifier and CD Player ... 75 years of integrity ...
There is occasionally in this saturated market place a product that elicits a raw primeval desire to own and nurture.
Surround sound amplifiers come and go with their intemperate changes of HDMI protocols and surround formats.
The sheer conservatism of many excellent UK stereo products never penetrates the aesthetic sensibilities of many a potential music lover.
And then there is this McIntosh reference kit. Like a turbocharged Harley Davidson gate crashing Moto GP it is impossible to ignore, absolutely functional but outrageous design and audio quality.
An immediate object of desire after encounter and audition.
Come and try them
. McIintosh MA12000 Amplifier official site
McIntosh MCD12000 Cd Player official site
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Audio Research Reference CD9SE
Audio Research introduced its first Reference series CD player in 2005 with the Reference CD7, then evolving into the Reference CD8. Both players received critical acclaim for their accuracy and naturalness. People still want to play their CDs, but they also want to add other digital sources such as computer audio and streaming to their music systems, so we created the Reference CD9SE CD Player/DAC. It combines the best of both, a super high-resolution compact disc player with a super high-resolution digital-to-analog converter that is stunning in its musicality.
What Hi Fi? love it ...
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/audio-research-reference-cd9-se
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Aurender A20 Reference Music Server/Streamer/DAC
This is essentially the same unit as the A30 from Aurender minus the CD drive and the in built storage.
It is the option for people who want the best streamer but have a top notch CD player and CD collection already or those who simply aren't interested in CDs at all.
The build quality of this unit is second to none. Things like individual toroidal power supplies for each section of circuitry, complete dual mono design that separates the components of the left and right channel, a backup power supply incase power is cut inadvertently, the best materials for isolation and sound quality.
Special features are the FPGA clock to rnear eliminate the digital jitter, linear power supply with integrated UPS and user installable SSD or hardrives.
Aurender not only take care of the hardware, they also realise that the software for these units is critical for the audio quality as well as the user interface. They make sure their software sounds the part for such a high quality unit. Delivering the detail and responsiveness that the hardware does. So many digital source devices loose out simply because their software is of poor quality.
Small touches like fade in and out when changing tracks, an in-app help/service button and simply user interface are features that I love and you will too!
This unit eeks out all the detail and depth within the music. It's dynamic, 3 dimensional and exuberant. If your after coloured, sound-of-the-seventies type vibe, this isn't for you. If you're after the best, it is!
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Aurender N20 Caching Music Server/Streamer
Taking the Aurender experience to the next level. Detail, resolution, dynamics and music at your fingertips.
The eternal question in digital front ends at the moment seems to be Coax or USB out? Well the problem with Coax is that the signal gets 'jittery' that means the data stream doesn't stay consistent leading to inconcise sound and not a big, wide soundstage. But USB can get noisy and it's hard to get a clean signal through USB. The ideal is a Coax that has one of these clocks attached to it. These are baked crystal that essentially regulate the data stream making sure there is minimal to no jitter in the output.
But these fancy clocks aren't the easiest and most readily available components out there so they get put on into only the higher end units. This elevates the N20 into the next level of performance with a lower noise floor, precise imaging and a limitless soundstage.
Other features are the full sized, high resolution colour screen, internal isolation of componentry, easy-to-install SSD or hardrives, tailor made low current CPU board specific for producing the least amount of noise floor in an audio circuit and software that is user friendly but also designed to be the best sounding.
The very best of digital streaming.
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Chord Electronics DAVE
We saw this first at the Munich Hi Fi Show last May and have been greatly anticapating it's arrival. Chord have consistently broken new ground with their DAC technology and this is the top of the class in the world today. Amongst it's peers ithis is the smart and healthy sixth former who is going to get into Oxbridge without even revising, and who hopefully goes on and finds a cure for cancer. We expect great things of you DAVE.
Instead of traditional off-the-shelf solutions, Chord use an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) in its high-end DACS and their own software to do all the number crunching. And DAVE is no different. This newest arrival also features a high-grade filter with enhanced processing powers and full high-res audio support, including DSD and DXD files up to 768kHz. Outputs include XLR and standard RCA connectors, plus an advanced headphone output. Inputs include USB Type-B, two optical and four coaxial digital sockets.
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Audio Research DAC 9
The DAC9 digital-to-analog converter decodes most current formats with state-of-the-art vacuum tube technology. Five digital connections - USB, RCA, BNC, AES/EBU, and Toslink - provide connectivity to all of your digital sources. Quad DAC architecture provides a balanced digital signal, wide dynamic range, and decoding resolutions from red book CD up to 384 kHz and native DSD sampling rates. A pair of 6H30 vacuum tubes are the heart of the analog circuit. Both balanced and single-ended connectors are provided for output connectivity. Native-rate upsampling and selectable digital filters allow customization of the digital signal.
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Auralic Vega G3 Streaming DAC
The Auralic Vega G3 has had its insides redone. It has a new DAC, upgraded processing to the Tesla G3 chip and a new clock to control jitter meaning greatly reduced distortion and noise.
A couple of other lovely features: the ability to turn off the streaming module completely and simply use it as a high quality DAC, the use of DDR technology to record the signal onto the Tesla G3 chip instead of using the losy Phase Lock Loop circuitry and equiped with HDMI eARC for easy compatibility with AC systems.
The unit has the option of a substantial upgrade when ou add the Master Clock using the 'Lightning-Link'.
The Vega G3 has a relaxed mellow sound lacking the harsh abruptness of some digital frontends. It's uniquely listenable not lacking whatsoever in detail, imaging or precision. The utimate in a digital source.
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Auralic Aries G3
This is Auralic's ultimate in streaming transport technology. Transport here simply means there is no DAC. A pure streaming unit eeking out the very best in isolation and componentry.
The Auralic Aries G3 has new digital femto clocks on both of its digital outputs, it has FPGA based Proteus X1 processor and second generation galvanic isolation tech which separates noisy parts of the circuitry from sensitive parts.
What was already a great unit withtheir G2 version is now even better. It has a distinct listenability which is rare with highend digital front ends. A warmth and a depth to the sound which really draws you in.
Price with 4TB storage onboard $19,995
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Chord Blu Mk2 CD Transport ... worlds best CD and digital transport?
These units are not being manufactured anymore. I believe this is the last unit in a store, in Australia. It is a special CD transport and we've held onto it because we love playing it in demos. But like everything at Carlton Audio Visual, it is for sale. We're not going to advertise this unit cheaply because it's such a special and rare beast but come in and talk to us, we would take a reasonable offer.
Available for audition in-store, with the Chord DAVE. The Blu MkII is a compact, FPGA-based upsampling CD transport which offers the world’s most advanced filter technology. Used with DAVE, the combination delivers class-leading CD sound quality and technical performance. At the heart of the Blu MkII lies an enormously powerful Xilinx FPGA. Rob Watts’ (Chord’s Digital Design Consultant) has used this to create his exclusive WTA M-Scaler technology, which incorporates the most advanced filter of its kind in the world. The Xilinx FPGA has also enabled a key breakthrough in tap-length (the technical indicator of how complex the interpolation filter is) taking Blu MkII to an unprecedented 1,015,808 taps.
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Auralic Leo GX.1 Reference Master Clock (inc Premium Cable)
LEO GX.1 is a breakthrough in digital audio system clocking — the first master clock ever
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that can feed a DAC directly with a working signal so precise we had to use new
benchmarks to measure its performance. Wider staging, pinpoint locational accuracy, and
an expanded dynamic range are just some of the benefits you’ll hear when you implement
LEO GX.1’s one-of-a-kind approach to clocking that literally bypasses the traditional
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Aurender A15
Aureder A15 is a do-it-all box that is transparent and revealing in its sound. If you value accuracy and want a streamer with all the bells and whistles, this is the unit for you.
It has a DAC on board and can function as a preamplifier as well. But if you have an integrated amplifier or a dedicated preamplifier you can bypass the preamplifier function by selecting direct out.
This unit has 2 bays available for inserting your own hard drives. Aurender leaves the choice of hard drive up to you. For some people 4TB seems like a huge amount, for others, they'll want it pimped out with a 16TB.
Like any other Aurender, the A15 uses internal caching. This means when a track is selected it will be downloaded onto the internal SSD before it's played. Once it's in that temporary storage, you don't have to worry about buffering the track, it will play seamlessly. This system also makes things sound better by creating more isolation between input and output signal.
What we also love about Aurender units and the A15 is the internal tech support. If something's not working quite right or if you just have a question simply go to the link in the app and someone will sort it out for you. We've used this feature when we had an issue with the A30 playing MQA into the Audio Research app. Tech support in the States pushed through a bit of software that fixed it up instantly!
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Rega Isis CD player state of the art disc replay
This is the Rega reference class CD player and it is a thing of beauty. Moving away from a naming convention of heavenly bodies (and hence Roman deities) we have something distinctly more Egyptian in the Isis.
We are one of the very few dealers that keeps an Isis on demonstration in our store. We love it.
This is is a product manufactured to the highest achievable quality inside and out including Rega’s own unique CD technology and a custom solid anodised aluminium case weighing in at a notable 19 kg! We hope you enjoy this very special CD player; they have spent a very long time creating it, drawing on their many years of experience in specialist hi-fi manufacturing.
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PS Audio DirectStream Mk2
The newest iteration of PS Audio's DirectStream DAC is absolutely scintillating in its ability to recreate digital source material.
We have this unit sitting in the full PS Audio system with the BHK pre-amplifier, the 250 stereo power and the option of putting on the 300 mono blocks all feeding the PS Audio Aspen loudspeakers.
Dynamics, soundstage and depth are the key components that really set this unit apart.
We have had time now to play with the new Mt Massive software and as stated in all the hype, it really does make an enormous difference.
Have a read and a listen to what PS Audio have to say about the unit here
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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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Auralic Vega G2.2 Streaming DAC
A do-it-all unit from the digital powerhouse, Auralic.
Is it a DAC? Is it a Streamer? or a Preamplifier that can even integrate into your AV system with HDMI?....It's all of that.
The Vega G2.2 has internal springs acting as an isolator for better sound. Don't put another unit on top of this one as you will negate the effects of the springs!
It has a unique double chassis reducing interference and keeping things super quiet with no pesky external radio frequencies getting through the protective covering.
Included is also the galvanic isolation tech which separates noisy and sensitive parts of the internal circuitry from each other also keeping noise floor to an absolute minimum.
This unit really sings effortlessly. Like all Auralic's it has a warmth and depth to the sound which is hard to find in digital front ends. Not everyone will like that. But for those who do, they will love it!
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Aurender N200 Caching Music Server/Streamer
The Aurender N200 is a luxury digital source for any serious HiFi system. Its sound is clear and transparent with a lot of definition. It will not make any apologies though for a crappy recording. Those sub par recordings will come out sound just as they were made!
A couple of really cool features on this unit: The filter on the ethernet port goes to helping that clear, defined sound. There's so much noise that makes its way from Routers to our streamers. We can help this by getting a really good ethernet cable (...nordost make some great ones...) but a filter is a fantastic addition.
It comes with a Coax out. Although Aurender recommend using the USB out, the Coax is a good contingency as not everyone is fortunate enough to have a USB inputs.
The USB output has also been specially dealt with on the unit to ensure it is electronically and physically separate from the main boards of the N200 for an even cleaner sound.
The lovely 6.9" screen is a drawcard that is often only found on higher end units.
The last thing about this unit, and in fact all Aurenders, is you don't need to be a computer wizz to get around the software. It is so simple to use. It even has an in-app service helpline that puts you in contact with very knowledgeable people in the States. We used it, and they pushed through an update that solved our issue in minutes.
There are trays to add hard drives into the unit. It can store up to 16TB worth of songs...that's a ridiculous amount. These are simple to put in yourself at home, you just need a phillips head screwdriver. Unlike much of the competition which need to go in to technicians to insert the hard drives.
This unit does not include the fancy clocking devices that are found in its higher-end siblings but it still gets very close in sound quality to them. For many people it will represent the perfect balance of quality and value.
Overall a beautifully made and superb sounding unit.
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Aurender ACS10
Aurender has just recently joined our ever expanding group of digital streamers. Quickly establishing themselves as one of the very best digital front end offerings in the world, Aurender was Founded in 2011 by Harry Lee. Made in South Korea, it has at it's core a team of people passionate about producing the very best in music.
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, the music is simply better.
See the official Aurender website here
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PS Audio PerfectWave SACD Transport
This is the recently released version of PS Audio's CD Transport. And what sets this unit apart from anything that PS Audio has done before and also anything that's been done before by any other HiFi company, is their galvanically isolated output stage. That means that the data is being transfered from the input stage to the output stage via a type of very focused short wave radio frequencies. Any vestiges of interference that inevitably occur when these stages are hardwired, are completely eliminated.
Input and output stages have their very own board and power supply to keep them completely separated as well. FPGAs (Field-Programable Gate Array; if you'd like to learn more about these very handy devices see Paul McGowan's video here) is utilised to ensure clocking and data buffering are spot on.
The best way to use this unit and unleash its full potential is to use the I2S output or the HDMI out put to a DAC (like the PS Audio DirectStream) that can handle it. In this respect you can hear a complete Raw DSD file...and that truly is another experience. A DSD file is what makes an SACD an SACD. Instead of sampling at a determined fast rate (bit rate) the sine curve of the musical file, a DSD file samples the whole sine curve. These raw files are bigger and have to be compresesd to even push it out of a transport. But not with this unit and the I2S...full blown raw DSD files streaming into your speakers. Heaven.
Of course you can still use this unit without the I2S and it's still devastatingly good. A pair of BNC connectors will double a normal DSD output to make it DSD128 and this connection is particularly scintillating with a Chord Dave...
Read theaudiobeatnik review of the unit here (he uses the I2S connection with a non PS Audio Dac with superb results)
The PS Audio website has some extra reading on this unique product too
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