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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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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Auralic Altair G1.1 Streaming DAC/Pre-amplifier
The very popular Altair G1 has transformed into the Altair G1.1. A lower noise floor than its predecessor meaning more music and more detail. It does this by adding a High-Mass base plate which is a feature that has filtered down from Auralic's higher end units.
It also has an improved Femto clock which gives the DAC extra precision.
The onboard headphone amplifier has undergone a revamp as well. Now even more powerful.
The Auralics have a very musical sound and suit a range of systems.
For the HDD installation Kit it is an extra $195
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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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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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Auralic Aries S1 Streaming Processor
This is the Entry level, half-sized pure Streamer by renowned manufacturers, Auralic. The Aries S1 doesn't have the bells and whistles of the Vega S1. No preamplifier, no Dac just a damn good streamer.
Lots of nice inputs and outputs to suit all needs though (except analogue, of course!). 2 opticals, 1 coax, USB inputs. And a USB dedicated to a Hard Drive. To note here as well there is an ethernet connection and that is the only way to connect it to the internet (needed for its functionality, of course!). There is no WiFi connectivity.
Outputs include AES, optical, coax and USB.
A very nice touch on this unit is the screen. Normally only found on much more expensive units, the screen is convenient and pretty! :)
The characteristic rich warm sound that is a little more 'analogue' sounding than a lot of other streamers on the market.
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Auralic Vega S1 Streaming DAC
Vega S1 Streaming DAC is the new half sized unit from Auralic. With a DAC and a preamplifier on board it offers a lot more versatility than its compatriot, the Aries S1. But it does compromise a little on sound quality.
The Aries sounds a bit cleaner with bit more spaciousness. Both are the same price, so if you can do without the preamp and dac, I would suggest you do!
Auralic hasn't skimped on the quality of the DAC on board though making this a very competitive all-in-one digital front end.
If you hanker for for a more separation and a lower noise floor down the track, the other very cool feature of this unit is the optional off board power supply. I love half sized units with upgradeable power supplies. Most of us only manage to build up our systems over time so an upgrade option for when there's a favourable tax return is always welcome...or maybe I'm simply forever optimistic...
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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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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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Denon DNP-2000NE
A single high quality box to handle all of the digital signals coming into your Hifi system.
With Denon's award winning and much loved digital backbone of the Ultra AL32 processing, you can rest assured that no corners are cut on your digital pathways.
Now with Heos built on board, it makes it very easy to use. It even has Apple Airplay 2 for those out there who are apple afficianados.
The utmost care has been taken to produce a unit that will present your digital music with the care they deserve.
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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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Auralic Altair G1 Streamer Trade-In
As you can see a perfect condition Auralic streamer that comes with boxes and accessories. A great unit that has a fantastically musical sound with detail as well.
A lot of handy functions like a built in DAC, preamplifier and ability to add a hard drive. What was a great value streamer has now become a bargain for a lucky someone.
To note, this model has now been superseded by the Auralic Altair G1.1
Learn MoreRegular Price: $4,995.00
Special Price $2,690.00
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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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Bluesound Vault 2i
Rip it. Download it. Store it. The VAULT 2i lets you rip all your CDs in bit-perfect, high-resolution formats or copy your existing music library to the VAULT 2i’s hard drive. Hook it up the to your existing sound system, or pair it with a set of powered speakers and stream your digital music collection in studio-quality.
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Musical Fidelity MX-STREAM
Super excited about this little product from Musical Fidelity. A small footprint but serious Streaming Transport.
Roon Ready, Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, TuneIn, Airplay, UPNP/DLNA, DSD and Bluetooth!
Be aware you will need a USB input on your DAC or integrated amplifier to pair with this unit. But pair it up with the MX-DAC and you'll be grand!
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Chord Electronics 2go
The Chord Electronics streamer that pairs perfectly and conveniently with a Hugo 2 so that it's portable and delectable just like the whole Chord range.
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Bluesound Node Icon, Audio Streamer
Bluesound have gone all out and designed the complete, no compromise streamer.
An Aluminium chassis and full 5" colour screen, balanced XLR outputs and true DSD playback. Bluesound are marketing this as the go-to unit for the audio obsessed.
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Advance Paris X-Stream 9, CD player and Streamer
This is a really nice combination in one unit. Touted as the only source you'll ever need. This unit combine a CD player, Tuner, Streamer and DAC.
Like all of the Advance Paris gear, it ticks the boxes for convenience and in-one-box simplification.
On display now at Carlton Audio Visual.
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Yamaha RN800A stereo receiver with streaming
This is part of a new wave of retro practical good sounding stereo receivers that are finding a place in homes as practical high fidelity devices. In a way they are a riposte to the exuberant age of surround sound amplifiers that have dissapointed purchasers by offering features over quality.
This new model RN800A ticks a lot of boxes with a decent phono input and a range of practical analogue and digital inputs, including that contemporary cherry being the HDMI EARC input. It is a very substantial device with classic Yamaha build quality and represents excellent value for money.
Yamaha RN800A official website
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