Standalone FLAC player to connect to HiFi

[GRC]

Has anyone looked at or bought a standalone FLAC player or similar to connect up to their HiFi system rather than playing back on PC?

I'm looking at other forums where there's mention of Squeezebox, Olive 4HD, and a variety of other high-end units. Found most of them at www.ripcaster.co.uk

Is anyone using anything like this?

[saltman]

I have an Acer Revo 3610 that connects to my stereo. It works very nice.

However, if I had it to do all over again I would build a faster shuttle box or similar micro-atx htpc. for just a little more money. It would give you more power for the video side of things.

Originally Posted by saltman

I have an Acer Revo 3610 that connects to my stereo. It works very nice..

only 16Bit or 24Bit sound output?

Logitech Squeezebox™ Touch
up to 24Bit/96kHz !!!

[Scott]

Many options here:

http://flac.sourceforge.net/links.html#hardware

[saltman]

Originally Posted by oxymoron

only 16Bit or 24Bit sound output?

24 bit via hdmi.

ar3700 is the new one with the ion2 chip in it. The initial benchmarks on other systems were lower than the normal ion I haven't looked up the ones in this model but it was supposed to be faster.

Originally Posted by saltman

24 bit via hdmi.

ar3700 is the new one with the ion2 chip in it. The initial benchmarks on other systems were lower than the normal ion I haven't looked up the ones in this model but it was supposed to be faster.

cool, much better as some of the standalone palyers, they have often a miserable menue. and a big fuck, after change from dvd to flac sound you must go into the menue
a pc is much better

[Miles Long]

I'll put a couple flac shows on my blackberry and hook it up to my stereo.

[GRC]

My definition of standalone FLAC player doesn't include laptops or desktop PCs......

The PC stays in the study, standalone pieces of HiFi kit go in the music room....

[saltman]

Originally Posted by GRC

My definition of standalone FLAC player doesn't include laptops or desktop PCs......

The PC stays in the study, standalone pieces of HiFi kit go in the music room....

If you are going to hook it up to the network, I don't understand you hesitation with computers. If burned discs, I don't understand at all.

[rspencer]

I actually plan to buy a desktop just for media. You can get one so cheap, why pay just as much for a dedicated stand-alone piece of hardware?

[Scott]

The key piece of equipment when using a computer to play music files over your system is a DAC. Computers just aren't made for music alone therefor the converters within the system suck. Spend the money and get a DAC. it will make the experience a bit better.

[sysoverload]

most newer HTPCs have a digital coaxial or fiber optic ouput, so you can go straight from your PC to your digital pre or digital receiver, and use their built in DACs. If you don't have a preamp or receiver with digital inputs, then an external DAC is the best way to go.

[Owy]

I just bought a Logitech Squeezebox Duet, for this very thing- getting fed up with so many cd-rs about the place.

I have to say that although it was a bit fiddly to set up, it works fantastically- and at the price is extremely good value. It's absolutely ideal for listening to downloads and tape and vinyl transfers via a NAS/external drive, when you want serious audio performance as opposed to naff PC audio reproduction.

I am now considering getting a Cambridge Audio DAC Magic to go with it, to upgrade the digi analogue converter performance.

I see the ease of use in the pc.
For high demand but you should work only with ASIO drivers.
an external sound card is of course better than a built-in (HF disorders).
my playersoft for flac/wav are cPlay
http://cicsmemoryplayer.com/index.php?n=CPlay.Features

with the new versions of some logitech´s you can also play 24Bit/96kHz very nice!