Cambridge Audio - Stream Magic 6 - Upsampling Nework Music Player

[Peter_Klim]

Thinking of getting this unit along with a NAS system.

What I most like about it over other digital file players:
Looks like a regular piece of stereo equipment in standard width.
Don't need to boot up a computer to play music right away.

It doesn't seem like there are that many other options for players that look like regular pieces of stereo equipment. I saw a Marantz player but it doesn't have gap-less play back. Another Cambridge, but its not a standard width unit (much smaller). And the other ones I've seen are double in price (this unit it $1K).


Should I be getting a cheepo laptop (netbook?) instead? What are the advantages with each?

Thanks!


http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=952

 

[amey01]

What I most like about it over other digital file players:

I don't have any experience with this player in particular.

However, what I will say is what I don't like about players such as this (from audio companies);

That is, they never have the same sort of software support, interface design, usability, scalability, flexibility, support for formats, etc.

That is, they do the "computer / tech" side of the equation very poorly.

For this reason, you're far better off with a specialised audio streaming device such as a Squeezebox or Sonos. Or even a Sooloos.

From there, you can take it to a DAC of your choice and you have the best of both worlds.

Bear in mind though that the Squeezebox line has an uncertain future and the Sonos doesn't do 24/96 (or higher). I wouldn't want to be in the market for a streamer just now, that's for sure. For the time being, I'm happy with my Squeezeboxen.

 

[Peter_Klim]

Thanks.

I've been looking at the Squeezbox for a couple of years now and just last week read that they are no longer in production.

I'm not concerned about the interface and usability as much as being future proof. Then only thing I am worried even about the future proof part is will newer NAS system be compatible. (In case my NAS breaks and I need to get a new one).

 

[amey01]

Thanks.


I'm not concerned about the interface and usability as much as being future proof. Then only thing I am worried even about the future proof part is will newer NAS system be compatible. (In case my NAS breaks and I need to get a new one).

Being future proof is important, yes.

But I also think you should be worried about interface. When you get 3,000++ CDs on there and are trying to navigate them with a crashing iOS or Android controller then you'll pull your hair out! Or worse, a dinky plastic remote and 2-line VFD display.

What about when you get a new Android 6.5? tablet and realise they haven't bothered to update the controller?

These sort of things are vital in my opinion? They are the sort of things that can only be delivered by an agile computer company, and to a lesser extent by a larger hi-fi operation such as Yamaha or Maranz rather than a pure hi-fi company.

 

[Peter_Klim]

Navigation - I'd be happy with sorting by: Artist>album>song title.
I don't own an Android or Tablet. Not really interested in getting one either. I don't have much hair to pull out either

If there were no Squeezbox and no Sonos, what would you suggest at $1K or less?

Thanks again!

 

[amey01]

If there were no Squeezbox and no Sonos, what would you suggest at $1K or less?

Wow - tough call. As I said - Iwouldn't like to be in the market for a streamer at the moment.

I'd probably get something from a large manufacturer like Marantz or Yamaha though.

That aside, I'd also consider the Apple TV after a little research (I haven't done any) on installing alternate firmware such as XBMC. The Apple software sucks - won't play FLAC and that's just the start of the woes...

And for the total geek in me, I could even "roll my own" solution with a Raspberry Pii and OpenElec......

Remember, these suggestions are made with the fact that you'll be buying a DAC also in mind.......

 

[Peter_Klim]

Thanks again.

I was looking at the Marantz before I starting posting, and it is $200 less. But it doesn't have gapless playpack.

What are you thoughts on a netbook and DAC combo? I'm worried about it heating up (being constantly on) and fan noise.

 

[amey01]

and fan noise.

Yeah - I'd be worried about that too. And HDD noise.

 

[Peter_Klim]

Squeezbox on Amazon is now going anwhere from $400-$600...

Mainly I'd want it to play back audio files from the CDs I'll be ripping. Do you see anywhere in the near future a new audio format coming out leaving the Cambridge outdated? Or even the Squeezbox? Could a firmware update allow the SB or CA to playback a newer format?

 

[amey01]

Do you see anywhere in the near future a new audio format coming out leaving the Cambridge outdated? Or even the Squeezbox? Could a firmware update allow the SB or CA to playback a newer format?

Honestly, who knows. To each his own.

But this is my take on it......

You're trying to fit a circle in a square. The Sonos/Squeezebox/Sooloos are designed music streamers. Their sole purpose is to get data stored on your computer and deliver it to your stereo. With a nice user interface.

That sort of solution is going to be miles ahead, --way ahead-- of either:

1. A computer trying to act as an audio device;
or
2. An audio device trying to act as a comptuer interface.

Of course, YMMV.

 

[Audioseduction]

My laptop I use as a dedicated music server is totaly silent. No heat issues either, cool to the touch. Now, laptops from the old days when they were over 2" thick would be a problem as they did get hot and were noisy.

 

[Peter_Klim]

Thanks. I think the laptop route is where i am leading towards to now.

I would only use it for audio. I already have a laptop from work that I use all the time, so i would use this new laptop strictly for audio. I was thinking of something inexpensive - around $400. I could just leave it in sleep mode so it won't heat up and then I could also use it pretty much right away without waiting for it to reboot. Don't need anything with a large hard drive since I'll be getting a NAS. And I'll get a seperat DAC too (Audiolab M-DAC most likely)

What are you suggestions for a laptop that's quiet and inexpensive?

 

[Audioseduction]

Here are a couple in the $400 range with the INTEL i5 CPU.

http://www.staples.com/Asus-K55A-BI5093B-156-Laptop/product_982655

http://www.staples.com/product-del_572643

 

[McMo]

Well, actually I don´t really understand the concerns about the Stream Magic as it is a dedicated streamer wich should work with any NAS (UPnP support...).
The user interface on the IPad is pretty good and also available for Android and as far as I know the integrated user interface also works comfortably. The integrated Wolfson DAC sounds great (my Cambridge 840 C uses the same)!
I had the notebook/ DAC solution and was always bothered by USB cables from my listening position to the rest of the equipment, empty laptopbatteries, booting and so on...

 

[Peter_Klim]

So I just ordered my Synology DiskStation DS213 NAS along with 2 WD RED 2TB Hard Drives.

I just have to decide on whether to get laptop and DAC or the Cambridge Network player. I was leaning towards the laptop, but then I realized I wouldn't have a remote control like I would with the network player.

 

[amey01]

I was leaning towards the laptop, but then I realized I wouldn't have a remote control like I would with the network player.

You possibly would - there are plenty of remote apps in the Android market (and assumably the Apple market too).

 

[McMo]

Jope, there´s an app called "remote" that works well with Itunes ans Windows Media Player.
Seems like you´d have to get yourself a smart phone ore an IPod Touch for example - an older one would do, their pretty cheap on the bay...
My Hifi dealer just bought an used IPod Touch 1st gen with 8GB for exactly the same reason.

 

[pvanosta]

I was in the same position as the OP and I bought the Cambridge Audio stream magic 6.

I could not be happier. I am running Twonky on my PC to manage my flac and wav files and streaming to the CA stream magic 6 via LAN. From there through my preamp and power amp to my ascent I s and I am a happy camper. 24/96 sounds glorious.

 

[Peter_Klim]

After going back and forth as to what to get, I decided to go with the Cambridge Magic 6 and an iPad 4 and downloaded a free magic 6 app. I was heavily considering the M-Dac, but my ears are not good enough to tell the difference. In addition to being a DAC with usb/optical/spdif inputs, it is also an internet radio music streamer with over 20000 radio stations programmed in. I also purchased a Synology NAS system to store all my music and other files onto, which is hooked up to the magic 6 and has an app too. System works perfectly for my needs.

Thanks everyone for your being a great source for ideas and for the great great suggestions!

 

[robmooij]

Allthough this is a slightly older post, I have a related setup in which I experience some problems.
I use a synology Diskstation 213 with a 3TB Western Digital Red harddisk. For streaming, I use a Cambridge Stream Magic 6 connected to a Onkyo TX-NR609.
The stream magic is a real piece of work, and streams 24 bits/96 kHz gapless (which is why I added it to my system). The onkyo has streaming audio support to, but not gapless, which is a pain. I looked at Sonos and squeezeboxes as well, but choose the cambridge for the high resolution audio support and the look.
Anyway: my problem. Sometimes during playing music, the playback stops, and the display on my Cambridge just says :end of qeue. When i try to reconnect, it reports that my library is empty. I think for some reason the Synology doesn't "see" the cambridge, and goes into sleep mode, because this only happens when nothing else is active on the diskstation.
Anyone has a similar experience?