BEST INTEGRATED DIGITAL AUDIO SOLUTIONS
Here are the best integrated digital audio/streaming playback solutions I have come across. This listing as yet is far from complete but will continuously be updated while I keep searching for better solutions.
Introduction
I've used a computer for music replay since the nineties and in the meantime, a lot of equipment has traveled through my listening room, some of it very sophisticated and/or very expensive, but until recently, none of the integrated, user friendly solutions have managed to outperform my PC solution. This is why I started my quest at perfecting the separate component system. There is a separate article for separates streaming components and computer based audio. While investigating these matters, I also run across integrated systems every now and then. Below are the best solutions I've thus far come across. Please note that I haven't heard all popular systems yet, so this listing, as well as its ranking, are incomplete and preliminary.
The review system is always the same Current setup and to put this all into perspective, also see This Reviewer's Preferences.
Naim Uniti - USB+UPnP+i-device streamer/CD player/FM+DAB tuner/50w stereo amplifier
Integrated Playback Solutions,
in order of best replay:
The best sound quality, using built-in dacs:
3000 euro
More neutral and sophisticated than UnitiQute.
USB+UPnP+i-device streamer/CD player/FM+DAB/stereo amplifier
note: external storage (NAS/USB drive) needed for streaming
1950 euro
USB+UPnP+i-device streamer/FM+DAB/stereo amplifier
Less refined, but more forgiving than Uniti.
note: external storage (NAS/USB drive) needed for streaming
2750 euro
Server with built in hard disk and DAC.
Benchmark-setting interface and a joy to operate.
Soundwise inoffensive, un-digital and natural, but lacking some drive and power.
2499 euro
UPnP streamer/hard disk based music server/CD-ripper/cd player
Quite lively but lags behind both Uniti and UnitiQute in refinement.
The best sound quality, using an external Mark Levinson no.360s DAC:
1950 euro
USB+UPnP+i-device streamer/FM+DAB tuner/30w stereo amplifier
More musical and fluid than the Olive
external storage (NAS/USB drive) needed for streaming
2750 euro
Fully-fledged server with built in hard disk and DAC.
More natural than the UnitiQute
Benchmark-setting interface and a joy to operate.
Soundwise smooth, un-digital and natural, if not very airy.
3. Olive 04HD (liveliest of all)
2499 euro
Streamer/hard disk based server/CD-ripper/cd player
Digital output is more dynamic and "impressive", but also more "digital" than the UnitiQute
How the search for audio nirvana led to the creation of this site
Info, Tips, Tricks and Insights
How to optimise your system
Streaming, USB, Firewire,
Computer Audio
Current and Classic CD players, Cables, Accessories and more
Jeff Rowland Info Database, Cool equipment, Classic CDP's
Next Gen Audio Reviews:
Next Gen Audio Info articles:
Christiaan Punter
My experience shows that old reference DA converters can still sound better than very affordable modern DACs. But the differences don't lie in the field of detail retrieval, slam or dynamics. More often it is the soundstage depth and width, the extra airyness, silkyness and smoothness, in short: the "analog" feel, that reference DACs can achieve without sacrificing fine detailing.