Wireless Music Servers: Lossless music quality vs. cd's

ergetz -- Thu, 04/05/2007 - 08:00

Let me turn the focus to assessing well-recorded music converted to lossless format vs the cd it was ripped from. Does anyone think we have arrived or are approaching an era of wireless servers connected to high end audio systems which rival or, dare I say, surpass the high-end cd player--in all or most or many or any of the attributes by which we measure high-end cd players? If so, what are the qualifyers? What would need to be in the system that might stand up best to its cd source? Any particular squeeze box, or squeeze box/DAC combination? Wireless vs. cabling? Please feel free to mention set-up requirements, or particular products: Sonos, Slim Device's Transformer or whatever? Background: I was just about to upgrade from my ECM-1UP to a player in the under $10,000 range (perhaps MBL or AMR or Audio Aero or Meridian) when a friend who imports/distributes high-end gear told me to consider the wireless alternative. He is a neighbor of Robert Harley in New Mexico who he says has been over to hear his A/B comparisons. Anecdotally, I am only three months into owning and playing 2700 songs in Apple Lossless on my 80 gig iPod, along side my ECM 1-UP; and I am favorably impressed. Recently I tried ripping a few cd's into WAV files and felt it may be even better than Apple Lossless. Comments? Suggestions? Randy

zsoussis -- Sat, 11/03/2007 - 06:39

The playing quality of an ipod through a high end system is not very good ,just acceptable for background listening.
I use a squeezbox via a benchmark Dac and the quality is far superior close to a high end player but again not realy there.
My current player is EMM SACD

DanRubin -- Tue, 09/09/2008 - 14:16

zsoussis wrote:The playing quality of an ipod through a high end system is not very good ,just acceptable for background listening.
I use a squeezbox via a benchmark Dac and the quality is far superior close to a high end player but again not realy there.
My current player is EMM SACD What keeps it from being "really there"? Many people seem to think it is there or even beyond, yet it remain unclear what the key or keys are to crossing that threshold.

ak (not verified) -- Wed, 12/10/2008 - 23:47

I am currently running an Apple TV with all files in Apple Lossless into a an Esoteric G25 reclocker upsampler then into the Esoteric D-03 DAC then into Mark Levinson pre-amp and amp into Martin Logan Summits. All cabling is Tranparent reference. The sound is great and far superior to my prior Esoteric DV 60. I decided to spend the money on the Reclocker/Upsampler and the DAC and let the source be a the hard drive based and inexpensive Apple TV.

Steven Stone -- Thu, 12/11/2008 - 09:54

Nice system (but you knew that).

The next step up would be purely ergonomic - try using a Sonos ZP90 in lieu of the Apple.

You will gain a better remote and the ability to use a coaxial digital input.

I have a review of the Sonos in the latest issue of TAS.

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

Anonymous (not verified) -- Wed, 12/31/2008 - 20:27

In my opinion no need to cash out for the Sonos system for the better remote (which is indeed great btw). if you use Mac (iMac, Mac Mini or any Mac laptop) iPod Touch can run Apple Remote application (you need wi-fi in your house) and voila! you have the coolest possible remote in your hands that can control iTunes on ANY Mac remotely.

Steven Stone -- Thu, 01/01/2009 - 12:07

Only recently did Sonos offer the iPod touch as a remote solution for their system. It's a wonderful way to save some money AND get a great remote. I only wish they had told me of their plans BEFORE my review went to press, but such is the dilema of long lead times...