More On Simple Audio

The Simple Audio web site is now up and running with some product details.

It looks like a good solution - streamer / DAC devices and streamer / DAC / integrated amplifier options.

However, the site is a bit light on where your music is going to be stored - it doesn't mention NAS nor PC hard drives.  It does seem to need software to be running on a PC in the system at all times.  If this can be installed on a NAS to avoid running a PC constantly, that would be good.  If not, the need to run a PC (or Mac) isn't really a good option.

Here's the opening quote on their web site:
Simple Audio Roomplayers are the first affordable sound systems to combine HD sound and Powerline Communications technology. Now you can listen to all your digital music at the highest resolution.

 Given that I've been listening to 24 bit hi-res audio in multiple rooms when required (and with different music in each room when that's required) over powerline Ethernet for about 10-11 months now, using Squeezebox Touches and just a NAS (no PC constantly powered up), I think this is perhaps a little unfair on others in the industry.  I do think, however, that if Simple Audio are delivering the end to end solution that can be up and running in an hour or so by a customer, or in minutes if installed by a dealer, then that will simplify this technology for many customers who just don't want to or are not able to get their heads around what's required - then this can only be a good thing for the industry.

 Good luck Simple Audio, your approach and your profile in the industry I can see only being good for quality streamed music going mainstream.

More Great News

The high def bandwagon is gathering speed.  HDTRACKS.COM have signed up Deutsche Gramophon.  Not only gathering speed, but this is one of the most respected labels for recording quality and is clearly a big tick of approval for high def downloading.

Watch out for an avalanche of von Karajan coming to Naim and Linn streaming devices everywhere!

Temporary Main System

We're in the middle of re-decorating our lounge and have hit some supply issues which means a few weeks with no progress.

Given that the main Linn / Meridian / Cyrus / Linn Aktiv Keilidhs system is all dismantled and take about 3-4 hours to carefully re-commission, this gave me a bit a problem with no music in this room.

So a bit of lateral thinking and I'm now listening to my Squeezebox Touch through an hastily unboxed 8 Power and into a pair of Mission 771e speakers that were in their box in the garage.  With some Linn K20 and a pair of Chord Calypsos stringing it together I was back in action in 20 minutes.

Marvellous.  Sounding pretty good too. (Click images to enlarge)

Akurate Is The Way Forward

And so the Linn is gone. To be replaced by a Linn.

Some may have noticed that Linn have just brought out a new Akurate and Klimax DS pairing.  This means that the price of the original Akurate second hand has dropped considerably.

Which means, by selling the Cyrus DAC-X and adding the cash from the sale of the Sondek, I now have a loverly black Akurate DS with the later Dynamik power supply sitting in the system and it's absolute bliss.

When its been around a few weeks I write something about the sound, the control experience etc. etc.