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If this is a audiophile-quality device that seamlessly supports streaming from almost any device, then it could be worth the $300 price tag. Right now the only
by calinet6 14y ago
If this is a audiophile-quality device that seamlessly supports streaming from almost any device, then it could be worth the $300 price tag.
Right now the only real high-quality solution for remote streaming is Apple's AirPlay, and it has its limitations. The biggest problem is that it's locked down to Apple products and software; except for Airfoil, which improves matters greatly. But you still need an Airport express or AppleTV to stream to that you can hook up to your stereo.
But if we have an open lossless streaming/device API, then that's a great advancement. Hopefully they've thought that far ahead, hopefully it's open, and hopefully we can see other devices and platforms interoperable with it. We need an open media streaming API, and I truly hope that's what this is.
Also given that it's got an integrated class-D amp, and it appears the speakers (https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_q_triad_speakers https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_q_tri...) made by Triad should be excellent and (hopefully) efficient little monitors, though $300 is still a bit steep (Paradigm mini monitors at $199 would be a better set). The combination could sound quite good. If not that, then it has integrated optical out to throw into your own DAC or receiver.
I think there's an audiophile or two in Google and this is the product of that. Not a bad thing!
- Anechoic 14y agoRight now the only real high-quality solution for remote streaming is Apple's AirPlay, and it has its limitations. The biggest problem is that it's locked down to Apple products and software; except for Airfoil, which improves matters greatly. But you still need an Airport express or AppleTV to stream to that you can hook up to your stereo. Not true, there are a number of receivers that have integrated Airplay: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Airplay http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Air... http://usa.denon.com/us/Airplayus/index.html http://usa.denon.com/us/Airplayus/index.html http://usa.yamaha.com/products/technology/airplay/ http://usa.yamaha.com/products/technology/airplay/ http://www.intl.onkyo.com/promotion/airplay/index.html http://www.intl.onkyo.com/promotion/airplay/index.html etc
- davidradcliffe 14y agoThere's the Sonos system: http://www.sonos.com/ http://www.sonos.com/
- bherms 14y agoWhile the amplifier may be "audiophile-grade", 12.5W per channel is pretty weak.
- nl 14y agoMeh. If it really is audiophile then 12.5W isn't too bad. Something like the Marantz PM5004 is 35W/channel[1] and it is over $400 just for the amplifier [1]http://us.marantz.com/us/products/pages/productdetails.aspx?CatId=HiFiComponents&ProductId=PM5004 http://us.marantz.com/us/products/pages/productdetails.aspx?...
- calinet6 14y agoClass D amps are enormously efficient and have good clipping characteristics, so 12.5W is plenty for most speakers and rooms. Fun fact: 95% of your music stays within 1W of your amplifier's capability at comfortable listening levels.
- bherms 14y agoDid not know that... It's been a while since I've really read up on my electronics info. Right now I have the EMPTek E55Ti towers (50-200W recommended) and the Onkyo TX-NR818 (135W per channel).
- nl 14y agoRight now the only real high-quality solution for remote streaming is Apple's AirPlay, and it has its limitations. That's not true. I have a Onkyo NR509 which supports DLNA (and internet radio, and Spotify and various other services). Sonos also has their own proprietary streaming solution which gets pretty good reviews by those who like Hi-Fi audio, too.
- rektide 14y agoAirPlay offends my delicate palate with the odor of closed pricey unnecessarily locked down technology. Use UPnP or DLNA for your interoperable "high-quality" streaming needs please. DLNA MediaRenderer AV devices, aka televisions, have been pretty popular for a while. We're just seeing DLNA speakers showing up, now that AirPlay is on the scene. There is one missing DLNA capability I think Airfoil might have, which is whole house synced audio.