Media player recommendations , anyone

[krutsch]

(11-02-2016 17:40)n3mmr Wrote:  I'm looking to update my network players, and I think I'd like to replace my current three by a single one.

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I'd like the box to handle bit perfect passthru for any digital audio format from minimserver or USB sticks or network shares, HDMI out as well as spdif, while also managing any hd video format I might encounter.

High quality analog audio out would be nice, so I could take the player to my summer cottage to use with my old hifi gear

I recently did this:

1. Cubox-i4Pro ordered direct from Solid-Run.com - they ship internationally. Was about $139.00 US. This device has an optical S/PDIF out, as well as USB and HDMI. Selectable outputs via an embedded web browser (see Volumio below). Device has embedded Wi-Fi, which works, but I chose to add an Apple Airport Express ($100 US) as a wireless bridge for better signal strength.

2. Downloaded a free bootable application image from Volumio.org (donation ware, like MinimServer). Supports OpenHome uPnP/DLNA and works really well. Nothing to configure or understand - you image the included microSD card, insert into the Cubox and plug in the power. Seamless, gapless playback from MinimServer.

3. Added a Schiit Modi 2 Uber DAC ($149.00 US) to analog audio out. I also chose to add a Schiit Wyrd USB hub/repeater ($100.00 US).

Total cost: approx. 500.00 US. incl. the extras I chose to add.

I also added a USB thumb drive to experiment with playing music from it as a media server, as well as an iFi-Audio iPurifier 2 (again, to experiment), but you don't need these things. I would attach an a photo so you can see how small this setup is, but I can't seem to figure out how to upload a photo :-)