Networked mini-system or active speakers to use with MinimServer

[winxi]

(29-11-2013 03:03)classical11 Wrote:  Hi all,

I am looking at buying a networked mini system or active speakers with UPnP support that I plan to use with MinimServer and BubbleUPnP. I was looking at the following:
- Onkyo GX-W100HV (networked active speakers)
- Onkyo CS-N755
- Pioneer X-HM71-K

Has anyone used them with MinimServer? Any suggestions for a mini system or networked active speakers in the same price range (~GBP300) that works well with MinimServer and BubbleUPnP?

Thanks for your help.

Hi,
a few months ago I was also looking for a network player in the mid-price range. I then orderd the Denon DNP-F109 and I'm quite satisfied with it. This device may not have exactly the form factor you are looking for, but Denon offers also ultra-compact systems like the Denon CEOL or the CEOL Piccolo. I found out that all systems in this price range have their pros and cons. In short, for my Denon DNP-F109 these are the following and it is very likely that the following points also apply for the CEOL/CEOL Piccolo:

- The only real issue is that it is not possible to seek FLAC or WAV files at the moment. This may be annoying when you listen to long single tracks like audio books. However, it is possible to seek MP3 files.

+ The Denon has great format support (high resolution FLAC and WAV).
+ As far as I know, the Denon network players are those of the very few (if not the only) mid-price range devices which have real gapless support for FLAC and WAV. This means that gapless also works when the Denon is controlled by BubbleUPnP for example. Most other devices which claim to have gapless support will do this only with their own crappy control points.
+ The overall performance is good and the sound quality is great (depends highly on the speakers in use, of course).
+ A nice feature is that the Device is also visible to control points like BubbleUPnP when being in standby mode. With this you can select a track to play in BubbleUPnP and the Denon will be automatically turned on.

Denon has announced a firmware update for their network players in december. If I'll find the time, I will write a more detailed review about my device and I hope that other users will do the same for their devices.
When you have chosen your player, I'll be very interested in your experiences.