DdDesign

Do you know if I use a car battery to power the sms will I be able to use a battery powered usb dac? I ask because thats the only dac I have and I want to power it from the usb input of the SMS-200.

I am curious as I am looking at buying the sms-200 but can't afford an upgraded power supply. How do you use a 12v car battery. Is their an adaptor with alligator clips?

@a.dent or can anyone tell me if the SMS-200 is compatible with a battery powered DAC. I have a IFi nano dac that has an internal battery that is charged via usb. I currently use this dac on my macbook and it stays charges when connected to the computer. I am wondering if this will be the case with the SMS-200? I'm guessing it will when the SMS-200 is plugged into power however if I upgrade to SOtM's optional battery power pack I'm not so sure? I probably would start with the basic wall wart power but look to upgrade the power supply later.

To feed my dac

Yeh, I appreciate what your saying. I guess whatever I choose the upgrade path will always tempt me.

Interesting thread. Sounds like a better power supply helps and there is a bit on conjecture about the best way to access files; NAS or Harddrive etc. In the end its going to be more $ than a used mac mini, but I guess even without tweaks the sound is better than a mac mini without tweaks.

Thanks Snoop, I had a quick look at the SOtM SMS-200 and it seems to tick all the boxes. From what I can see I don't need a NAS and I can just attach an external harddrive via USB input. It also can be controlled by my iPhone and via their Airplay app.

Simply put I'm looking for a budget server (under $500) with usb output that I can set up with my limited computer skills. I prefer a plug and play option. I am already in the mac ecosystem so I keep coming back to the Mac mini as an option I can get my head around. The reason I need usb out is because my Ifi dac only accepts usb and I really like its laid back sound signature. Allo bridge is attractive due to price but set up is not straight forward and I envision hours of frustration trying to work it out the set up.

Thanks Jventer. I did look at the Allo Usbbridge but it wasn't clear to me exactly what was included and how it works? Is it a complete server that I can just attach to a NAS? I understand I would need to physically assemble it but the part that I am not confident making the software work. Do need to get a program like Volumio or Moode? I read a lot of people having challenges setting these up.

Sounds like it's not ideal without cleaning things up with another device. I have been looking around for a music server with USB out but they aren't so common under my $500 budget. There is the Aurelic Aries mini but I believe that is now discontinued. Anyone know of other options besides going down the raspberry Pi route which scares me a bit because I'm pretty IT illiterate. I've always been an apple user so I keep coming back to a headless Mac mini as the best affordable option.

I found this: https://www.synology.com/en-global/dsm/feature/audio_station. Anyone used it or similar? Would there be any drawbacks to this over a music server or computer between the NAS and the dac?

Hi I'm looking for a bit of help. I want to get all my digital music off my computer and onto a NAS. I then want to send the file directly to my usb dac and then to the amp, but I don't want to use my computer to do this. Is it possible to get music off a NAS to a usb dac without opening up my computer? Can I use my i phone?

Is this still available?

Item: Cayin N3 Dap & accessories like mini sd card and cable adaptor to connect into a usb dac Price Range: $100 - $150 Item Condition: New or Used Extra Info: I was looking to purchase this new online, but I thought to check here first. I want to use this in my car and as music server in my stereo at at home. I believe you can control it from a phone and also acts as a digital transport into another dac. I would also be looking for the appropriate cable adaptor to run it into my usb dac (if thats possible?) and mini SD card if per chance you have them? I would consider other DAPs if they have the same functionality as this little baby! Thanks

I am considering getting this player. I want it for my car and also to play digital files through my usb dac in my home system. Do you know it know if it can output to a USB DAC and do I I need a particular cable?

Item: Pair of Black Steel Speaker Stands Location: Perth (Southern Suburbs) Price: $50 Item Condition: 8/10 Reason for selling: Gone to floor standing speakers Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: I bought these a couple of years ago here on Stereonet. They are a UK made stand. Very solid and heavy. Made from 5mm plate steel and coated in a quality matt black paint. Can be filled with sand or other material to increase weight. They have a slight backward angle in leg and predrilled spike holes. Height: 350mm Lower Base: 300x250mm Upper (speaker)base: 190x170mm Pictures:

Item: Pair of Black Steel Speaker Stands Location: Perth (Southern Suburbs) Price: $50 Item Condition: 8/10 Reason for selling: Gone to floor standing speakers Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: I bought these a couple of years ago here on Stereonet. They are a UK made stand. Very solid and heavy. Made from 5mm plate steel and coated in a quality matt black paint. Can be filled with sand or other material to increase weight. They have a slight backward angle in leg and predrilled spike holes. Height: 350mm Lower Base: 300x250mm Upper (speaker)base: 190x170mm Prefer a local sale Pictures:

Item: Project Carbon Debut with Om10 Cartridge Location: Perth (southern suburbs) Price: $250 Item Condition: 9/10 Reason for selling: Upgraded Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: This was my starter turntable and its been great. I've owned it for about 2yrs and I bought it from a fellow SNer who had it from new. It's a 2012 model. I would prefer a local buyer because I'm not keen on packaging it for interstate transport in case of damage. I'm happy to set it up for a listen if your interested. Pictures:

I grew up in the 70's and have fond memories of playing my old mans lp's through this amp. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No worries, I'll get in touch if there is no local interest

Item: Project Carbon Debut with Ortofon OM10 cart. Cork & felt mat Location: Perth (Fremantle) Price: $280 Item Condition: 8/10 Reason for selling: Upgraded Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: This was my first turntable and its served me well for the last few years. Its a good entry level table with lots of reviews on the net. Its all working wonderfully and the 8/10 condition is for minor scratches that you can only see if you look hard. I don't have the original box, so would prefer a local buyer. If there is no interest this week I can post at buyers expense. I am keeping the cork mat that's on it, but have another one (slightly thinner) that will suit. Pictures:

Thought I would re-ignite this topic to see if there are any new contenders on the scene for a sub $300 digital amp. Anyone have any experience of these amps of late?

Hi Can anyone suggest a cheap, small form factor amp? I was looking for something to drive some monitor speakers, to create a portable system. i.e. an alternative to a set of active monitors like the audioengene A5 or similar. I'll use it in my office and kitchen with computer or phone as a source I have been looking at the tripath option or an all digital amp. I quite like the all digital option because people suggest they are nice and clear with a dark background. Having said that I have a couple or USB Dacs that I could use with a tripath amp. I don't want anything too bright and I hear some of these small amps can be. I was hoping to spend around $200. Any thoughts or suggestions? Cheers Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Actually, I just checked the cable is 5m not longer Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've used a USB 2 cable longer than 5m and didn't notice any change to sound quality Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk