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Problem: Stand Alone Music File Player Availability
tjpearson
11-10-2014
Hello everyone,

I am astounded that very little is catered for by the big boys that allows for music file playback hardware.

What I am looking for is a separate Hi-Fi device that can be connected to my Amplifier to allow me to either use an on board hard drive or connect my own to store and play back my music collection.

As I'm sure many others have done as I have in copying CD's to file allowing to rid yourself of all the CD clutter. Everything is file format these days, I really can't remember the last time I played an actual CD.

I do not want MP3 format as I despise MP3 through it cutting so much out of the music track, I want something to playback FLAC or similar lossless format and listed to an album like I used to do with my vinyl. I'm not really interested in listening to shuffled tracks here and there, I can use my phone for that type of listening.

I want the ability to have something that displays a simple folder hierarchy where selecting a folder plays all the tracks held in that folder as an album or the ability to click into the folder and select individual tracks for playback if required.

I want unadulterated sound quality as well, or at least CD standard.

I keep finding media players that cater more for video streaming and TV linkage but as I already have my PC HD linked to TV using XBMC I totally want a music dedicated unit only.

I want more than just connecting my phone to the amp,I want permanent music storage and push of a button playback.

Through my research the only manufacturer that caters for my need is Sony, but the units are way, way overpriced. http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/au...ponents/hap-s1

Any advice would be very much appreciated !
chrisjr
11-10-2014
I've got one of these

http://www.cocktailaudio.co.uk/overview.shtml

Would seem to do everything you need. Richersounds do it for about 400 quid for the 1TB version. Or there is the newer X12 if you can find anyone selling it yet.

http://www.cocktailaudio.co.uk/x12.shtml

Both can rip CDs to WAV, FLAC or mp3 (I use WAV - like you I wouldn't touch mp3 with someone else's bargepole let alone my own ). They can go off on an interweb search to download cover art to go with the album. They use the Free DB database for the track listing which generally is pretty accurate. Though you sometimes need to do some editing.

They connect to an amp either digitally or analogue. Plus they have power amps built in so all you need is a pair of speakers for a complete audio system.

I also looked at alternatives like the Brennan JB7 and others that were way more expensive. Not really had any reason to regret buying the cocktailAudio unit.
tjpearson
11-10-2014
Thanks so much, pretty much exactly what I'm lookig for.

Looking at DAC as well cos they might do the trick with connected hard drive just need to find a way of how to select files to playback.

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