Ten years ago, everyone said that digital broadcasting was the trend of the future, but if you say it ten years later, it is a bit inappropriate. In fact, digital broadcasting, represented by streaming media, has reached the level of competing with CD players, and young audio users prefer digital broadcasting, and some middle-aged and elderly audiophiles do not reject this kind of audio source. In this issue of the magazine, we bring a brief review of 9 digital music players focusing on streaming media, which cover entry-level, junior and mid-to-high-end products for readers' reference.
Beginner vs. Intermediate
ATOLL
ST200 Signature
Product agent: Changye Audio Retail price: ¥16,800 / set
Main features ■ Streaming media ■ U disk and hard disk playback ■ Roon support ■ Digital output ■ Bluetooth music reception
■ branding
ATOLL was founded in September 1997 by brothers Stephane DUBREUIL and Emmanuel DUBREUIL. Since its establishment, ATOLL has been committed to designing "affordable Hi-Fi products". Its main cost priority is on sound performance, it is a rare cost-effective product in the French audio brand, the price and excellent sound quality performance are more competitive in the same file, you will definitely be able to find a suitable Atoll product in a limited budget, 100% made in France is not exactly expensive!
ST200 Signature ■ 解码芯片：Burr-Brown PCM1792 ■ 电源功率：30+10VA ■ 总电容量：27000μF ■ 输出级：2组由全分立元件组成的无负反馈线路 ■ 动态范围：129dB ■ 输出阻抗：22Ω ■ 最大输入电平：2.6V ■ 上升时间：1.5μs ■ 解码芯片：Burr-Brown PCM1792(24bit/192kHz) ■ 尺寸：440×95×284mm ■ 重量：6kg
■ Functions and features
ST200 Signature is an ATOLL mid-level digitalcast, positioned below ST300 and above MS120. It uses the well-known Burr-Brown PCM1792 decoder chip and supports 24bit/192kHz and DSD128 formats. The analog amplification section uses fully discrete components, is a Class A design with no negative feedback, and uses Clarity Cap supplement capacitors in the coupling section. Two custom-built high-quality low-noise transformers are used in the power supply section, one of which is a British MYRRA 30VA linear transformer for the audio circuit, and a Spanish brand HR DIEMEN EFITER 10VA linear transformer for the digital circuit, with a total filter capacitance of 27,000μF.
The ST200 Signature features a 5-inch TFT LED display (800x480) that can display function menus and playback information, including album art. Operationally, ATOLL offers free Apple and Androïd apps for the ST200 Signature, making it easy for users to operate on the mobile device.
ST200 Signature supports ROON and MQA, which can play files from music servers in the same LAN, as well as music files from portable hard disks and USB sticks via USB-A ports, as well as direct access to music platforms such as Deezer, Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz, Hi-Res, and of course, Internet radio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and amps.
ST200 Signature 支持音乐文件格式包括MQA、DSF、LPCM、FLAC、ALAC、AIFF、WMA、OGG、WAV、AAC、MP3。 网线接口、WIFI、蓝牙等功能齐备，灵活性十足。
■ Reviews
ATOLL ST200 Signature digital broadcast is original from France, its sound is neutral, clear, transparent, balanced and atmospheric, impartial, and the price is not high, but it can already allow you to fully appreciate the high-format music files that significantly surpass the resolution of CDs, transparency, delicacy and many other highlights, bringing a completely different higher level of music enjoyment. Judging from the price of 16,800 yuan and the sound performance, the attractiveness of the ATOLL ST200 Signature is obvious.
Audiolab
9000N
Brand: IAG Xiange International Video and Audio Retail price: ¥21,000 / set
Main features ■ Streaming media playback, U disk playback ■ USB decoding ■ Roon support ■ Digital output
■ branding
audiolab was founded in 1983 by two British students, Philip Swift and Derek Scotland, who shared similar skills and hobbies. Its first product was the 8000A integrated amplifier, which has been praised in the audio industry for many years, and the subsequent 8000C preamp and 8000P postamp are also very classic. Audiolab has been involved in the field of digital playback for a long time, and has launched a number of digital players for streaming media.
9000N ■ 采样频率：PCM: 44.1kHz-768kHz (705.6kHz / 768kHz 支持App固定) ■ DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512 (Native模式) ■ 频率响应：±0.5dB (20Hz - 20kHz, ref.1kHz) ■ 总谐波失真 ：<0.001% (1kHz @ 2.05Vrms) ■ 最高采样频率：768kHz / 32bit ■ 信噪比（A加权）：>116dB(RCA), >120dB(XLR) ■ 净重：6.2kg ■ 尺寸 ：444 x 89 x 333 mm ■ 颜色：黑色/银色
■ Functions and features
The 9000N uses ARM quad-core Cortex-A53 MCU microcontroller, with a single-core frequency of 1.8GHz and powerful computing performance. The high performance ensures that the 9000N has a smooth and smooth user experience, such as function switching, menu browsing, decoding and playback, and network matching record covers and other small functions, so that users will not feel the troubles caused by delay and stuttering.
The 9000N uses a specially customized playback system with powerful playback functions and a mature interface design. Its exclusive app has built-in Internet radio, Spotify, TIDAL and other streaming services, or read music files shared by the network through UPnP.
In terms of decoding, Audiolab uses ESS's top-of-the-line ES9038Pro, which is a 32-bit eight-channel decoding chip that is used in many high-end audio. Audiolab developed a new circuit for the decoder chip and leveraged ES9038Pro's own HyperStream II architecture and time-based jitter cancellation technology to achieve ultra-high dynamic range and ultra-low distortion. The 9000N supports full decoding of MQA hardware, supports complete "three-layer expansion" of files, and can fully restore MQA's high-definition sound quality. The 9000N also supports Roon Ready, so you can use Roon software for a great listening experience.
The 9000N is equipped with XLR and RCA outputs, as well as optical/coaxial digital outputs, with the option of "MQA Pass-through" to connect to devices with powerful decoding performance (such as the 9000A) and transmit unprocessed MQA signals via digital outputs for additional connectivity. In addition to receiving music through the network, the 9000N is also equipped with a PC-USB interface and a USB Type A interface, which can be connected to a computer for decoding and USB flash drive/mobile hard disk to obtain more flexible source options.
■ Reviews
The audiolab 9000N uses a high-performance processor and decoder chip to ensure smooth operation and high-quality decoding performance. In addition to supporting various online streaming services, Internet radio stations, and music servers, the exclusive playback software also supports USB decoding, U disk playback and other functions to ensure that users have enough music resources to enjoy. And the most fundamental, of course, is the 9000N excellent sound quality, the neutral and transparent, detailed sound, and various styles of audio equipment are versatile, and there is also a strong competitiveness in the same price source. Its design is simple and beautiful, and it is an excellent streaming media player with both interior and exterior.
Naim Audio 名
ND5 XS 2
Product agent: Yufeng Audio Retail price: ¥35,500 / set
Main features ■ Streaming media ■ Support music playback from U disk and mobile hard disk ■ Digital input ■ Support Roon ■ Digital output ■ Bluetooth music reception
■ Branding
Founded in 1973 by Julian Vereker and Shirley Clarke, Naim Audio is one of the UK's oldest audio brands.
ND5 XS 2 ■ 全面支援 UPnP 高清串流，Google Chromecast、Roon Ready、TIDAL、Spotify Connect、苹果 AirPlay 2、蓝牙AptX HD、vTuner 5 网络电台广播及Multiroom多房间串流功能 ■ 格式支援：DSF128 / DFF128 / WAV / WMA / M4a / FLAC / Apple Lossless / AIFF / AAC/ OGG Vorbis / MP3 ■ 可加配 XP5 XS，XPS DR，555 PS DR 供电器，提升音效 ■ 数码输入：BNC S/PDIF (支援DoP 64Fs), 同轴 S/PDIF (支援DoP 64Fs), 光纤 Toslink x 2, USB A型 x 2 ■ 数码输出：BNC S/PDIF
■ Functions and features
The relatively slim but well-made ND5 XS 2 is part of Naim Audio's entry-level streaming player, with a simple panel without a color display, allowing users to complete all operations and settings, as well as album art and related playback information, with the Naim app developed by Naim Audio's engineering team for iOS and Android platforms.
The D5 XS2 is an all-in-one player with innovative streaming technology, full support for UPnP HD streaming, Google Chromecast (up to 24bit/192kHz), Roon Ready, TIDAL, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth AptX HD, vTuner 5 Internet radio and multi-room streaming. It also has a digital input that can be used as a decoder, allowing players to connect to a variety of digital sources. Through the USB terminal, users can also directly play music files from USB flash drives and portable hard drives.
The ND5 XS 2 is equipped with the unique NP800 HD music streaming module that can receive 32bit/384kHz and DSD128 high-bit digital signals. Whenever the streaming mode is entered, the clock signal contained in the signal is pumped and locked by the master clock generation line connected to the decoder chip, which completely eliminates time base distortion. At the same time, the ND5 XS 2 will be the first Naim Audio next-generation streaming player to introduce the latest Low-Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) technology, which combines the advantages of high bit and low power consumption with further improved signal-to-noise ratio. Paired with the 4th generation 40-bit SHARC ADSP-21489 processor with 16x oversampling and digital filtering, the fidelity is further enhanced. In terms of decoding chips, the Naim Audio engineering team used Burr-Brown PCM1791A for the ND5 XS 2.
In terms of connectivity, the ND5 XS 2 provides Ethernet interface, coaxial BNC, coaxial RCA, 2 optical Toslink and ultra-high-speed dual-band Wi-Fi corresponding to 802.11b/g/n/ac specifications with built-in large-capacity buffer memory. The analog section also provides RCA and a 5-pin DIN output for the single-point grounding concept.
■ Reviews
Naim has been involved in the development of streaming music players for a long time, and has accumulated a wealth of experience, and has a mature set of solutions in design and production. The ND5 XS 2 does not have a display, but it does take a leap forward in functionality compared to its critically acclaimed predecessor, with the NP800 HD Music Streaming Module, a high-speed processor, and Naim Audio's unique sound calibration techniques to create an extraordinary experience with momentum and sophistication, making it an excellent sound source for mid-to-high-end audio systems.