RP Listener Forum - Radio Paradise

Posted: Dec 8, 2011 - 8:39am

I pickup RP from my soundbridge, which I feed into a Bel Canto DAC 2. Sounds very nice, and you can find one of these used for about $400 (I have an extra Bel Canto DAC 1 if anyone is interested). It doesnt have a USB input, but you can get a Musical Fidelity V Link, USB -> SPDIF converter for $100 on Amazon(price recently dropped from $170)...which I use to play files from my harddrive.

Posted: Dec 7, 2011 - 3:52pm

ChrisH wrote:

Naim Audio have updated the HDX Hard Disk Player so that it now plays internet radio. In the directory, Radio Paradise is listed as their number one favourite and stream at 320kbps. Coupled with Naim amplification and a Naim DAC played through Artcoustic speakers and a Velodyne sub woofer, RP sounds absolutely great.

i'll bet it does... i went the Arcam route but would love to hear RP through a Naim Uniti, sadly this was £1000 more than i had available at the time but looks like a lovely kit... where do find the 320kbps stream you mentioned,,, dis i miss something on the 'listen' page

Posted: Dec 7, 2011 - 3:48pm

MusicIsMotion wrote:

Glad someone brought this topic up. I need a DAC myself.

I recommend the Art of Sound forum for lots of lively discussion on all things hi-fi, they're a nice friendly bunch and like nothing better than to make recommendations if you tell them what you like and budget etc...

Posted: Dec 7, 2011 - 3:46pm

DaveInVA wrote:

The Twisted Pear Buffalo DAC I have and linked below uses a similar DAC the ESS Sabre32 Reference (ES9018) ...But its for people like me that want to DIY it a bit..

Hi, i love a bit of DIY espacially with audio stuff... what project did you do with this, are you a case modder or opamp roller?

Posted: Dec 7, 2011 - 3:42pm

Great to see what technology everyone is using... For me a good usb dac makes radio paradise sound so much sweeter... I was previously just using the heaphone out on my pc.

Current technology i am using is Beresford TC-7520, British design (probably made elsewhere but the engineer is quite the nicest guy to deal with, his DAC are v competitively priced) and seem to have rave reviews. People seem to like these because the opamps are easily replaceable and theres a whole community of modders out there taking them to high end audio levels of performance. I'll be happy to point you in the direction of the builder if you wanted more info.

I also use an Arcam Solo Neo/Rega RS3 for net radio and streaming from my home network... has quite a different sound to the Beresford, more laid back and warm, the other is very detailed and forward sounding.

I like the British stuff, hi-end audio seems to be the last thing we can do well really but I've also heard great things about Peachtree and the idac.

Posted: Dec 6, 2011 - 2:05pm

DaveInVA wrote:

The Twisted Pear Buffalo DAC I have and linked below uses a similar DAC the ESS Sabre32 Reference (ES9018) ...But its for people like me that want to DIY it a bit..

I have an ES9006 plus an ES9016 in my universal player, and an ES9006 in my two channel amp.

It's nice you have a DIY option that uses a Sabre DAC.

Posted: Dec 6, 2011 - 1:44pm

swell_sailor wrote:

I'm kinda partial to this one if you don't need loads of inputs. But I'll admit I'm kinda on the Peachtree bandwagon.

The Twisted Pear Buffalo DAC I have and linked below uses a similar DAC the ESS Sabre32 Reference (ES9018) ...But its for people like me that want to DIY it a bit..

Posted: Dec 6, 2011 - 1:38pm

MusicIsMotion wrote:

Glad someone brought this topic up. I need a DAC myself.

I'm kinda partial to this one if you don't need loads of inputs. But I'll admit I'm kinda on the Peachtree bandwagon.

Posted: Dec 6, 2011 - 12:00pm

Glad someone brought this topic up. I need a DAC myself.

Posted: Dec 6, 2011 - 11:49am

Naim Audio have updated the HDX Hard Disk Player so that it now plays internet radio. In the directory, Radio Paradise is listed as their number one favourite and stream at 320kbps. Coupled with Naim amplification and a Naim DAC played through Artcoustic speakers and a Velodyne sub woofer, RP sounds absolutely great.

Posted: Nov 24, 2011 - 7:57pm

p4rkrb01 wrote:

Anyone out there using some kind of DAC device for listening to Radio Paradise?

Reason I ask is that i just bought a cheap usb dac to take USB audio from my PC to my stereo amplifier and speaker (both 20 years old)

RP sounds better than ever... i dont want this to be some kind of product plug for the DAC I use but it is UK made and costs less than $200, worth the money i think....like a shot in the arm for my old system...

Any DAC users let me know what you are using and how well it works with your PCs. Laptops etc...

Right now I have spdif optical out of the puter (2003 Vaio) straight to the receiver so it is digital all the way through to the on board 24 bit DAC in the receiver. Its sweet.

Before I have used this unit. Its bi directional and is mostly used for ripping vinyl but it is also good for a ground loop free interface with buss power so no AC hum is introduced either.

Its rock solid, had it for 3 years and paid double its current price. About to get another one, just to have a spare.

Posted: Nov 24, 2011 - 4:42pm

Many external DAC's sound better just because they are out of the electrically noisey environment of the PC especially if it has its own non-switching power supply.
I use a E-MU 0404 USB on my MAC and was using an E-MU 1212M on the PC music server but now I am almost done building one of these:

Buffalo DAC

I have the older version II and am rebuilding it into a new case.

Posted: Nov 24, 2011 - 4:35pm

p4rkrb01 wrote:

Anyone out there using some kind of DAC device for listening to Radio Paradise?

Reason I ask is that i just bought a cheap usb dac to take USB audio from my PC to my stereo amplifier and speaker (both 20 years old)

RP sounds better than ever... i dont want this to be some kind of product plug for the DAC I use but it is UK made and costs less than $200, worth the money i think....like a shot in the arm for my old system...

Any DAC users let me know what you are using and how well it works with your PCs. Laptops etc...

Just for clarity, anyone listening to RP is using a DAC.

Most external DACs like you have do a better job than the internal DAC in a computer. Even an inexpensive external DAC will likrly improve the sound quality of digital music.

I have a nice internal Sabre DAC in my two channel amp. I have a higher resolution external DAC on the way once it becomes available after review.

Posted: Nov 24, 2011 - 4:24pm

Anyone out there using some kind of DAC device for listening to Radio Paradise?

Reason I ask is that i just bought a cheap usb dac to take USB audio from my PC to my stereo amplifier and speaker (both 20 years old)

RP sounds better than ever... i dont want this to be some kind of product plug for the DAC I use but it is UK made and costs less than $200, worth the money i think....like a shot in the arm for my old system...

Any DAC users let me know what you are using and how well it works with your PCs. Laptops etc...