I need support about quality (Squeezebox vs Airplay)

Audio Gear Talk
1

So sorry If my question may be easy for some of you, but little support and help is needed here.

I have a third stereo equipment on the bedroom for easy listening at night, or in the morning

Until now this has been managed by a Squeezebox Classic connected to a very basic amplifier and a very nice two-way JMLab speakers.

Lucky me I won an auction for a Marant M-CR610 amplifier with integrated DAC, radio DAB & DAB+, CD player and LAN / WiFI connectivity.

As far as I understand is Roon capable.

At the very beginning I was considering to remove (to store for another project, to be honest) the Squeezebox player and use the Marantz for both, Roon player and amplifier. I was considering I can remove one item from the bookshelf

But, after reading a lot I have now some doubts:

  1. AirPlay will come with some compression. Would it be noticeable compared with the actual setup? Which is Squeezebox Classic processing the Roon music direct to the amplifier.

  2. As Marantz has an inside DAC I could send by S/PDIF the signal from Sq Classic for being processed and played by the Marantz amp. Does it worth it to keep the two item scenario I have nowadays?

I say S/PDIF and not Optical as I also understood will be more capable for higher bit rate like 24/192 but Optical will reach “only” until 24/96

I know for sure my ears can play some space on this question but I guess is also a valid question to place on the Forum, as maybe someone can suggest me any other possible setup I simply did not image or suppose nowadays.

And also I can win some time as Marantz it is on its way to me, not yet reached my home.

Thank you

2

Trust your ears, Luke

2 Likes
3

My ears may need some technical support, Obi Wan…

2 Likes
4

Not really

After 45 years of this nonsense/fun - it’s easy

If you prefer it, it’s good
If not, it’s not

You’ll hear loads of ■■■■■ on here about this and that…

2 Likes
6

I would use this connected to Roon by WIFI.

EDIT: If it’s Roon Ready or Roon Tested.

7

Keep in mind that your squeezebox classic can only do a maximum of 24/48 in any case.

8

Then I am mistaken.

I have understood it was 24/96 and with latest firmwares (or Sb version, not sure) may reach 24/192

As I have also understood Airplay “only” will provide 16 / 44,1

9

Looking at compatibility list does appear its big brother, the 612

610 is not appearing. It has the Airplay capability and I found this on Google from Marantz official website

10

You are thinking of the Squeezebox Touch. It will do 24/96 natively and with the EDO applet installed (a different thing than the latest firmware) it can do 24/192. The classic, SB3, radios and duet receiver all max out at 24/48.

1 Like
11

My mistake, then

Thanks

So (and sorry) is it equal or less (or more) than the resolution I will have if using the Airplay?

12

Not sure about airplay capability. Someone will know for sure.

13

According to the owner’s manual the M-CR610 can play FLAC and WAV up to 24/192. I don’t see any mention of Roon, but it does do Airplay so Roon might see it as an Airplay endpoint. I would get something like a Fiio SR11 or build a Raspberry Pi with Ropieee as a streamer to feed the Marantz’s digital input using the RAAT protocol. Then you would be sure to get full resolution. Both dirt cheap options.

3 Likes
14

Thank you for the detailed answer and the options provided.

I think I will test the Airplay capability and, as a first “contact” I will use the Squeezebox Classic for Roon with the optical connection to the Marantz.

After this something like the Fiio can be a great solution, switching the Classic with it.

15

Latest news

I found the Real McCoy on a second hand store and I have purchased a FiiO SR11 silver

…all this before receiving the Marant :rofl:

This is how I am, nothing to blame myself

Thank you to all for the information, suggestions and proposals received