![]() Sound is pretty damn good depending on source. Upgrade to MyVolumio Virtuoso, set up Qobuz, and go HiRez streaming to my MODI 2 Uber DAC. Based around Volumio running on a PI Zero board and ready to run headless on WiFi.īottom line, it works. No analog output which I did not want anyway. However, I was ready to accept this limit and getting close to purchase.but then I saw this:ĭesigned to stack with my small format Schiit gear. I was aware of the limits of the unit, Hi-Res digital output is resampled to CD quality resolution of 16 bit/ 44.1kHz. Recently I saw reviews of the Andover Audio Songbird streamer for circa $130. I am aware of Raspberry PI based streamer rigs from Allo and others but by the time you get it in a case and powered it's breathing hard on $225+ again. I’ve got my head under the hood of my car, changing radiator hoses, and I’m streaming my favorite tunes (in this case about 4 hours of XTC, spanning the entire catalog) on my old Marantz 2220B receiver on top of my tool box.Knowing a bit about computers (was my job) and I was surprised by the cost of a passible Streamer. I’m in my happy place, thanks to the Andover Audio Songbird hi-res streamer. If you happen to own the Andover Model-One music system for your house, you’ve probably realized the only thing missing is a way to stream digital music to it. Now, with the release of the Songbird streamer, you can – and it’s outstanding. And, it’s only $129.ĭigital purists will snipe that the Songbird only has 24/192 maximum resolution, and complain about all the stuff it doesn’t have. As the Blues Brothers once said, “What do you want, Rubber Biscuit?” Seriously, think of all the exciting audio products you can buy for $129. Not a lot, eh? What the Andover Songbird does is sound great, and plug in to just about any device you might have, with zero fuss. ![]() Thanks to an optical input, and an Ethernet port, you can use the Songbird as a straight up DAC, Ethernet renderer, or a streamer via Bluetooth or WiFi. While it is not a Roon endpoint (yet) you can work around this by using it as an AirPlay device, if you just want the sheer functionality that your Roon infrastructure offers. This proves the way to rock in my garage system. Elbows deep in an engine rebuild isn’t exactly the sweet spot anyway. The obvious hookup for the Songbird is to attach it to the Andover Model-One in the living room, now under review. ![]() The match is perfect, and for anyone with a Model-One, aching for digital/streaming playback, this is the way to roll. Thanks to the Songbird being about the size of a 2000 grit 3M sanding block, it fits anywhere. Power it up, locate it on your network, and go. It shouldn’t take you more than about 60 seconds to be playing music. Using the Songbird with a couple of budget integrated amplifiers, and a few powered speakers lacking internal DACs, all provide excellent results. Easily access and stream all of your favorite services including Spotify Qobuz TIDAL and iHeartRadio Internet radio over your Wi-Fi network with the free Songbird Control app. It’s amazing that digital can sound this good for $129. The Songbird Hi-Res Streamer delivers high-resolution (up to 24 bit / 96 kHz) internet streaming audio to any system new or old in a simple compact box. Getting all audiophile-y for a few minutes, I did a quick head to head comparison between some 16/44 files streamed through the Songbird and the vintage SONY ES disc player I used to have in the garage. Keep in mind that years ago, this was a $1,000 dollar (maybe a little more expensive) player.Įspecially with the cymbals on Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild,” the Songbird offers a distinct advantage in its lack of high frequency graininess that’s there in spades with the Sony player. ![]()
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