If you place all your music on a NAS drive connected to a wireless router it's possible to have terabytes of storage all accessible via handheld music server from your listening chair. Forget about remote control when you have direct access to the music server in your lap. I can already visualize many CA readers sitting on the sofa with their MacBook music server in hand connected only via TosLink cable to the Gefen Digital Audio Extender. I also attempted to use a USB to coaxial converter before entering the DAE's coax input, but could not get any audio to pass through the units. Note, I used a 50' Ethernet cable for the duration of the review period. During my listening sessions I connected the units via TosLink from my computer and via coax from the receiving unit to my DAC. One unadvertised benefit of the Gefen Digital Audio Extender is its ability to convert interfaces. As long as the music server can output 24/96 via a coax or optical interface the DAE will pass it along bit perfect.
The second best thing about the Gefen Digital Audio Extender is it supports high resolution 24/96 audio. This extender also supports 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS audio for the multi-channel fans in the audience.
I was able to play HDCD tracks and illuminate the HDCD indicator on my DAC. The best thing about the Gefen Digital Audio Extender is that it's bit perfect! The DAE does not change the audio signal one bit. They have surprisingly nice build quality with an all metal chassis and nice rubber feet on the bottom of each unit. The size of the DAE units is very small at 1.25"H x 1.5"W x 3.875"D. Both transmitter and receiver have optical TosLink, and coaxial digital interfaces. This is really nice because it keeps a noisy wallwart PSU far away from the audio components. The power supply connects to the transmitting unit. The DAE package consists of a transmitter, receiver, and power supply. This DAE (Digital Audio Extender) provides audiophiles much more flexibility than the traditional options. However, the Gefen Digital Audio Extender is really something to be excited about. It's not often that audiophiles get excited about a $150 digital audio product. Music Server > TosLink or coax cable > Gefen DAE transmitter > CAT-5e Ethernet cable > Gefen DAE receiver > TosLink or coax cable > DAC / AV Receiver. Here is a rudimentary diagram of how the Gefen Digital Audio Extender fits into an audio system. Bit perfect 24/96 audio at this 330 feet for $150 is very appealing. What's an audiophile to do? Pick up a Gefen Digital Audio Extender that sends digital audio up to 330 feet over a ubiquitous category 5e (CAT-5e) Ethernet cable. Upgrading to the Transporter for $2000 gets you 24/96 capability but still leaves you with the less than stellar Squeeze Center interface. The Squeezebox is also limited to 16/44.1 and requires use of the Logitech Squeeze Center software. The wireless Airport Express requires conversion of all files to Apple Lossless on the fly, outputs everything at 16 bit 44.1 kHz, and requires iTunes. Mini optical cables required by MacBooks are rarely longer than six feet. USB cables are limited in length to little more than sixteen feet. Unfortunately the current popular options have show-stopping limitations for many of us. Over the last year Computer Audiophile readers have expressed great interest in moving their music servers out of sight and earshot.
0 kommentar(er)
