Huge fan!
Really enjoy this community development idea!
Almost ordered the S3 out of pure excitement when I realised it only had optical out... bummer.
Then I learned that there might be a "lite" version coming, excited again. Current set-up is pretty hi-end, and with a WiiM pro+ as streamer (to be re-purposed)
My version of "lite" (wouldn't be called lite at all, "transport" would be better) would focus on SQ and connections. Price could be the same as S3, it is fine if this became the SQ focused product for us with external DAC. (Denafrips Ares II in my case). Also an opportunity to create yet another version with HDD, screen etc.
A prefect line-up (IMHO):
- S3 B Balanced, (current model)
- S3 T Transport, pure streamer with all the most SQ focused features and connections. (as would be my choice)
- S3 X Xperience, a model with screen, DAC, HDD and all the features for a full digital preamp experience
Assuming same streaming platform and support (Tidal connect, and occational UpNP NAS in my case)
- Ethernet & WiFi
- USB out (with good noise control)
- S/PDIF
- HDMI ARC would not be something I use, still I think it is a good function to have on such a product.
- AES/EBU & I2S would be bonus features, as would remote on/off triggers
- Simple, (metal) remote with play/pause/skip (could be your VOL20)
- Could very well live without room correction and other sound altering features.
- Internal, well built, PSU would stop me from fiddling with too many cables and adapters and upgraditis would stay low. (A PSU add-on in in a separate chassie would be another great product, dual output with selectable voltage?)
Bonus features (as long as SQ not affected):
- HDMI ARC would not be something I use, still I think it is a good function to have on such a product.
- AES/EBU & I2S
- Chromecast
- Remote on/off triggers
- USB in for e.g. a CD drive
Least wanted features and things I could live without:
- Display, would not buy it, deal-breaker! Would be to small to see anyway, and if on desktop I have monitors!
- Large plastic generic remote.
- Bluetooth, air-play and similar if it compromises the circuitry for SQ by introducing noise. (Very convenient, but not SQ focus)
Simplify where possible, focus where it matters!
I like a quote I learned a long tome ago....
You're not done when you can't add more, you're done when you can't take away more!
Cheers!
(and let me know when I can put my order in, I want serial number 1)
Really enjoy this community development idea!
Almost ordered the S3 out of pure excitement when I realised it only had optical out... bummer.
Then I learned that there might be a "lite" version coming, excited again. Current set-up is pretty hi-end, and with a WiiM pro+ as streamer (to be re-purposed)
My version of "lite" (wouldn't be called lite at all, "transport" would be better) would focus on SQ and connections. Price could be the same as S3, it is fine if this became the SQ focused product for us with external DAC. (Denafrips Ares II in my case). Also an opportunity to create yet another version with HDD, screen etc.
A prefect line-up (IMHO):
- S3 B Balanced, (current model)
- S3 T Transport, pure streamer with all the most SQ focused features and connections. (as would be my choice)
- S3 X Xperience, a model with screen, DAC, HDD and all the features for a full digital preamp experience
Assuming same streaming platform and support (Tidal connect, and occational UpNP NAS in my case)
- Ethernet & WiFi
- USB out (with good noise control)
- S/PDIF
- HDMI ARC would not be something I use, still I think it is a good function to have on such a product.
- AES/EBU & I2S would be bonus features, as would remote on/off triggers
- Simple, (metal) remote with play/pause/skip (could be your VOL20)
- Could very well live without room correction and other sound altering features.
- Internal, well built, PSU would stop me from fiddling with too many cables and adapters and upgraditis would stay low. (A PSU add-on in in a separate chassie would be another great product, dual output with selectable voltage?)
Bonus features (as long as SQ not affected):
- HDMI ARC would not be something I use, still I think it is a good function to have on such a product.
- AES/EBU & I2S
- Chromecast
- Remote on/off triggers
- USB in for e.g. a CD drive
Least wanted features and things I could live without:
- Display, would not buy it, deal-breaker! Would be to small to see anyway, and if on desktop I have monitors!
- Large plastic generic remote.
- Bluetooth, air-play and similar if it compromises the circuitry for SQ by introducing noise. (Very convenient, but not SQ focus)
Simplify where possible, focus where it matters!
I like a quote I learned a long tome ago....
You're not done when you can't add more, you're done when you can't take away more!
Cheers!
(and let me know when I can put my order in, I want serial number 1)
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