Sonos Port to Replace AIR ?

[Woodman]

Since Devialet has dropped the AIR support for Mac I have been reduced to streaming via Airplay and the quality is much worse. I dont know if Airplay 2 is achieving the 24 bit /48 khz quality into the Expert Pro or whether it defaults to 16bit /44.1 - has anyone been able to measure this or get info from Devialet? I am toying with getting a Sonos port - if you go through the Sonos app it is one of the few devices that Apple allows to stream directly from Apple Music outside Airplay 2. It is limited to streaming at 24bit/48Khz which is a step up but still a step down from the AIR software. If I use the digital out I am still getting the benefit of the Experts DAC. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
 While AirPlay 2 theoretically supports up to 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio, many setups still default to 16-bit/44.1 kHz,While AirPlay 2 theoretically supports up to 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio, many setups still default to 16-bit/44.1 kHz,While AirPlay 2 theoretically supports up to 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio, many setups still default to 16-bit/44.1 kHz,While AirPlay 2 theoretically supports up to 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio, many setups still default to 16-bit/44.1 kHz,

[Jean-Marie]

The expert pro ci does not support Airplay2 it only supports Airplay1.

I am myself sometimes using an AirPort Express connected via the optical input of the Devialet to get Airplay2. I am also using the Airplay1 of the Devialet directly. I can’t say that I’m hearing any difference between the two. The on difference for me is that Airplay2 allows multiple zones to be synchronized, therefore I’m using it when I want the same music to be played between the expert and my Mania in a seamless way.

[ada]

The main difference:
AirPlay 1 can stream lossless audio up to 16-bit/44.1 kHz (CD quality), while AirPlay 2 offers lossless audio up to 24-bit/48 kHz

I think at this point, we should stick with the USB or AES/EBU inputs of the Experts to stay alive. Basically the CI board became useless without even getting one single future benefit from the original promise.

I am also in market to look for a DDC/Streamer. I am seriously considering the Holo Red Streamer which could satisfy streamer role but also could play a jitter lowering approach for the DDC flow (Mac via USB to Holo via AES to Expert)

[David A]

[quote="ada" pid='111577' dateline='1744374871'

I think at this point, we should stick with the USB or AES/EBU inputs of the Experts to stay alive. Basically the CI board became useless without even getting one single future benefit from the original promise.

[/quote]

We did get one unpromised benefit, we got the Roon Ready option.

As for options for 'staying alive' when it comes to streaming, there is always ethernet. In fact ethernet is the only input I use and those of us like me with a 140 Pro or with a 210 Pro don't have the option of an AES/EBU input.

[Woodman]

My Devialet has sold. eBay and at a disappointing price. I don't regret buying it, it is a very good system and I have had some very good listening with it. However it was sold by Devialet and the dealer as future proof and pretty soon after I bought it, it appears it was abandoned. Of course systems moved on, but I didn't get a single update since I bought it and they abandoned the only native way getting high res wireless streamed music to it namely AIR. it worked well but they abandoned it leaving people who had paid 7k for a system to use compressed Airplay or to add the not inconsiderable outlay of a Roon Nucleus and Roon subscription. Customers at this level are very discerning and it's a poor response showing they gave customers little consideration. We haven't even got native Tidal or Quboz - how difficult would that have been? Their focus seemed to go to the phantoms which are great bass blasters but IMHO not HiFi or even close. It made me concerned that the configurator would go at some point and then you wouldn't be able to change outputs, inputs, SAM or even your wifi password. I just don't understand why companies like this don't realize that past customers are their easiest upgrade path. Why they think anyone will now upgrade to an Astra which is fundamentally the same product with tweaks at 2-3 times the cost I really have no idea. Perhaps I should have just got Roon and kept going but a move of house means I will rethink when I know what space and type of room I have. I did however manage to do a back to back last week with Linn's latest MaJik and 119's which are mighty impressive. Listening is totally subjective but I swapped the dev, atoms, the linns and a sugden around and was surprised by how good the Linn's were and they have the advantage of a company that will service and support every product they have ever made. The Expert system is great and if you have one and are happy to drink from the Roon fountain do please enjoy it for many years to come.

[thebiglebowski]

I didn't get a single update since I bought it and they abandoned the only native way getting high res wireless streamed music to it namely AIR.

I'm annoyed and disappointed Devialet didn't release the AIR code when they abandoned it. Allowing people to develop a UPnP to AIR bridge would have gone a long way to keeping owners happy.

I've bitten the bullet and use Roon installed on a Linux VM but it doesn't sound anywhere near as good as Audirvana via AIR

[arcam]

Since Devialet has dropped the AIR support for Mac I have been reduced to streaming via Airplay and the quality is much worse. I dont know if Airplay 2 is achieving the 24 bit /48 khz quality into the Expert Pro or whether it defaults to 16bit /44.1 - has anyone been able to measure this or get info from Devialet? I am toying with getting a Sonos port - if you go through the Sonos app it is one of the few devices that Apple allows to stream directly from Apple Music outside Airplay 2. It is limited to streaming at 24bit/48Khz which is a step up but still a step down from the AIR software. If I use the digital out I am still getting the benefit of the Experts DAC. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
 While AirPlay 2 theoretically supports up to 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio, many setups still default to 16-bit/44.1 kHz,While AirPlay 2 theoretically supports up to 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio, many setups still default to 16-bit/44.1 kHz,While AirPlay 2 theoretically supports up to 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio, many setups still default to 16-bit/44.1 kHz,While AirPlay 2 theoretically supports up to 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio, many setups still default to 16-bit/44.1 kHz,

I’m also streaming from Apple devices and have recently switched to Qobuz Connect from Roon and Audirvāna. I did a bit of research when when Qobuz Connect was announced and since I wanted to keep using the higher end DAC of the Devialet and had no need for a streamer with separate display, but could do everything from Qobuz.app, I searched for the cheapest box that would support Qobuz Connect from a reputable company that provided frequent firmware updates, had reliable Wi-Fi, Ethernet and Toslink. That’s how I came across the WiiM Pro which I’ve purchased immediately and have been enjoying ever since. And so has my family: no need to launch additional software or resume a Mac from standby or reboot the Devialet or fail to find an album via a less than perfect search feature via third party Qobuz integration!