MS750 Repair or Replacement Advice Needed

[Bigbucks5]

I hope you guys can enlighten me, 'cause I'm really confused about what to do.

As I posted on the recent MS300 thread, my MS750 appears to be kaput. Having a dead MS300 and now a dead MS750, I don't think going down that road again makes much sense. Also, I use my iPad and Chrome browser to control my 750 (seldom did I ever use the remote and monitor). If my MS was still working, could I use my iPad/browser, or has it been obsoleted by something about a lack of Flash support by Adobe? (I don't have the vaguest idea what that means, if true).

I really only want to be able to do the following things with whatever replaces the MS:
1) Decodes and plays FLAC files (that's all I use)
2) Sends the decoded data to my MDA1000 via coax (I only play through the MDA)
3) Allows me to use an iPad (and monitor?) to organize, view, and select which album or individual FLAC file I wish to play.
4) Plays FLAC files directly from an externally attached USB drive
5) Allows copying FLAC files from an externally attached USB drive to an internal drive.

I used to care that the streamer looked like all my other Mc gear, but now I don't care. I can always hide that part of the system behind my other gear (if it offends my sensibilities). I just want the simple functionality of the MS without the cost and headaches.

Would something like an MB1000 or MS500 or something else like an autonomics box, or any other piece of equipment do the trick?

Looking forward to your wise guidance on this topic.

Stevo

[Still-One]

What do you want to use to handle your files? If Roon meets your needs just add a Small Green Computer i5 and possibly a 2TB SSD and all your needs will be met. Less than $1400.

You could put the i5 behind your MS750 and no one would know you weren't all Mac.

[dkorbal]

Originally Posted by Still-One

What do you want to use to handle your files? If Roon meets your needs just add a Small Green Computer i5 and possibly a 2TB SSD and all your needs will be met. Less than $1400.

You could put the i5 behind your MS750 and no one would know you weren't all Mac.

+1

[Bigbucks5]

Originally Posted by Still-One

What do you want to use to handle your files? If Roon meets your needs just add a Small Green Computer i5 and possibly a 2TB SSD and all your needs will be met. Less than $1400.

You could put the i5 behind your MS750 and no one would know you weren't all Mac.

I'm sorry that I'm such a newbie with streaming. I don't even know what you mean by 'handle my files'. I ripped all my CDs to FLAC on my desktop PC. Then I transferred the FLAC files to my MS750 via the Web interface using a wired connection from my PC to my MS750.

Basically I just want to use mi iPad to search my MS replacement for my FLAC files on that replacement. And send the decoded file to my MDA. I want to be able rip CDs on my PC as before and upload them to the new device either by USB stick or wirelessly from my PC. I'd like to see cover art like on my MS, but that's not a deal breaker.

Is there a reason I wouldn't want an autonomics something or other if that's the core of an MB100 or MS500? At least they are cheap if they fail as compared to the equivalent Mc piece.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Bigbucks5

I'm sorry that I'm such a newbie with streaming. I don't even know what you mean by 'handle my files'. I ripped all my CDs to FLAC on my desktop PC. Then I transferred the FLAC files to my MS750 via the Web interface using a wired connection from my PC to my MS750.

Basically I just want to use mi iPad to search my MS replacement for my FLAC files on that replacement. And send the decoded file to my MDA. I want to be able rip CDs on my PC as before and upload them to the new device either by USB stick or wirelessly from my PC. I'd like to see cover art like on my MS, but that's not a deal breaker.

Is there a reason I wouldn't want an autonomics something or other if that's the core of an MB100 or MS500? At least they are cheap if they fail as compared to the equivalent Mc piece.

With the MS750 it's software was handling the files by offering you what was available, providing cover art, and playing what you selected. Similar to what iTunes does on a computer.

Roon is one alternative. As I suggested its available on the Small Green Computer i5 or other devices including many laptops etc. Once you start Roon you tell it where your files are located and it will organize them and provide much more capability than the MS750. You then can use your iPad, iPhone, laptop etc to select what you want to play, create playlists, and find music similar to what you have been playing and offer those tracks.

It really works well if you pay for ether Tidal or Qobuz streaming services as it combines your FLAC files with those files you have selected to tag from those services and shows them all to you on one screen. It sounds much more daunting than it is. Here is a short Youtube Video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOz8G-y79Rc

[Bigbucks5]

I read up on the SGC option, but it would take 4 boxes, it would appear. The SGC, one of the Rendu boxes to provide the file conversion to PCM out of a USB port, another of their boxes to convert USB to coax digital, and a CD ripper. About $3k in all. Seems way too expensive, unless I misunderstood the chain of components needed to get from the FLAC files on the SGC to coax PCM to feed the MDA1000.

What about a Bluesound Vault? Rips CDs, has 2 TB storage, outputs to coax, and has some kind of iPad control app. It’s a single box solution, isn’t it? Remember, I don’t care about the quality (or lack of) in the on board DAC, no matter what solution I end up with.

Anyone gone the Vault route or other one box solution?

[Still-One]

Yes there are other options. I will look at your numbers tomorrow they don’t make sense nor do the number of boxes.

[dkorbal]

Originally Posted by Bigbucks5

I read up on the SGC option, but it would take 4 boxes, it would appear. The SGC, one of the Rendu boxes to provide the file conversion to PCM out of a USB port, another of their boxes to convert USB to coax digital, and a CD ripper. About $3k in all. Seems way too expensive, unless I misunderstood the chain of components needed to get from the FLAC files on the SGC to coax PCM to feed the MDA1000.

What about a Bluesound Vault? Rips CDs, has 2 TB storage, outputs to coax, and has some kind of iPad control app. It’s a single box solution, isn’t it? Remember, I don’t care about the quality (or lack of) in the on board DAC, no matter what solution I end up with.

Anyone gone the Vault route or other one box solution?

Bigbuck5, I share a similar concern of yours and therefore ended up with both the Bluesound Vault and Small Green Computers Transport5i as viable solutions. I run both in my system. I started with the Vault and added SGC later.

Bluesound is a proprietary system that works well together. I use multiple devices and speakers by BS to create a whole house listening environment.
The software interface is well seasoned with low problems and can be accessed by many devices such iphones and ipads.

I use the SGC system more for audiophile listening. The Roon software/interface is second to none (IMHO) and more totally encompassing with other equipment including the BS devices. All music files are rip'd, stored and accessed on a solid state hard drive. Ripping can be done by any CD ripper to this file location. Like BS the software can be accessed by many devices such iphones and ipads. You can configure Roon in a number of ways but running Roon from a "core" is advisable by many. From the "core" Roon will recognize Roon Ready devices if you have them so you don't necessarily have to purchase other equipment.

Both systems perform well and are relatively less expensive than other alternatives.

[Bigbucks5]

I appreciate what you guys are saying, but neither the Roon 'Core' nor the SGC+Rendu output on coax or optical. They both use a USB output which the MDA1000 does not have. So the Core option would need a USB to coax, optical, or ASEBU converter add on, as would the SGC+Rendu. And neither has a built-in ripper (although that's not really a big deal).

I looked a little at Aurender (pricey) and noticed their lowest priced unit only has a USB output, and you need to pay extra to have a unit that has both USB and coax.

I guess I must have missed this whole transition from coax/opt/ASEBU outputs to DACs to USB only outputs.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Bigbucks5

They both use a USB output which the MDA1000 does not have.

I'll just throw this out for whatever it is worth...I too have an MDA1000 (currently in the shop for repair ) and I too was looking for a USB solution since, as you correctly point out, the MDA1000 does not have a USB input. I bought a Bryston BUC-1 at the same time I purchased my MDA1000, so I could play hi-res FLAC files from my laptop through the MDA1000. It converts USB to coax.

The bad news is that Bryston has discontinued this excellent little device, and it's probably hard to find one. I don't know if anyone else offers a similar device, but it may be worth looking into.