After reading through a recent post, “Aaarrghhh! I Need a Simple Transport”, the same idea occurred to me, but with slight differences, so I have created this post so as not to hijack the other post.
Like the original poster in the “Aaarrghhh! I Need a Simple Transport” discussion, I am looking for a stand-alone digital music player. I need, though, something that will connect with NAS and that allows selection of a NAS as a music source (I have an Asustor Flashstor 6 FS6706T).
Until I decide on a network player, I am using a WiiM Ultra that allows selection of NAS as a source input. The WiiM’s LAN port is connected to a router, as is my NAS. In WiiM’s app interface, I can select “Home Music Share” under “My Library”, and in the next screen I see my named network under a “Media Server” heading. When I click on the network name, I choose “Browse Folders”, and I see the entire list of my music, organized by folders according the artist’s/composer’s first name. That is the view I prefer.
I am able to have the same “folder view” when using my Bryston BR-20 preamplifier (it has an internal digital player and DAC).
For a simple transport or player, then, I would like to be able to have access to a folder view on my NAS when the player is connected by ethernet cable to my router (I don’t need or wish to see album art, playlists, or to view my music library by album name, date, recently added music, or by anything else other than how it appears in the “folder view” of my NAS).
Might someone know whether the Eversolo T8 has what I’m looking for? I have the manual, and it seems like I might be able to view the folders on my NAS as I do with the Wiim Ultra, but I’d appreciate any first-hand experience anyone might have on this.
Another question I have is how the output (“sound”) of the Eversolo T8 (or that of any other network player) compares with that of the BR-20 or, better yet, with that of Bryston’s BDP-3 (I used to have that unit). Ideally, I want little to no “sonic signature” whatsoever from a digital player. I want it to send whatever it gets from a file (FLAC format) straight to my DAC (I have a Benchmark DAC3 B and a Weiss DAC204-MK2).
Aside from the above, I would prefer that a player have a USB digital output (that would connect with either of my DACs). It could be that what I’m looking may not be available, though the Eversolo T8 and the TEAC NT-507T seem like possibilities.
