The connection to a network is made either by cable via the RJ45 Ethernet connection or wirelessly via the integrated Wi-Fi module, whereby the transmission here is limited to 24 Bit / 96 KHz. In addition, the S-3 has two USB inputs – one on the front and one on the back – for direct connection of a hard disk or USB sticks. All inputs accept PCM up to 24 bit / 192 KHz. If you look at the back page it becomes clear that the motto “Versatility and Flexibility” had to be used in the conception: There are four digital inputs for XLR (AES / EBU), RCA (S / PDIF), BNC (S / PDIF), TOSLINK (S / PDIF) and an I2S input, which is implemented via an RJ45 socket. In addition, all important functions of the S-3 can be controlled via the remote control. The different inputs are selected using the input selector switch, which is arranged symmetrically to the volume control on the right side. The easy-to-read display, with the buttons on the left man can make the most important settings Another small display shows the selected volume, which is set on the left side with a large knob. The front consists of a 3.5-inch color TFT display and several small buttons that allow direct navigation through the various menus and your own media library. The S-3 comes in a solid, beautifully crafted aluminum body that stands on four solid feet. I was able to personally convince myself of the excellent know-how in conversation with the owner of Ayon, Gerhard Hirt. The Austrian specialist for high-quality tube devices has no fear of contact with digital technology and has been working on streaming for many years. If the whole thing is then extended to a pre-amp with analog volume control and combined with a tubular output stage, you almost inevitably get to the Ayon S-3 or the bigger brother S-5. Optimal way, the streaming unit is connected by the shortest route directly with a high-quality digital / analog converter. Not least because of these difficulties, but also for reasons of principle, it is contrary to many music lovers downright to integrate a PC in the home music system.Īnother solution is specialized devices that uncompromisingly rely on pure audio streaming in the best possible quality with highly specialized components. I am always surprised when I encounter very simple PCs off the rack even in extremely expensive systems that have not been further optimized. Even the commonly used USB connection with the digital / analog converter is easy to handle, but sound anything but problem-free. A PC is not optimized for “pure” music playback just think of the multitude of processes that take place in the background, switching power supplies that produce interference signals, and noisy fans. However, the integration of a PC in the home stereo system under high-end aspects is anything but easy. For this one can use a PC on Windows, MacOS X or Linux basis, which is connected with the domestic network. In order to transport the music as lossless as possible from a mass storage device (NAS or USB hard disk) to the digital / analogue converter, it is necessary to use a bridge or a streamer or network player. Digital-to-analog converters have experienced rapid development in recent years, and the days when music was hard-coded by high-end supporters are long gone.
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