Sonos Players & 96 kHz/24 bit flac files

[Majik]

Originally Posted by robokitty

I also don't claim adding 96/24 support to Sonos software would be cheap. I also don't claim the Sonos hardware as is would support it - I now realize it probably doesn't, if only for the fact that it probably intentionally rolls up supersonic frequencies.

If you mean on the analogue output stages then, yes, you could be right. That wouldn't stop it playing hires files though (albeit filtered), and I actually think the ability to play hires directly would be, in some ways, more important than the ability to fully resolve them. Of course, ironically, if the ZPs analogue audio outputs did filter out these ultrasonic frequencies it could actually make the hires files sound better!

It would also not prevent hires being streamed out the digital ports of the ZP90 into a DAC of one's choice which, in reality, would be the method of choice for anyone serious about hires formats.

I think the bigger technical issues are to do with system resources (this ain't a desktop PC), network bandwidth (if hires files use 6x the bandwidth then that's guaranteed trouble for anyone running wirelessly), and sync (we don't know how the sync works and whether it would be easy to extend it to hires support or not).

Logistically, unlike your UI upgrade example, I think it's pretty safe to assume the current ZPs don't have any 24-bit or >48kHz code support, on the basis that it's functionality they don't offer currently. This means hires support has to be developed, probably at the hardware driver level as well as, I would suspect, at the sync engine level. There would also need to be some codec integration work.

Personally I would consider this to be not-insignificant development.

There's also a bigger issue in that, if people need to wire their ZPs in order to achieve reliable hires support, then suddenly it's not reasonable for Sonos to market their system as "wireless". If it doesn't sync hires files properly it's no longer really a "multi-room" system.

So even if the changes were minor (which I don't believe they are), they could have major repercussions on the marketing and branding of the Sonos range.

Cheers,

Keith

[robokitty]

Thanks for the reply. I pretty much agree with everything you say here.

[jdpurvis]

Originally Posted by c.chris

I also hope for HQ support, preferable 24/192. If necessary I'd even buy a new player for my main listening room where amps and speaker would fully support higher quality. For the existing players it would be sufficient for me if the player can downsample the files and still play them.
All in all this issue will one the long be one of the reasons to kick out Sonos and switch to a different brand.

+! I agree, though we haven't begun to accumulate more than a very few HQ files, this could eventually be a very big issue for Sonos as we transition away from physical CD's to downloaded formats.

Joe

[jplek]

Sonos had created a nice product, Connect (ZP90). Further development to the Connect can expand their business into various markets.

1. "Connect-DAC" with a better DAC and wireless support.
2. "Connect-HD" which will support 24/96, a better DAC and no wireless support.

Sonos "The System" can be wireless or wired, so "The Wireless HiFi System" can be "The Wireless & High-Definition HiFi System".

Steve

[jgatie]

Originally Posted by jplek

Sonos had created a nice product, Connect (ZP90). Further development to the Connect can expand their business into various markets.

1. "Connect-DAC" with a better DAC and wireless support.
2. "Connect-HD" which will support 24/96, a better DAC and no wireless support.

Sonos "The System" can be wireless or wired, so "The Wireless HiFi System" can be "The Wireless & High-Definition HiFi System".

Steve

jplek, welcome to the forums. Unfortunately, Sonos marketing startegy and brand image is not just "The Wireless HiFi System", it is "The Multi-Room Wireless HiFi System." It is quite easy to make a wireless 24/96 player, there are dozens of them on the market. General thought is it is much more difficult to make a multi-room 24/96 player that can perfectly sync with other rooms, some of which may not have 24/96 capabilities. In addition, even if you could do it, it may require a re-engineering of the core Sonos design, which could likely cause the high reliabiltiy and functionality of the Sonos system to suffer.

Read the thread for details (more than you will ever need or want, if truth be told ).

[RICH40]

Without getting into all the details I run a Sonos Connect for my family room stereo and a Play 5 wireless for the deck when we are outside. I also have 2 other high end stereos with other media players. I do purchase high res music that plays fine on my high end stereos media players. I also rip my CD collection to flac and flac only. I personally do not want two sets of music files.

And yes I have some of the same tracks that are ripped from CD's flac and downloaded from HDTracks (high res flac). There is a huge difference in sound when played on good systems. For me the only limitation with the Sonos system is the inability to play these high res files. I love Sonos for its simplicity but would like it if this limitation could be fixed if at all possible.

[ratty]

Originally Posted by RICH40

And yes I have some of the same tracks that are ripped from CD's flac and downloaded from HDTracks (high res flac). There is a huge difference in sound when played on good systems.

I'll not dispute the convenience factor if Sonos were able to deal with hires tracks natively, but please do me a favour:
- down-convert the HDTracks to 16/44.1 copies
- see if you can ABX against the originals through the high end media players

[Buegie]

Originally Posted by RICH40

And yes I have some of the same tracks that are ripped from CD's flac and downloaded from HDTracks (high res flac). There is a huge difference in sound when played on good systems. For me the only limitation with the Sonos system is the inability to play these high res files. I love Sonos for its simplicity but would like it if this limitation could be fixed if at all possible.

If one has an open mind, this may illuminate the pros and cons on 96/24 (and higher) audio:

http://people.xiph.org/~xiphmont/demo/neil-young.html

Best of Luck

[ErikM]

For those that have an open mind there's a good article on high res in this months Absolute Sound..

[RICH40]

Originally Posted by ratty

I'll not dispute the convenience factor if Sonos were able to deal with hires tracks natively, but please do me a favour:
- down-convert the HDTracks to 16/44.1 copies
- see if you can ABX against the originals through the high end media players

Ratty I will give it a try. Do you have a suggestion for a converting software to use?