What are peoples opinion on the Netstream products,

I like the idea of IP addressable multi-room systems and what you can do although I have never used Netstreams and would appreciate feedback on reliability, configuration and compatibility.

Thanks.

A few issues in terms of control. Really cool, high quality digital amps with potential for DSP of speakers. I have not used the Polks for which there is DSP information but they sound really good with Triads. It is not an inexpensive system. However, if all you need are a few zones of audio it is really cool that each product is also a 10/100 switch and their router is one of the best out there on the market. Mated with a CD server like the ARQ it is a fabulous product producing three streams of audio from that player and the sound is nothing like any other streaming audio product I have heard.

No automation is possible unless you interface into it but it's GUI is fuctional and reasonablly attractive. You will need to know all about networking, especially how to network static IPs on class A to class C networks. But like every other product there is a learning curve ( I met all of you Meridian dealers had no problems at all with your first system. ). Not all of the bugs are out. There have been a few software issues and some issues interfacing into the ARQ. Some of those issues are the usual learning curve and some getting used to their software and some some flakey things in the software. This product I have liked and continue to like. Only issue is price. But if they work out a deal with Apple..............


Alan

Alan,

Which NetStreams amps have you used? I'm not too keen on the little (20 watt?) digital one that gets powered over speaker wire that they seem to promoting as the main system amp (I haven't tried one though). They have a much larger one that requires an outlet that looks like it would be my poison of choice.

The Digilinx is a cool setup. I am waiting on my demo set now after going through training about 4 weeks ago. No way to underestimate the plug and play with Request servers including meta data on the LCD touchscreen controller. And in my short experience, the in wall Digilinx Speakerlinx amp was sufficient for the large bookshelf speakers we were using for training.

An added benefit is that Netstreams is pushing hard to expand the control lineup with the recent announcement of an Aprilaire HVAC controller and I am told more to come.

Finally, being IP based, you can control the whole system from a computer - sell the client a tablet and include a wireless network and he can control each zone from anywhere in the home. Sounds a lot like some much more expensive systems......

On a side note, does anyone have a leanred CCF, MXF or RCC remote control file for the Netstreams Musica? I've been looking for the codes. I'd really appreciate any help.

I haven't personally installed the Netstreams system, but the installer said that he loves them! When talking about it, I asked if it compared to an A-Bus system, but he quickly pointed out that Netstreams uses Burr-Brown D/A converters. He also enjoys the ease (for him) with which they can be setup.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consultant & Programmer

We put one Musica in - easy to set up, sounds pretty good. Problem is that the keypad does not support Macros. So favorites for, say, satellite radio is virtually impossible to program into the keypads. We tried to use a Xantech Mini-Macronizer, but the Musica doesn't support it. I believe the problem is that their keypad won't learn the Macronizer's IR codes. Their tech support was fairly good about it though, in that they asked for the part number of the Macronizer in order to change their design to accomodate for it. But they haven't done anything yet...

We would be putting alot more in if they supported macros.

I used the Speakerlinx amp. I know Larry Paxton is unhappy with its sound and so, evidently, are you, Q, but I thought it sounded fine in the backgound music system-- which is mostly what I install. I am sending any audiophile clients to you. Any time I hear a client say that speaker A is more coherent than speaker B or that it's top end is more open,airy, light or that its bass is tight, or fast I am sending him your way.

I want no certifiable clients. Only those who tell me that the sound I produce exceded their expectations. Ever hear an audiophile make that statement?

Alan

Alan,

I did not say I was unhappy with the sound, rather I meant that I was leery of using one, hence the reason for my question.

As for audiophiles, I used to work in a high-end audio shop. I fanatsized about having a trap door in the floor of the demo room that would drop them into a dungeon. Enough said.

QQQ, Audiophiles: Or in locked square room with a pair of BOSE 901s? :)

I am not an amp design specialist. I know those little amps pull just under 30v dc which is how The gool ole boys in Texas are able to call them low voltage and keep them inside a wall. But they sound really good. How they generate sufficient current from that small little amp is not a question I am prepared or capable of answering. I only heard the Polks at CEDIA so I cannot comment on DSP. I can say that I do fanasize about the possibilities of using the amp with DSP as a Speaekr EQ. I pissed off Larry Paxton when I pushed a little too hard on why he had given up on participating with Digilinx ( lacking a sense of humor and evidently an empathic channel I could neither hold his attention nor realize when I had taken the conversation too far and spoken too long--sorry Larry ). Maybe its the old audiophile axium ( yes, I was one of those too and I worked for a top salon in NYC at one time. Hint: they had a working display of Infinity IRS and then the Genesis towers.......) that keep your speaker lengths as short as possible or just that it is pretty good. Now I no longer pretend I am in Carnige Hall but the sound was very good. Most importantly the client was happy.

You really do have to know your networking for this puppy. It resides on a class A network while most of our homes use class C. You need to set up your router to "route" one to the other. I am good at networking but this one pushed the envlope of my knowledge. Now that Crestron has its TPMC10 out and Digilinx is on the market will we all become IT managers?

I really wish there was a spell check here. All I know is I have about 20 of them here.

Alan

Lyric or Sound by Singer ?

The Musica system is REAL basic. Only used it once. 20 watt amps don't play all that loud on the sonance inwalls that the customer already owned. No macros is the big problem for me too. No way to get to favorite channels or really even source selection. Just a little too close to a volume control on the wall fo rmy tastes. But, if what you are looking for is simple.. it fits the bill.

Was real interested in Digilinx eversince I first heard meniton of it. Then my A-HOLE REP convenintly forgot to tell me about the dealer trainings TWICE! (Did I mention that I am pissed at that guy?) One of our salesmen managed to getinto one of the trainings as he was at AVAD at the time.

Since then I have just been going the Slimdevices route. Sound quality is CD quality if you encode with Flac or lossless. Interface is nice as most people are comfortable with webpages. Using a web browser you can not only control several units on one network but you can stream it to the office when you are bored. Or control any squeezebox remotely.

Would I love to see a working Netstreams Digilinx? You bet! We need a go to device and I really hoped that Digilinx would be it. But thank you Rep for not telling me about the training.

I went through training and received my demo kit last week. Have actually set it up and played around with it and it was very easy to do so. Now I'm working on specifying it into a couple of bids and hopefully will close something.

The other cool thing is that DigiLinX is upgradable. we got our first firmware update by downloading their latest setup program off the dealer section of the website and were able to automatically update the product. NetStreams says they'll have more and the one at the beginning of Feb will have support for a Panasonic IP Cam. Verrryyy cooollll.

As for audiophiles...there is a fine line between passion and crazy.

Hey Springs, I just moved my business from DC to Philly. No disparaging comments here other than I now get my stuff from the 'northern' office if you know what I mean.

Netstreams is also working on a streaming video solution. When that comes to market, there will be nothing that can touch what this system can do as far as multi-room A/V goes. Matrix A/V switchers will become a thing of the past.