Sabre 32 is a famous high precision DAC (Digital to Analog Converter), which handles conversion of up to 32-bit digital signals. Sabre 32 from ESS Technology is famed for its quality, and found in many upper grade stereo components.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a wireless technology for data transfer between enabled devices over short distances. Intended to be a universal means of communication, it is supported by a vast number of consumer electronics. A common use is for the transfer of audio between mobile devices and headphones.
Bluetooth has been developed through many years and audio quality has been highly improved throuhgout the years, by use of Apt-X protocol for loss less streaming.
Bluetooth is of swedish origin, and takes its name from the danish king of old, Harald Blåtand (Bluetooth being the anglicised form), who united dissonant danish tribes into a single kingdom. The logo is a merging of the runes for "H" and "B", the king's initials.
Apple Music is a streaming service developed by Apple Inc. The service supports Siri voice commands, and is fully integrated in the Sonos sound system.
Deezer is a music streaming service, and one of the largest worldwide. Available as free, as well as paid subscriptions, with the differences being in included advertising and sound quality. Implementation of Deezer in audio equipment, allows for easy acces to playlists and playback controls through mobile devices.
High Resolution Audio is a broad term for sound reproduced above 16-bit linear depth, which is the norm for standard audio CDs.
Music streaming – MQA
MQA is a high resolution streaming technology that gives you original master recording quality from a music streaming service. It’s the core of TIDAL’s vast TIDAL Masters catalogue. And while far from exhaustive, it does include some pretty incredible works of art.
These are albums you can stream at resolutions up to 24-bit, 192kHz, giving you a mind-boggling resolution that helps create a deeper, more immersive listening experience.
However, none of this is without certain caveats. While TIDAL Masters will offer up 24-bit, 192kHz, just because it’s a Masters track doesn’t mean it will hit those incredible heights. In fact, most don’t. The majority of masters titles are going to sit somewhere between 48 and 96kHz, which is admittedly far from the shiny 24/192 that’s continually advertised.
While, yes, not every Masters track is a hefty 24-bit/192kHz in resolution, what you do get is well beyond CD quality.
Spotify is one of the biggest music streaming services in the world. Available as a free subscription which features advertisements, and as a paid subscription with improved streaming quality and absence of advertisements.
Consumer electronics featuring the Spotify logo can remotely playback Spotify tracks and playlists via a computer or mobile device.
YouSee Play - or YouSee Music, is a streaming service, available to YouSee customers. Playback through AirPlay or Bluetooth is supported, and the service is fully integrated in the Sonos sound system.
Roon ready means that the manufacturer has implemented roon labs RAAT network interface protocol directly into the device (network amplifier or streaming player) and has become a certified partner of roon. Thereby, the streaming player / amplifier works with the highest streaming quality from roon via RAAT, which was available at the time of development, and possibly. later via updates.
Roon tested means that devices have a built-in USB-DAC, ChromeCast or Apple Airplay, all of which are compatible streaming options and thus end-points for the roon universe. To get "roon tested", it also requires that the device has been reviewed by the roon labs QA team and thereby registered correctly in the roon software, for optimal streaming utilization.
Devices that have only been "roon tested" cannot take advantage of the full Roon functionality and sound quality achieved with roon's RAAT protocol. To stream with RAAT, it requires that the device is "roon ready" certified. The streaming quality of the sound for "roon tested" devices therefore depends entirely on the type of streaming used and its limitations.
Telmore Musik is a streaming service exclusive to danish tele operator Telmore. The services is compatible with AirPlay, Bluetooth as well as Chromecast, and is fully implemented with Sonos devices.
Tidal is a service for music streaming. It differentiates itself from other services by providing Hi-Fi grade lossless audio quality, comparable to CD or better. It is strictly available as a paid service, with subscription costs tied to quality of the audio tracks.
DAB+ is an evolution of the original DAB signal, and features better error correction in poor reception areas. As radiostations have moved to DAB+ older DAB-radios are becoming unusable. Digital radios and tuners available today all feature DAB+.
RDS (Radio Data System) allows information to be transferred via radiosignals such as AM/FM. The most common use is display of the name of a radiostation in a digital display of a unit.
Internet radio has some similarities with DAB: Digital radio with high stability, and no noise issues. Where DAB is transmitted through antennae, internet radio needs an internet connection either through ethernet or WLAN. Internet radio makes it possible to access radio channels from around the world. The feature is most commonly found in tabletop radios, as well as stereo and surround receivers.
Internet radio recieption are often through apps as Vtuner, Last.fm or direct in the streaming software by e.g. Sonos, Yamaha MusicCast eller Bose SoundTouch.
Sound By YAMAHA
Super Audio CD (SACD)
Audio format based upon the current CD standards but includes a greater amount of information that provides higher quality sound. There are three types of discs: single layer, dual layer and hybrid discs. The hybrid disc can be played on existing CD players as well as Super Audio CD players since it contains both standard audio CD and Super Audio CD information.
“Super Audio CD” is a trademark.
Surround – Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos is a technology for surround sound. By utilizing ceiling-mounted speakers, the listener is given a dedicated rendition of sounds coming from above. Alternatively, reflection speakers may be used, which are commonly placed on top of the front speakers.
DTS:X is an object-based audio which creates better multi-dimensional sound. The audio track is coded to make each speaker better reflect the spacial position of the sound, giving a more lifelike sound experience.
DTS:X lets the user adjust only the voice track, making dialogue easily audible.
DTS-HD Master is a combined lossy/lossless audio codec, which enables bit for bit identical playback to the master track - hence the name. On devices which do not support high resolution, a lossy rendition of the track is utilized.
THX Select2 Plus is a certification given to home theater components, which deliver satisfactory sound levels in rooms up to 2,000 cubic feet (57 m3) in size.
THX Ultra2 Plus is a certification given to home theater components, which deliver satisfactory sound levels in rooms up to 3,000 cubic feet (85 m3) in size.
Netflix is one of the leading streaming services in the world, available through a paid subscription. Besides an everchanging, extensive archive of movies and TV-series, Netflix also offers unique features from its own production company. Netflix is widely available, and commonly found in smart TVs, Blu-Ray and media players.
This product is capable of streaming Netflix in 4K UHD. Select material on Netflix, which often is of Netflix' own production, is available in 4K resolution. A premium subscription at a higher cost is needed in order to stream 4K material.
Viaplay is a nordic streaming service. Much of the content is from TV3's respective channels. Popular among families with children, due to a large selection of animated and family friendly features.
AirPlay is a proprietary protocol developed by Apple, which allows wireless streaming of data - audio being the most popular. Originally only Apple products could communicate on the protocol, but it has since been licensed to manufacturers and developers. AirPlay was instrumental in making wireless streaming of music popular, and is stil found in consumer electronics.
Wi-Fi streaming – Apple Airplay 2
Wi-Fi streaming – B&O Connected Speakers
Wi-Fi streaming – Chromecast built-in
Chromecast built-in - formerly known as Google Cast - utilizes the features of a Chromecast, but as a native part of Audio/Video devices. While connected to the same network, a smartphone or tablet may stream audio and/or video being played back to a device with Chromecast built-in.
dlna (Digital Living Network Alliance) is an industry standard for sharing data on a network. In audio/video equipment, it allows the playback of files on a network connected storage unit throgh a dedicated playback-enabled device on the same network.
DTS Play-Fi is an open streaming and multiroom standard. It allows devices of different manufacturers to be connected and controlled on the same network. A high end home theater setup will work in unison with smaller active speakers from another, seamlessly controlled from the Play-Fi app.
A number of major audio/video manufacturers have already implemented the feature, with many more to come. Brands supporting Play-Fi include Klipsch, Anthem and Onkyo.
MusicCast is a multiroom and streaming system unique to Yamaha products. As with many systems it is controlled via a complimentary app, which lets the user choose which rooms and units are currently playing. MusicCast supports a selection of streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal and Deezer, but also supports playback of audio files on network drives.
A unique feature is restreaming. Stream wirelessly to any unit using Bluetooth or AirPlay, and distribute it around the house through other units on the home network. Connect a turntable to a Yamaha amplifier with the MusicCast feature, and stream your vinyl to the rest of the system - an option rarely found among multiroom systems.