Network Audio
In the world of high-resolution audio, components must realistically recreate every detail, right down to the performer’s breaths, and the atmosphere of the studio or concert hall.
Today, a revolution in audio is making it possible to enjoy the overwhelming presence of original recordings in the comfort of your own home for a reasonable price.
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The debut of high-resolution audio files that contain more than four times the data of CDs sparked great excitement and joy among all those who love music.
The sound quality made possible by that immense amount of data goes far beyond the limits of CD media to deliver a difference that is clear and surprising by every measure, including sound image localization, transparency, and resolution.
High-resolution audio
Amount of data per second (stereo)
Anyone can now download high-resolution audio files with the ultimate level of quality from the Internet. With the debut of such files, we have moved into an era of “media-less” playback in which it is possible to download high-data rate music that has been freed from the recording capacity constraints of physical media such as CDs, store it on computer hard disks, and listen to it using dedicated players.
The shortcoming of this playback method is its interposition of a computer into the audio system.
Computers pose a variety of issues for audio purists, ranging from difficult connections and settings to complex operation and intractable noise issues.
These problems were resolved with the advent of network audio components that play audio directly from hard disks that are connected to networks (network-attached storage, or NAS).
Under this paradigm, audio files are stored in a library on an NAS device, and mobile handsets such as smartphones are used as controllers to intuitively download, manage, and play the files.
In this way, network audio has exceeded the CD in terms of ease of use.
The fidata HFAS1 is a network-attached storage (NAS) appliance designed specifically for network audio. This type of device, which is an essential part of any network audio setup, is known as a network audio server.
By connecting an audio device that has a USB-DAC (standalone device, CD player, amp, headphone amp, etc.) to the HFAS1, you can use the fidata as a PCM/DSD-compatible network audio player with a built-in server. You can then use a DLNA or OpenHome Media-compatible control app to choose music and control playback.
You can also discover new ways to enjoy music by freely combining components to use as the DAC (audio processing) and controller (user interface) parts of the system.
Enjoy playback with the sound characteristics you prefer by choosing your own USB-DAC.
You can use any compatible USB-DAC that supports USB Audio Class 2.0 (see below for a list of components that have been confirmed to work with the fidata). By choosing a DAC with the sound characteristics you prefer, you can build a customized network audio system that suits the conditions under which you plan to use it.
fidata supports streaming playback (Spotify).
You can play Spotify songs by selecting fidata as the playback device from the Spotify app on your smartphone.
*Requires a Spotify account.
*Spotify app is used to choose and stream music.
* Spotify used in this product is a streaming service of Spotify Technology.
The service may be discontinued without notice in the future.
The HFAS1 now provides Diretta host functionality, a technology for sending audio to a LAN DAC. It’s one of the first devices to feature a network transport function that supports Diretta-style LAN DAC playback in addition to USB-DAC playback support. As a result, you can use a Diretta-type LAN DAC, which in the past required a computer, as a computer-less network player.
Diretta
fidata Music App(iOS/Android)
Controller
fidata
Diretta host
Audio streaming over Ethernet
SFORZATO
Diretta target
List of devices that have been tested and found compatible with fidata Audio Server network playback
Have you been hesitant to purchase a full network audio system? With the HFAS1, you can create a network audio setup that utilizes a USB-DAC you already have. Because this approach makes it easy to obtain high-end server and player functionality, it’s ideal for people looking to get into the world of high-resolution audio.
USB-DACs are typically connected to an ordinary computer, but the fact that most computers are not designed from an audio perspective makes it impossible to utilize the full capabilities of the DAC. The HFAS1, which has been designed specifically as an audio device, delivers high-quality data output functionality, even for audio data that comes from a USB port. As a result, you can enjoy the latent capability of your USB-DAC without a difficult configuration process.
Example of USB DAC device support
Standalone USB DAC
Combine the HFAS1 with a standalone USB-DAC to create a network player.
CD player with a USB DAC
Combine the HFAS1 with a CD player that has a built-in USB-DAC to create a CD and network player.
Headphone amp with a USB DAC
The HFAS1 is ideal for headphone enthusiasts. You can use a smartphone or tablet to choose music and control playback.