All in One Systems

Audio using a computer started with a sound card.
Later external DACs become available.

Around 2005 music servers appeared on the market.
Basically PCs camouflaged as HiFi gear.

They do have internal storage.

Around 2000 streamers appear on the market.
Initially for internet radio but later one could access one’s own collection as well.

They don't have internal storage but play from a server.

Around 2015 streaming audio service become popular.
So popular that the sales of downloads dropped.

 

In the end all these different type of boxes are networked computers.
Why not doing it all with one box?

Cary Audio was the one who dubbed it AiOS, All in One Sytem.
Pretty apt.

It are amps/pre-amps with all the digital inputs.

 

What does all these specs means?

 

Network connectivity	Ethernet	Wired connection
	WiFi	Wireless connection
Network protocol	UPnP/DLNA	Can play the content of DLNA servers/ can be controlled by an app over the network using the DLNA protocol.
	Airplay	Apples proprietary DLNA
	Chromecast	A proprietary protocol by Google
	SMB (file sharing)	FIle sharing, reads audio stored on PCs/ NAS using a share
Network services	Tidal/Spotify	Streaming audio services
Bluetooth	SBC	Audio from Bluetooth enabled devices can be send to this box
	aptX	Proprietary Bluetooth codec
Storage	Internal	Local hard disc
	External	External hard disk
Audio inputs
USB DAC	PCM	The standard format, 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz, 16 bit to 32 bit is a common spec today
	DOP	DSD over USB: 64, 128, 256 and 512.
Legacy	SPDIF (coax)	44.1 kHz to 192 kHz, 16bit to 24 bit are common values
	Toslink
	AES/EBU	Pro standard
File formats	PCM	supported audio file formats
	DSD