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I-O Data Soundgenic Plus audio servers deliver online and local music streaming, CD ripping, and more at a resonable price point

I-O Data Soundgenic Plus audio servers deliver online music access, music streaming and backup, CD ripping, and more. (Image source: I-O Data)
I-O Data Soundgenic Plus audio servers deliver online music access, music streaming and backup, CD ripping, and more. (Image source: I-O Data)
I-O Data Soundgenic Plus network audio servers deliver online music streaming, local music streaming, CD ripping, and more at a reasonable price point. The server allows music enthusiasts to archive their entire local CD collection, add music files from computers, and enjoy their music on digital audio players, tablets, or smartphones in addition to home theater systems.

I-O Data Soundgenic Plus network audio servers deliver online music streaming, local music streaming, CD ripping, and more. The server allows music enthusiasts to archive their entire local CD collection, add music files from other sources, and enjoy their music across digital audio players (DAP), tablets, smartphones, and home theater systems.

Network attached storage (NAS) devices are storage drives with built-in networking hardware to connect to devices, share and backup files, and provide other features. Home computer users typically use a NAS to store important documents and photos accessible from all networked devices.

I-O Data has designed the Soundgenic Plus as a network audio server for music enthusiasts.

Physical design

The chassis uses thick sheet metal and spherical rubber feet to suppress vibrations that might damage the 2 TB or 4 TB Western Digital AV-GP internal hard drive (not applicable to the 2 TB SSD Soundgenic model). The drive mount is designed to dissipate heat without a fan for absolutely silent operation. Both the status LED and surface finish have a subdued appearance to fit better with high-end audio equipment.

Connectivity

The Soundgenics can connect to wireless home routers using 1000/100/10 Ethernet cables, enabling music streaming to home audio systems, DAPs, and portable devices. The NAS also has one USB 3.1 and one USB 2.0 port for the attachment of an external Blu-ray/DVD/CD drive for music ripping. A USB-to-stereo-RCA cable can also be used to connect the Soundgenic to analog home audio systems and speakers.

Music sources

The audio server can stream music from popular services such as Spotify and Amazon Music to connected home theater systems. A PC, tablet, or smartphone is used to control the selection and playback of such music. Users can send audio to the Soundgenic with the included USB Bluetooth adapter, turning home theater systems into wireless speakers while watching YouTube, TikTok, Netflix, and other online media on their computers, tablets, and smartphones.

CDs can be ripped without a computer using an external optical drive, while track and title information with album art are automatically added from the Gracenote online database. Ripped tracks can be saved as uncompressed 44.1 Khz/16-bit WAV or FLAC files. The Soundgenic Plus can also stream CDs as PCM audio directly to home theater systems.

Compressed and uncompressed digital music files from other sources can also be copied into the Soundgenic Plus from USB drives or computers. The Soundgenic Plus supports most popular music file formats including aac, ac3, aif, aiff, dff, dsf, flac, m4a, m4b, mpa, mp2, mp3, ogg, wav, wma.

Backups

An attached USB hard drive can be used for automatic backup of all music on the Soundgenic Plus. Music can also be transferred to DAPs for backup or listening.

AV integration

The NAS is compatible with home theater and media server standards including Open Home Media, DLNA DMR, and UPnP AV for home AV integration. The NAS can output in PCM (maximum 768 kHz for WAV and AIFF files, 384 kHz otherwise) and DSD (maximum DoP 11.2 Mhz, DirectDSD 22.5 Mhz) formats over the USB port to connected DACs and home theater systems.

The audio server can also stream audio over Ethernet as a Diretta host to LAN DACs while controlled by a tablet or smartphone running the Fidata app. For devices that do not support streaming audio, the Soundgenic can utilize the Music Push (DMR PUSH) function to render online streaming audio for proper playback.

The Fidata app for smartphones and tablets allows users to listen to all stored music, control settings, and playback CDs on the Soundgenic without a home theater or computer. The app allows for the creation of shortcuts to play favorites quickly.

Specifications

The Soundgenic Plus measures 6.54 x 5.21 x 1.67 inches (168 x 134 x 43 mm). The SSD model weighs 24.34 ounces (690 g), and the HDD model weighs 42.33 ounces (1.2 kg). The NAS models have an open pricing determined by each vendor. Amazon Japan currently has the 2TB HDD HDL-RA2H model priced at 46,530 yen (~$295) and the 1TB SDD HDL-RA1S model priced at 55,000 yen (~$350). Readers in America who want a similar music server with a colorful screen that displays cover art can pick up a FiiO R7 (here on Amazon US).

The Soundgenic Plus NAS plays online streaming music, music stored on the internal drive, and can stream music to home audio system and portable devices across the network. (Image source: I-O Data)
The Soundgenic Plus NAS plays online streaming music, music stored on the internal drive, and can stream music to home audio system and portable devices across the network. (Image source: I-O Data)
An overview of the features the I-O Data Soundgenic Plus network audio server. (Image source: I-O Data)
An overview of the features the I-O Data Soundgenic Plus network audio server. (Image source: I-O Data)
The Soundgenic Plus general connection overview for streaming online music to home theater systems. (Image source: I-O Data)
The Soundgenic Plus general connection overview for streaming online music to home theater systems. (Image source: I-O Data)
The Soundgenic Plus has the rare ability to convert digital music to an analog signal using a USB-to-stereo-RCA cable for playback using older analog sound systems. (Image source: I-O Data)
The Soundgenic Plus has the rare ability to convert digital music to an analog signal using a USB-to-stereo-RCA cable for playback using older analog sound systems. (Image source: I-O Data)
The Fidata app controls all aspects of the Soundgenic Plus from a smartphone or tablet. (Image source: I-O Data)
The Fidata app controls all aspects of the Soundgenic Plus from a smartphone or tablet. (Image source: I-O Data)

Machine translated by Microsoft Edge:

December 20, 2023

A streaming player "Soundgenic Plus" that can play all kinds of music, including CDs, high-resolution, and subscriptions, is now available

NEW

Hi-Res Streaming Player

HDL-RAH Series

Model No. JAN Code specification Expected to Ship price

HDD Model

HDL-RA2H 4957180160443 2TB Mid-January Open Pricing

SSD Models

HDL-RA1S 4957180160467 1TB Mid-January Open Pricing

Soundgenic Plus is a streaming player that can play any sound source, not only high-resolution and CD music, but also subscriptions such as Spotify and Amazon Music.

Since it has integrated storage, it provides the media server, network player, and dedicated remote control app necessary for network audio in one package. By combining it with your favorite device such as a third-party DAC or player, you can achieve higher sound quality playback.

Hi-Res Flat-rate Music Streaming Service Compatible

Soundgenic Plus is a high-resolution flat-rate music streaming service with a new "Music Service" feature. With this feature, you can enjoy Amazon Music, Spotify streaming services on Soudngenic Plus.

* Music Service is available on the fidata Music App for iOS/iPad OS. The Android version is not supported.

The information on this page is current at the time of publication. Specifications, prices, appearance, operating environment, etc. are subject to change.

The prices listed on this page are the manufacturer's suggested retail prices.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2024 07 > I-O Data Soundgenic Plus audio servers deliver online and local music streaming, CD ripping, and more at a resonable price point
David Chien, 2024-07-24 (Update: 2024-07-25)