Comments Pinnacle Audio Folio - Peripheral - review

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purephase

10:32 AM on 2 November, 2009

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Thanks for the review Riyad,

I'm a bit unsure whether the speaker set-up you chose would be used by someone who would actually buy this component - but I do think it provides a good comparison of the product vs. a good computer based system.

I'll probably give this a listen when I audition the Naim hard-disk based systems sometime. Can't see me getting away with this in the living room though because it's hideous! Also - a naff control system does put me off these days.

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Orinj

10:34 AM on 2 November, 2009

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I can't see why anybody (audiophile or otherwise) would buy this, especially at that price.

Are you able to copy your existing digital music library (assuming it's in a suitable WAV or FLAC format) to this unit? One of the biggest issues I see with all these systems is that they usually expect you to rip your CD collection all over again. That's just not going to happen when like me, you've already spent over 18 months ripping all your CDs to your computer and then gone through the laborious (but mildly interesting) process of encoding to a suitable format, tagging the file correctly (as many online DB services are full of errors) and rating the tracks over the next 18 months.

With a digital output from my computer and wireless control via my iPhone I feed this into any amplifier I choose and it sounds great!

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Riyad

12:22 PM on 2 November, 2009

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@purephase – you’re right, the Ferguson Hills are not really what the Folio is made for, but Pinnacle Audio did demo the unit to me with their own kit as well. That said, at no point am I complaining about the sound produced by the internal DAC in the Folio.

However, as I point out in the review, if someone is really that bothered about sound quality, they’ll probably invest in their own external DAC, so the quality of the unit used in the Folio will be moot.

Assuming you do have, or intend to purchase an external DAC, then there are many cheaper options available that will give you comparable sound quality – Sonos for one.

Pinnacle Audio will argue that the problem with a Sonos system is that you still need to use a computer and have a NAS appliance, and that the Folio is far easier to implement and use, and to a degree I accept that argument. But if ease of use is paramount, then I feel a better wireless controller is necessary, and considering the price of the system, it really should be a bespoke unit.

@Orinj – I’m with you on this one, but Pinnacle Audio doesn’t see people like us as the target market for the Folio.

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morsch

1:27 PM on 2 November, 2009

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While a foray into the exciting life of 2000+ quid audio equipment is exciting and all, I'd prefer to see (even more) reviews of devices for, you know, people like us.

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Chris

2:43 PM on 2 November, 2009

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Not only would you need to be a rich audiophile to buy this, but also a raging technophobe. I can't see the rationale for cutting a PC out of the equation when better, cheaper (and arguably more user friendly) solutions which do involve a PC can be bought for so much less.

I imagine that some audiophiles would argue that any system involving a PC is automatically compromising its sound quality, but those are probably the same people who claim they can tell the difference between CD and FLAC audio.

You can't. It's the same bitstream. Welcome to digital technology, circa 1982...

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Orinj

4:38 PM on 2 November, 2009

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If they made one of these that accepts 12" vinyl records, removes any crackles and pops, and identifies the record and its tag information automatically then I'd may reconsider it.

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There's a lot to like about the Folio, but it ultimately lacks the polish that its high price demands. The biggest let down is the controller, which can be both unintuitive and unresponsive, ultimately making it frustrating to use. The need for the controller to link to your wireless router is also slightly disappointing, as is the Folio's lack of built-in wireless functionality. The sound quality via the Folio's internal DAC is very impressive, but it's worth remembering that if you buy a good external DAC then any media streamer with a digital output can sound just as good. Plus every digital source you have could benefit. The simplicity of getting your music onto the Folio is a big draw, and If that is paramount to you, and you have deep enough pockets, then it could be worth considering. For me though, as it stands, it doesn't feel like the finished article and better solutions can be had for far less cash.

Overall

6/10

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Reviewed by Riyad Emeran

02 November 2009

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