New Zealand based Plinius Audio is introducing the Tiki network media player (£4,900) and Toko digital media player (£6,375) to the UK through its distributor RPD Distribution.
With its ‘form follows function’ ethos, the feature set for Tiki has been kept very simple to focus all efforts on the sonic performance. Essentially a network capable digital to analogue converter, Tiki connects to a home network via Ethernet to retrieve music files stored on a server or NAS. Tiki does not support wireless connectivity because of the sonic compromise involved.
Ethernet connection has many advantages, one being the ability for the clock signal to be generated within the Tiki. This eliminates jitter that could be introduced by the server or between the server and the Tiki. Therefore no clock recovery circuit is required such as are found in S/PDIF receivers.
Playback of FLAC, AIFF, LPCM and MP3 files (what no WAV? Ed.) up to 24 bit, 192kHz is controlled by the use of a DLNA media controller or UPnP smartphone app such as the Plinius Arataki app for Apple touch screen devices.
The Plinius Toko offers all the same features as Tiki but has a slot loading CD transport mechanism.
Commenting on these products Brian Whilloughby, Plinius’ managing director said, “The Tiki and Toko are a new direction for us. These network capable, digital to analogue converters and media renderers focus on performance playback through a robust design implementation that lives up to the Plinius promise of getting you to the heart of music.”
