15k for streamer and dac....how much on each?


for a music first, streaming only, two channel system.......with 15k in pocket (can buy new or used)  is the general rule of thumb 50/50 split on the budget?

do any all in one units at this price point compare to separates?

What choice did you land on at your respective budgets?

I've not had the greatest experience with streamers.....sound more similar than dissimilar to my admittedly non golden untrained ears

 

 

 

 

 

 

audiocanada

You should at least consider an Esoteric N-01XD for a one box solution.  There are a couple used in your price range.  In my comparisons I preferred this over dCS and Aurender units. 

Lots of great options in the price range.  My best advice, based on my experience, would be to go with separate dac and streamer.  

If you are going with Roon I recommend and Dac that has Roon incorporated.  For my first two iterations I went with I had a Roon Nucleus + with a Lumin D2 and decided I like it and upgraded my streamer to a Lumin T2.  I am really impressed with the Lumin technology, value and sound.  

I decided to overhaul my system and demoed everything I could get my hands on and landed on a Grimm MU1 Streamer with Roon built in and a Nagra Tube Dac.  I demoed Aurender, MSB, NAD, Innuos, Lumin, on and on.  If I did not get the Nagra I would have gone with the MSB.  The Msb Discrete Dac is probably in your range and agree with @riie .  Again, my best advice is to go with separates.  

Let us know how you make out.

No one brought it up but I have been circling around the Aqua Audio Linq and the LA scala mkii optologic dac. I also use Roon and the Linq is supposed to have been designed to integrate with Roon. Has anyone had any experience with this combo?

@knighttodd

As long as you pair LinQ with one of the available AQUA DAC’s via I2S, you will get the best sound from LinQ. I wanted to try LinQ in my system but its lack of USB support, proprietary I2S connectivity and max resolution upto DSD128 were the limiting features that prompted me to look elsewhere.

If do pursue LinQ, make sure to get it with HQPlayer Core + NAA module.

If I were swapping equipment in and out frequently, I wouldn't spend top dollar for something that isn't going to stay long-term. You could probably try out some of the newer all-in-one DAC/Streamer combos out there for not a huge investment to see if you want to commit to the streaming side of hi-fi. Then upgrade over time.