Advice on a streamer
You’re just not gonna get great sound from a server/streamer at that price — too many compromises. There’s a reputable seller selling a used Vault 2i on EBay for $999, and if you pair that with a $499 Gustard X16 DAC you’ll get all the functionality and very good sound for right around your budget. Just one idea, and best of luck. |
The Novafidelity looks to be by far the best choice of the two. Only it's FM tuner seems redundant. With it's remote it might work without internet. More research reqd. In my experience of trying 8 different streamers, none worked without internet. This IS a black hole in product design & availability. Album art will be largely unnoticed on a tiny, far away screen. Try it, maybe you will like it.My exp has been to go with a loved DAC and keep the sources seperate. This route IS NOT for "cheapish bastids." Bluetooth is compressed so you have to figure it is less that hifi quality. Otherwise phone control is via WiFi that seems dependant on the internet being up. You could always bring a $30 spinner along to the cabin and a few fave CDs. https://www.analogueseduction.net/novafidelity-accessories/novafidelity-optional-usb-cd-drive-for-x1... Ripping CDs would not be a chore if you had done them incrementally as acquired. I've done this for decades as soon as I realized the convenience of playing files. AND for backup. Ripped files on a good player SHOULD sound indistishguible from your Marantz except possibly direct compare. Any way you go forward will sound so much better than yute on iPad that you are going to get lost. I would try to buy the Nova/Cocktail on approval and see if it floats your trigger. Good luck to you. |
