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Another streaming newbie

Guys, I have tried to search and figure this out, because I know this topic has been well-covered. But I am still wandering in the dark, so plz forgive my redundant questions....

First, here's my current rig,: I built a Lenco table 15 yrs ago with a JMW 10 arm/London Super Gold that I run into a phono pre that I built from a pretty high end kit  (can't see the name, have no idea what it is now!) thru a VTL tube IT-85 integrated amp and then thru some SF Electa Amator II, supported by a sub I built.  So pretty mid-fi setup, but it really works for me.  Sounds great, to my ears.  

The Covid thing has me home (no golf in Los Angeles!), listening to music more. Would love to stream something that approaches the vinyl sound quality with a music service, but being retired, budget is more a concern now... I just subscribed to TIDAL with its premium level (MQA) that I was running straight from my iphone 6 to the VTL. Meh.  Then my daughter ran same stuff through her iphone 11 and, hey, that sounded better.  So, clearly, I am in need of a streaming DAC.  

I know MQA gets mixed reviews. I have no way really to test this or to go listen to stuff. Everything is shut down here. So here's the criteria that matters most to me:
  • A great UI app because now streaming is like going to the Smithsonian.  There's a lot to organize. 
  • Great sound. (whatever that means!) 
  • One box.  Cables get expensive & messy.  
  • I'd like to keep it under $2K. I'd really like to keep it under $1K, but that may be wishful thinking.  I mean, is Bluesound Node 2 up to it? I am sure it would beat my daughters iphone 11, but ... what are reasonable streamers/DACS?  Where's the killer solution that isn't $10K?  I know it's out there....
I am not so far into TIDAL that I can't change. My system is in the same room as my router, so I can run an ethernet cable to the DAC.  As I have looked at all of this, it has occurred to me to get an older, much higher quality used DAC that I can somehow mesh with TIDAL (or another service with high quality streaming) and forget the MQA.  But this has to somehow hook into my internet directly and be able to be run by a remote UI.  So now my head is spinning.

Thanks for your input.  Chuck
chuckccs

Showing 5 responses by djones51

djones51
4,947 posts
 
I've never heard of the Node2ci as far as I know there is only the Node2i 
djones51
4,947 posts
 


How does a computer with Roon from another room work with a DAC? It sends control info via wifi to router then this sends via ethernet cable (or maybe thru wifi, depending DAC) to DAC? What is the noise issue?

Here’s how I do it. I assembled a fanless Intel NUC i5 and I stalled Roons proprietary OS called ROCK they offer this for free but it only runs on certain NUC’s. It will save a lot of money over buying Nucleus mine cost about $700. If you have a DAC that takes USB you can attach the NUC to the DAC to your preamp. There is no problem with noise on USB from a NUC at least none I can hear. USB noise is another audiophile neurosis any modern DAC will filter it. Since you said your router is in the same room that’s the route I would take.
Router ethernet >NUC>DAC>Preamp. This is all controlled with an app on a tablet or phone I would use a tablet larger screen helps. The NUC runs the Roon core and also functions as a streamer. If you want the NUC in another room you can use something for an endpoint like a Node2i or even raspberry pi connected to DAC.
I have tried both ways and can’t tell a difference, at the moment I use a raspberry pi4 endpoint, NUC in my office they are both on the same network and I have a drive connected to the NUC with my ripped CDs on it. Roon shows them all in a library structure.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The player has Ethernet cable in, but how do controller/player talk?
Your  iPad and surface are on the same network as the player(whichever one you choose). You download an app, for instance on the iPad if you use Node2i you go to app store and download bluOS it finds the Node2i on the network which you use to control it. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I had a Node2i and I thought it worked very well with an external DAC. The DAC in the Node2i measures lousy and to me didn't sound all that great. I have been assembling computers for years since old 386 processors and when I read Roon could run on a put it together yourself NUC that's  the route I took. I wasn't  going to spend a couple thousand on a Nucleus especially when the Roon OS is free. I also put together a raspberry pi4 running Ropiee as an endpoint and connect it by USB to my integrated amp. I would rather run the Roon OS called ROCK than a regular computer since the OS is optimized for Roon and music playback. There is no GUI you configure it through a web base interface and it runs headless. If you decide on Roon that's the route I would go if I wasn't intimidated putting a few components together. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The modi 3 is their best value and is a good dac for $100. Used Node2i would be easy way to start streaming or a raspberry pi4  if you are comfortable  assembling  a small computer or you can get them ready to go for about $300.
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