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Considering an upgrade

I've currently got a small Windows PC dedicated as a Roon server, with a Bryston BDP-2  streamer feeding an Yggdrasil DAC (gen2). I play everything through Roon - probably 60% Tidal, 40% locally stored content. There isn't anything in particular that I'm unhappy with, but I'm wondering what options I might have without spending too much more (maybe $4K to $5K more) than I could sell the streamer and/or DAC for.  

I listen mostly to female vocals (classic rock, folk, alternative), jazz, electronic. I probably value vocal smoothness, naturalness and clarity above all else, but I wouldn't want to give up much if anything that my system does well now. 

I'm curious about something like the W4S Music Server which would replace both the PC and streamer, or using a DAC with a built in streamer such as the PS Audio Direct Stream. But I'd also consider just doing a DAC upgrade if there is something in the $4-$6K range that is a significant upgrade over the Yggy. I'd consider new or used.

Also wondering about upgrading my Bryston BDP-2 to a BDP-3. Not sure what kind of SQ improvements I'd see.

Thanks,
Jay
128x128jaytor

Showing 4 responses by nekoaudio

nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
The advantage of your PC is the Roon core. I'm not sure why you would want to replace the PC also, since you are already using Roon. I can understand asking about what might be an upgrade over the BDP-2 and/or Yggdrasil gen2.

The biggest change would come from changing your DAC. The Yggdrasil has a fairly distinctive sound in my opinion, and there are lots of other DAC options out there that might sound better to your ears. On the other hand if you auditioned a bunch of DACs before deciding upon the Yggdrasil, maybe you should just stick with it since you said you're happy with what you've got.

There are Roon Ready network streaming DACs, which would replace both the BDP-2 and Yggdrasil. My personal recommendation in that case would be to look at Lumin, for the hardware and firmware quality. Since you're already using Roon, the software ecosystem of any network streaming DAC would not be a primary concern.

Regarding your question about upgrading from a BDP-2 to a BDP-3, the majority of differences are around the feature set and software capabilities.
nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
@jaytor regarding a silent PC you could pick up something fanless like an Intel NUC for relatively low cost, and migrate your Roon Core onto that device. If you really like the Roon software.

I'd recommend checking out the user interface that you'd end up using with any other music management devices, if you're willing to replace the Roon Core. Besides the W4S and Innuos there is Aurender and Lumin (requires an external NAS).

But going with separates for the DAC and network streamer will open more options for a change (improvement) in your sound quality. Auditioning different DACs is what I'd recommend.
nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
Some people consider the Yggdrasil to be one of the absolute best DACs available, so recommendations really depends on what you personally might consider a noticeable improvement. Two of the three DACs you listed are in a different direction than the Yggdrasil, in my opinion. But is that why you thought they might be good options to audition? It's hard to know what "smoothness of the midrange" means exactly.

For what it's worth, these are the DACs we carry and recommend that are also within your budget: Lumin, RME, Prism Sound, Bryston, Devialet. Plus our own Neko Audio D100 Mk2. For R2R, I'd suggest looking at Soekris. If you want something with built-in room correction, there's the Trinnov ST2-HiFi.
nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
@jaytor replied via direct message.
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