lol! as long as someone agrees with you you’re cool!
DAC/Streamer/PreAmp
I hope this question will allow everyone to have some fun. I have a pair of Focal Sopra 3 (I dont consider them bright, but just right), 2x REL S812 subs, and a Bryston 6bsst2 amp. I know it is a 3 channel amp. It was being used in my Movie Theater. Going forward I will be using it for a 2 channel system until I decide to buy mono blocks. This 2 channel system will only be streaming digital music, but might consider adding a photo stage later, so would like analogue inputs. The room is fully treated from 30hz on up, and is 16'w x 30'd x 10'h.
I am looking for a Streamer/DAC/Preamp to run this system. I really do not want to add a computer to this system to run files through it. I prefer a plug and play solution. It can be one piece or 3 separates. I like a rich sound from top to bottom. I prefer a sound like Aretha Franklin over Allison Krause. I would like a big Soundstage. I also have 1 gig speed thriugh ethernet. The final item is the budget. I really like Value, so if you can come in below the budget it will be considered. $10-20k USD max. Will consider new and used. I have considered T+A, Naim, Mola Mola, and some other manufacturers, but would like yalls input.
Let's Go!!!
84 responses Add your response
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+1 for Lumin. The build quality is outstanding, with great attention to detail. Designed to be compatible with a lot of different integration and control options. A wide range of features. And of course incredible sound quality. Plus super great support and continuous free firmware updates to add features and improve the experience. |
@audphile1 @jim2 @mdalton Boys, here is the best bigly audiophile track to test the oran..I mean black background, organic sounding vocals, etc...At 2 mins onward is where you can see the soundstage really open up.. Go bigly or go home...and never stop dancin https://youtu.be/r5B6IEAiwx4?si=3vrxc5MdxKRJKbyQ
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The sad truth is that your rage prevents you and @deep_333 from thinking about anything else. It’s blinded you to it and permeates simple, daily life for you...even what should be a fun discussion here about a hobby. It’s a pitiful existence. |
Now see, that’s just trying to put other people in little boxes. We do that in audio, just as we do it in politics (religion, etc.). In the audio world, for example, if I raise measurements, I’m accused of only caring about measurements. Pretty absurd - after all I’m a tubes and vinyl guy, as far as you can get from a measurements guy. But it’s a convenient little box for somebody tries to put me in when we disagree about something so they can ignore my views. Same occurs in politics. I served 7 different administrations during my career. I was promoted to one of the most senior, non-political positions in the U.S. government by the Trump administration. The Secretary of the Treasury in that administration thought I was pretty hot crap. (I thought he was unimpressive, and unethical at times.). But I was sworn to uphold the Constitution, and I did my job. I disagreed with the political appointees frequently, and openly engaged them to change their direction when I thought they were wrong. Even where they disagreed, they relied on me to implement their policies, and I did so, and effectively. I was fortunate to be in a position where I never witnessed, or was asked to help with, anything illegal. I did witness unethical behavior, but I also helped stop some. So no, it’s not rage. Just as with my views on audio, I am very careful to be detached about my political views, rather than driven by emotion, or flawed analysis. And I’m data-driven where data can help me sort thru those views. There was absolutely zero hyperbole in anything I posted. Just the facts. Nice try though.
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@jim2 , Aaaww, ain’t that cute? .Here,,,here,,,here’s a rage sample (whole lot more in stock out there...lots and lots with the burning crosses, tiki torches, etc 😁). Quit the rage, improve the sonics of your streamer/dac/preamp and start dancin...that’s what the audioforums are for... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iludfj6Pe7w
@mdalton , Thank goodness you weren’t in the building when all these "luvin choir boys" showed up. It may not have been just Pence and Pelosi they wanted... FYI, Treason Orange talks about all the "luv in the air" at the end of it. 😁
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lol! yeah, sorry about that. I just thought the attacks on @deep_333 were gratuitous. He just made a joke about scope creep in response to another member. It was funny. |
Attacks on @deep_333 that’s rich. Who attacked him and where? Provide an example. Or is your definition of attack is anything that isn’t aligned with your political beliefs and narratives? Just curious. |
Hey @deep_333 did anyone attack you here? |
@koestner you’re right. I’m done with this 🤡 back to streamers and dacs! |
I asked this question a few days ago on this thread, but got no response. I think it's an important point that needs to be discussed. On a Streamer/DAC unit what format does the streamer hand off the signal to the DAC. Is it USB, SPDIF or something better, as they're in the same enclosure. Eliminating this signal transfer seems to be an advantage over separates. |
@koestner if you’re referring to the built in network renderer, I believe In the case of my Bricasti M3 it’s an internal I2S connection. It’s a Roon ready endpoint and I liked it better than the Lumin U1 Mini connected to the M3 via Audience AU24se+ USB cable. But the connection between external streamer and DAC is not as important as the streamer itself. With the Aurender N200 that I use now, the Bricasti inbuilt network renderer doesn’t come close in sound quality. I’ve hone back and forth several times. |
I had the Naim ND5 and LUMIN t3 side by side on a McIntosh MC7270 and C220, and much preferred the LUMIN unit. (Esoteric system is using the same LUMIN application is their system too (just as information)). Both we hooked up with XLR cable (´Orange ‘ LUNA). LUMIN was more precise during classic musique, during Jazz music the brass was sounding more natural as well than the Naïm. just an input, all ears have their taste ;o) cheers |
+1 @audphile1
There are so many forums for discussing politics. I turn to hobbyist sites to get away from it. Why do people think that they have to spread their political views into every nook and crannie of life |
I would recommend the Audio Research REF6 over the 5SE. I use an MSB Discrete DAC with a Premier Power Base with the renderer module, and a solid state hard drive connected with CAT8 cable, all managed by Roon using an iPad next to my listening chair. It's a great setup. To me, Roon is a critical component! |
@audphile1 + 1,000,000 |
@bcrosley - welcome to the forum. I’d like to hear more about your comparison of the MU2 the MSB -- which version of MSB and what were the other system components?
Yeah, seems there have been a lot of threads about preamps lately, both here and WBF. It’s making me wonder if I should try out some preamps again. I thought it seemed like a good idea to simplify by going from tube separates to SS integrated, but maybe not. |
To respond to your Question of why I suggest the Grimm MU & MU2 and what corresponding equipment I have: I have had two configurations, one with the MU1 output into a MSB Discrete DAC and then just the MU2 as a Roon server, Streamer, DAC. My system consist of a VAC Master pre-amp, a Boulder 1160 power amp, a Thorens TD124 turntable, and Sonus Faber Amati G5 floor standers. I have a Shunyata Altaira grounding system. Most connections are balanced (a must for the Grimm products). I found the MU1/MSB-DAC combo to be the best digital sound I have ever heard (until the MU2). The sound is very full, detailed, and especially not harsh. I then traded the MU1 and for the MU2 and found even a richer, low noise sound. I have not yet tried the MU2 preamp directly into my power amp since I have the VAC Master pre-amp which overlays everything with a very harmonic layer due to its tubes. |
That seems like a very well put together system - I'd like to hear it. I listened to the new Amati G5 at a dealer, but the room and speaker placement were not good, so I I did not get a good impression of the speakers. I had the original Amati Homage 20 years ago and regret selling them. I'd like to hear about the results if go direct from the MU2 to the Boulder 1160. I'm waiting on delivery of a MU2 and wondering if I should get a preamp. |
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Did you check out the SIMAUDIO NORTH line that just came out? I have a 390 and have loved the integrated pre/streamer/dac! I run a room core in a different room but hard wired w Ethernet. Roon really works well in this type of setup. Speakers are Dali Helicon 400mk2 and have some older Aragon monoblocks still. I've been thinking about looking at the 791, though there is one below and one above that. I've always thought the lumin stuff looked interesting, but have never heard it.
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Update: purchased a Innuos Pulsar and sounds great. The interface through Tidal is pretty good.
DAC: I have access to purchase a Lampizator Baltic 3 or Atlantic TRP. Are they both going to sound roughly the same, but the difference would be my ability to Tube roll and have more discretion on sound with the Atlantic TRP? Or am I way off and one of those DACs are head and shoulders better?
PreAmp: waiting to buy DAC before picking a preamp. |
