Digital separates or all in one music hub

If you think you will be improving your sound over time, definitely get separates. That will allow you to upgrade them separately. Also, the more functions you cram into a single box the more noice and interaction among components, which degrade the sound.

A separate non-PC / laptop will provide much better sound in general, and certainly when out of the budget range. DACs are important… but once you have a good one… the streamer becomes even more important. The source, is critical… if there is noice is embedded in the signal from the streamer there is no getting it out. I have tried all sorts of streamers starting cheap and up to $22K… worth every penny.

 

I recommend looking at Aurender streamers, it is all they do. If you need to start more modest Blusound. For a DAC Schiit Yggdrasil, or Gungnir if that is too much. There are better sounding solutions in categories by doubling or tripling the cost for as far as you can go.

 

 

Keep your digital sources and your amplification separate. Integrated amps and separate components will always be valuable. Digital is still being developed and always changing. Don't buy any amplification that has built in digital, it will be obsolete in a very short time. 

Sorry I should have clarified better. I agree and do not want to have a digital component with amplification. I don’t need an amplifier. But there are plenty of DAC/streamers/SACD players without amplification which is more what I was asking about. Thank you for your input though!

@ghdprentice - I second your comments about Bluesound and Aurender. I also would keep the DAC separate so you can upgrade in the future (you can use an outboard DAC on the Bluesound (later if you want) and Aurender has it both ways). 

I just separated my 2/ch from my Home theater setup and the Marantz 30n after a week leading the way has been money well spent! It's a true world class player and sounds like it to.

How do people here feel about the Lumin products such as the Lumin D2 and T2 which are both a streamer and DAC in one.

we are e a lumin dealer tjhe d2 and t are both excellent

they have every major feature you would want

great sound

good app

built in tidal quobuzz spotify

apple airplay

roon mqa

 

frequent updates

 

the t2 can even morph into a usb transport.

 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect

lumin dealers

Be careful with Lumin as the D2 does not support Tidal Connect.

https://www.luminmusic.com/streaming-services.html

A streamer and separate DAC would provide greater flexibility.

FWIW, I have a Pro-ject Stream Box Ultra S2 streamer that has sounded quite good. I got it as a "starter" streamer, but have compared it to an Auralic Mini streamer and a $8.5k Naim NDX 2 used as a streamer. I’m sure there may be differences in sound quality between streamers, but couldn’t hear a difference in sound between the Pro-ject and the Naim used as a streamer.

I do like the really small size of the Pro-ject streamer. The fact that it fits nicely on one shelf with my DAC takes away one of the big drawbacks of having a separate streame and DAC for me.

I also think that streaming standards are likely to change over time so I think that there is merit to keeping the streamer separate from the DAC. I do like the simplicity of integrated audio equipment when I think standards are less likely to change such as for integrated amps.

would I get better performance if I were to invest into a dedicated streamer, DAC, and SACD/CD player?

Absolutely!  Plus, as both technologies continue to evolve at a rapid rate, why would you wanna be stuck with one if/when the other has a breakthrough you’d like to have.  I’d recommend an iFi Stream with upgraded power supply and then choose the DAC that best exhibits the sound qualities you’re looking for.  Also, an optical interface between your router and streamer would also be a significant upgrade and can be done for only $80, but that’s a subject for another thread.  Bottom line — GO SEPARATES WITH DIGITAL.  FWIW, and best of luck.