Digital source & management dilema

Can’t say if the OP

kletter1mann OP

Has found his Nirvana yet, but as a longtime Anthem user I would urge a bit of caution.

the newer Anthems have a great feature set, but the sound in 2 channel may not represent the high price tag.

For example, I would audition the Anthem in 2 Channel mode with a list of your favorite songs and see if the sound is to your expectations.

Too many times AVRs are demoed in DD or another surround mode and in my experience the ss modes can mask the true 2 channel sound character of the internal decoding and amplification.

2c.

OK, thanks for responses, but let's try again.  Here are my "must-haves" and "nice-to-haves" (see below).  A streamer-only with volume control doesn't do it.  The Lumin has that.  Nor do streamer-only boxes typically have digital inputs for external devices (though doubtless there are some exceptions).  I need a DAC/preamp not a streamer/DAC.  If anybody can make specific recommendations on specific products it would be great.  So far only the SRT really fits the bill, which mike_in_nc also endorsed.  It seems like a much more upmarket product than the C658.  Thanks and cheers,

                       Digital inputs            Balanced      Volume        Room        BlueOS
 Model        AES/EBU    Coax           Output        Control*    Correction    
                     (must)      (must)          (must)          (must)        (nice)          (nice)

NAD C658         N          Y (2)               Y                  Y             Dirac         Y

NAD M12           Y          Y (2)               Y                  Y               N          optional

Anthem SRT      Y          Y (2)               Y                  Y               ARC         N  Preamp

Stay in the bluos environment and make sure the product you choose has room correction like the NAD C-658 with dirac.

@kletter1mann - In my post above, I focused on DAC-Preamps that also have DRC (digital room compensation) and sub integration. Those features can be really helpful if you want extended, smooth bass in most rooms.

As others have said, many other DACs can be used as preamps if you don’t need DRC; if you do, the field is narrowed considerably. When I tried a Benchmark DAC3 in my system, I couldn’t complain about the unit per se, but the lack of DRC (compared to the Anthem) made the Benchmark a non-starter in my basement room. No amount of repositioning or acoustic treatment could get the same results in that room as all that PLUS a little DRC in the bass.

All DACs can function as a pre amp if you can control volume through your streaming application. 

There are a whole bunch of DACs that can also function as preamp.  They should all be compatible with BlueOS (that is an issue for the streamer, not the DAC or the pre amp).  Mytek and Benchmark are two companies that I am familiar with but there are a slew more 

I have been using an STR preamp for nearly four years now and think it’s an excellent unit, especially if you want DRC and/or subwoofer integration. A friend, after hearing my system, went out and bought one.

One alternative is the miniDSP SHD. We have one in our TV system. I would prefer the Anthem on several counts, including better appearance, better customer support, and much much better display and user experience. I have been unable to compare the sound as the setups are completely different. ARC is IMO easier to use than Dirac.

The Legacy Wavelet has to be reprogrammed by the dealer if you change speakers, subs, or crossover settings. That ruled it out for me.

I have not tried the DSpeaker X4. An audiophile friend who did, had trouble. I can’t remember if it was an unethical dealer or trouble with the X4 itself.

The Trinnov Amethyst has not been updated in many years. It has a fan that some reviewers have found audible.

Hope that helps!