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Digital upgrade: new disc player or better streamer?

For consideration:  

Contemplating an upgrade in my digital system.  Currently using a Bluesound Node 2i streamer as well as an Oppo 105 for CD's and SACD's.  I have a collection of about 800 CD's as well as about 50 SACD's.  My system use is approximately 25% digital, the rest of the time listening to one of two turntables.  In my experience, really good analog betters very good digital including the high priced units, hence my modest digital investment to this point.

However, I find that I do enjoy streaming, not only for convenience but also to discover new music.

So I've been contemplating either a new streamer, specifically a Lumin T2 or similar, to replace the Node 2i.  Alternatively, a Marantz K1 Ruby to replace the Oppo, allowing me to use the Node 2i into the Ruby DAC.  Both options cost around $4K.

Thoughts or other recommendations?

Thanks!
bobbydd

Showing 1 response by soix

soix
10,129 posts
 
However, I find that I do enjoy streaming, not only for convenience but also to discover new music.
BINGO!!! Truth be told, I rarely listen to my own music anymore. In fact, as I type this I’m listening to “Court and Spark” live by Herbie Hancock with Norah Jones that I’d likely never have heard if not for my Qobuz subscription.

Anyway, IME it’s well worth investing more in your digital setup to be able to more fully enjoy the wonderful music discovery thing. If I’m you, I’d get an Innuos Zen Mk3 server/streamer and pair it up with a nice R2R DAC like a Musician Aquarius (or similar) that’s actually on sale right now from the distributor and for a little north of $5k you’re in a whole new realm of CD-quality and hi-res music.
https://aoshida-audio.com/products/musician-aquarius

Obviously it’ll still sound different from your analog rig, but you may miss it a lot less as R2R DACs tend to have more of that liquidity and naturalness you get from vinyl. You can load all your CDs easily into the Innuos with its onboard disc drive and you’ll have access to all your music along with streamed music from the same high-quality source. Just one possible idea FWIW, but definitely up your streaming/digital game! You’ll kick yourself for not doing it much sooner — I sure did. Best of luck.
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