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Getting with the 21st century, need DAC for streaming

Hi, I guess I’ve been suspiciously dragging my feet on the whole streaming and DAC revolution, but now I am interested as it has been difficult living abroad to continue growing my CD collection lately. I’ve been listening to a Bryston B60 for 22 years, some very nice E16 Audio monitors and "recently" an ERC 2 CD player when my Rega pooped out and I saw the review on Stereophile. I’ve been researching the DAC subject and I’m curious if I might be able to expand my library by simply buying one of the Audioquest DAC and subscribing to Tidal (or others) and use my iPad to stream music through the Bryston, or if it might be better to get a more full featured DAC and use the ERC 2 as a transport and go through the external DAC, although honestly the ERC 2 sounds pretty fantastic as it is. But alas this isn’t all about the CD player, I’m really just curious about a decent intermediate level DAC set up to get me started in this nuance of hifi. I realize there are plenty of sources to research that, but I wanted your opinion on the CD DAC (AD1955) upgrade as well. I’m totally open to getting second hand as well. 
wetfeet48

Showing 1 response by wetfeet48

wetfeet48 OP
39 posts
 
Budget?  What kind of sound characteristics are you looking for?
Sorry, I should have posted a dollar amount but omitted and just wrote “intermediate” as I’m not sure what the ranges are, I assume from $50 to $5000. I imagine I could start with maybe a $500 DAC just to see what it is all about and if I like it and go from there. I’m not sure I want to start this cellphone type of circuit where I need to buy a $1000 DAC every year or two because there is something better or more modern. 
I’m curious if I can “up my game” by using my CD player as a transport to a DAC too, but I’m not sure it’s worth it at that level, and was thinking I could just a DAC that works with my iPad or iPhone. I do have a MAC but don’t feel like hauling out a computer and dealing with the logistics of that every time I want to listen to music or I’ll quickly lose interest in that medium. 
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