2. tech-talk
  3. 162638-8030

Help teach an old dog new tricks

Hi folks, I'm a retired almost 70 former audiophile enthusiast who had gotten away from the hobby aspect of music and systems for 15 or so years and could use some system updating advice. 

Background:  My current system is part old, part somewhat old, and fully balanced via (XLR).  I have an Ayre CX-7e red book player, feeding a Pathos Logos integrated, pushing a nearly 30 year old pair of Kef 104.3 that I've owned since new.  I also have a turntable that I rarely use and will likely retire in the near future.  Being on SS and a small pension, my financial means is adequate but not anywhere near enough to fund most components I'd like to have in my system, so I need to spend my money wisely with a look at probably never substantially upgrading my system again after this go-round.  I've always loved the sound of a decent system driving Harbeth SL5+ (or similar) speakers but not sure I have the coin to make a move on speakers at this time, but would want to have a system that would work well with both the British Kefs and possible future Brit Harbeths. I also know that I've suffered some loss of hearing due to age.  At nearly 70, I'm always mindful of my hearing causing me to reach a point of diminishing returns with money spent vs actual ability to hear the difference sonicly.

Where I want to be:  To date, I have never streamed any music, ever.  I'd like to change that and make music streamed from Tidal, Qobuz, etc. my main source. I've convinced myself that beyond sending my Ayre CD player back to them for a quick 'tune up', my best investment would be a separate DAC (balanced please) and a streaming device that's not computer based.  Would like to control it from an I-pad or other hand held device. I want to stream mostly hi-rez music and would like the ability for DSD and MQA (at least for the first unfolding) to provide some future proofing.  

My listening:  I listen mostly to blues music of all types (from acoustic to blues rock) and quite a bit of jazz vocal standards, American songbook, folk, etc.  Female vocals done right are what engage me most of all.

So here's where I am:   I've very recently ordered a Denafrides 2541 DAC.  It'll be a week or so before I have it here. No ability to test one but the reviews have been strong for an affordable unit ($1,200.)  Knowing that I don't want to get involved with a traditional (Mac/Mini-Mac) computer based system because I have no patience for all the potential issues involved (did I tell you I'm nearly 70 and don't play that well with computers? lol).  So what stand alone device do you recommend as my primary streaming device?  My budget for such device is $1k to $1.5k.  Ease of use, reliability and non-fussiness is what I'm striving for.
I'm open to hearing whatever your suggestions might be, and then I'll sort through them. HELP! and Merry Christmas to all!
northwoods_maine

Showing 4 responses by northwoods_maine

northwoods_maine OP
70 posts
 
Thanks for all the input.  Let me shorten this up this time.  My Kef 104.2s will stay.  I don't believe I can find speakers that would sound better and be in my price range.  As I said in the first post, the only other consideration (at some future point) would be a lightly used pair of Harbeth HL5+  But that's for later.
My Pathos Logos integrated will stay.  My Ayre CX7e will get a tune up at the factory, and I just purchased a Denafrides 2541 DAC. 

The only thing I'm truly looking for help on is suggestions for a streaming device.  Budget $1k to $1.5K.  Prefer native Tidal and Qobuz, and processing at the DSD128 and MQA (minimum first unfolding).  Roon endpoint also preferred.  Must have balanced outs.  File storage (1-2TB) would be a plus but storage is not a necessity.

I'm not looking to get a streamer/DAC, or a streamer/headphone amp, or streamer/preamp though I realize I might have to have some form of a 'combination' device.   Reliability and ease of set up and use is paramount.
Several of you suggested the Bluesound Node. I hear good things about it musicality but I'm concerned that too many of the remarks/reviews I've read were extremely negative about any 'after the sale' customer service from Bluesound.   I have "0" tolerance for companies who don't offer adequate after the sale help with set up, glitches, or general questions. 

On paper the new Arcam ST60 looks to cover most of my wants and has an MSRP of $1.499.  Any comments/experience with this unit or suggestions of other components I should be looking at?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
northwoods_maine OP
70 posts
 
I created the user name when I lived in Maine, 25 miles from the New Brunswick, CN border.  Lived there on the shore of an undeveloped lake for 12+ years and loved it.  But as old man time marched on, I "aged out" of the snow, ice, sleet, and cold.  I moved to southwest Florida 5 years ago. Best decision I ever made at this stage (almost 70) of my life. 
northwoods_maine OP
70 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

@b_limo - Having no experience with streaming music or downloading Hi-Rez files other than listening to a coupe of systems, I am having an internal argument with myself in regards to keeping the Ayre CDP (and the 300 or so CDs I have) in my system for the future or just bite the bullet and make a compete switch to an all digital front end. On one hand, there’s no need of continuing to buy or play existing CDs when all that music is clearly available via streaming at at least comparable SQ. I think my reluctance to move away from CDs completely is probably just remnants of how hard I worked and saved to be able to purchase the Ayre CX-7e, along with the rest of my equipment. I haven’t gotten a cost estimate from Ayre yet on a simple tune up (not upgrades), but I thought that a bit of coin spent there would allow me to do a comparison to that vs. streaming in my system once I have a streaming device, plus, if I sell it I can advertise that it was just serviced by the factory.
And, yes, I live to listen to live music. Pre-covid, I was going to one of two somewhat local blues venues an average of twice a week, with the occasional foray into rock or country concerts.

Node2i - still very reluctant to buy due to perceived poor service after the sale. This is from the poster right before you, " As for Bluesound customer service, I have found them to be very helpful. Though it sometimes takes a few days for them to catch up with emails." Any company who "takes a few days" to respond to customer service emails shouldn’t still be in business in my opinion. Customer service was under my purview for about 7 years at a Fortune 1000 company I spent most of my career with, and if it took us "a few days" to respond to customer calls or emails I’d have been fired - and deservedly so. In today’s global business model, there’s no room for piss poor customer service.
northwoods_maine OP
70 posts
 
Thanks to all for the advice and suggestions.  My Soekris 2541 DAC just came in the mail today. I had a senior moment last week when I identified the DAC I had ordered as a Denafrides .... I had been considering both but when the new 2541 Soekris came out, that pushed me towards the Soekris line.  Before the day is through, I will have ordered a Node2i, despite my initial concerns about the quality of Bluesound's customer service.  There seems to be a whole lot of enthusiasm in this forum (and one other than I visit) for the Node so I'm gonna give it a try.  So the plan is to use the Node 2i for streaming hi-rez files from Tidal or Qobuz into the Soekris. I'll also run the Ayre CDP through the Soekris.  My Pathos Logos and my Kef 104.2s will anchor the system, at least for now. 

Hopefully within a week I'll have everything up and running.
More to discover