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Looking for intermediate-step Streamer: better than BS Node and not @ Bartok level pricing

Hi

I have a BS Node.  Yggy DAC.  BAT electronics, Shunayata PCs, AQ SC, and Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Grand Reference Speakers in a wonderful room. I also have a Linn, Shelter 901 MKII and top of the line BAT phono preamp. It all sounds lovely.  I borrowed a Bartok.  AMAZING!!!  And then I returned it, as I cannot afford that level of playback.  I am interested in upgrading my STREAMER -- I think.  (Yes, I know I could upgrade my fuses, room treatment, and everything else I own....)

I am curious to learn if there is a MID-POINT step that others suggest before I spend $25K on the ultimate STREAMER/DAC setup when I retire in a zillion years.  It seems absurd that my system is dependent upon a $550. piece of equipment.  

 

I am looking for natural sound.  3-D.  I listen to jazz, classical, and rock from the 60s-90s.  No club music/ insane bass.  When the Bartok was in my system, I felt like I was listening to vinyl.  What might be a good landing place for the next DECADE or so??

Thanks in advance.

Joe

128x128jmfawdofile
dz13
241 posts
 

That's what I've heard so I've ordered a decent coax cable. Going to connect it to a T+A Dac 200 which is still in its box. Going to be interesting. I have a decent USB cable too so I may test out both. 

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
447 posts
 

 

This discussion has been both VERY helpful and VERY confusing

Sometimes the best answer is one that yields more questions. 

jmfawdofile's avatar
jmfawdofile OP
23 posts
 

 

This discussion has been both VERY helpful and VERY confusing

Sometimes the best answer is one that yields more questions. 

 

Absolutely.  

axeis1
291 posts
 

Auralic Aries G1.1 or G2.2 ... G1.1 is about $2300. new G2.2 is $6000.  I had an Aries G1 for about 4 years, just recently upgraded to the G2.2

mitch2
3,968 posts
 

Have any of you used the Sonore products, ultraRendu, opticalRendu, or Signature Rendu SE and, if so, what did you think and particularly compared to other options?  The first two range from like $1.1K to $1.8K, which should meet the "intermediate-step" intent of the OP.

Another two for the OP to consider are Metrum's Ambre and Sonnet's Hermes, either of which are around $1K. 

I might be a little confused about the term "streamer" since those products are also sometimes called an endpoint, renderer, or digital bridge, and the functionality seems to vary between the specific products that fall into the streamer category.

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