Need Opinions for Streamer/DAC [One Box - Not Separates] Budget Approx. $ 5,000


Hello - 

I have a MAC7200 receiver and Focal Sopra 3 speakers. My requirements for streamer/DAC are as follows:

1. MUST be wireless, as no ethernet in man cave [this precludes several brands]

2. MUST have either Tidal or Quobuz, and internet radio

I've been researching HiFi Rose RS-151 and Cary Audio DMS-700. We're talking delta-sigma ESS9039PRO vs R2R AKM AK4499EQ. Does anybody have experience with both units who can supply an opinion? Alternate suggestions certainly welcome. Open to used or open box or demo. Thank you for your opinions!

goldenoldy

I wouldn’t rule out LuminT3x on WiFi grounds, it is about on your budget and it can easily go toe to toe with even more expensive all in ones and come out on to, often by considerable margins in most scenarios.

I faced the same dilemma as you, that of getting the streamer connected to the internet.

You can try three ways of getting the internet into your Den via:-

1) WIFI via extenders with an Ethernet socket

2) A Mesh system.

3) TP-Link power-line system 

All 3 will facilitate you connecting via WIFI only if that’s what sort of streamer you choose or Using the Ethernet route which is sonically equal or better in most scenarios.

You can then use a short CAT8 fully shielded Ethernet cable to the Lumin or another make of streamer/DAC. 

Alternatively, if you audition and choose a Lumin, do what I have done with my Lumin X1.

1). Take the same Ethernet CAT8 cable from the TP- Link Power-line into The TP -Link Optical converter which I powered using a IFI- clean power wall wart.

2). I then used 2 identical SFP (small form factor pluggables) which are easily purchased on Amazon and are inexpensive Optical modules. You don’t need the mega expensive power user ones G-tek, Cisco or similar will be perfectly ample.

3). Plug one end of a length of appropriate terminated optical fiber cable, I used 9ft (10GTek LC to LC OS2 Duplex Optical cable) from Amazon plugged into the tiny converter box Optical out with its SFP module inserted. The other end inserted into the Lumin’s superior Optical Fiber Connection via the other SFP Module featured on the Lumin T3x and is identical to the one on the Lumin X1. 

This worked plug and play immediately no fuss, no configuration 

This is a solid method that eliminates any possibility of RF, EMI, cross-talk and ground-loops as it is effectively Galvanic isolation to my Lumin. I don’t need to worry about any mains interference that could occur from the TP Link power-line using the mains cable to bring in the internet.

I don’t have a super fast fiber connection mine is 150Mb and when I used my laptop to measure what speed and quality I was getting from the power-line it was consistent and solid at 145Mb 

I wasn’t a convert to Optical Fiber until I tried it and now I am convinced its total immunity to all the interference from mains an other cable induced issues is what allows my Lumin X1 to absolutely shine.

You could use a WIFI extender into your den and convert the Ethernet out to Optical but I found the WIFI to be less stable that the TP Link Power-line. Mine established a great connection, even though it wasn’t on the same UK type ring main circuit.

I still plan on finding a way of neatly running all Optical fiber 60 ft from my router but it I would be hard pushed to better this connection I currently enjoy.

I found this method of connection to be a game changer for producing pitch black backgrounds from which the most amazing music quality seem to just pop.

So I would definitely audition the Lumin D3 or T3x, both possess qualities that could change your life, The T3x draws more components from the Flagships X1 and now Ux1.

 

I have had my Atoll MS120 for about 3 months or so. I absolutely love it. It seems to fit all your requirements. $1,600 at time of purchase. 

there is a nice DMS-700 on US Audio Mart for $2,800 - but the seller has 0 feedback [just joined actually] and his English needs improvement - so I wonder what country he is from? And his ad says Urgent!

Run away, very fast...

Before my major upgrade earlier this year to a Naim ND555 and two Naim CD555 DR power supplies, I had a Cary DMS-600. In my opinion the Cary is a bargain at it's price and sounds wonderful. The DMS-700 should be even better.

LOL - there is a nice DMS-700 on US Audio Mart for $2,800 - but the seller has 0 feedback [just joined actually] and his English needs improvement - so I wonder what country he is from? And his ad says Urgent! I will research all information here and narrow down the prospective field. Thank you everybody!

Couple of used DMS 700 available, you know where to look. 
I owned both the 600 and 650 models. Beautifully built with every feature you could imagine. Smooth and always listenable. Maybe not the utmost in resolution and slam ( That’s going to cost you a bit more) but a very nice unit. 
The Teac looks good but believe you need a wired connection. 
You have nice stuff don’t scrimp on your front end. 

Well, I think the TEAC UD-701N has a somewhat different DAC from the Esoteric, and not the same power supply. Although people have said it has about 85% of the sound quality. It's a good piece, just don't think it will match the Esoteric with a less fancy case.

I suggest the Node Icon too.  The BluOs app works well with your streaming services and it’s in your budget with room to spare. 

The TEAC UD-701N is the top dog for me in the $5K range! Under the hood, it’s the same unit as the $10K Esoteric N-05XD. 

I was in the same boat and thought I needed something with wifi. Turns out the range extender idea is very reliable, meaning I was able to look at all options instead of only wifi capable units.

In my case I use an Asus brand router for my main network, so I picked up another Asus router and set it up for their proprietary Ai Mesh mode. It works flawlessly. Later I added a 3rd one to improve coverage on the far side of the house. Now if I walk over there with my phone, the system will hand off coverage to the closest router. Pretty slick.

Once you have ethernet as an option, there are a lot more interesting choices available for streamers. Especially if you want a one box solution which inherently cuts down your choices compared to separates.

BTW I have a UniFi network set up in my house and am using the U6 PRO as an access point and have AT&T 1 gig fiber in passthrough mode.

To circumvent the wireless requirement, just get a range extender, and plug in near your audio system. Typically these work better than internal wifi. I have had several... including over $5K that simply did poorly on their own wifi. I know of a number of $100K systems that work this way, including my own where streaming sounds as good as vinyl. 

This will open up a wider world of streamers. Have a look at Aurender.

I would consider Moon 390 network player. About $6,400. A little more what you want to spend. Sounds great, great warranty and trade -up program.

You can use Lumin if you get a wireless bridge device like a TP Link (Upscale recommends a particular one to use with the Lumins they sell, and they work perfectly so long as you have a good wireless network it can connect to). You connect the Lumin to the TP Link with Ethernet, then connect the TP Link wirelessly to your network. I use Lumin in 2 rooms with this method. 

I have both the CXN v2 and the NODE X with a modded LPS from PD Creative. I'm looking to up my streaming experience and will review the MOON literature.

You might just be the perfect candidate—dare I say, guinea pig—for the Node ICON ($1.2k), which The Absolute Sound praised for sounding only “subtly” different from a $35k rig that included a $28k DAC and a $6.7k Aurender N200 streamer.  Note that N200 is highly raved by the Agers here.

It takes wifi no problem.

And if it is good and you decide to keep it, report back pls and use the $3.8k for a worldwide cruise.  Also teach Agers a good lessen here that a hi-fi gear does not need to be expensive.

 

Moon 280D was my first DAC/Streamer upgrade from the Node 2i. 
 

I experienced an improvement in sound detail and dynamics- the Moon software interface is excellent as well.  I appreciate the simplicity of a DAC / streamer. 

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