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New streamer

I recently opened a discussion on upgrading my DAC. I started at the beginning of that discussion, that I was a vinyl guy, but with my purchase of the Chord Qutest, I realized that digital music can be outstanding and want to now upgrade my Node.

That will provide 2 benefits: Maximizing my current systems digital, and allow me to move the Node & Schiit Modi Multibit 2 to the family room, a small HT setup with a Yamaha AVR driving a Goldenear soundbar. Streaming there is currently MusicCast using the AVR DAC.  The improvement there should be very nice. 

My 2 channel equipment is as follows: 

Rogue RP-1 w/ NOS Brimar’s, LSA Warp 1, KEF R11’s, Rhythmic F12SE, Pro-ject 1Xpression w/Hana ML, Rega Aria, Bluesound Node w/Qubuz, Marantz CD6007, Chord Qutest. Good to very good power, speaker, interconnect cables.  
My weakest link (I believe) is now my Node. 
I don’t want or need amplification or volume control, ripping storage, nor an internal DAC. Sound signature should be neutral. 
My budget is $2,500, but willing to spend less. My current favorites are:

Lumin U2 mini. Very well reviewed, beautiful, perfect form factor, good app & controllable via my Harmony One remote. It is currently my #1 choice.

Auralic Aris. If new, the G1.1, if used G2.0 or 2.1. Very well reviewed, good app, OK form factor, but not controllable via harmony.  
Naim ND5 XS2. Considered the best high end streamer by What Hi Fi  Would need to buy used to stay close to budget.

EverSolo DMP-A6. Included based upon reviews, but may not be a serious contender. 
HiFi Rose RS250A. The streamer EverSolo seemed to copy  

Aurender. Don’t think they have anything within my budget, but included for discussion.

 LPS upgrade for Node. Included because I know it will come up. Plan to reuse my node downstairs, so out. Would prefer LPS upgrade for one of the above.  

Please let me know your thoughts and/or recommendations. Thanks!

 

 

128x128signaforce
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,076 posts
 

@signaforce

Looks like you’re all set!

From what I’ve read here, streamer probably the most under appreciated component in digital streaming. Many here believe that quality of streamer don’t or can’t possibly matter and high quality streamers are nothing more than a computer with fancy parts.

In my experience, the upper echelon brands like Aurender, listening becomes a highly sweet endeavor. I started out with N100 (10 years ago) and kept moving up within Aurender line. IMHO, Aurender streamers possess a highly engaging DNA and presents music in a balanced way.

Enjoy!

signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
139 posts
 

@lalitk 

Thank you! I think I will!

mojo771
44 posts
 

I'm looking at the Eversolo DNP-A8 as a possible upgrade to my Bluesound Vault 2.  I currently use an ethernet connection to my Vault > McIntosh 352 amp > tower speakers.  The vault does'nt seem to go much above CD quality so I recenlty got a Qutest DAC, so now, Vault > Qutest over optical > amp.  But I really don't see much , if any, improvement in SQ.  So now I'm looking at the A8, but my question is, if the DAC in the A8 is so good, why would anyone then need or want the Qutest.  A review I just read talked for paragraphs about how good the A8 DAC was and then he included the Qutest in the chain.  Why?  So now, if I want the best sound possible, do I keep the Qutest, return it and get the A8, or get something else - like the Aurender N150 or N200?

signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
139 posts
 

Most people recommend having a separate DAC. I bought my first DAC as a low cost solution to my new Marantz AVR having cheap TI DAC Chips because of the AKM fire. The low end Schiit was a significant improvement. My system has come a long way since then.
I have only had 3 DAC’s, and the first 2 were low end Schiit’s. I can only tell you that my new Qutest is heads & shoulders above my MM2, which was better than my Mani 2, which was much better than my AVR built in DAC. 
I will let you know the results with my N150, but YRMV. Regardless, I think you will see a significant improvement just moving from optical to USB. 

signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
139 posts
 

@mojo771 

This is a quote from another post. He too was questioning his Qutest purchase. He then bought an N150. He stated:

“The N150 is in-house and on its second day with 10 hours of total listening time.  I’ve got one main thing to say— the problem wasn’t my DAC. The Chord Qutest is a fully competent DAC when input by a really good streamer.“

YRMV, but I am already happy with my Qutest and look forward to the N150 taking it to the next level. 
That said, the A8 is very well reviewed. I believe Steve Huff loved it including the internal DAC. 

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