Question/Help Needed: Boomer who is totally inexperienced with DACs and streamers.


Question/Help Needed: Totally inexperienced with DACs and streamers. The streaming I currently do is with an Alexa device connected to the AUX input of vintage receivers with RCA cables (I have several setups in the house).

I just bought a NAD C375BEE Integrated Amp that has a DAC module installed. It is driving Thiel CS 1.6 speakers. (I am slowly trying to go from low-fi to something a bit better) 

https://nadelectronics.com/.../c-375bee-integrated.../

https://nadelectronics.com/.../MDC-DAC-2.0-USB-Digital-to...

I want to "stream" but have no idea what is needed in a streamer to deliver really solid quality music. Is it the source? The streamer? The DAC? I do like the "voice control" I get with the Alexa devices I have.

Any/all help or advice is much appreciated!! Thanks!!  John

johnnotkathi

Showing 5 responses by johnnotkathi

It looks like the BlueSound has optical and USB outs...so would I connect one of them to the corresponding input in the amp/DAC?  I guess then I control what I play via a phone or tablet?  Thanks!!!

Looking at this...and will check the other suggestions.  Thanks to all for taking the time to respond to my questions..... 

 

Thanks, from my reading the Wiim Pro Plus supports 24/194 as well. In looking at that vs the Node, aside from the price (Node is twice as much) the Wiim digital outs are coaxial and optical, while the node has USB as well. Some past posts suggest the optical is not optimum, but the specs for the optical on the Wiim and my NAD internal DAC suggest they fully support 24/192 as well. So if I go for the lesser priced one (Wiim) with optical, am I losing sound quality vs a USB connection? Hope that question makes sense....

Also, to everyone that has responded - THANKS!!!! I am learning a lot......and to be fair to all, I am limited by budget where the Node would be a stretch and the Wiim would be cool. Buying the NAD amp took a big chunk out of my "things you want but don’t really need" budget.....LOL...

The Wiim offers a coaxial out, but my amp/internal DAC do not have a coaxial in, so I would need a coaxial/USB adapter or something similar.  Seems at least for now, should go Wiim/optical and take it from there......thanks again!

All, I ended up buying, as a starter, the Wiim Pro Plus.  So is it fair to conclude that once set up/connected to the internet, the Streamer pulls the files from the source, such as Amazon Music/Tidal and sends it to the DAC for conversion from digital to analog and out it goes. 

Basically, I use my phone/tabled and the Wiim app as a "remote?"

Thanks again to all that took the time to help me out, it is really appreciated!!