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 1 response by rcm1203

Another boomer here who also recently got into audio streaming. I went with the Cambridge Audio CXN-V2 network streamer for the simple reason that most of the reviewers stated that it was an excellent first unit with surprisingly good sound. I will vouch for both. It has an internal DAC with analog outputs, and also digital outs for use with an external DAC. I have been using the internal DAC and have no complaints with the sound. It was easy to set up, and Cambridge's StreamMagic operating system makes using the available streaming services very easy. I have been using it on a trial with Qobuz and have been very happy with it's performance, along with Qobuz's selection and Hi Res offerings. It has a nice full color display that shows the album cover and other pertinent information about the track playing, and putting the StreamMagic app on your smart phone gives you full control as well. It also comes with a full featured remote, but I prefer to use my smart phone. A pleasant surprise is that the CXN-V2 also recognizes my Sony HAP-Z1ES server as a music source since it is on the same network. I run both units on an ethernet connection rather than WiFi.