I a considering splashing north of 5000 (euro) for a new source for my rig (MOOON 340i, OPERA QUINTA speaker, McIntosh SACD, Node2). Better to spend more for the DAC or the streamer ? I was thinking about a Schitt yggrasil.Or would it make sense to spalsh on a more expensive DAC and use the Node2 as a streamer, or, for that matter, stream from my Macbook Pro. Regards.
Hello, I have a Sonos connect as the source and an Emotiva DAC. It sounds amazing! It plays at CD quality plus the Emotiva DAC is fully balanced along with the rest of my system. Someday I hope to upgrade my DAC to what most of you have but for now I am very happy with my system.
I have not listened to ethernet vs. usb myself, but I have two local dealerships that I like, and both don't like usb connection. My own system, Naim 555 server and uniti/core ripper and storage, is ethernet connected.
The Naim has the server and DAC in one box, but they do go to extremes when it comes to internal isolation. First, there is a separate power supply box which has multiple power feeds coming from the box to isolate the feed to the various functions in the server/DAC. The DAC is isolated from the rest of the server by being in a faraday cage; to enter the cage, the digital signal is converted to an optical signal.
rbstehno1,175 posts Get the best dac you can afford that has an Ethernet port and then get Roon to run on a server that is located outside of your audio room. Forget about the flawed usb connection, then you don’t need a computer in your room. All streamers are computers and some try to justify their expense on getting usb to work.
Get the best dac you can afford that has an Ethernet port and then get Roon to run on a server that is located outside of your audio room. Forget about the flawed usb connection, then you don’t need a computer in your room. All streamers are computers and some try to justify their expense on getting usb to work. If you don’t want to use Ethernet, then use i2s for your dac connection. Most dacs don’t have these inputs but the better 1’s do
...or to be more direct, don't waste your money on a separate streamer until you have a very good DAC you like, and it just might even also be a very good streamer! and one less box and cable and power cord...and that again is just my opinion! Ken
Hello OP, I started with the Node 2 as streamer and DAC; it got me into streaming and sounded ok. Upgraded to PS Audio Direct Stream with Bridge (streamer); Better!. Then I upgraded to Auralic Vega G2 DAC and Streamer; Better Yet! Now I have recently upgraded to the Mola Mola Tambaqui Streamer and DAC; Wow Amazing! I hear that it can be improved with a separate streamer, but it is sooo good as combo! And a value to be a world class DAC with Streamer and multiple inputs. That is my opinion! Ken
Bottom line answer to the OP: both streamer and DAC are important on a digital setup. Real story: I local guy on a local group kept complaining how bad his digital system sounded compared to his Analog setup. I know he spent over $2,000 on a cartridge alone. So I asked him what he used for streaming, as a streamer. He said his laptop. Because these are zeroes and one, if there is sound coming out, it works. Oh well... no crap.
The Simaudio products with MiND streamer and DAC in one are great! The MiND software is great or you can step up to Roon if you like. There are great sonic benefits of having the streamer and DAC in one unit - very short connection with no cables required.
Boy, it sounds like a lot of us are at the same place at the same time. I was quite happy streaming from my Bluesound Vault 2i and simply using the DAC built into my surround processor and everything was great. Then the bug hit and I decided to ditch surround in favor of a two channel only system. Using the Vault by itself sounded dull and lifeless, so I added the new Denafrips Venus II DAC. Things improved substantially. It was just like everybody said, way smoother, more refined, and easier to listen to. After getting just a taste of this improvement, and now dealing with a much nicer amp and preamp than what I had before, I was turned onto the SOtM SMS-200 by watching lots of videos on the Hans B. YouTube channel. Adding the SMS-200 Ultra Neo was just the ticket. Now, every single time I sit and listen to my system (which is every day), I can't believe how good it sounds. It's truly amazing. So, I would say the DAC and the streamer both make a significant and audible difference if you have the system to hear it.
ive had a couple servers leading up to this and as a computer scientist/data scientist i was skeptical on any differences that would show up in 1's and 0's but the extreme, to my ears, is an even bigger upgrade than my amp. however, it's like an mbl101e extreme: it's great but hard to rec due to the sheer cost.
you're asking about different servers and streamers so maybe my experience with the extreme and rockna wavedream net and metrum ambre may offer some comparison points. i don't check agon forums often but i'm happy to answer questions. i don't get email notifications which is why i forget to hop by here. feel free to dm me too if that's easier
I have Teac NT505 14 months, I love about Teac give me option to run 2 difference system, you can switch output between RCA or XLR. Last week I got the deal from Teac outlet for Teac CG-10M Master Clock Generator, the combo make big difference.
Using your current system and how my system evolved I would suggest a DAC.
My current sources are a Turntable, tape deck, DAC with Streamer (Moon 280D) into a McIntosh C2600 tube preamp and MC 302 amp and Sonus Faber Sonetto speakers. I used to think the speakers were the most important and based on upgrading from a NAD C375 with Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 with the Turntable and tape deck using the Node 2i as a DAC/Streamer. I will admit I believe the source is the most important.
I then upgraded my DAC and speakers - using a Moon 280D with built in Mind2. While I know Roon has great functionality I am find using in Moon 280D having it connected to my personal server for my digital music as well as linked into my TIDAL account.
Additionally your DAC can support your CD transport.
Interesting to read this thread. In the UK 'streamer' seems now to define a unit with both DAC and network bridge, I demoed the following network bridge units in my own Vitus/Boenicke system. Hence all wen5 via usb to the Vitus DAC. 1. Auralic Aries G2 (£4,000) 2. Pro-Ject Streambox S2 Ultra (£600) 3. SOtM-200 Ultra NEO SE (£1500) 4. (3) above with its own sPS-500SE power supply (total £2200) 5. (3) above with the power supply in (4) and a separate clock sCLK-OCX10 SE (total £5700) To my ears there was no audible difference between (1) and (4).(5) was better, but not massively. This may be DAC-dependent as it is my understanding that a good DAC, and the Vitus is a very good DAC, is less dependent on a good Network bridge. But I am no engineer.
From previous DAC comparisons in my system I would say therefore that DACs define the sound a lot more than the network bridge (streamer). Personally I would not combine them into one unit. From my evidence I would buy a network bridge, stick with it, then enjoy trying out and swapping in and out various DACs.
As an aside, and in case you don’t have one in your set up, I would recommend installing a switch between your router and Hi-Fi and run cat8 cable between all units. This made far more difference to the sound than any difference between network bridges. And a bigger improvement than between many DACs.
Hey @facten : don’t mind this Dannad person. He enjoys insulting people’s systems a lot. And he hates audiophiles. Back when he was posting as AtDavid, he called my system a shoebox.
As you said, where is his system? I asked him many times when he was AtDavid and then Roberttdid, and crickets. Maybe because he has nothing to show? At least our systems are all out there to see, good or bad.
Txs arafiq. The room isn't optimum but it works for me nonetheless. Yes, I have followed Bill's aka grannyring's posts and always have found him very insightful and knowledgeable
@dannad "
Given your room, speaker placement, and what s between your speakers
@facten, I don't think there is much value in "debating" DACs. It would
be window dressing on far far bigger sonic issues
" Well gee I'm sorry that it doesn't pass muster with you. Is it optimum , never said it was , it's in my living room but sounds fine nonetheless. Do tell, where will we find a picture and listing of your set-up?
I'm also using the S/PDIF input on my Mystique 3, just like I did on my previous DACs (Bricasti M3, RME ADI 2 FS) and I prefer the sound of the Mystique to either of these other two very fine DACs...
Few posts, but loud and proud. More of what is ruining this site. Not going to waste my time and knowledge with you as your attitude is quite clear. For the record I have been inside a Mojo unit and done extensive work. Carry on....
Few posts? I'd say thousands of posts in a short period of time once you add his other posts under the now banned previous usernames he used here:
Grannyring is not all talk and theory. He has a great track record of 'actually' getting his hands dirty and enhancing products to take them up a notch or two. I'll take that any day, and twice a day on Sunday.
Few posts, but loud and proud. More of what is ruining this site. Not going to waste my time and knowledge with you as your attitude is quite clear. For the record I have been inside a Mojo unit and done extensive work. Carry on....
I was using an Oppo Bd-105 as my source and a Anthem Str-Integrated Amp with Focal Aria 936 speakers. Sounded pretty good to me. I had been thinking about upgrading the Dac portion of the amp. I was able to get a used SimAudio 680D Streamer Dac for a really good price. It's the most expensive component at the moment but it changed everything. The clarity and depth of the music soundstage etc. I'm sure when I upgrade the speakers and amp some day it will even be better.
I find that balance in general works best...though a Node 2i can be improved with a better DAC, only so much before the Node is a limiting factor...all my listening says both Streamer and DAC. are very important. Clearly some do not hear a difference between different sources and DACs, so do a lot a listening before spending the money you're talking about...
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