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Streamer and Dac ~$4.5k for Vinnie Rossi, Dynaudio system

Hello! I’m seeking input on a streamer and dac (separates or combined) to complement my Vinnie Rossi L2i integrated and Dynaudio Heritage speakers. My Naim Nova, which was replaced by the Vinnie Rossi, is currently serving as a streamer/dac through its pre-outs. 
 

I’m hoping to complement the tonal balance of my system: warm yet detailed, a dense midrange, a touch sweet/romantic, and a bit of heft/body. I’m also looking to keep this digital front end in place for a few years, with minimal upgrading except perhaps power supplies or maybe upgrading the streamer one rung up (eg pulse mini to pulse etc).

I’m likely looking to the used market or demo deals for the purchase(s). Through reading reviews and forum posts, I’ve come up with the following potential candidates as I’m unable to demo anything except rose streamers nearby:

  • Weiss 204 + Innuos Pulse Mini (or other entry-level streamer): this Dac seems to provide a dense and detailed sound with some lushness for good measure. 
  • Merason Dac1 MkI (not MkII) + Pulse Mini: I see merason paired with Vinnie Rossi in show reports, but not sure if this may be too rounded off on the high end based on what I’ve read. 
  • Lumin T3: likely the best value and seems to have a smooth and detailed sound.

Does anyone have any experience with the above or recommended alternatives that might mesh well with my current system? Thanks!

cold_pillow
Post removed 
soix
8,729 posts
 

I think the Denafrips Pontus would be a great sonic fit for what you’re looking for, and paired with their Iris DDC you get a significant and very cost-effective performance bump along with the ability to take advantage of the i2S connection. Here are some nice used units available now that’ll save you some $$$.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650097309-denafrips-pontus-ii-black-r2r-dac/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650045633-denafrips-iris-12th-digital-to-digital-converter/

Pair this with a Pulse Mini and add something like a Teddy Pardo LPS to it and you’d have an excellent setup for about $3500. That’s what I’d do, but alternatively you could substitute this Audio Mirror Tubadour for the Pontus (but still keeping the Iris for i2S) if you’re looking for maybe more tube goodness and still be under your budget.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650074205-audio-mirror-tubadour-iii-se-nos-tube-dac/

Just some ideas, and best of luck.

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker
105 posts
 

@cold_pillow - I also have the Dynaudio Heritage speakers. I rotate them with QLN Prestige 3 speakers, which I also love. I don’t have any desire to explore other speakers at this point… The Dynaudio Heritage speakers are wonderful, but need to be driven with a higher watt amp in my opinion. I drive them with a Conrad Johnson Classic 120 tube amp with EL34 tubes and the results are wonderful. 

For streaming, I have an Innuos Zenith Mkiii. 
 

I also have the Merason Dac1 mki. Admittedly, I have not experienced a ton of other dacs. That said, I’ve been extremely satisfied with it. I feel the reviews on it align with my impressions. It’s somewhat relaxed, musical and delivers on the details of the music.  I’ve been intrigued with the Mola Mola Dac, but it’s a little out outside of my current budget. Instead, I plan on upgrading to the Merason mkii in the future. 

zlone
416 posts
 

FWIW, I visited the AXPONA room featuring the Vinnie Rossi, Merason, QLN system, twice. I had to go back the next day to hear it again. It was my favorite room at the show. I can’t tell you if t was rolled off, but it just sounded right to me. I have a friend with a Merason, and after that demo at the show, it will be my next DAC. 

primetime74
12 posts
 

I have the Lumin T2. It's a great all in one that has a slight touch of warmth. It's very rhythmic,  musical,  and has a lot of detail.  The T3 is supposed to bring improvements. 

 

The only negative is the app isn't the best. Especially w using Qobuz. I'm not not sure if it's a Roon end point because I don't use  it. 

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