2. digital
  3. 180425-163832

Streamer/DAC - Where is the value?

I currently have ($10K) Olympica Nova II speakers, ($11K) McIntosh MA9000 integrated amp and a (~$1.5K) Cambridge Audio 851N network player. The weak link here seems to be the Cambridge unit. 

I'm prepared to upgrade my streamer/DAC situation and my budget is about $4-6K. Although there are SO many options out there and it's tough to tell where I'll find the most value. My assumption is that the DAC is going to play a much larger part in sound quality than the Streamer. I play music primarily through Tidal. I don't have requirements for server storage or any other sophisticated source capabilities. 

Many of the network players come with a pre-amp which I am assuming I should rule immediately. That pre-amp would be taking a share of the overall budget. On the other hand I was thinking maybe I should buy separates. I could max out the DAC and get something good enough for the streaming. Or even continue to use the Cambridge if I really wanted. Having a beautiful screen on a good looking streamer would be nice but seems like lower priority in terms of bang for buck.

Curious to hear people's thoughts. Are there any specific units anyone would recommend as either an all in one network player or as separates? The Auralic ALTAIR G2.1 seems like the ideal all in one but it's at the very peak of my budget.

Thanks!

128x128jpearson3131

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,880 posts
 

I like the idea of a combination DAC/streamer but having them separate, or using Roon, makes me feel more comfortable about their future.  The thing I worry about is that Tidal/Quboz will fail and other services will take their place and that the streamer software won't be maintained.  Currently I use Roon to a Raspberry Pi 4 based streamer to my Mytek.

I would however focus mostly on sound quality.  Get a DAC you are in love with, and whether or not it has a streamer attached should be another issue.

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