2. digital
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Streamer upgrade advice.

Hello to The Gon Community,

I've come to the point there my digital front end is the weak link in my system. Some years ago, I jumped into streaming with a Cambridge CXN (V1). I think it's still "fine" in as much as it's delivering music that is pleasing to the ears. But, having upgraded the rest of my system over the years, and recognizing that streaming is a different game compared to 2018 or whatever when I got the CXN, it feels like time to "move up in the world". The problem, of course, is the massive number of options out there. Here are a few points I am considering;

1) I am a Mac user and so have always imported digital files using the Apple Lossless codec.

2) My only streaming service is Apple Music and I don't intend to make a change there. I've got plenty of files locally. Paying for Roon or something like that is not in the cards.

3) I don't particularly care about a screen on a streamer. I sit far enough away from my hardware and my eyes are old enough that no component-sized screen is going to be useful.

4) I do like a streamer with some sort of remote app for control from my iPhone.

So, that's where I am. Budget is somewhere in the "up to $2k" range and I don't mind buying used. I'd have already moved to a PS Audio Airlens except that those don't seem to play nice with Apple (only ethernet in and no Airplay compatibility).

Any thoughts appreciated. Remainder of system listed below.

DAC: PS Audio DS Jr

Pre: PS Audio Stellar Gold / Luxman CL-38uC

Amp: PS Audio M700 / Luxman L-550ax2

Speakers: Tocaro Model 40e + REL T-Zero Subs * 2 

gre_chan
jimmyb123
9 posts
 

As long as the bluetooth is turned off and there’s no electrical interference, one USB digital audio stream is the same as another.  It’s just digital data. It doesn’t have to be an expensive streamer.  I have a NAS in the computer room and a wifi extender wired to a $379 streamer ( a Roon ready bluesound nano https://www.bluesound.com/usa/node-nano) in the living room. Sound is great, because there’s a RME ADI-2 DAC, a Luxman P-750U headphone amp, and Meze Empyrean Elites!

jimmyb123
9 posts
 

Just to be clear, I do like streamers like the Naim Uniti Atom, but I see the value as being in the built-in DAC and pre- amp (or headphone amp) functions rather than the streaming part.  Also with a cheap streamer, its important to use the USB output, so that the DAC takes care of the clocking.

sudnh
127 posts
 

If you can use coax a frugal choice that punches way above its price (at least by 3x) is to get the ifi Zen streamer. But you will also need to add a quiet linear power supply ($50) or use the ifi elite power supply. 
 

But only over coax does the performance of the ifi Zen excel!
USB on the ifi zen is pretty marginal.

Coax performance on the ifi zen is positively sublime and superb. 
 

 

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