Streaming Dac $5000-8000

I also went with the Teac UD701N. I wanted the Esoteric N05XD but couldn’t swing the $11K! I did however audition both and the Teac uses very similar architecture and is about 85-90% the sound quality of the more expensive (3X) Esoteric! It beat the HiFi Rose RS150 and is hard to beat for less than $10K. 

Hi acdvd,

you like the Luxman D03X so why not add an Innuos Pulse streamer.

excellent Sense OS that is even better than BluOS in some respects. Excellent SQ, including radio paradise natively. If you enjoy the option of Tidal, the Pulse will output MQA via usb to the Luxman, which is one of a small number of DACs that can accept MQA for full studio unfold. 

All bases covered and in budget  both units offer the highest standards of build quality  

@acdvd 

In your original post you didn't mention you had a Boulder 866. I owned one and also hated having using MConnect. I was hoping Boulder would create an app. I did hear the 866 with Roon and you may want to get a trial version of Roon before spending money needlessly on a DAC/Streamer. Don't let the idea of needing a Roon Nucleus stand in your way. It's actually quite easy to install. 

Another vote for the Bricasti M3

I use Bricasti M3 with network player. Mac Mini as Roon Core. I tried Mconnect but prefer Roon for sound quality and user interface. Highly recommend the M3. 

Went with the TEAC 701 here after similar academic search, but didn’t have luxury of home auditions of other units as with the TEAC.  I was quite impressed with what was accomplished with this device. 

I will say the Lumin/TEAC/Esoteric app is certainly not my go to…I really prefer Mconnect.

Thanks all

to give you context I use a boulder 866 with the dac streamer onboard, however it forces me to use mconnect which isn’t much fun. 

if I want roon then I need to add a nucleus or something similar. Although who knows if room gives a better sound than mconnect? A lot of the 866 owners I think are using roon though. 
 

I have a melco n1a mk2 server connected to two Bonn n8 switches in parallel, both connected to a dual output plixir LpS. The plixir is incredibly good at what it does and well worth the upgrade from the lps I had before. The melco is connected through the switch. 

It’s extremely difficult for me to know how good the boulder streamer and dac quality are, without connecting standalone units to it… which I can’t really do for no cost  

I checked in with some stores and they said I would need something like a dcs Bartok, or a moon 680d, or a t+a dac 200 (although that doesn’t have a streamer), in order to get a definite improvement over the 866 dac streamer  

I would like a slightly fuller/richer sound particularly in the midrange  

So options I thought about were 

- getting a streamer dac like recommended above

- trying the network acoustics eno and seeing what that does, it may give what I need based on forum posts and reviews 

- perhaps even getting a cd transport and connecting that to the boulder, as it would bypass the streamiing Most of what I hear is off my cds ripped to the server

- or perhaps a newer model cd player that has a streamer onboard, such as the new Ayre cx8 being released

thanks in advance 

You're price range is close to a pre-owned Lumin X1. Hard to beat a Lumin X1 below $10k especially if you can take advantage of the fiber connection option. The Lumin user app is also top flight. Do not settle for a DAC/Streamer that used MConnect. Worst app ever developed.

Today's $8000 Wonder DAC will be the 2025 $2500 White Elephant DAC.

+2 for Rose 150b

@acdvd I’ve been enjoying my Lumin T3 for a few months now. I will say that the Lumin has a relaxed, yet very detailed presentation. I do not find it bright in my system at all. It did seem that it MAY have broken in a touch in the first week, with highs smoothing out, but they were never strident or bright. The T3 has a well rounded sound, but is not worlds above my previous setup, a custom CPU -> RME ADI-2. Biggest difference between the RME and the T3 is soundstage, with the Lumin being far more sonically spacious, and with zero fatigue. The Lumin app on Android is its weak point, being a bit buggy (sometimes currently playing tracks won’t update) and has an non intuitive poor interface. Once you learn the app, it is okay, but overall definitely could be improved. Overall, soundwise the Lumin is excellent and IMO has given me ~90% of the quality of my analog, sometimes beter, sometimes worse, depending on master.

+1 on the new PS Audio Directstream. I have the first version with streamer card option and it’s simply outstanding. The free updates can really add improvements over the years as well.

Bel Canto E1X DAC/Preamp/Streamer (includes phono too!)

Take a look at the TEAC UD-701N, which is a streamer/dac/preamp for a little north of $4K. User reviews here:

Awaiting the PS Audio PWave DS MkII arrival. It’s in that price range and the MkI was one of the highest rated. Anxious to see if some how it could improve upon the last FPGA update, which was simply fantastic!!

Because you mentioned Moon, Albert Sportis has a used 280D with the Mind 2 module in mint cond listed for $1800. I actually traded this piece as an upgrade to Esoteric N-01XD.  I was very happy with the Moon for the price point.  I upgraded my pre-amp/amps as-well and simply wanted a new DAC/steamer to match levels. 

Best of luck...

Aurender A15 is $8K and has a preamp, the app is stable and sounds great, it also can be used as a streamer/server as it has USB output

Holo Audio May 'Kitsune' DAC with the companion Red DDC/streamer is $7K and is an even more flexible option as you can choose from many compatible apps

Lumin P1 at $10K is above your budget BUT it might be worth the stretch as it has even more/better features, for example the preamp function is truly 1st rate and the fiber optic input makes a noticeable difference - the P1 is what I use in my main system

Or you could blow your budget up completely and go for an MSB Discrete with renderer/streamer module for $14K and has a fantastic upgrade path, most importantly it is the best of the bunch sonically given your stated sonic preferences 

I'm using  Esoteric N05XD, it is stunning. 

MSB with renderer slide in

I recommend the HiFi Rose RS150B. Nice app, built like a tank, very nice sounding, very musical streaming, Also has the ability to install a ssd to hold ripped albums (which I have done, and alternate about 50/50 between rips and Quboz). I have had mine roughly a year. A plus is that they are quite responsive on software fixes, and the multitude of built in features are fun to play with. Mostly though, I recommend it on the quality of the streaming and the Rose Connect app (available for IoS, Android, PC/MAC), my brief experience with Roon picked it up immediately, but honestly I preferred the simplicity of the Rose Connect app. Uses the ESS Sabre Pro chipset.

A used Meitner MA3 will fit your price range and primary requirements.   It has integrated Roon streaming.

I've owned the Sim 380DSD which I really liked, the Bricasti M3 MDX which I liked but found it leaner/more-analytical than the older and less detailed SimAudio (but maybe more musical to my ears...).   I now have the MA3 and love its sound signature; it has lots of detail (but not super-detailed or analytical), never fatiguing, smooth with an almost liquid characteristic to vocals, strings, etc.

there's TWO great option, 

1. iFi Pro iDSD,

all in 1 dac amp pre streamer with tube mode. 

2. Shanling EM7, 

all in one solution with unique Android system Streamer. 

Another vote for Bricasti but you will likely be dealing with complexities of ROON. If you like Luxman sound, I suggest the combination of Luxman DA-06 with Aurender N150 or N200 and you get the preferred sound and a robust straightforward app interface with a very high quality streamer. 

the bricasti's are terrific, very musical, and according to esteemed member @tvad the m3 plays a touch warmer than the m1 mdx se (which i had)

we are a dealerfor many dacs and streamers we sell naim mytek aqua aavik 432evo servers bricasti m2 tech and a few others 

please reach out to our office gor a discussion on the merits of each brand

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect nj

streaming specialists 

Would give the Simaudio 280D a very serious audition. The Mind2 application is nice and it is Roon compatible. What I enjoyed about it was that is was detailed and very numeral in sound. I eventually upgraded to the 680D and later the LessLoss Echos End Reference LessLoss 640x FireWire. 

Both HiFi Rose and Cocktail Audio should be high on your list. 

The Bricasti M3 w/ Network card uses MConnect.  It is an option and will be less bright than the Lumin.

a hair above your budget at $9k but is just incredible is the new Naim NSC 222.  It is $9000 list but has a full preamp stage and an upgrade path with an outboard PS eventually.  Naim has good software that they have been making for a while and this new line has moved away from those stupid DIN connectors and you can just use XLRs.  
 

full disclosure, I am a dealer for both but I I do legit think both will deliver big in terms of natural sound.