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Time for an all in one streaming solution

Hey guys and gals.

I'm looking for advice on all in one streaming solution/DAC that can compete with my Chord 2Qute DAC in terms of detail, transparency and size of soundstage in the US $1500 range.

I was running a Macbook Pro running Audirvana and Tidal Hi Fi.  I then moved on to an Allo DigiOne which bested my Macbook set up in terms of sound quality but is a real headache dealing with a bunch of apps (Volumio/BubbleUPnP etc) and crappy interfaces.  And I require something my wife can operate comfortably. 

Now here is the dilemma, most systems are trying to remove brightness/glare or smooth off the treble.  That's not what I'm after.  The best synergy with my system comes with something that is very open, transparent with a lot of detail that a lot of folks may find too revealing.  (I run tubes and Audionote AN-E speakers)

The Cambridge Azur 851N is currently at the top of my list.  The sound has been described as muscular with nice detail and openness on top.  To be honest it's only at the top of my list mainly because of the price and I'm not sure of many other contenders at this price point.  

I'm not willing to sacrifice sound quality to get into a streamer though.

Or do I keep the Chord 2Qute and run an Aurender N100 or Auralic Aries with it?

Thanks for the input!





 

 




128x128hfaddict
12 responses Add your response
jond's avatar
jond
5,794 posts
 
I think adding a streamer to your Chord DAC is the way to go, I run the Aries little brother the Mini into an outboard DAC with great success. It also makes a certain amount of sense to me to keep the analog stage of a DAC separate from even more digital noise.

I really like the Auralic it sounds good to me it uses a dual band router so I can use the 5G wifi band and I like the Lightning DS app quite a bit. Also running tubes and AN-J’s.

One question you should ask yourself is do you want a wired or wireless connection? I need wireless in my setup Auralic gives me that, a lot of streamers require a hardwired ethernet connection.
hfaddict's avatar
hfaddict OP
97 posts
 
@jond Thanks for the info. I will be running a wired connection.

Great to hear from someone else with Audionotes.

I have wondered if there would be much for sonic differences between say a Aries or Aurender because they both end up going through the DAC anyways.

hfaddict's avatar
hfaddict OP
97 posts
 
@jond I’ve also contemplated just picking up the Cambridge CXN streamer and running it to my Chord 2Qute as you can run an external DAC with them. They are a very good looking unit with a nice user interface.

Ideally I would love to gain another level of sound quality but I think that’s doubtful at this price point and considering the 2Qute is already an overachiever for the money. (My opinion only)
jond's avatar
jond
5,794 posts
 
Auralic recommends a wireless connection though you can certainly run it wired, Aurender is wired only I am pretty certain. I've never heard the Cambridge before a friend has Aurender and it sounds fantastic, of course it's a fantastic sounding all Shindo system!

I think to a certain degree it comes down to interface and usability on that scale I rate Auralic highly it's very flexible and good interface. The Aurender
Conductor app has fans also I doubt you could go wrong with either.
hfaddict's avatar
hfaddict OP
97 posts
 
@jond Absolutely agreed on the interface and usability! 
hfaddict's avatar
hfaddict OP
97 posts
 
Thanks again for the information! I am now spending a bit more money but have decided to upgrade my DAC (Trying out an LKS MH-DA004) and purchase a Cambridge CNX just for control of internet streaming and its damn good looks.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Also consider the Metrum Ambre.
spinaker01
491 posts
 
Lumin makes world class streamer/dac combos at pretty much all price points 
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

I have had the Qute DAC here, and it is quite good because of the custom FPGA D/A, however the power supply needs upgrading to deliver good bass.  Do that first.

Then, get a good streamer that delivers low jitter.  If they don't publish their jitter data (not "intrinsic jitter"), go somewhere else.

I recommend Ethernet to your DAC.  If you use Ethernet, then an all-in-one streamer makes no sense.  It's just a computer with a playback software on it.  You are better off to get a Mac Mini.  This way you can try out various different playback software driving a renderer.  If you must use USB, then I recommend Aurender or Antipodes.

If you just want an Ethernet renderer, this one delivers 10psec of jitter:


https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=156409.0


Steve N.

Empirical Audio

hfaddict's avatar
hfaddict OP
97 posts
 
Thank you @david_ten and @spinaker01 Thanks for the suggestions gents.

@audioengr Thank you for that info.  I have actually run across your post there a few times over the last year or so.  Very nice unit but is out of my budget.  

I ended up purchasing an LKS MH-DA004 DAC and Auralic Aries Mini for the streaming duties. The Auralic will be connected to ethernet.

If you don’t mind me asking, what output do you recommend I use? (USB or co-ax?)

audioengr
3,282 posts
 

@hfaddict - S/PDIF coax is less problematic than USB, however you are relying on the master clock in the Aurilic for the S/PDIF coax output.  For async USB, it is the USB interface clock inside the DAC that is the master clock.  Two different clocks.  Whichever one has the lowest jitter is usually best, but USB complicates things.  The player software can have a big impact, as well as the USB output port on the streamer and the USB cable.

I can only recommend to try both using good cables and go with the one you like best.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

hfaddict's avatar
hfaddict OP
97 posts
 
@audioengr Makes perfect sense, will do.  Thanks again.  
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