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To Stream or not to Stream

[A collective sign resonates from forum members upon seeing "Stream" in the title]  ...Before you run away, I read a number of threads dealing with streaming, so this is to ask about what I didn't learn.

I am trying to select a streaming option into my McIntosh DA2 DAC. I would like to stay south of $4k and get the best bang for my buck. It would be best if I could sit in the comfort of my chair with my MacBook, iPhone or iPad and control my music. I do not need a fancy screen on the component. They are nice, but I only care about the sound.

To make a decision / purchase I hope to get answers to the following:

  1. I have a CD collection, but none are HD. Why do people rip CDs when all of those CDs can be streamed from music services? I have Tidal and want to drop it for Qobuz. Learning more about the burning CD topic will help narrow down if should go with a ripper / streamer combo. 
  2. I can't find much on my DA2 DAC but assume it's top notch being from McIntosh? Consensus? How do I know if I should use it versus another streamer option with its own DAC?
  3. It appears that a USB connection is needed for DSD512 (basically the most demanding formats)? I can't find much on this but many of the recommended streamers on this site do not always have USB-out, which is confusing at some of the high price points!?
  4. Is DSD only achieved from ripping CDs?
  5. What are people doing to stream DSD512 or other formats of this quality? 
  6. I haven't seen anyone recommend the Roon Nucleus? If I'm not going to rip CDs, is it one to add to my consideration list?

This would be easy if I had money... Aurender ACS10 if I want to rip or N20, up. Others as well at these price points.

I see used N100s here... maybe that's my answer unless I want to rip. The Innuos is intriguing, but you have to buy a separate power supply... I just want to get this right the first time and be happy. I'm already gun-shy of making another purchase mistake like the new Bluesound Node 2i I need to sell... It's only a mistake because it does not do USB-out (as of this post) or support the formats I wish to stream to my DA2. Not a fan of its software either. 

Thank you!


izjjzi

Showing 5 responses by lalitk

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,634 posts
 
@izjjzi,

Been in your shoes, don’t give up. If I may suggest, buy Aurender ACS100. IMO, it is lot more versatile than N100, within your budget and offers much better SQ (over N100) due to its isolated UPS power supply. The conductor app is way superior than Bluesound iOS app. Use it with your DA2 DAC for now and down the road audition different DAC’s. The ACS100 will give you a solid foundation and state of the art file management.

1. Your CD rips may sound better vs streaming files and vice versa. I have retained about 300 cd rips (out of 800) that are rare and sound better to my ears.

2. McIntosh expertise is in analog, their digital gear is serviceable at best. Only you can decide what’s sound best to your ear by trying different DAC’s from another manufacturer.

3-5. I wouldn’t worry too much about DSD, Qobuz high resolution streaming is pretty good. DSD is currently only available as downloads or rips from SACD’s. You may download a DSD file from Nativedsd.com to see if it sounds audibly better in your system. Personally I do appreciate the DSD (64, 128 and 256) files, in my system as they sound way superior than CD rips or streaming.

6. Roon Nucleus - No direct experience.

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9445

Hope this helps!
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,634 posts
 
@izjjzi,

Perhaps the only way to settle your quandary is side by side audition of ACS100 and N100 or N200. I very much doubt you’ll will be able to tell the difference :-)

All of the aurender streamers are built to very high standards. Honestly, you don’t get to appreciate nuances until you step into N20, N30SA or W20SE arena. 
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,634 posts
 
@izjjzi,

I would go with ACS100, being a newer product; it has all the latest enhancements. Having an isolated power supply is huge plus, IMO. Having owned N100H, N10 and N20, I can say confidently that ACS100 doesn’t short change you in SQ. And you can have upto 8TB of storage in ACS100.

As far as ripping goes, I have yet to come across any errors in reading discs. If the disc is unreadable, the ACS100 will spit out the disc (like it does for single layer SACD’s).

As far as experiencing the best quality, it’s very subjective in my opinion and largely depends on the DAC and rest of components in the signal chain.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,634 posts
 
“because it indicates what technical characteristics actually matter and which don’t”

@itsjustme,

I would like to learn from your experience ‘what matters most in a server or streamer’. Would you also share your system details, thank you!
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,634 posts
 
@snbeall,

Sorry to say but you’re barking up the wrong tree…. Just read on last few posts and you’ll know exactly who you dealing with! 
https://forum.audiogon.com/users/georgehifi/posts
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