2. misc-audio
  3. 195262-207751

To Stream w/Optical Or Not

Looking for advice. I have a Cambridge CXN100.  I recently picked up a McIntosh C2700 preamp. I am assuming the D2 DAC in the McIntosh is better than the CXN. If that is the case, should I  just run the stream from the optical into the Mac. That being said, sound wise, does the CXN really add anything to the sound better than what a WiiM can do just as well (optically)? And if so, should I just sell the CXN and get a WiiM and pocket the rest? If streamers are used optically, how big a difference is there between a WiiM and a CXN? In full disclosure, here is my biggest problem with the CXN… to control the volume from the StreamMagic app or from Tidal or Spotify, you MUST use the preamp in the CXN. Why the hell would I use that preamp over the C2700?? (I have experimented using it with other amps, and it cuts the volume 40%… its preamp is not as good as the preamp in other integrated amps/preamps i own. So, I am pretty salty with this limitation of the CXN.  It sounds great, but if I want to sit on my ass, the only way to control the volume in-app, I MUST use its built in preamp…. Dumb! Unless i am missing something. Thoughts?

greensigns95

Showing 1 response by mahler123

mahler123
3,648 posts
 

I own the CXN 100 and the Wiim Pro, in different systems.  First off, I use the volume knob on my pre amp for both.  Otoh I don’t really adjust the volume frequently; if I get a call or my wife wants to talk I just pause.

  My only experience Wiim experience is with the Pro, which only handles 16/44 resolution.  For $100 you can’t beat it, but they have an extensive product line and the higher versions are the ones to compare with the CA.

 Regarding toslink, I find that very DAC dependent. YMMV.  My DAC sounds equal on all non usb inputs but I have had other DACs where that wasn’t so.

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