2. digital
  3. 175408-120426

Wanting to upgrade my streaming sound quality.

I would really like to get my streaming sq up to my analog sq. My equipment is a McIntosh MC 452, C47, TD 124 with an AT 150 SA on a SME M2-9 tone arm, a Rega P8 with an Alpheta 3, a restored MR 74 tuner, driving Aerial 7t speakers. My streaming now is an iPad with a usb cable into my preamp with Tidal. I would be willing to spend around $2500 . A one box solution would be preferable for a steamer/dac combo although two boxes could also work. I’m not interested in multiple clocks and separate power supplies etc. Also I don’t use CD’s for a source.  I do have AT&T fiber internet with up to 1000 mb speed and my modem is only around 5 feet from my audio rack. Balanced inputs is preferable but not a deal breaker. I’ve looked at the HiFi Rose 250 and the 150 although the latter is more money than I want to spend. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’m an Analog guy in a digital world.

Greg

gphill

Showing 3 responses by sns

sns
3,744 posts
 

With only $2.5k to spend, you'll have to be very judicious with purchases, otherwise may be disappointed. Many good and not so good choices, be prepared for possible letdowns. With so many innovations, products and directions one may take with streaming, hard to give advice. I prefer two computer setup and optical network, others prefer one computer and ethernet, and this is just two of so many choices that need to be made.

sns
3,744 posts
 

Over the years I've gone back and forth with upgrades to analog and digital in my system.  For me planned upgrades to either side need to outperform the present superior side. I'm presently at point where it will take $10-20K to bring analog up to or surpass digital.

 

I've always found analog needs to outperform digital side in order to motivate me to use. My digital side has been at least satisfying for years, and the convenience trumps analog. Digital has gotten all the attention in recent years, reason analog needs major expenditure to catch up.

 

For vinyl only guys just getting into streaming expenditure will depend on how ambitious analog system is. Reaching too low on digital side will result in disappointment, it really takes quite a large expenditure and paying much attention to every single little detail to reach upper echelon of streaming. Streaming at highest level is complex and so many choices!

sns
3,744 posts
 

My vinyl collection is at least 90% pre 1990's purchases or gifted. While some of the newer vinyl has great sound, some is digital original mastering or remastering, pure analog masters, no digital ever sounds best to me. Vinyl prices would certainly be an obstacle for those just starting a vinyl collection.

 

There have been times when I've thought about liquidating my vinyl, tempted when I see prices of used vinyl. Since I purchased cheap back in the day, this has turned out to be good investment. The question is does the benefit of playing vinyl outweigh the financial gain of liquidating? Financial gain of liquidating entire vinyl setup also part of equation. I either need to upgrade vinyl setup big time or walk away. I bet any number of audiophiles have come to this place and decided to sell off vinyl. The better digital gets the more will come to this realization.

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