What DAC/HA/Streamer should I audition at Axpona in April? Dealer comments welcome, too.

The Matrix Mini-iPro 4 solves the streamer and DAC problem. It also has a headphone out. You would just need get an amp. I have a Benchmark DAC3B (same as the HGC) and the Matrix is not bad in comparison. I had the prior iPro 3.

Matrix Mini-i Pro 4 Music Streamer

The Cambridge Edge unit is also pretty good but costs more. I got that for my nephew to take to college. A simple one box solution.

If you want to step it up later for headphone and preamp. Get a Benchmark HPA4 preamp and hookup the Matrix DAC to it via XLR or RCA. The streaming connectivity options on the Matrix is amazing. 

CanJam NYC 2024 Part 1 - Headphone Guru

Nice photo of the Benchmark HPA4.

Think MOON by SIMAUDIO

check out their website for the different models

@akg_ca - wow, looks like multiple possibilities for them, perhaps on the high end of my budget. I see they are at booth 8101. 😀

Question:Do you have any experience with their Mind software music control app? 

@meiatflask

yep … …. Their MIND2 player digital controller app interface is one if the very best …and arguably THE VERY BEST I’ve personally seen and used … it took a mere 5 minutes to set it up myself and it’s been a flawless point and click on my iPad since.

it was one of the reasons that I sold off my BRYSTON BDP and BDA stablemates and upgraded to the integrated MOON DAC with integrated MIND2 digital player board .Think high-end design and build quality.

I now have the MOON 280D MIND2 DAC/ digital player in my “A” system.

MORE REASONS TO THINK SIMAUDIO

(1) the standard 5 year warranty is a free upgrade to a peerless full 10 year warranty if registered in the first month

(2) They also have a peerless unit Upgrade program;

- a full 100% trade in credit on an upgrade unit within the 1st year from new purchase

- a 75% trade in credit on an upgrade unit within the 2nd year from new purchase

Regardless , well worth an audition IMO.

I chose MOON not just because it was a very top tier audio performer bar none, there is a further 4th good reason in that it may become critical in setting up your streamer…. Tech SUPPORT

SIMAUDIO is made 100% in Canada in Montreal, and EZ reachable in a NA area code and EZ accessible time zone …. and they answer your email or phone queries pronto and wow ….. they can cheerfully answer the phone live.

You are not forced to suffer through an ordeal struggling a comprehension of a disembodied voice with a “challenging” command of English ….resident half way around the world somewhere in the Orient and about twelve time zones away.

choose wisely.

@akg_ca i finally had time to watch the tutorial videos. Looks like great user friendly system.

i do have one question that i hope you can answer.  It says it can play music i have ripped/own as long as they are  “PCM stereo, UPNP DLNA media server”.  I have no idea what this means. Help?

I second the Simaudio suggestion.

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a set of networking protocols that permits networked devices, such as personal computers, printers, Internet gateways, Wi-Fi access points and mobile devices to seamlessly discover each other’s presence on the network and establish functional network services for data sharing, ...

Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is a set of interoperability standards for sharing home digital media among multimedia devices. It allows users to share or stream stored media files to various certified devices on the same network like PCs, smartphones, TV sets, game consoles, stereo systems, and NASs.

What is the difference between DLNA and UPnP?

As mentioned above, UPnP is a set of protocols that allow different devices to discover each other and use the services that they can offer. On the other hand, DLNA covers a broader scope since it includes media formats, management systems, and even content protection systems.

DLNA uses UPnP for interconnectivity so that the DLNA-certified devices such as Blu-ray Disc™ players, TVs, computers, smartphones, and tablets can find each other and communicate. DLNA also uses UPnP to control different devices. In general, all DLNA-capable devices are also UPnP-capable since the former is derived from the later.

Listed below are some of UPnP and DLNA’s differences:

in brief: it allows you to see your NAS with its files and media art connected on your network, .and play your digital media through your smartphone or tablet over WiFi  using the digital player app.

For cheap, BS Node.  For cheaper, Wiim Pro Plus, though it’s missing a headphone jack.  The Bluesound Node is a perfect entry-level solution.

I am at AXPONA now. Respecting your upper price limit, I suggest two: the Limin T3 and the aSPL Director, at $4,950 abd $4,200, respectively,.