Under $3K streaming dac suggestions, Roon Ready?

Chord Qutest! 

Okay..

The Bel Canto ran for about 18 hours straight, which probably isn’t enough burn in, but at least it got a good work out in. I decided to start the A/B testing.

*First test:
Bel Canto (using analog out to integrated) vs. Auralic Mini (using analog out to integrated) - Using Roon for both tests, and it’s not even close. The built-in DAC on the Bel Canto far exceeds that of the Auralic. Details, high/low freq. response were much better, and a much more "meaty" sound. Not surprised by the results, as the Auralic isn’t really designed to be a Dac/Streamer.

*Second test:
Bel Canto (Coax out to Mytek Liberty) vs. Auralic Mini (Coax out to Mytek Liberty) Audioquest Forest Coax cables (2) used for each output. Roon was used for both tests again. The Mytek has two coaxial inputs, so I was able to do the testing together, just switching one input on the Mytek. Almost identical results as above, but the differences were a bit more subtle. Freq response were about the same, but still got a more full "meaty" sound from the Bel Canto.

*Third test:
Bel Canto (analog out to integrated) vs. Auralic Mini (coax out to Mytek). The slight edge goes to the Auralic w/ Mytek. This was how I was listening before purchasing the Bel Canto. I had hopes that the Bel Canto alone would be at the least equivalent, but not the case so far. The Bel Canto may need another 50+ hours until it’s fully burned in, and then I can do the tests again.

*All tests above, the Bel Canto was using a wired connection (only option) and the Auralic Mini was using WiFi. I did not test the Auralic with a wired connection, since I only have one ethernet cable/connection in my room, and wanted to listen to both streamers simultaneously, without have to disconnect the Bel Canto.

However, I liked the sound better from both Streamers to DAC from the second test and 1/2 of the third test, than using the Bel Canto’s DAC alone. I was hoping the Bel Canto would replace the Mytek entirely, but after listening (of course only briefly) it’s going to difficult for me to not want to keep the Mytek in the chain.

To sum up, the Bel Canto is not quite the all-in-one I was hoping for, although it’s still very capable. As a streamer compared to the Auralic Mini, it’s a clear upgrade. Now I need to decide if I want to try a different DAC/Streamer, or just be content using the Bel Canto w/ Mytek, as it is a nice overall improvement.

Another option would be to look at upgrading from the Mytek, keeping the Bel Canto as a streamer, although this was not my original plan, but I know that is where the most further improvement will be had.

In order of best sq in my system (just to reiterate the above):
1. Bel Canto to Mytek: A+
2. Auralic Mini to Mytek: B+
3. Bel Canto direct to Integrated: B
4. Auralic Mini direct to Integrated: C-

I have been looking for a DAC plus Streamer plus music server plus Roon plus MQA combination, either separately or combined, for some time now. I have been reading a lot of reviews and comparisons. Products by Matrix, Benchmark, PS Audio, Roon, Mytek, Minidsy, Denafrips, Innous, Bryston, and others.

I live in Oklahoma where there is no audio store that contains these products to review.

I depend on user knowledge obtained from the internet in forums, retail reviews, and audio magazines, to help me make a decision as to what is good and how they compare. I realize that this is not as good as actually hearing the product in a live room, but I have to do what I can. I will eventually purchase what I want from a dealer that sells the unit with a 30-day return policy with only return shipping cost by me. I will NEVER purchase any product with a “restocking “ charge. I will not buy if this is the case.

The above information is to explain why I have posted the following:

I have a complaint about individuals who find it necessary to get off topic and rant about company A or B selling said reviewed products and implying that all they are trying to do is sell, sell, sell.
This is BS and asinine.
These are people who have been able to compare more products than you or I will ever be able to compare. With the ability of the internet to be able to read about every product made from all perspectives, they are an additional asset to use. As long as they are upfront about their business connection to these products, I will treat their help with the respect they deserve.

Anyone who automatically berates these people who are trying to help and educate the public, just because they are financially linked to the products, labels everyone who works in the retail industry as liars and crooks. Since everyone, and I mean everyone, knows this is not true, their opinion is not worth the time it takes to read, nor the time it takes to forget.

Firststone guy, we think you are defending us, so if you are thank you.

As mentioned previously we have 13 and one time 15 out of the recommended dac streamers on Audiostreams list which does give us a pretty good idea on the sound of many components and comparisons of one vs the other. 

Personally we are not surprised with the OP's findings on the Bel Canto the specs on that particular piece were not too mind blowning and yes there is more to a dac then just the chip set, but overall we had our doubts on that one.  The dac on the Aries Mini was more for convenience so no suprises there, 

We don't understand why the OP didn't just move to the Brooklyn Bridge which sounds better than the Liberty will doing the streaming natively?

We are thinking more strongly about the Gold Note as that piece may be a very nice dac streamer with inputs. the Lumin D2 sounds fantastic but is only a streamer, the Mytek is awesome but the sound of the Mytek is a bit on the clean clear side and sometimes people want a warmer sounding piece. 

We love the sound of the Ifi DSD pro and feature set, the only issue with that one is the Roon endpoint is taking forever to get, although you can stream Tidal directly. 

So Firstone guy we actually  don't get a lot of people ordering from us.

 The reason we post is that we do have great experience with a lot of dacs and streamers as computer audio/streaming is a passion for us.

While we do sell analog systems, our passion is the future which is digital and sreaming and not tape decks, reell to reel, or records.

We also don't deny analog  can sound great but analog lacks the spontanousness  of having instant music and a never ending supply of new artists not to mention the ability to make playlists.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ 

Well..

Bel Canto is being returned, and I'm still in the 30-day window obviously, so no shipping or restocking fees, phew!

I am going with the Mytek Brooklyn Bridge, and yes @audiotroy you were right.

Originally I didn't want to go with the Brooklyn Bridge - only because I didn't need all the extra features it provides, but now I think that it'll come in handy later on, if I decide to change my system (which I do frequently).  I'm sure the BB would make a decent preamp if I wanted to upgrade to a separate amp, instead of using the integrated.

That's a whole new thread though..