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Pls Recommend Streamer Under $500 for Tidal “HiFi”

I’m searching for the best sounding streamer under $500 that supports Tidal’s “HiFi” lossless playback. I understand that r2r DAC is desirable, and if possible, I’d like to use the streamer as a DAC for my CD transport and play and store files from my NAS. The unit doesn’t need to have a preamp / integrated amp as I’ll be connecting it to my existing preamp which is feeding vertically bi-amped Energy Reference Connoisseur 70 speakers. Thanks for your suggestions!
128x128sleepwalker65
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,939 posts
 
If you use the analog outputs on the Node2i you will get MQA.
Correct

If you use coax or toslink outputs you will not get MQA, unless you connect to a MQA enabled DAC
You get the first unfold via these connections, (as long as it's a MQA Master track). True, you don’t full MQA, but the first unfold is pretty good.
sleepwalker65's avatar
sleepwalker65 OP
832 posts
 
Please explain “first unfold”. 
asahitoro
244 posts
 
You get the first unfold via these connections, (as long as it’s a MQA Master track). True, you don’t full MQA, but the first unfold is pretty good.

I didn’t know I that about the digital connections. Thank you.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,939 posts
 
MQA explained:

https://www.audiostream.com/content/mqa-decoding-explained
danvignau's avatar
danvignau
935 posts
 
I don't remember the brand, but Chris at Audio Advisers in West Palm Beach, recommended a $500 one.  Give him a call. They sell Audio Research, Mac, B&W, Wilson, and LP's that can be from $1500 to $2500., so they are serious listeners, and they never, ever disrespect another company's products.  If you go on their website, that gorgeous TT on the opening page is only $27,995, I believe.
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