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Help with DAC and Streamer suggestions

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy and spending lots of time listening to great music!

Before I ask for your advice, I thought it would be good to tell you my system:
  • Martin Logan Summit X speakers connected with Acoustic Zen Hologram II speaker cables.
  • Shiit Yggy DAC connected with Acoustic Zen Matrix II reference interconnect.
  • Bryston BDP-1 music player connected with Kimber Kable D-60 digital cable.
  • Oppo 105D for SACDs, modified by Ric Shultz connected with Toto Tungsten interconnects.
  • Prima Luna Dialogue HP integrated amp with original tubes.
  • Furman Elite 20 power conditioner.
  • I have a dedicated 20 amp line running to all audio electronics.
  • All electronics are connected with Pangea power cords.
  • All music passes through Roon on my computer, and while playing music the computer does nothing else.  The computer has a direct connection to the internet, and all music is sent to the streamer via Cat-7 cable.
  • I listen to Tidal primarily, along with some of my own FLAC files.
 I want to change my music streamer and DAC.  I'd like something that will make the 2nd unfold of MQA, but that's not a deal killer.  I have around $6,000 to spend, and I'm fine with used equipment from Audiogon.

Here is what I've been considering:
  • Primaluna EVO DAC - $3,000, not MQA, won't add a better streamer, but might sound great with my Primaluna integrated.
  • Aurender A10 streamer/DAC combo - $5500 new, will make the MQA unfold.  Not sure about combining the streamer and DAC.
  • Mytek Manhattan II DAC with network card - $4700 new, does not add a better streamer.
  • Roon Nucleus Plus streamer ($2500) and perhaps a better DAC.
  • Small Green Computer Sonictransporter I5 for Roon and music ($1075) and better DAC.
  • Keep the Bryston and buy a Holo Audio May DAC ($5,000).
  • Certainly open to other suggestions.
As you can see, lots of options to choose.  :( 

I live in a very small town in Central Oregon and can't audition different components.

 I'd love to hear your suggested changes for my DAC and streamer!

Thank you!

Steve
smills59
kmmd's avatar
kmmd
73 posts
 
Btw, the rest of my 2-Channel system consists of a VAC MkIIa SE preamp with cryoed Telefunken 6922’s, Pass Labs XVR-1 crossover feeding a Pass X250.8 for mids/highs and a pair of Bryston 7BSST’s for the bass biamping Maggie 3.6R’s. A pair of REL S/5 SHO’s augments the low end. Power conditioning for the above is via a Shunyata Everest except for the subs which are plugged into the wall.
djones51
4,947 posts
 


To run Roon the cleanest simplest way with good SQ is using a NUC which I prefer because it's cheaper or a Nucleus. Either of these run roon core on Roons OS ROCK. Connect the NUC to your router, connect any hard drives or Flash drives to the NUC.  If you want to fully unfold MQA I would use a Mytek Brooklyn, connect it to your network router with ethernet use it as a roon endpoint and DAC. 
smills59 OP
54 posts
 
Thanks,  everybody! I decided to upgrade some of my cables and put my NUC into an Akasa fanless case.  Thinking about a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge or Manhattan DAC for MQA. Going to do more research on this.   

Thank you again! 
photomax
169 posts
 
This is an interesting thread.

I am not familiar with much of your kit. But the front end of your kit sounds solid on paper. Is there something with your sound that you are not happy with? Before throwing money at new streamers and DACs I would give Qobuz a good listen before focussing on thinking Tidal’s MQA might dramatically change things for the better?

Just to play devil’s advocate I would consider your speakers and amplification. Your room, speakers, amplification will be the crucial factors, more so than streamers and DACs. Your front end is solid, so I would consider this. If you can try auditioning different speakers and amps in your space. If your room is “difficult” then I would pay close attention to speaker placement and possible room treatments. 
paulcreed
539 posts
 
I'm just putting together my first streaming front end and have no idea what I'm doing, but first thing I noticed was you said "all Pangea power cables on all components." I would change out some of the Pangea for others out there, I think everything would open up. Your Acoustic Zen matrix are nice, I have AZ silver ref 2 out of dac and really like it. I wanted to start off with a analog sounding dac and came super close to buying MHDT orchid or Audio Mirror. I ended up with the RME adi2 v2 which I really like and am going to add the Teddy Pardo power supply for the RME going into Auralic Aries. RME sounds big tight bass and very open and clear and have not grown tired of it, just the opposite I enjoy it more as days go on. I still feel I may try the Orchid/AM but may always keep the RME for being so transparent and so many adjustments, I keep everything flat with NOS filter or slow filter sometimes sharp filter can be fun. Someone mentioned out board power supply's help, my preamp and phono preamp, CD player have outboard PSU's and think it makes a very nice difference, thats why I would think a dac should be no different. 
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