Affordable SS that sound like Tubes

Cambridge audio  CXA 61 or 81. 

@tonydennison

I can’t recommend a SS amp that sounds like tubes. You’ve already gotten recommendations on good sounding amplifiers.

As to using mac mini as a streamer, which is what you’re doing, it’s not optimized for this task. You have OS running, background processes and Audirvana running on it processing music files from hard drive (hope it’s SSD). All that good stuff that’s happening inside loads up processor and memory, results in good amounts of heat and generates noise and interference that you end up feeding via a USB out that’s not optimized for streaming music. Add to that the noise generated by the internal power supply. All that junk from the Mini gets fed into your DAC. On top of it, your computer is probably close to your components and cables and is plugged into the same circuit. You are now dealing with EMI and the garbage that the Mini dumps back into the circuit that’s powering your system.

A much better solution would be to use the PS Audio DAC with its built in network card and stream using ethernet. Have your Mac Mini as far away from your system as possible. It and the PS Audio DAC would need to be on the same network.

When you’re using a dedicated streamer, you take advantage of the optimized USB and other digital outputs, cool running processors and internal isolation. You also get a better power supply that’s designed with audio in mind. But with the DSD DAC built in network card you don’t even need a dedicated streamer. 

I love my Dayens Ampino monos, and they definitely have a smooth sound. Check out their line. 
 

Also I’d look into Sugden, Audio By Van Alstine, and Linear Tube Audio (tube life on those is supposed to be looooong) 

 @audphile1 

"""A much better solution would be to use the PS Audio DAC with its built in network card and stream using ethernet. """"

The PSAudio Bridge sounds like poop. I can only assume you have never tried it and compared it to the USB. If this is true, you are sounding like a brochure warrior, just saying. All you would have to do is peruse the PSAudio forum to know the Bridge sounds like crap.

""But with the DSD DAC built in network card you don’t even need a dedicated streamer. ""

I do if I want it to sound better than the bridge and besides DSD files sound better. I only use Qobuz to demo albums and then I purchase DSD.

""It and the PS Audio DAC would need to be on the same network."""

Ok, check, thank you.