Looking for intermediate-step Streamer: better than BS Node and not @ Bartok level pricing
Hi
I have a BS Node. Yggy DAC. BAT electronics, Shunayata PCs, AQ SC, and Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Grand Reference Speakers in a wonderful room. I also have a Linn, Shelter 901 MKII and top of the line BAT phono preamp. It all sounds lovely. I borrowed a Bartok. AMAZING!!! And then I returned it, as I cannot afford that level of playback. I am interested in upgrading my STREAMER -- I think. (Yes, I know I could upgrade my fuses, room treatment, and everything else I own....)
I am curious to learn if there is a MID-POINT step that others suggest before I spend $25K on the ultimate STREAMER/DAC setup when I retire in a zillion years. It seems absurd that my system is dependent upon a $550. piece of equipment.
I am looking for natural sound. 3-D. I listen to jazz, classical, and rock from the 60s-90s. No club music/ insane bass. When the Bartok was in my system, I felt like I was listening to vinyl. What might be a good landing place for the next DECADE or so??
Thanks in advance.
Joe
I have had a very good experience with the Bricasti M5. I'm running it as a Roon bridge. Can also be run using Jriver or Audirvana functioning as your OS. List price is something like $2400, but can be found used in the $1300 to $1800 range. Prior to Bricasti M5 I had been running Bluesound kit and a Roon Nucleus streaming to itself. The Bricasti was a big step up.
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soix7,620 posts Lots of good info and nice system, but what’s your budget and are you looking for new or used?
Hi,I don't have a fixed budget. Something in the 3-6K region sounds reasonable to me to be a MID-STEP. But again, that is part of the question I am asking. If there is nothing shy of a $10k investment to make the move up...well...that is what I would like to know. My system sounds pretty good. But I know there is a world that is vastly superior -- for $25k. I am not able to make that investment now. I'm looking for a SIGNIFICANT upgrade at a modest price. I am certain that for a few $1K I could do better. Not interested. I want to land somewhere where I can stay for a decade while I continue learning about the ultimate systems.
So what is my budget? I ask all of you: what should I allocate for such an upgrade? |
