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Streamer/DAC Recommendations w Wavelett II

Hello, looking to replace my MAC mini with dedicated streamer, would appreciate your advice selecting a high end streamer / dac.

My current system:

Legacy Audio Focus XDs Active (love these speakers) will add another amp for mids and treble in the future. 

Wavelet II (Great match with the speakers and I will not be replacing as I really like the DSP,  EQ and remote control features) “I’m told the built in DAC is quite good but I have not had a chance to compare”

MAC Mini with Roon using Tidal and Qobuz connected via USB. I’m not committed to Roon and would prefer to direct connect with Tidal and future HiFI Spotify when it’s available. I do not need local storage as I only stream. 
 

Budget 5 to 8k, open to second hand. Really like all the reviews around Aurender. I would like the option to have a streamer with DAC built in but only if it’s significantly better than the Wavelet DAC. Again I love the Wavelet features and match with my speakers so will not be removing this. 
 

Ideally hoping someone has the Wavelet II and did a comparison of dedicated Streamer.  / DAC and what your results were?

plan to purchase in the next few months 

Robert 

 

 

 

rbrannen
rbrannen OP
21 posts
 

Fthompson, when you use an outboard DAC and feed into the Wavelet are you still able to take advantage of the DSP room correction?  Or are you just using the Wavelet as a preamp? 

fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
300 posts
 

Yes, I use the Room correction, the unit is so versatile, you can use it as a complete DAC and Preamp, Just as preamp or just as room correction and crossover. The room correction and crossover can be used with any combination. The Wavelet made a significant improvement to the speakers performance in my room.

 

 I still have work to do though as i screwed up my sweeps when i didn’t have the switches correct for the bass on the speakers (Still using internal crossover there for bass) when I added the wavelet into my system, I realized it moments after my amp had a problem, so it’s in for repairs and once it’s back I will be able to take full advantage of the crossover and room correction. It should be amazing.

rbrannen OP
21 posts
 

So your amp is in for repairs due to a mistake made with the switch setting on the legacy focus XDs? Please provide more detail or your direct email so I don’t make this mistake in the future as I plan to add another amp for mids and treble 

fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
300 posts
 

No sorry, the amp went out all by itself. When I first got the Focus, in August I didn't have the Wavelet yet. I just bi amped them with the internal crossover. Then when I got the wavelet i forgot to adjust BOTH switches for the use of the external cross over, just the top and not the bass. I figured that out in December after getting the wavelet the end of September. I went to run sweeps with the correct switch settings but the amp stopped working in the left channel. So now I am on a 6-9 week hold.

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