Moon MiND2. I really like what mine delivers in terms of sound quality. Plus the app is really user-friendly.
New streamer
I recently opened a discussion on upgrading my DAC. I started at the beginning of that discussion, that I was a vinyl guy, but with my purchase of the Chord Qutest, I realized that digital music can be outstanding and want to now upgrade my Node.
That will provide 2 benefits: Maximizing my current systems digital, and allow me to move the Node & Schiit Modi Multibit 2 to the family room, a small HT setup with a Yamaha AVR driving a Goldenear soundbar. Streaming there is currently MusicCast using the AVR DAC. The improvement there should be very nice.
My 2 channel equipment is as follows:
Rogue RP-1 w/ NOS Brimar’s, LSA Warp 1, KEF R11’s, Rhythmic F12SE, Pro-ject 1Xpression w/Hana ML, Rega Aria, Bluesound Node w/Qubuz, Marantz CD6007, Chord Qutest. Good to very good power, speaker, interconnect cables.
My weakest link (I believe) is now my Node.
I don’t want or need amplification or volume control, ripping storage, nor an internal DAC. Sound signature should be neutral.
My budget is $2,500, but willing to spend less. My current favorites are:
Lumin U2 mini. Very well reviewed, beautiful, perfect form factor, good app & controllable via my Harmony One remote. It is currently my #1 choice.
Auralic Aris. If new, the G1.1, if used G2.0 or 2.1. Very well reviewed, good app, OK form factor, but not controllable via harmony.
Naim ND5 XS2. Considered the best high end streamer by What Hi Fi Would need to buy used to stay close to budget.
EverSolo DMP-A6. Included based upon reviews, but may not be a serious contender.
HiFi Rose RS250A. The streamer EverSolo seemed to copy
Aurender. Don’t think they have anything within my budget, but included for discussion.
LPS upgrade for Node. Included because I know it will come up. Plan to reuse my node downstairs, so out. Would prefer LPS upgrade for one of the above.
Please let me know your thoughts and/or recommendations. Thanks!
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The most important thing I’ve learned about being in love with audio is you’re gonna have to kiss a bunch of toads to find what works for you. Yes there are some brands that excel at what they do and consideration should start there but once you whittle it down to the top 3 or 4 in our current environment of limited to no access to dealers with showrooms we must buy online and seek advice in places such as this. All that being said what I’ve done is,if a short list item is availible new with a fair return policy I start there. If I like it score! If not I send it back no worries, next...and so on. I’ll buy the most expensive used item on the list last in line because if I don’t like it,I must sell it used and go though the sell headache. I don’t espeacially enjoy the ride as many here do cycling though a lot of gear to each his own.I’ve taken a haircut or two with used equipment and thats the other thing I’ve learned the occasional haircut is the price of admission in this endeavor. All that having been said I am expecting the DMP A8 today upgrading from the Eversolo A6 ME I’m going going all in. I am that impressed with the offering. I heard several of the high end streamers being suggested here and many are very good however I could not tell you if it was the streamer in and of itself that was great because in all the scenarios everything attached to the streamer was high end also. Many here would never even consider a product like the Eversolo(s) because they dont carry enough brand cache don’t make that mistake with your money the other thing I’ve learned is legacy brands are in trouble the value delta is expanding in our favor fast. |
@signaforce The Mini offers a lot for the money. Very good sonics, thoughtful design, excellent app. Roon ready if you use that. USB out is noticeably better than the others, at least with my DAC (PS A DSD Mk2). I think the two main advantages of the U2 ($5k) over the Mini are a linear power supply and fiber input. The LEEDH processing for volume control is really good. I do use a preamp but I keep the streamer volume at 75% to keep the level close to my other sources. There is absolutely no loss in using the volume control in the streamer. My DAC upsamples and converts to DSD as its normal function, so I keep the streamer at whatever res the source is. But I have played with the upsampling in the mini and I must say it did a very good job. Firmware updates are a regular thing, automatic, and completely painless. |
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