@bill_k I believe I need to investigate further. I have 3 DACs currently - Audio Mirror Toubadour V, Okto Dac8 Stereo, and Schiit Yggy OG. I was looking at getting the Cen.Grand DSDAC Deluxe but didn't know if it would be a good match.
Another problem I had with the Rose RS130 which I elaborated on in a different thread is that when using USB or I2S HDMI the RS130 does not "recognize" an intermediate Denafrips GAIA DDC as a DAC and doesn't allow it to be activated. You can only activate one input setting at a time either USB or I2S or the trio of AES/EBU BNC Coax. To use a DDC I'm forced to use AES/EBU and can't use USB or I2S because it doesn't recognize the output machine, which is kind of annoying and I hope they fix it in a future iteration.
I'll play around some more and see if I'm wrong about the DSD, but also, I have literally only 1 DSD album so it's not terribly important to my setup.
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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@dhungana - Of those three DACs the only one that supports direct DSD playback (without converting playback to PCM) is the Okto which supports DSD via USB. |
My Lumin U2 mini arrived and setup was a snap. I'm running it USB out to Denafrips Iris then i2s to Pontus II 12th-1. As I expected it took about 20 minutes to figure out how to get tidal to play. seem to have an issue playing a saved playlist from Tidal. It will play a few tracks and then stops. The playlist has 71 tracks and will play a few then stop and go back to the first track. If I select a song from the middle of the playlist it doesn't continue on to the next song, it just stops. I'm wondering if i should try tidal connect? I know it's to early to say if it sounds better than the BS Node in my setup but at this point it's not much. The BS Node has a warmer presentation while this might be more open sounding. I will follow up later. |
I just replaced my Bluesound Node with a Denafrips Arce streamer and am blown away by the improved sound quality, both in detail and staging. I use AirPlay, so the lack of an app for the Arce is not an issue for me. Seems to be a well engineered, well built, great value product. Regardless of your choice I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the improved sound quality offered by a dedicated streamer. |
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