DAC and Network Streamer

[EshDes]

Hi All

 

Wonder what your thought are om the above? Thinking of keeping each componenet seperate. Was looking at Ifi at the moment...or if I went a all in path Bluesound seems good value...please keep in mind im looking to keep things at a price friendly point...so no point suggesting Auralic etc...whats your recommendations??

 

 

[Neo]

Speaking of friendly price point what’s your budget on each item, that will be a better start. 
Perhaps try to audition each or both rather than go blind into it, we all have preferences and ultimately may not suit your tastes. 
Neo

[EshDes]

Yeah look probably somewhere between the 500 dollar to 1k mark...hence why looking at IFI and Bluesound as solutions.

[EshDes]

In total that is not by component.

[Neo]

Then your most solid case will be for the Bluesound n130 the new one. These come up here regularly. With the budget mentioned for separates you will not be getting a desired results, as you will need to factor in the digital cable and the analog as well by the sounds of it. Ifi streamer unfortunately is somewhat flawed and the Bluesound n130 will give you the Dac and the streamer both competent, with ease of use and plenty of features. 
So would look into that rather than try to stitch something and then upgrade later. 
Neo

[EshDes]

Thanks thats great advice.

 

Cheers

 

 

[Skeptical]

I have a Bluesound n130 and a Topping D90 DAC. You can have both for $1200.  

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

If budget allows, the Nad c658 would be a very good choice and you get Dirac also, coasionallt come up here second hand for $1500-1700.

 

I own one after owning a Node and a few different dacs, the difference Dirac can make far outweighs and DAC preference within the same budgets, just add a power amp and speakers and you are done.

[Waterpistol]

If you can stretch a few more bucks why not look at the new eversolo dmp a6, or the matrix audio m4 mini. Both units pretty much do the same thing, I think the eversolo has got some more flexibility in terms of I/O’s. You can see the eversolo at selby acoustics, the matrix m4 is available through shenzen audio. recent reviews on iiWi YouTube channel for both.  Just remember that with an all in one there is no need for expensive usb/coax  cables and these devices are optimised for streaming platforms. 

“new device suggestions”

if you want separates, for a streamer you’ll be hard pressed to find anything better than ifi zen stream, the advantage with this device is your system can upgrade quite a lot before you would need to upgrade the streamer. In terms of a dac, the smsl do200 mk2 is excellent for the money. 

“used device suggestions”

same streamer should be about $400/450 ideally with a linear power supply. 
Dac, I would be looking for something that can grow with your system, in which case something like a Denafrips ares 2 is a good choice $700/850 
 

enjoy the hunt, don’t get too caught up in the specs and features, go with what sounds good to YOU..!! 

 

 

[Third Time Lucky]

Yamaha WXC-50 is a good little streaming preamp around the $500 mark that you could look into as well. I could notice the difference with my more expensive DAC but it cost four times as much and didn’t stream. 

[BRS]

Wiim Pro gets a good wrap from Darko as a easy user friendly streamer but should buy a separate DAC. 

[EshDes]

2 hours ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

If budget allows, the Nad c658 would be a very good choice and you get Dirac also, coasionallt come up here second hand for $1500-1700.

 

I own one after owning a Node and a few different dacs, the difference Dirac can make far outweighs and DAC preference within the same budgets, just add a power amp and speakers and you are done.

Hi...just recently uograded my amp...to a class A amp...and pretty happy with it to be honest. Was looking at a Node N130 because if i grow tired of it...I can use it as a streamer and put a dac inbetween it and the amp.

[EshDes]

2 hours ago, BRS said:

Wiim Pro gets a good wrap from Darko as a easy user friendly streamer but should buy a separate DAC. 

Yeah did have a look at that. Especially the pro plus? But wanted something a little higher up thw line. Like a node 130

[EshDes]

2 hours ago, Waterpistol said:

If you can stretch a few more bucks why not look at the new eversolo dmp a6, or the matrix audio m4 mini. Both units pretty much do the same thing, I think the eversolo has got some more flexibility in terms of I/O’s. You can see the eversolo at selby acoustics, the matrix m4 is available through shenzen audio. recent reviews on iiWi YouTube channel for both.  Just remember that with an all in one there is no need for expensive usb/coax  cables and these devices are optimised for streaming platforms. 

“new device suggestions”

if you want separates, for a streamer you’ll be hard pressed to find anything better than ifi zen stream, the advantage with this device is your system can upgrade quite a lot before you would need to upgrade the streamer. In terms of a dac, the smsl do200 mk2 is excellent for the money. 

“used device suggestions”

same streamer should be about $400/450 ideally with a linear power supply. 
Dac, I would be looking for something that can grow with your system, in which case something like a Denafrips ares 2 is a good choice $700/850 
 

enjoy the hunt, don’t get too caught up in the specs and features, go with what sounds good to YOU..!! 

 

 

Thanks for that! Yeah Its either a Ifi or a node n130...leabing towards the node simply because the node has RCA in and out compared to the Ifi? My amp only has RCA inputs and some balanced connection for speakers. Unless there is a great deal on a IFI dac and steam combo somewhere. Any thoughts on what performs better? Between the IFI and node?

[BRS]

I unfortunately don't have experience with either but n130 just came up for sale in Ascot.

  https://www.stereonet.com/forums/topic/593105-bluesound-n130/?do=findComment&comment=6254606