EshDes Posted September 11, 2023 Posted September 11, 2023 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 Posted September 11, 2023 Posted September 11, 2023 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 2
EshDes Posted September 12, 2023 Author Posted September 12, 2023 Yeah look probably somewhere between the 500 dollar to 1k mark...hence why looking at IFI and Bluesound as solutions.
Neo Posted September 12, 2023 Posted September 12, 2023 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
Skeptical Posted September 18, 2023 Posted September 18, 2023 I have a Bluesound n130 and a Topping D90 DAC. You can have both for $1200. 2
Hi-Fi Whipped Posted September 18, 2023 Posted September 18, 2023 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. 2
Waterpistol Posted September 18, 2023 Posted September 18, 2023 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..!! 1
Third Time Lucky Posted September 18, 2023 Posted September 18, 2023 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. 2
BRS Posted September 18, 2023 Posted September 18, 2023 Wiim Pro gets a good wrap from Darko as a easy user friendly streamer but should buy a separate DAC. 1
EshDes Posted September 18, 2023 Author Posted September 18, 2023 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 Posted September 18, 2023 Author Posted September 18, 2023 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 1
EshDes Posted September 18, 2023 Author Posted September 18, 2023 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 Posted September 18, 2023 Posted September 18, 2023 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 1
thorpef1 Posted October 13, 2023 Posted October 13, 2023 I've been through this journey recently after coming from a raspberry pi volumio streamer I've tested the following: Streamers * ifi zen stream * bluesound node n130 DACs * ifi zen DAC v1 * schiit modius E * geiseler Klein III I started with the zen stream and the 3 DACs, although sound quality was good the user interface was a let down, it uses a custom version of volumio which I was familiar with but it was one of the main reasons that I wanted to move away in the first place. I had mine connected over wifi and at times it took some time for it to reconnect so I could change the song etc, also swapping between local media to Spotify connect or tidal connect is a pain, it would literally play the 2 tracks over the top of each other instead of stopping one source and staring the next. So I decided to try out the bluesound node n130. User interface is much easier to use, initially I have it playing through the schiit dac but to be honest I haven't had a real opportunity to do proper listening (newborn at home) I still have the full stack of 2 streamers and 3 DACs set up side by side and will likely go with the bluesound (possibly with the schiit dac) but just need to find some time to do some final testing and then list the other pieces. Other items I had in my list but didn't end up trying were. * wiim pro (or the new pro plus with an improved DAC) * Cambridge audio mxn10 * Cambridge audio cxn 1
EshDes Posted October 13, 2023 Author Posted October 13, 2023 1 hour ago, thorpef1 said: I've been through this journey recently after coming from a raspberry pi volumio streamer I've tested the following: Streamers * ifi zen stream * bluesound node n130 DACs * ifi zen DAC v1 * schiit modius E * geiseler Klein III I started with the zen stream and the 3 DACs, although sound quality was good the user interface was a let down, it uses a custom version of volumio which I was familiar with but it was one of the main reasons that I wanted to move away in the first place. I had mine connected over wifi and at times it took some time for it to reconnect so I could change the song etc, also swapping between local media to Spotify connect or tidal connect is a pain, it would literally play the 2 tracks over the top of each other instead of stopping one source and staring the next. So I decided to try out the bluesound node n130. User interface is much easier to use, initially I have it playing through the schiit dac but to be honest I haven't had a real opportunity to do proper listening (newborn at home) I still have the full stack of 2 streamers and 3 DACs set up side by side and will likely go with the bluesound (possibly with the schiit dac) but just need to find some time to do some final testing and then list the other pieces. Other items I had in my list but didn't end up trying were. * wiim pro (or the new pro plus with an improved DAC) * Cambridge audio mxn10 * Cambridge audio cxn Hi ended up going with the N130. Im now looking to get a psu and filter board upgrade and a dac down the road. 1
Robbiefest Posted December 8, 2023 Posted December 8, 2023 On 13/10/2023 at 8:09 PM, EshDes said: Hi ended up going with the N130. Im now looking to get a psu and filter board upgrade and a dac down the road. Did you ever get a power supply upgrade? I personally have the PD Creative and love it. I've also bought an eversolo a6 master a month ago but the bluesound is still a more natural sounding unit. The bluesound is good enough to not require a DAC but sometimes I'll play it through my Bryston BDA1 Dac. I'm waiting for PD Creative to bring the power supply onto the market for the Eversolo as it needs it. 1
Al.M Posted December 9, 2023 Posted December 9, 2023 I couldn’t see what speakers you have and if it’s in the price point low end it may indicate you would not hear the differences as much. It would then be matter of practicality and ease of use for the final choice of equipment.
Guest Posted December 9, 2023 Posted December 9, 2023 On 18/09/2023 at 4:04 PM, BRS said: Wiim Pro gets a good wrap from Darko as a easy user friendly streamer but should buy a separate DAC. Agreed - for the money this is hard to beat. Buy this (or the Plus) and spend the remainder of your budget on the DAC.
EshDes Posted December 10, 2023 Author Posted December 10, 2023 On 09/12/2023 at 11:41 AM, Al.M said: I couldn’t see what speakers you have and if it’s in the price point low end it may indicate you would not hear the differences as much. It would then be matter of practicality and ease of use for the final choice of equipment. I have a pair of EPOS M22 towers and a Pair of Monitor Audio Silver 100 6g
EshDes Posted December 10, 2023 Author Posted December 10, 2023 On 09/12/2023 at 8:21 AM, Robbiefest said: Did you ever get a power supply upgrade? I personally have the PD Creative and love it. I've also bought an eversolo a6 master a month ago but the bluesound is still a more natural sounding unit. The bluesound is good enough to not require a DAC but sometimes I'll play it through my Bryston BDA1 Dac. I'm waiting for PD Creative to bring the power supply onto the market for the Eversolo as it needs it. Ive been eyeing the PD Creative PSU and filter kit for the Bluesound Node.
Robbiefest Posted December 10, 2023 Posted December 10, 2023 13 hours ago, EshDes said: Ive been eyeing the PD Creative PSU and filter kit for the Bluesound Node. I'd thoroughly recommend it. I bought the top end power supply from PD creative. I've also got an Sbooster which I tried with the PD Creative onboard interface but it sounded very harsh and too bright. The PD creative board and power supply sound very musical
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