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Streamer Advice / Recommendation for Denafrips R2R DAC

I really could use some help / recommendations on the choice of a streamer.  Here's where I am in my research:
I've decided on a Denafrips Pontus DAC (R2R) because of it's sound characteristics (musical while maintaining definition).  It is within my budget, while the Terminator is not.

My current thinking is I need a streamer that does not have memory, amplification or a DAC on board.  I will use the streamer-DAC pairing to listen to music in a AVR / Music setup: Denon AVR3700H (105 watts) connected to a Rotel 1590 power amp through the Denon precouts.  Bowers & Wilkins 702 S2 (left right) speakers.  Bowers & Wilkins 802 center channel (power connection by Denon amp)  SVS and Yamaha powered subwoofers. When used for streaming Netflix it's a 7.2 setup.

For streaming music I listen to the usual list of suspect: Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify.  In it's current setup, the system is too bright and harsh.  Speaker placement is in the room from acoustic hell: rectangular 15' x 45' with the front/ center channel speakers facing the narrow width (unfortunately by necessity and I'm in the process of adding reflection panels to cover 15% of the room.

I am determined to achieve music that does not wear me out after a couple of hours listening: well produced electronic music / R&B  / piano jazz.  I like midrange dominance but without too much detail in the +8k hz.

I learned to budget more for the DAC than the streamer, but most of the streamers I've looked at are combo amp/hard drive/DAC or they have networking into multi rooms. The  Auralic Aries G2.1  is out of my budget by about $2,500 (at 5,100 US), Willing to pay more for great sound but am unsure the streamer makes that much of a difference than the DAC.

Advice? Setup Recommendations?



128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xpmreagan2
jackd
1,074 posts
 
@pmreagan2 

As long as you realize that for good two channel sound you need to do all three then do it in whatever order is easiest for you.  Finding used Denafrip's DAC's or current Auralic streamers used is not a common and when they do show up they sell almost immediately.  For those you may need to bite the bullet and buy new. On the other hand used preamps are plentiful so you have a better chance of finding something that fits your needs with a little effort and research.  The G1 or even the Lumin U1 Mini are great choices and those telling you the Node 2CI are all you need are fooling you and themselves.  I bought one for my daughter and tried it in my system in place  of the G1 late last year and there was no comparison.  This was a repeat of a head to head comparison I did five years ago against the Aries Mini and the results were still the same, the Auralic won. 
rfnoise
153 posts
 
You might take a look at your amp’s matching preamp, the RC-1590. I can’t vouch for it personally, but it seems to be well reviewed. Looks to have a competent onboard dac, which would put you in a position to buy the preamp, then add your streamer, then later upgrade to the stand-alone dac of your choice. There’s actually one for sale here on Audiogon brand new in the box for $1375, which seems like a good deal given the $2000 retail price.

Just a thought.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisab4ji-rotel-rc-1590-solid-state?
calvinandhobbes
309 posts
 
Not if you’re feeding it into the Denon. Feeding that nice, high-end signal into an AVR is like putting crappy tires on a Porsche

100% agree.

lordrootman's avatar
lordrootman
383 posts
 
Do NOT buy Rotel RC1590 for any price unless you want distortion noise or humming in your set up 
if you want preamp to bypass your Denon Parasound P5 or P6 can do way better 
pmreagan2's avatar
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pmreagan2 OP
13 posts
 
I got the preamp message loud and clear. (Thanks for the insistence). Now it’s a matter of figuring out how to transition my components from a primarily theater setup (being frank about it) to a primarily music/ theater system. 
I know little about preamps so it’s back to reading and benefiting from experts (that’s you). 
How do I add a preamp into my existing configuration?  It had been my plan to keep the 2 channel Rotel RB 1590 power amp (300 watts), add a 3 or 5 channel power amp (model undecided). The Denon AVR3700H has 7 precuts to bypass the internal amps. The clear advice received here is that the Denon preouts are very poor quality and NOT USE them. OK, so…. 
Which preamps put me in position to transition to a 2 channel music rig while still enabling a 7 channel theater?  Or is it more than one piece of equipment?  I know you guys I’ve been down this road. 
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