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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
tony1954's avatar
tony1954
1,034 posts
 
@pmreagan2    

"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."    

Not sure if you are still in need of someone else's "2 cents", but I had the same issues you have and they are now solved.    

What you need to do is use an integrated amplifier with a HT (home theatre) bypass. This will allow you to run your home theatre setup through the Denon, but the two channel system will run through the integrated amp. @Soix is correct that the Denon is the weak link. It isn't that the Denon isn't a good AVR. It is the fact that AVR's are inherently inferior to integrated amplifiers or other two channel setups. My previous system was built around Cambridge Audio's top of the line CXR200 AVR, but it just wasn't doing it for me.   

To fix things, I purchased a Musical Fidelity M6si that has a HT bypass. I sold the CXR200 because it did not allow for separate output of the front left and right channels and replaced it with a Anthem MXR520.    

Now I run all the HT components through the Anthem and all the two channel through the Musical Fidelity. I was even able to separate the power by running all the two channel power cables into a separate power conditioner.


rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
271 posts
 
My experience is that streaming quality is dependent on Ethernet quality.  Cables switches and LPS for everything adds or removes harshness maybe more than the streamer/DAC.
for me the English Electric 8Switch and Network Acoustics filter tamed a lot of harshness.  I think they offer a trial evaluation. 
pmreagan2's avatar
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pmreagan2 OP
13 posts
 
Thanks to everyone I’m seeing a path forward and learning a hell of a lot along the way. I hope the thread is of value to other novices like me. 
System design (to date):
  • Auralic Aries G1 feeding Denafrips Pontus II. (Pontus on order from factory dealer for US VinshineAudio)
  • Researching preamplifier with HT (Home Theater) bypass. 
Current thinking:
  • Retain Denon AVR 3700H in home theater setup
  • Retain Rotel RB 1590 amplifier for use in 2 channel music setup
Going forward
  • Purchase 5 channel power amp for HT system. 
MY QUESTION:
everyone on this thread has been extremely helpful and generous in their thinking. I’d like to stay here on this thread to ask the question quote what preamp do you recommend for the two channel music (home theater bypass) system?  Or would you prefer that I start a new thread?

kennyc
1,471 posts
 
@pmreagan2
@soix  @jjss49 Took me a moment to process your redirect. If I’m understanding, I should first get the preamp and DAC.   Bypass the Denon. Later on, add a
streamer. Correct?
In case you missed the point I’ll state it clearly- in high end audio everything in your audio chain matters.  A weak link component, such as your Denon after purchasing  Auralic Aries G1 feeding Denafrips Pontus, would bottleneck the performance.  Often upgrading your weakest link component would yield the best sonic benefits.  

After you iron out these purchases, you may want to upgrade your cables to seek further sonic upticks.  
You can save a lot of $ buying components used which is how I purchased my Terminator and Innuos Zenith streamer.  Cables can also be purchased used with great $ savings.
duckworp's avatar
duckworp
257 posts
 
If others are reading looking for advice then I’d suggest the Pro-ject Streambox S2 Ultra over the Auralic Aries G1. It is one-third of the price, one eighth of the size and in my A/B tests in a very revealing system it sounds just as good. Also, in the same price bracket as the Pro-ject and as good sonically are the SOtM sms-200 Ultra Neo and the Stack Audio Link II.

For reference I found no improvement to the Pro-ject by changing its power supply. However the SOtM did improve marginally with a separate power supply. With an external power supply this means the SOtM is marginally better than the Auralic G1.

I would add that these improvements are marginal compared to the improvements you get from a better DAC. Better to buy a Pro-ject Streambox S2 Ultra and spend on a better DAC, than buy a more expensive streamer (or network bridge as a streamer with no dac is more commonly named) and compromise the DAC.

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