Streaming solution help - Dynaudio X12 + Hegel H95. Any advice would be appreciated!
Hi Audiogon community, hoping someone can help me out here, I will give a detailed background before asking questions:
I have a Hegel H95 integrated amplifier paired with some old Dynaudio Excite X12 bookshelf speakers via old (Gen 1) Transparent Audio MusicWave speaker cables.
I used to use this system in another location and fed it FLAC files from my laptop running Audirvana, via a Curious USB cable. I was very satisfied with the sound and the speakers disappeared into the room and threw a rather good soundstage/stereo image, at least width-wise. Not perfect or end-game, but highly enjoyable. Running Spotify, it was still enjoyable though not quite as resolving (which was fully expected).
Fast forward a few years. I've moved and getting back into setting up in a new space (a bit larger room/different layout than before, so I'm aware speaker placement, listening position are critical given room interactions/energizing the space and thus, potentially driving power of the H95 may not suit the new dimensions of the room). New space, different game.
For various reasons, I want to start using Tidal (and maybe Spotify) to stream music from my phone.
The Hegel H95 does have a network input in the back of the unit, but I don't have my house networked for a direct connection to the router. I DO have a satellite Orbi station sitting nearby which I linked up to my WiFi. This Orbi unit can do RJ-45 out, so as an experiment, I was planning on running that into the Hegel network input to see it it will work and get the Hegel to "show up" as a streaming device under the Tidal/Spotify apps via my WiFi network.
I very recently helped my father set up a Wiim Pro + streamer (with linear power supply) which we fed into his LS50W's (Gen 1) via good quality RCA's. After a bit of PEQ and slight adjustments to the speaker positioning, we both agree the resulting sound/stereo image is by far better than the stock setup/streaming that the LS50W provides via KEF's app. Wider soundstage, more 'enveloping' and warm - maybe AKM chip at work? Some think that the ADC in the LS50W would negate that, but who knows? Regardless, to our ears, the Wiim Pro + implementation into his setup is a marked improvement in the sound, not subtle in the least. Remarkable considering the 500 dollar investment for the Wiim, cables and LPS.
I do know that there are limitations on file bitrate/depth in regards to what the built in DAC of the H95 can handle. I would like to seek a way around that, which in my case would seem to necessitate an outboard streamer and DAC or both in one.
I have considered trying a Wiim Pro + of my own and seeing if that would work well. My concern is - even though my system is 'mid-fi' at best, would I be leaving performance on the table by going Wiim Pro + versus another solution? I have considered:
Gustard A26 or R26 - getting these to work with the WiFi may be tricky or a waste of time if the bandwidth is too low or lossy?
EverSolo DMP-A6 or DMP-A8 - same as above, but not sure?
BlueSound Node X - No experience with this unit. I like the sound of the AKM in the Wiim Pro + in my father's setup, but maybe there are other considerations, as in how the DAC chip, regardless of manufacturer, is implemented?
Any other advice/input for things I should consider would be welcomed, but what I am aiming for is a solution that will:
1. Play nice with my WiFi approach - as ill-advised as it may be - from a sound quality perspective (it's what I'm stuck with - at least for the next few months).
2. Have a relatively easy to use app I can control via my phone from the couch or otherwise stream directly via the Tidal or Spotify app.
3. Not limit my use of Tidal masters or otherwise higher bitrate music streams, regardless of source.
Any suggestions on what I should do or consider? I'm also open to potentially upgrading the H95 to something with a little more driving power and streaming capability but it should have some synergy with the X12's.
As an aside, if anyone has suggestions on an aftermarket power cable for the H95 and potentially speaker cables that might pair well, I would consider that as a parallel upgrade as well.
Thanks in advance!
Just to add something I am debating on, I’ve emailed Hegel to ask which input to use that would bypass the H95’s internal DAC (I assume the RCA inputs would work for this purpose). If I can do that then maybe using the WiiM as a bridge and connect it to an external DAC, like the Schiit Bifrost 2 to the H95 via RCA would be a possibility and cost half of the asking of the Eversolo DMP-8. |
Yes. Going hardwired from the Orbi relieves the streamer from having to process the Wi-Fi signal, and many here have found it to be sonically superior and more stable along with avoiding having to run long cables that has its own problems. As everything matters in audio I’d avoid using a stock Ethernet cable, but a good one needn’t cost too much. Good info on what you’re looking for from an amp — gotta do some more thinking on that and the DAC option. |
https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2697096 thanks soix, what you are saying makes sense. Obviously you can tell that I’m a newcomer to the streaming aspect, so I appreciate you taking the time to explain. I’ll definitely use the wired option and invest a bit into the cable after I do a little research first. I can definitely relate to avoiding long runs of cable. And looking forward to your amp/DAC recommendations! I’d also be interested in hearing if you have any specific suggestions for speaker cables, interconnects or power cables. |
This can be improved with either a new amp or a DAC (or both), so the first thing would be to decide if you wanna stick with the H95 or need/want to get a new amp with more power and then explore options from there. Sticking with the H95 and adding a new DAC and streamer is likely the cheaper/easier option if you can live with that amp’s lower power output. Buying a new amp will likely give you a bigger overall improvement but will also likely require still buying a new DAC and streamer and would be a more expensive path. If you’re really committed to getting the best sound the latter would be the way to go if it’s in budget, but if not you can still make some good strides keeping the H95. I think this is really your first decision to make. If it was me, I’d get the H95 up and running in the bigger room and see what you get and go from there. Hope this helps a little. |
https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2697096 That helps a lot, thanks soix. I’m waiting to hear back from Hegel support for the Orbi network instructions so I’m hoping early this coming week or so I’ll get the information and have some time to set it all up and evaluate. Based on what I hear I’ll start thinking about adding a dedicated outboard streamer. As mentioned above I’m leaning towards the Schiit Bifrost or maybe the Eversolo DMP-A8. Lots of very favorable reviews and it seems like going down that route would also help future proof in the case I decided to upgrade the integrated amplifier or go separates at some point. I’ll post back here with the findings as I progress. Thanks again for all of your input so far. It’s going to be fun getting back into the hobby! |
