2. amps-preamps
  3. 140953-84060

All in one Pre/Power/Streaming/DAC or Streaming Preamp/DAC combo ~$2k-4k recommendations

Howdy!

Looking for recommendations on a user-friendly  pre/power/dac/streamer OR preamp/dac/streamer combo or all in one pre/power/dac/streamer combo.  ~$2-4K is my price range.  These combos are difficult to search the internet for and even more difficult to search Audiogon for (what section do you list them in?). 

Here's what I think are my requirements.  I say, "I think" because I'm open to other options to get me there.
1. Control unit with iphone, ipad
2. Runs Tidal
3. Runs cool-- my equipment is behind doors away from 2 year old hands
4. Fun options- HDMI input, bluetooth, air play, room correction- I have no control over placement options for speakers (wife retains that authority)
5. If recommending all-in-one box with power needs plenty of watts to run ATC speakers, generally >100wpc.

Current system consists of ATC SCM 11 v2 speakers, Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 which runs straight into Wyred for Sound ST-500 mk 2 power amp.  I have a Squeezebox touch from which I stream Tidal.  Also have an apple tv and sony uhp-h1 universal player connected through the DAC.  My stereo is in the main living room connected with the tv that everyone uses.

I"m really looking for functionality upgrade, not necessarily looking to improve on the sound.  I'm pretty pleased with sound quality and I don't know if I could elaborate on what sound quality I would improve upon if you asked.  I want my wife and kids to be able to use it and enjoy it as much as I do.  Think Taylor Swift dance parties (for my daughters), country music for the wife, and jazz/acoustic for me, and tv sound through the stereo all of the rest of the time.   

Right now I have a separate remote for all the devices.  I frequently have 3 remotes in my hand at once.  I use iPeng to control the Squeezebox, but I don't think it's great and doesn't integrate all that well with Tidal. Wife and kids find it more difficult to use.

My wants seem to outweigh my bank account- the eternal audiophile conundrum.

Thanks for your input!


joshelston
usery
131 posts
 
@joshelston:

"What speakers are you running with it?"
Nola Boxers on Dynaudio Stand 4, similar form and spec to your ATC - SCM11 v2. Also have a single REL R-328 sub, soon to be replaced by dual Syzygy SLF870’s.

I didn’t spring for the Micromega "M.A.R.S" room correction (+ $1K). Subs come first, and as it turns out the Syzygy’s have DSP and DRC features, in very innovative fashion.

Source material is mostly .flac from NAS over wired ethernet direct to the M-100, and Tidal "hi-res" over ethernet - also to be replaced as soon as Qobuz is live in USA.

These days less and less redbook CD’s to M-100 RCA-in, but I still buy some to rip to .flac (the recordings I’m after aren’t on Tidal).

Also Chromecast to M-100 optical-in - which I don’t use (it’s for my wife’s Spotify playlists).
joshelston OP
53 posts
 
@mr_m--wise comments.  good stuff.

@usery--Nola! Sweet!  Clever speakers.  We should be friends.  ;)
I see one available on The Music Room with room correction which I think would be smart given my inability to do anything about speaker placement.  I purchased my current set up from them and have been pleased.  I have also have a sub- polk audio is doing  the job nicely, IMO.  
usery
131 posts
 
@joshelston:

If room correction is must-have for you, unit at TMR could be a winner.

If you're in a spot to defer DRC til later (like I'm doing), and $4K is your top-end, you might even be in range of a new M-100.  There's a sale going that might land at or just above your budget.  No guarantee, PM me if interested.    Note I get nothing other than good deedness to dealer who has done well for me recently.
joshelston OP
53 posts
 
Any differences between m100 vs m150 other than watts?
joshelston OP
53 posts
 
Interestingly in the article usery referenced above, the DAC section of the m100 is the same used in ATC’s own CD/DAC.  Since they are the ones that have manufactured my speakers that seems like a cool coincidence.  I know any DAC is more than just the chip but found it very interesting.  
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