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  3. 146766-11545

Does this exist? Preamp/Streamer/DAC with MQA, Roon and more

I'm looking for a particular set of features that seem to be very hard to find in a stereo (2.1) product. My budget is preferably around $2,500 but there is some flexibility. Here's what I would like:

Must have
-Preamp
-Network streamer
-DAC
-Roon endpoint
-MQA compatible (not interested in your opinion of MQA)

Want to have
-HDMI inputs/output for video switching only and 2 channel audio (to allow TV sound through stereo)
-Room correction
-Subwoofer management

I recently purchased the newly released NAD C658 which, when adding the optional HDMI module, covers every must have and want to have (Dirac room correction is coming in a later FW update) for a total of $1,800. Perfect! The problem is that so far the thing sounds lousy. I'm trying to let it burn in more and see if Dirac comes and makes it better, but it's not looking good after the first few days. The DAC seems to be the problem. It seems to suffer from audible time smearing and sounds too clinical and harsh so I am suspect about Dirac helping with that.

I've also seen the SimAudio Moon 390 but it's $5,300 and doesn't have room correction or subwoofer management. On the less expensive end, SimAudio also has the Moon Ace for $2,900 which has the same features as the 390, minus the HDMI inputs. I'd use the preouts to my own amp since the Ace is an integrated amp.

Then there is the Aurender A10. It costs even more than the Moon 390 and doesn't have HDMI inputs.

Cambridge Audio has some well regarded streamers but they aren't Roon compatible.

Finally, there is the PS Audio DirectStream and DirectStream Junior. I recently purchased the DSJr since it can be had close to my budget and while it sounds incredible as a streamer and DAC, it's not viable as a preamp. I spoke to PS Audio about this and they recommend using a separate preamp for the DS and especially for the Jr. I can't remember exactly why but they told me the signal to noise ratio when used straight into an amp wasn't ideal. I tested this myself and found that the DSJr sounded better even running through a Marantz AV receiver as preamp than it did straight into my amp (the receiver uses pre-outs to the same amp). I don't want to run a DSJr through a Marantz receiver and if I blow the budget on the DAC, I won't be able to get a capable preamp worthy of mating with it. Plus I'm really trying to get down to fewer boxes.

Are there any other options out there that I'm missing?
jnehma1
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@rhern213 You can utilize something along the lines of Iogear’s or TP-Link’s WiFi Ethernet adaptors (if your component has a LAN Port). This is a basic approach to meet your need for being able to run wireless to a component.

These are small factor boxes that will add a ’device’ present in the vicinity of your component, as well as a short cable. They also need to be powered via a wall wart.

You may also be able to do the same with a Range Extender plugged into a wall outlet, those that offer LAN out.

A more robust and stable solution is a Mesh WiFi Router.

In any case, you will be adding different levels of noise and RF, etc. to your gear and around the vicinity of your gear, should this be a concern.
edsky
15 posts
 
I've recently taken ownership of a Moon 390 and I've been blown away at how good it sounds. I use the HT bypass mode to run my AV preprocessor in parallel. It's an extremely convenient product as it has a high quality preamp, streamer and DAC all built into one unit. The streamer can connect to Wifi on the 5Ghz spectrum so I've been able to stream 32-bit/384kHz hi res audio over wifi with out any dropouts at all. Streaming MQA is just 24-bit/48kHz so it doesn't put stress at all on Wifi as the Moon 390 decodes and unfolds the MQA to streams of up to 384kHz.

The Moon 390 has introduced warmth to my system while providing more detail at the same time. I've honestly never heard such realism in music reproduction, especially with a well recorded MQA track. (I suspect that a hi res track from Qobuz or other sources will sound very good as well.)
greenvillesc
1 posts
 
the teac nt-505 is closest thing that I can think of you wanting. im also wanting the same thing almost. they say it sounds warm an velvety. teac also makes a 10mhz dac generator that will make your music sound even more analog. the 10m is a game changer for any dac if the dac has 10mhz inputs. the nt-505 with the cg-10m should be up there with the best dacs. the 10m is a reference clock generator that will out perform dacs costing 100k. only thing will beat it that I know of is the auralic steaming dac g2 with there generator or the antelope 10m with there top of the line dac. both options are expensive an dacs dont get any better than that running with a 10m clock rhodium generator. hope this helps
sacresta
78 posts
 
Auralic is an excellent option for you.
Great sound.
veroguy
137 posts
 
The PS Audio Gain Cell Dac checks most of your boxes.  $1699

No MQA, but maybe you could use Roon for first unfold?


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