Edit: Within 2 years I could possibly see myself moving up the speaker food chain to Kef LS50 from the NHT C1, still using the little Sunfire sub.
Only $800 to work with streamer/power for 3rd system
I am looking for a preferably one-box or potentially two-box solution that will provide the best sound quality to stream Tidal (ethernet or wireless can work) including MQA and power my existing passive speakers (plus powered sub). This will be for my office system at work, where I have a solo office in a large building full of other tenants. So no loud playing most of the time but want good quality, per limited budget.
Speakers will be NHT C1 bookshelf pair with Sunfire SDS8 mini sub. These are already in house. Hope to keep the streamer/power solution to $800 total, given the modest speakers.
Other considerations: Really want 32-bit DAC and MQA capability. Don't need much power. Don't need storage or ability to control storage - just Tidal streaming, but want Tidal support natively built-in. Don't want to use my phone or computer because already using them at work - want the streamer/power solution to handle. On second thought I guess control app from phone is okay, just don't want to be bluetooth streaming from phone or computer. Would prefer new, not used, but factory refurbished is okay with warranty. Won't use other sources, just Tidal. Don't want multi-channel AVR, only need stereo.
The two options I'm most focused on are Bluesound Powernode 2 or 2i, and the Integra DTM-7 stereo receiver, each of which are single-box solutions. Other options could be PS Audio Sprout 100 integrated for $600 (or NAD, Marantz, other integrated similar cost?) with a separate streamer, but I'm not aware of a separate streamer for $200 that has a 32-bit DAC and handles MQA. Yamaha WXAD-10 seemed close but best I can tell (not real clear) I think it has 24 bit DAC and anyway it'd push total closer to $1000 with Sprout.
I am familiar with the Integra DTM-7, as I have the DTM-7 as the HT hub of my current bedroom system, and with its HDMI/Dolby Vision/HDR support it is killer in that role for $650 for a 2-ch setup. But for Tidal music the sound through the NHT C1's was a little bright and after couple hours slightly fatiguing for me, although doable if that's what I go with for 3rd system (I'd get another DTM-7 for office if that is way I go). I've since upgraded my 2nd system speakers to Spendor SA1 and they sound great powered by the Integra in system 2, better combination - no more brightness/fatigue.
But now with the NHT C1 speakers freed up for system 3, I'm wondering if I can do better than the Integra for a music-only application for my office. Has anyone compared sound quality of Bluesound Powernode 2 (or 2i) with the Integra? Does Bluesound have a warmer sound? FWIW I know the Integra is class A/B, and I think Bluesound is class D. Oddly, I think Powernode 2 and 2i share same amplifier and DAC (but 2i includes some new features that I probably wouldn't use - Airplay, etc.), yet What Hifi review claims sound much improved with 2i. Powersound 2 is $600 now, while 2i is $800.
Or am I overlooking a better solution? Thank you
Speakers will be NHT C1 bookshelf pair with Sunfire SDS8 mini sub. These are already in house. Hope to keep the streamer/power solution to $800 total, given the modest speakers.
Other considerations: Really want 32-bit DAC and MQA capability. Don't need much power. Don't need storage or ability to control storage - just Tidal streaming, but want Tidal support natively built-in. Don't want to use my phone or computer because already using them at work - want the streamer/power solution to handle. On second thought I guess control app from phone is okay, just don't want to be bluetooth streaming from phone or computer. Would prefer new, not used, but factory refurbished is okay with warranty. Won't use other sources, just Tidal. Don't want multi-channel AVR, only need stereo.
The two options I'm most focused on are Bluesound Powernode 2 or 2i, and the Integra DTM-7 stereo receiver, each of which are single-box solutions. Other options could be PS Audio Sprout 100 integrated for $600 (or NAD, Marantz, other integrated similar cost?) with a separate streamer, but I'm not aware of a separate streamer for $200 that has a 32-bit DAC and handles MQA. Yamaha WXAD-10 seemed close but best I can tell (not real clear) I think it has 24 bit DAC and anyway it'd push total closer to $1000 with Sprout.
I am familiar with the Integra DTM-7, as I have the DTM-7 as the HT hub of my current bedroom system, and with its HDMI/Dolby Vision/HDR support it is killer in that role for $650 for a 2-ch setup. But for Tidal music the sound through the NHT C1's was a little bright and after couple hours slightly fatiguing for me, although doable if that's what I go with for 3rd system (I'd get another DTM-7 for office if that is way I go). I've since upgraded my 2nd system speakers to Spendor SA1 and they sound great powered by the Integra in system 2, better combination - no more brightness/fatigue.
But now with the NHT C1 speakers freed up for system 3, I'm wondering if I can do better than the Integra for a music-only application for my office. Has anyone compared sound quality of Bluesound Powernode 2 (or 2i) with the Integra? Does Bluesound have a warmer sound? FWIW I know the Integra is class A/B, and I think Bluesound is class D. Oddly, I think Powernode 2 and 2i share same amplifier and DAC (but 2i includes some new features that I probably wouldn't use - Airplay, etc.), yet What Hifi review claims sound much improved with 2i. Powersound 2 is $600 now, while 2i is $800.
Or am I overlooking a better solution? Thank you
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- 51 posts total
bad news: nothing meets those requirements at the moment good news: i expect by this time next year SMSL and Topping will both have ESS and AKM chips in a box that does MQA and has wireless streaming capability for around $800. Streaming can always be added economically now with various doodad boxes. MQA is the tough part because you need at least an XMOS XU216 receiver chip to implement native MQA. |
canibefrank, Integra DTM-7 has AKM4438 32-bit DAC and decodes MQA, 100Wx2 (8 ohm) for $650 (and DTM-6 for less). https://www.audioxpress.com/news/mqa-announces-integra-as-new-hardware-partner-while-onkyo-and-pioneer-further-expand-mqa-choices-for-custom-install-sector But the Integra isn't ideal to my ears with my NHT speakers. Also, Bluesound claims to support MQA https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/articles/219124068-Does-Bluesound-Support-MQA but I don't know which DAC they use, although it is 32 bit. So at least those are two solutions that I'm aware of for what I was considering, was wondering if anyone knew of others and whether Powernode 2 or 2i might be a better match to my NHT C1's. Thanks, |
Biggest question is why do you need 32bit support, is there any true 32bit software out there yet? I'm betting the highest you'll find is 24bit with any regularity and even that stuff most likely isn't true 24bit. Think up-sampling. I'm not trying to start a war here but its something to really think about when you look at the higher bit depth or lack of them to really justify needing a 32bit DAC. |
- 51 posts total