2. pc-audio
  3. 152471-22037

A streaming setup that competes with my CD and turntable set up?

I have just started to listen to music again. I am very happy with my current set up. I have a Cary Audio 303 cd player and a Well Tempered Classic turntable with a Bottlehead Eros for a phono preamp. I want to mainly stream with tidal and listen to music that is not in my current collection. My question is ... would a simple set up like an ipad or mac mini into a couple of hundred dollar dac get me close to the sound quality of my current sources? If not, what would it take on a budget to get close to the sound quality that I'm getting currently? Thanks in advance.

andyth
andyth OP
31 posts
 
So a Bluesound Node is a cut above a mac mini or Ipad as a source?
jim204
881 posts
 
So a Bluesound Node is a cut above a mac mini or Ipad as a source?



By a long way.
andyth OP
31 posts
 
I see an aries mini for sale here. Is that comparable?
Ag insider logo xs@2x
dbphd
1,628 posts
 
I think you're getting some bad advice here.  Might better try the Asylum.  A Mac Mini running Roon that sends files to something like a Senore microRendu via Ethernet with asymmetrical USB to something like an Ayre Codex DAC should serve your purpose well.  You might find the DAC on the used market.  The analog/digital bias is a matter likely to be argued throughout your lifetime.

db
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