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Want a streaming device without DAC in $1K range

Hi.

I am new to Stereo, but had Sonos Amp and SVS ultra for a short period of time, which I did not experience satisfying sound quality from and returned a few days ago. From this short first experience, I realized that a good streamer is needed, along with a good DAC and a good Amp. The SVS Ultra did okay, but I returned it anyways because I wanted something easier on my ears and looking at the Monitor Audio’s Gold 100 5G as my next speaker.

I think I might try a designated DAC, like Chord Qutest. Or maybe a Hegel Integrated Amp Rost.

This amp and DAC part is pretty much set and willing to explore from there.

But I can’t quite make a decision on the streamer.

It seems Volumio Primo is good, Also the MiniDSP SHD Studio, Pro-Ject S2 Ultra streamer.

Is there other good options in terms of sound quality?

I like the SHD for its Dirac capability, but does it make big differences?

I am also interested in Bel Canto Streamer, Matrix Element i, and MiniDSP SHD (the DAC version),

But, those have DACs built in and don’t want to spend extra $ if they don’t stream better sound quality over the ones that don’t have DACs.

My budget for streamer is less than 1.5 K

Thanks

K
yggy1
duckworp's avatar
duckworp
257 posts
 
I would also recommend the Pro Ject Streambox S2 Ultra.  It is based on a Raspberry pi but has an audiophile power supply and upgraded audiophile components. It is designed by John Westlake of Audiolab MDac fame. And it is very small.  If you go for it there are a couple of settings to apply to improve the sound quality, most notably turning the WiFi feature off on the unit. 

I compared it to an Auralic Aries G1, at 4 times the price, and found the Pro-Ject equally as good.  
martin-andersen
139 posts
 
I bought this one https://darko.audio/2018/11/a-short-film-about-the-allo-digione-signature/ because I wanted the same as you. A streamer without a DAC.

I think it's really good. I am using it with https://ropieee.org and the Orchid DAC
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
490 posts
 
I have two streamers, Innous Zenith MKII in my main system and Raspberry PI in my rec room.  I use Roon on both.  The Zenith is of course better ($4K versus $110); however, they meet my needs.  

Try a Raspberry PI and see if you like it.  You might be surprised at how good a “Pro DAC” hat sounds.
zug
41 posts
 
I also have the Bryston but BDP-1, nabbed it for about $700, and it's pretty good after suitable break-in (funny that it seemed to take a couple 100 hours??) and tweaks. Of course you need a good Dac. The BDP-1 definitely vanquishes jitter so it's very non-fatiguing sound for sure.
usery
131 posts
 
OP wrote:

"Is the sound quality from Raspberry Pi good for audiophiles?"
Yes.

Like everyone else above wrote about the RaspberryPi (RPi) option, you can build your own streamer for well under $1000 and it will include a 'audiophile-quality' DAC. I have two, both based on the RPi 3B+: a HifiBerry DAC+ Pro and a Orchard Audio ApplePi DAC. Both are dual-boot: Volumio for hifi audio streaming and playback, and OSMC/Kodi for HD movie streaming to RPi hdmi-out. The Orchard Audio ApplePi DAC is quite good though obviously won't match dedicated up-market hifi DACs of $3K+.  

Read about a quarterly RPi DAC 'shoot-out' here, with DAC boards ranked: https://forum.volumio.org/volumio-soundcheck-invitation-for-hamburg-germany-t5918-230.html
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