2. digital
  3. 153816-90127

Suggestions for a top flight streamer/Dac around the $2000 mark?

Time for another change and moving from my Ayre EX8 super integrated with built in streaming and dac to a BAT VK300SE integrated.
So looking to up the ante on streaming and dac sq with a dedicated streamer/dac.
I know this tech moves faster than I can keep track of!
So suggestions around the 2k mark and used is perfectly fine!
Many thanks!
128x128uberwaltz
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
David
Its a long deliberated thought process at the moment but here goes.....

The Ayre while superb obviously just cannot be the best at everything and I feel the Maggies would sing better with a bit more juice than the EX8 can deliver.
Very fond memories of my old BAT VK600SE amp which would drive anything half way up Everest without flinching. And with a hint of warmth and sheer passion that at times I feel is missing from the Ayre.

But I feel the largest area where I could gain improvement is in streaming, the Ayre is good but.....

However it still is all due considerations right now.
jackd
1,043 posts
 
With Auralic releasing the new G1 Altair the end of this month at  $2700 Upscale and several other dealers have the original version on sale.  Kevin had some for $1649 new
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@uberwaltz Thanks. I understand better now.
big_greg
6,570 posts
 
uber, I'm kind of going through this same exercise, looking for something better than my Bluesound Node 2.  The interface is pretty important to me, and that has eliminated a lot of contenders.  I've narrowed it down to Lumin either the D2 or U1 Mini (I can use it with my Auralic Vega DAC), and TEAC, the NT-505.  I'm leaning towards the NT-505, it's a bit less than the Lumin and you can use it with the Lumin software.
m1k3
23 posts
 
I was in the same boat (upgrading a Node 2i). I liked my DACs (RME ADI-2 DAC for headphones and Oppo 205 for speakers, so was just looking for a streamer with digital outputs. I decided to get the LUMIN U1 Mini last November. Haven’t been disappointed once with this unit. It has the full array of digital outputs: AES/EBU (XLR), S/PDIF Optical (Toslink), S/PDIF Coax (RCA cinch), S/PDIF Coax (BNC), and USB.

FYI: the TEAC NT-505 doesn’t have digital outs, so you must use its DAC and pass analog-output only. That’s the main reason I went with the LUMIN: they support their hardware for a long time, so if a DAC comes along that I just have to have (like an RME ADI-2 Pro updated to AKM AK4499 chips) then I know the LUMIN U1 Mini won’t become obsolete.

Obviously, if you’re looking for a streamer+DAC combo unit, the U1 Mini isn’t an option, so I recommend one of the less expensive LUMINs that has a DAC and a digital out (e.g., D2) just in case you want to get a different DAC in the future.

Cheers,
M1k3
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