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Fairly new to streaming. Where to start?

$2k & under budget

Aralic Vega has streamer  and DAC. May be the easiest start?
Then there is Schiit...Yiggy or Gumby...which streamer?
Ladder NOS dac? Or Chip? I'm old. maybe I'll like the old school DAC?
Then there is  Benchmark DAC 3...I think it has streamer?
Then
Exasound E32
Audio Mirror?
Metrum
MHDT Orchid
Border Patrol?
Musical Paradise?
Whats a newbie to do? I am a classic rock fan with lots of FLAC & M4a files. I like detail & PRaT. Love a good bass line. I also play some 70's jazz. I have a Theta Miles CD player from the 1900's & play a lot of vinyl too. But I need to come into the 21st century.  Besides, I will probably become tired of the vinyl ritual and work at some point as I get older. I think I have done enough homework to be somewhat confused. Maybe the biggest question in light of how fast digital changes is the question of streamer with DAC or separate Streamer and DAC. One other question is the streamer & bridge the same thing? OK Thanks!! 
128x128artemus_5
big_greg
6,664 posts
 
I second the Bluesound approach - excellent app then you can upgrade the DAC. Lumin D2 has a far less friendly app, does not have an antenna, and support from Lumin at least in the USA is non-existent. The access to all the streaming radio stations in the world will be a revelation. Tidal on the internal Bluesound DAC is pretty darn satisfying for all but those who sit in the perfect listening position imitating Jonsey from the Hunt for Red October.

Let me start by saying I don't own a Lumin, so that I'm not perceived as a "fanboy".  My TEAC NT-505 can use the Lumin app.  I agree that the Lumin app is not that great.  The Bluesound app is really good and one of the most compelling reasons to go with Bluesound. 

I am using BubbleUpNP instead, which cost all of 5 bucks to get the ad free version.  The one thing that BubbleUpNP won't do that the Lumin app will (as far as I know) is stream internet radio stations, including Radio Paradise (which is the best of them IMHO).  You can always switch back to the Lumin app to listen to internet radio.  I have both on my phone and tablet.

The difference you'll hear between a really good DAC and the very decent DAC in the Bluesound has more to do with the quality of your other components than your listening position.  The difference between the sound of my TEAC and the Bluesound was more than subtle.
moto_man
374 posts
 
I went through the same thing a few years ago (I love the Theta Miles CD player, FYI . . . mine got lost in a move somehow, :( ). I highly recommend the Naim NDX, which is an excellent DAC/Streamer and performs really well.  Another thing that I really like about the Naim is that it comes with an excellent Naim streaming app to access all of your digital music, and has a lot of info on each album, so you don't need to fork over big bucks for Roon.  I switched over to a high end MSB Analog DAC with volume control and eliminated my preamp, or I would still be using the Naim!
rafevw
70 posts
 
Until recently, I had never owned a high quality streamer. I bought an Innuos Zen mini and the little power supply. I liked the sound very much. I thought I would stop there, but I replaced my 80’s era BK amp and preamp with a Simaudio Neo, and wow, It sounds really good to me!
iopscrl
200 posts
 
Best Advice In This Thread:
djones511,279 post03-14-2020 7:38pmYes you can use the Node2i as a streamer with a different dac, you can always just start with the Node2i using its dac to get your feet wet for low cost.
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Denon Heos is cheaper than a Node2i but performs the same function.  Node sounds better, Heos has a better interface.

If you are technically adept, you can build a Rasberry Pi, and connect it to your network for basically pocket change.
biku
3 posts
 
You don't need to be an adept to build a RPI solution.
Volumio provides a very good guide: https://volumio.org/get-started/
If Roon is your forte: https://ropieee.org/getting_started/
I've used them both and many others with RPI3 for years and spent more money on DAC.
If somebody still feels tech-challenged, I could help.
While all commercial solutions are pretty good, the do tend to cost $$$, after al, all depends how much $ you have to play withl.
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