I would start with a good DAC that has all the inputs that you will need. You can connect a tv with an optical input and you may also need an analog input (for ota) into your preamp, a coax from your Oppo, etc. This will improve audio a lot once you bypass the pre and Oppo DACs. The prices of good sounding DACs has come down in the last couple of years. I use an LKS which I like and is now at $1100 but there are many others. Good luck and have fun.
2k to 4k Streaming DAC
I have a Anthem STR Integrated amp with floor standing Focal Aria 936 speakers. I have been using a Oppo BD-105 for streaming Tidal via XLR. I had a Pro-Ject Pre Box 2 Digital that I hooked up to the Anthem via RCA out and used a laptop to stream Tidal Masters and it sounded a whole lot better. I want to use an ipad to stream Tidal MQA files and think a new DAC with streaming would do that. I have read about Mytek and Element X.Are there others I should look at.
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Running preamp/streamer NAD658 to Focal 1038Be w/ Carver 275. NAD has Dirac correction, MQA, NAS, aptX HD, Bluos. https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/nad-c-658 |
You mentioned you were already aware of / looking at Mytek. Just to reinforce that idea I recently upgraded from a Blusound Node 2 to the Mytek Manhattan with internal network (streaming) card and I couldn’t be happier. This option is a little above your proposed price point so maybe it’s not for you. It is currently on sale through Mytek for $300 off list with a free network card thrown in so $5700 for what would normally cost $7300. I can’t fully describe the increase in SQ other than to say it is immense. |
MQA is limited to the follow companies: https://www.mqa.co.uk/playback-devices |
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