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Help with DAC and Streamer suggestions

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy and spending lots of time listening to great music!

Before I ask for your advice, I thought it would be good to tell you my system:
  • Martin Logan Summit X speakers connected with Acoustic Zen Hologram II speaker cables.
  • Shiit Yggy DAC connected with Acoustic Zen Matrix II reference interconnect.
  • Bryston BDP-1 music player connected with Kimber Kable D-60 digital cable.
  • Oppo 105D for SACDs, modified by Ric Shultz connected with Toto Tungsten interconnects.
  • Prima Luna Dialogue HP integrated amp with original tubes.
  • Furman Elite 20 power conditioner.
  • I have a dedicated 20 amp line running to all audio electronics.
  • All electronics are connected with Pangea power cords.
  • All music passes through Roon on my computer, and while playing music the computer does nothing else.  The computer has a direct connection to the internet, and all music is sent to the streamer via Cat-7 cable.
  • I listen to Tidal primarily, along with some of my own FLAC files.
 I want to change my music streamer and DAC.  I'd like something that will make the 2nd unfold of MQA, but that's not a deal killer.  I have around $6,000 to spend, and I'm fine with used equipment from Audiogon.

Here is what I've been considering:
  • Primaluna EVO DAC - $3,000, not MQA, won't add a better streamer, but might sound great with my Primaluna integrated.
  • Aurender A10 streamer/DAC combo - $5500 new, will make the MQA unfold.  Not sure about combining the streamer and DAC.
  • Mytek Manhattan II DAC with network card - $4700 new, does not add a better streamer.
  • Roon Nucleus Plus streamer ($2500) and perhaps a better DAC.
  • Small Green Computer Sonictransporter I5 for Roon and music ($1075) and better DAC.
  • Keep the Bryston and buy a Holo Audio May DAC ($5,000).
  • Certainly open to other suggestions.
As you can see, lots of options to choose.  :( 

I live in a very small town in Central Oregon and can't audition different components.

 I'd love to hear your suggested changes for my DAC and streamer!

Thank you!

Steve
smills59
smills59 OP
54 posts
 
You are correct about the Yggy being a great DAC.  I guess I was thinking of changing that so I can get the 2nd unfold of MQA.  Neither my DAC nor the Bryston can do that.

I'm thinking about adding a Roon Core device so it can be used for only that purpose, instead of the computer.  I've read this is a better setup.

If I have a Roon Core doing the first MQA unfold, perhaps adding an MQA ready music streamer capable of the 2nd unfold would be the best option, then sending the signal to the Yggy.  To do that, I'd need/want a music server without a DAC (no need to pay for that). Something like the Lumin U1?

Steve

 
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,640 posts
 
That Holo will embarass the Schitt.
If all you want is a Roon box just buy a Baby Alambre with Roon, direct from Metrum.
Either way I recommend a Silent Angel switch from Crux Audio USA.
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
just to get the mqa schtick clear - there are 3 unfolds in total

first unfolds if the streamer can deliver 96khz, then the dac does the balance of the unfolding/rendering

folks who have sorted through this often feel that the first unfold gets you most of the mqa sound quality benefit, like some 2/3 or 3/4 of the way there

bluesound or brooklyn or metrum (amber) as mentioned can all do the first unfold, or be set to deliver in ’pass through’ mode and let a fully mqa-capable dac do it all

current metrum and sonnet dacs have optional mqa modules that let them do the full unfolds as well as others... so do some NAD products that have internal DACs (but be careful with the NAD stuff, they sound very mediocre)

also, be careful about numerous Chinese DACs (Topping, Gustard, SMSL etc etc) that purport to be fully MQA capable, but they only do that properly if fed a stream via their USB input ... their spdif inputs will not do it... ask me how I know HAHAHA

**********************************************************************

then there is the whole question of how much difference MQA makes at all, versus an excellent non MQA DAC... but i won’t open that can of worms here


rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
288 posts
 
Source matters.  With Tidal I think you should to upgrade the network and cables to get the most from your DAC.  I upgraded to a Terminator and Innuos Statement for DAC and streamer but they didn't sound good with Tidal or Qobuz until I upgraded my network switches and cables.  Now Tidal sounds amazing! 
I also moved Roon core off the Innuos and the DSP is much better.  I would keep the Yggy and add a streamer like an Innous and a core like the I5.  And then upgrade the switch.  I use an Etherregen >fiber> SOtM switch > SOtM dcBL Cat7> EE 8Switch > Statement.  Roon Core is on an Antipodes Core>SOtM dcBL Cat7>SOtM switch.  
The SOtM cables and EE 8Switch are very engaging.
smills59 OP
54 posts
 
Perhaps there is another way of looking at this.  If I have a Roon Core on a separate unit such as a Nuc or Nucleus, do I need a music server/streamer?  What does that add to the sound as it moves from the Roon Core to the DAC?  Or do I need the streamer as a Roon endpoint since the Yggy is not supported?

Steve
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