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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
 
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
thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 
Steve: your Roon Core (in a NUC or Nucleus) IS the Server. You can hook it up to your Yggy directly, in which case the Roon Core is not only a server, but also an endpoint (streamer), or, you can buy a different streamer / endpoint to hook up to your Yggy. Whether there is any SQ benefits on doing this, it's up to you to decide for yourself.
kmmd's avatar
kmmd
73 posts
 
Hi Steve, I’ve owned my Yggy since Gen 1, and I kept it due to its ability to be upgraded at reasonable prices. Does yours have the Unison USB board? It’s an easy upgrade if not. Edit...Oops, I see that you’re using the RCA input. 

Over the years/decade, I’ve realized and experienced how important a component’s power supply is. A well designed linear power supply (supplies) is of utmost importance. Many of the higher end streamers/servers have dual and triple LPS’s. Examples include Aurender, Innuos, Lumin and Auralic. I ended up purchasing an Auralic Aries G2.1, installed an internal SSD, and it has been fantastic. I also subscribe to Qobuz and love it. I stopped using Roon, but I still have a subscription. I’ll try it with the Auralic in the next few weeks to see if it’s worth keeping.

Therefore in your system, I’d upgrade the source and cables as anzaanimalclinic recommends. (I use a Shunyata Sigma USB.). After all, the Yggy can’t convert what it doesn’t receive. You will literally hear things that you never heard before as a result. Try it with and without Roon. Don’t be locked into Roon. Btw Aurender is not Roon compatible.

Boy that Holo May looks like a monster of a DAC. I’d love to audition it. I guess the question is what happens in 2 years when newer DAC chips and technologies arise. Is it upgradeable?

Ken




smills59 OP
54 posts
 
Thanks, kmmd2.  This may be an embarrassing question from me, but are you saying that I'll get more resolution from the Yggy using a good quality USB cable than the RCA cables I'm currently using?  So coming out of the Roon Rock Nuc direct to the Yggy via USB?

What would adding a music streamer between the Nuc and Yiggy provide? 

I've never considered this option...
kmmd's avatar
kmmd
73 posts
 
Steve, You’re welcome.

I’m suggesting that you not use a Roon Nucleus at all and just purchase a high quality streamer/server. Lumin, Innuos and Auralic are Roon ready while Aurender is not. My guess is that the player becomes the Roon endpoint if enabled. The core is elsewhere such as a computer. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong as I haven’t tried it yet.

Regarding a digital cable, I believe that they are system dependent. You may choose to use optical, USB, AES/EBU or coax depending on the player’s available output connections. (I believe that the Innuos only has a USB output to the DAC.) In my system, I went from a Curious to the Shunyata USB and noticed a significant improvement. I won’t get into details regarding cables, especially digital ones, as that is another can of worms.

Ken
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