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To Stream or not to Stream

[A collective sign resonates from forum members upon seeing "Stream" in the title]  ...Before you run away, I read a number of threads dealing with streaming, so this is to ask about what I didn't learn.

I am trying to select a streaming option into my McIntosh DA2 DAC. I would like to stay south of $4k and get the best bang for my buck. It would be best if I could sit in the comfort of my chair with my MacBook, iPhone or iPad and control my music. I do not need a fancy screen on the component. They are nice, but I only care about the sound.

To make a decision / purchase I hope to get answers to the following:

  1. I have a CD collection, but none are HD. Why do people rip CDs when all of those CDs can be streamed from music services? I have Tidal and want to drop it for Qobuz. Learning more about the burning CD topic will help narrow down if should go with a ripper / streamer combo. 
  2. I can't find much on my DA2 DAC but assume it's top notch being from McIntosh? Consensus? How do I know if I should use it versus another streamer option with its own DAC?
  3. It appears that a USB connection is needed for DSD512 (basically the most demanding formats)? I can't find much on this but many of the recommended streamers on this site do not always have USB-out, which is confusing at some of the high price points!?
  4. Is DSD only achieved from ripping CDs?
  5. What are people doing to stream DSD512 or other formats of this quality? 
  6. I haven't seen anyone recommend the Roon Nucleus? If I'm not going to rip CDs, is it one to add to my consideration list?

This would be easy if I had money... Aurender ACS10 if I want to rip or N20, up. Others as well at these price points.

I see used N100s here... maybe that's my answer unless I want to rip. The Innuos is intriguing, but you have to buy a separate power supply... I just want to get this right the first time and be happy. I'm already gun-shy of making another purchase mistake like the new Bluesound Node 2i I need to sell... It's only a mistake because it does not do USB-out (as of this post) or support the formats I wish to stream to my DA2. Not a fan of its software either. 

Thank you!


128x128izjjzi
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,118 posts
 
@izjjzi,

Been in your shoes, don’t give up. If I may suggest, buy Aurender ACS100. IMO, it is lot more versatile than N100, within your budget and offers much better SQ (over N100) due to its isolated UPS power supply. The conductor app is way superior than Bluesound iOS app. Use it with your DA2 DAC for now and down the road audition different DAC’s. The ACS100 will give you a solid foundation and state of the art file management.

1. Your CD rips may sound better vs streaming files and vice versa. I have retained about 300 cd rips (out of 800) that are rare and sound better to my ears.

2. McIntosh expertise is in analog, their digital gear is serviceable at best. Only you can decide what’s sound best to your ear by trying different DAC’s from another manufacturer.

3-5. I wouldn’t worry too much about DSD, Qobuz high resolution streaming is pretty good. DSD is currently only available as downloads or rips from SACD’s. You may download a DSD file from Nativedsd.com to see if it sounds audibly better in your system. Personally I do appreciate the DSD (64, 128 and 256) files, in my system as they sound way superior than CD rips or streaming.

6. Roon Nucleus - No direct experience.

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9445

Hope this helps!
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,939 posts
 
Don’t make it so hard.  It isn’t.  Just do it.  A good quality DAC is the key. 
surfcat's avatar
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surfcat
47 posts
 
Get Roon and Tidal, maybe Qobuz for the odd thing that's not on Tidal.  You music collection suddenly becomes almost everything you can think of or even hear about.  Yes, there are a few exceptions that aren't yet on those two... very few.  Sound quality is very high and realistically gonna take a hell of a system to expose the difference.  And remember, listening is not about endless A/B testing, it's about listening to music.  Roon let's one explore stuff they'd never think to buy are are surprisingly good.  Samantha Fish.  And have you ever seriously listened to Miley's voice?  Pretty souful stuff, tho in no way my kind of music.  Or Sunday morning with Chopin's Nocturnes.  And the bass player in Bela Fleck is absolutely unbelievable.  If we're gonna be stuck living in the future we might as well take advantage of it.  And I do wish Hegel would finally get through the Roon cert process so I can ditch the old PC that's currently functioning as my Roon core.
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cleeds
5,734 posts
 
izjjzi OP21 posts07-27-2021 9:36am
I am paralyzed. There are so many options, reviews, recommendations... I am truly frozen, unable to choose. Wish it were easy ... I think I've already researched too much and will always be second guessing ... I need a break... two nights of restless sleep ... I suspect I'm not alone experiencing this type of paralysis?
No, you're not alone. I was behind a guy like you once at Baskin-Robbins.
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

@izjjzi 

No, you're not alone. I was behind a guy like you once at Baskin-Robbins.

lmao!!  👏👏👏👏

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