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Digital upgrade: new disc player or better streamer?

For consideration:  

Contemplating an upgrade in my digital system.  Currently using a Bluesound Node 2i streamer as well as an Oppo 105 for CD's and SACD's.  I have a collection of about 800 CD's as well as about 50 SACD's.  My system use is approximately 25% digital, the rest of the time listening to one of two turntables.  In my experience, really good analog betters very good digital including the high priced units, hence my modest digital investment to this point.

However, I find that I do enjoy streaming, not only for convenience but also to discover new music.

So I've been contemplating either a new streamer, specifically a Lumin T2 or similar, to replace the Node 2i.  Alternatively, a Marantz K1 Ruby to replace the Oppo, allowing me to use the Node 2i into the Ruby DAC.  Both options cost around $4K.

Thoughts or other recommendations?

Thanks!
bobbydd
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Save the money. A nice new rotel rcd1572
the music hall cd player is descent.  BE aware of quirks
  or a nice used cd player. 
 All this stream dac stuff is a PITA !
Rotel cd14 an iversary u it is greT for the price. 
bobbydd OP
97 posts
 
Just came across this:

Hi Fi Rose 150 streamer/network player

Anyone familiar?
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
@bobbydd,
the better sound will be the Bricasti locally streaming your ripped CDs/SACDs from a NAS.
Qobuz will depend on what version they stream so it will vary by recording. Playing your own files, you can ensure it's something good. Cheers,
Spencer
rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
278 posts
 
I have seen posts but have not experienced that top flight transports will better top flight streamers.  I am too inconvenienced to spin discs or vinyl.
I have 3 music servers and they all sound different.

Recently Innuos released a player app for their server that brings it to a crazy level.  It makes Roon sound relatively awful.

A quality purpose built music server will be better than a NAS in terms of sound quality.

I recommend an Innuos server and ripping your CD's to wav files.  You will want a good DAC and cables.
sdl4
213 posts
 
I agree with anza above.

I'm using a Sony X55ES with an optical digital out to my DirectStream DAC, as well as an Innuos Zen Mk3 server/streamer that feeds the same DAC via USB. I have an Innuos Phoenix reclocker to help further clean up the USB signals from the Zen to the DAC. Playback of WAV files saved on the Zen sound a bit better than either the CD playback on the X55ES or Qobuz streaming through the Zen, although all three routes sound very good. The CD playback might improve somewhat if I were to upgrade the Sony CD player, but I still doubt that it will match the sound of the WAV files saved on the Zen.
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