Best streamer/DAC for up to $1500

@cakyol - Given that source components costing around the $1500 mark generally have an inadequate power supply, which impacts their performance, I have taken a different approach in my streaming solution

For me - it makes sense to have the least number of componnents in the audio chain

• So I DO NOT have an external DAC!
• I own a standard Bluesound Node 2
• I use advanced power and interconnect cables
  • my power cables use advanced cable geometry, UP-OCC copper for excellent detailes and dynamic perofrmance and advanced insulation techniques
  • my interconnects use the same geometry and insulation, but the Signal wires are UP-OCC solid silver for improved details, clarity and imaging
• the resulting sound from the Node2 is excellent !!!
  • far better than any $1500 streaming device can achieve.with normal cables

This may seem a little "extreme", i.e. using cables that actually cost more than the streamer,

• BUT - cables play a huge role in overall system performance
• AND - the benefit of this approach is that the cables are an investment that can be applied to ANY future streaming component you may invest in

Unfortunately, my cables are an advanced DIY design, so they are not "generally available".

HOWEVER - Zavfino is a brand that produces excellent value cables like

• https://zavfinousa.com/collections/audio-interconnects/products/the-fusion-solid-pure-silver-occ-copper-hybrid-rca
• https://zavfinousa.com/collections/power-cables/products/prima-occ-ac-power-cable
  • I have used an adapter for the Bluesound without impacting sound quality - like this one
  • https://www.takefiveaudio.com/products/277-c7-c14-polarized-adapter-cryo-treated/
• and Zavfino has even better cables, for a possible future upgrade path

The Bluesound Node 2 combined with great cables, punches way above it’s price point without the need for an external DAC,

I realize it does not have XLR outputs, but XLR only really provides any benefit when long cables are used in very noisy environments - home audio seldom falls into that arena

I do not make my recommendation without having experienced many different cables used with my Node 2 over the many years I have owned Bluesound product

• like my Power Node and my Pulse Mini speaker (power cable only), the latest being the Soundbar+
• The streaming services they support just keep expanding as the market changes
  • each streaming service integrates nicely into the player interface
• The software Update process is automatic and has worked for me EVERY TIME!
• they are extremely reliable

FYI - I play content from

• my Cellphone and other bluetooth enabled devices
• my USB Drives and memory Sticks,
• my NAS Drive, Internet radio stations from around the world, Amazon Prime (Streaming service)
  • All via Ethernet LAN
  • or Wireless connection - for outdoor use

The Node 2 + the Cables recommended above is within your budget - with some wiggle room to spare

Good luck with your quest

Regards - Steve

I think I have decided on a Bluesound node (or vault for its storage but not its DAC) + Chord Mojo 2.  I like the fact that Mojo 2 has tone controls.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I will let you know how it sounds after I order it and set it up :-)

@cakyol - FYI - the Bluesound products also has tone controls built into the software interface

You can customize by the selected player e.g.

• My Soundbar does not have tone controls
• but my Pulse Mini and Node 2 allows adjustments to Treble and Bass
• plus you have the option to enable or disable tone controls

To access select Settings - Player - Audio - Tone Controls from the interface software

I opted not to go for the Vault because it only has one Hard Drive - My NAS has two mirrored RAID disks, which are great if a disk fails - just pop in another disk and the RAID asoftware rebuilds the mirror

You should buy "server grade" hard drives - they are far more reliable

Advantage of the Vault - you can load CD’s directly - but I use my computer, which also has access to the NAS, which I also use to purchase downloads - no more CD’s for me

Regards - Steve

@williewonka

My choice for the Mojo 2 is because of the overwhelmingly positive reviews of the product, as well as the fact that one of the the mojo 2 tone control bands is around 20 Hz, which is the low/subwoofer bass region, which is almost equivalent to the ’loudness’ settings which used to be available on older products and not on the newer ones, which I sorely miss. That is in fact one of the most important reasons I flipped to a Mojo 2 from the Qutest, which is considered to be a better (and more than twice as expensive) DAC.

I am obviously giving up my XLR output requirement but I promise I will keep the wires very short :-)

Thanks on all the suggestions.

Something to consider with a budget of $1,500 is the miniDSP SHD, you get superb core audio performance, true active balanced XLRs, and system flexibility. Then with Dirac Live and you have a game changer.

Dirac Live resolves the soundstage with improved clarity and intelligibility with all instruments and vocals. With the room correction aspect you'll experience deeper and tighter bass free of resonances throughout the listening area, with greater transparency and the removal of distracting artifacts.

The miniDSP SHD is a good example of a streaming high definition digital audio processor with excellent DACs. Dirac Live uniquely combines frequency response correction as well as impulse response (time domain) correction in the digital domain. Fixing time domain anomalies is an impressive advancement for any audiophile system.

The only downside is the increased complexity and effort needed to fully integrate Dirac Live. So having excellent dealer support is important.  Deer Creek Audio is an authorized miniDSP SHD dealer.

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