Wanting to upgrade my streaming sound quality.


I would really like to get my streaming sq up to my analog sq. My equipment is a McIntosh MC 452, C47, TD 124 with an AT 150 SA on a SME M2-9 tone arm, a Rega P8 with an Alpheta 3, a restored MR 74 tuner, driving Aerial 7t speakers. My streaming now is an iPad with a usb cable into my preamp with Tidal. I would be willing to spend around $2500 . A one box solution would be preferable for a steamer/dac combo although two boxes could also work. I’m not interested in multiple clocks and separate power supplies etc. Also I don’t use CD’s for a source.  I do have AT&T fiber internet with up to 1000 mb speed and my modem is only around 5 feet from my audio rack. Balanced inputs is preferable but not a deal breaker. I’ve looked at the HiFi Rose 250 and the 150 although the latter is more money than I want to spend. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’m an Analog guy in a digital world.

Greg

128x128gphill

So I got the Rose yesterday and it is pretty impressive from a build quality and in general very solid. I got to play with it for a while yesterday and had some conversation with a tech guy at Crutchfield. Too busy today, but I have been watching some online videos on setup. For me this thing is not plug and play, but I’m 70 and not very computer knowledgeable. I’ve had a hard time getting the Rose to sync up with my iPad, so I’ve been using the touch screen, which in itself is pretty cool. Yesterday I listened to Tidal for a couple of songs but had very low volume and couldn’t figure out why. Looking around on line today I think I may of figured out how to raise the output to match my preamp better and have volume control from my pre.

im going to get this figured out if it kills me. The reviews on line are gushing so I think I will be pleased in the long run, it’s just going to take me a while. Maybe buying this from more knowledgeable people would of been a plus. The tech guy was watching a video and then trying to tell me what to do. Friday I should have some time to really get into it.

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I’d consider a modern integrated streaming solution to start and go from there. Many vendors have good return policies so no harm in trying. Let the experts do the optimized integration for you if not up to have to dabble over time to find the right thing. It may be right out there just waiting for you to enjoy streaming right away and not have to figure it all out from scratch.

Ah yes, the HiFi Rose gear is a great place to start....

I’m evaluating a Cambridge evo 150 currently. Getting a feel for what it can do and what it might replace here:

 

Sound Chaser | Virtual Listening Room (audiogon.com)

 

Off to a pretty good start....