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Another person going digital and full of questions

I'm yet another new member trying to figure out the digital streaming world.  I've been streaming Tidal and Idagio from my desktop computer through an RME ADI-2 dac and into various headphones for a while.  Now I'd like to add digital streaming on my main system.  I'm just looking for a source that would provide streaming services to my existing preamp (Audible Illusions) amp (Audio Research) and speakers (Wilson Benesch Act 1).  I'm looking for something to complement my other sources, a VPI turntable and a Rega CD player and Benchmark 1 DAC.  I don't want to rip my CDs or play any stored music files.  So far, I'm learning that there are more recent and better DACs out there than the old Benchmark, and that I should consider a quieter box than my computer to connect to ethernet.  But I'm lost in a sea of streamers, servers, reclockers, power supplies, etcetera, most with unfamiliar brand names.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.  budget in the $5k range but can stretch a little.

mattchanoff
mattchanoff OP
11 posts
 

Thanks, but the Zenith would use up my whole budget, just about, and I'm perfectly content taking my CDs out of the closet and putting them in the machine.  Plus, a lot of them are my own or other's recordings, I doubt song titles titles written on a piece of paper will show up on Roon.   Even if those things worked, the prospect of feeding 1500 CDs into a slot one after another is dispiriting.

 

ghdprentice
8,130 posts
 

Streaming has become my main stream. I recommend a Aurender streamer. I own two, it is a game changer. Ripping CDs is a waste of time in todays world. I wound get a Aurender N100 to start. It should be a huge improvement. Then stop, enjoy and think about a new DAC later.

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
1,054 posts
 

Lots of good stuff out there for that Budget.

The Lumin U2 mini I am sure will be suggested at $2.5K

The Moon Mind 2 is proly in the same class as the Lumin for $2.5K

Saves cash to put toward a new DAC.

If your open to used that opens the Door for even more possibilities like Roon.

 

 

 

builder3
776 posts
 

You might look at the Lumin T2.  Streamer and DAC in one box. An IPad is recommended to run the Lumin app.

yyzsantabarbara
5,123 posts
 

I just bought my 3rd Sonore OpticalRendu for streaming I have 2 DACs now and a 3rd in the future. The price of the used OpticalRendu was too good to pass up. It will stay in storage until I get a 3rd DAC.

I also owned the Benchmark DAC1 and it is the only Benchmark product I dislike. The DAC2 and DAC3 are not as fatiguing compared to the DAC1. In fact, many of the new DACs in the $500-$1000 range are better than the DAC1.

 

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