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Mcintosh Streamer or a DAC?

I have a 9.2.7 home theater using Paradigm Active Reference speakers and a Marantz 7702 processor with the pro kit room correction upgrade in a very well treated room. I am using a Blue Sound Node for streaming and a Sony Universal player for CD, Blueray and SACD. I am wondering about getting a Mcintosh MB50 streamer/preamp or a DAC (iFi Signature One or Black Ice Audio FX10 tube dac).

I have seen two youtube reviewers I like that have compared both Mac dacs or dac/ preamps with the iFi and say the iFi holds its own. The Black Ice Audio FX10 would introduce tubes into my all solid state system and I have never tried tubes before. The MB50 is around $1500 on the second hand market, the iFi is around $350 new and the Black Ice Dac around $1200 new. The Paradigm Active speakers are self powered and have both an XLR and RCA connection that I can toggle between so I can easily have two separate components connected at the same time.

 

Any suggestions? Thanks!

kota1
kota1 OP
2,706 posts
 

Any dac recommendations for less than $1K?

phastm3's avatar
phastm3
88 posts
 

The RME ADI2DACFS is $1299 on Amazon. Very nice dac and easy to return if you don’t like it. The topping D90se is probably the best under $1k

vonhelmholtz
911 posts
 

For $1000 probably best to look on the used market.  Good DACs are very expensive and are central to any digital system.

kota1 OP
2,706 posts
 

Thanks @vonhelmholtz , any experience with mcintosh? The streamer doubles as a dac:

 

vonhelmholtz
911 posts
 

@kota1 

I recently purchased a McIntosh MA-12000 @ $15000.

I had their latest version of DAC and my digital sounded flat/bland.  I would guess that this DAC competes in the $1000-$1500 DAC segment 

In the last couple of months I moved to the Holo May DAC KTE and everything is musical..really nice..but it was expensive.

I don't think you should look at McIntosh for value.  I don't think it is possible to find an acceptable new DAC for $1000.  Read like threads and look at peoples profiles to find people with real long term experience and concentrate on the used market.  I'm using a low end streamer the iFi Zen Pro.  I added their $299 power supply and isolated ethernet with two ethernet to fiber converters.  That is my big compromise and I put my money into the DAC.  I haven't a clue as to what DACs you should look at...but there are dealers here and other members that have good advice..I'm sure.

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