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Streamer/DAC - Where is the value?

I currently have ($10K) Olympica Nova II speakers, ($11K) McIntosh MA9000 integrated amp and a (~$1.5K) Cambridge Audio 851N network player. The weak link here seems to be the Cambridge unit. 

I'm prepared to upgrade my streamer/DAC situation and my budget is about $4-6K. Although there are SO many options out there and it's tough to tell where I'll find the most value. My assumption is that the DAC is going to play a much larger part in sound quality than the Streamer. I play music primarily through Tidal. I don't have requirements for server storage or any other sophisticated source capabilities. 

Many of the network players come with a pre-amp which I am assuming I should rule immediately. That pre-amp would be taking a share of the overall budget. On the other hand I was thinking maybe I should buy separates. I could max out the DAC and get something good enough for the streaming. Or even continue to use the Cambridge if I really wanted. Having a beautiful screen on a good looking streamer would be nice but seems like lower priority in terms of bang for buck.

Curious to hear people's thoughts. Are there any specific units anyone would recommend as either an all in one network player or as separates? The Auralic ALTAIR G2.1 seems like the ideal all in one but it's at the very peak of my budget.

Thanks!

128x128jpearson3131
vthokie83
799 posts
 

I'd do separate DAC and streamer; that way you can upgrade either/or unit if you feel the need later. I'll leave the streamer recommendations to others (I use the latest Bluesound Node 130).

Denafrips Pontus II DAC (alone or with a Denafrips Iris DDC which is amazing) and the Holo Audio Spring 3 (Version 2 or higher) or Holo Audio May DAC are great "bang for the buck" DACs.....$2,000 to $3,500

waltstradlater
1 posts
 

hifi rose 150b is working well for me.  in your price range, tons of features, good visual appeal, sounds great

w123ale
108 posts
 

I’m trying out a PS Audio Directstream with Mc separates. I found the Mc DAC a bit strident. PSA isn’t quite as exciting and dynamic, but is very smooth and sound more like my turntable. You can get them for about half of used, although a new version will be coming out soon.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,545 posts
 

Plus 1 on getting the Lumin U2 mini ($2400) and the Denifrips Pontus ll ($1700). 
 

All the best.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,728 posts
 

I am using the N200 with LAB 12 's DAC 1 Reference and it is a great sounding combo. The LAB 12 is 24/192k only but it sounds so good I think I am going to keep it for a while.   I also use the N200 to drive my headphone rig.   A RME adi2 DAC into a Quicksilver headphone amp.     The Aurender actually drives both my main system and my headphone rig.   I am really loving this thing.   If I didn't have a DAC  I would have definitely bought the A200.  

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