Using streaming as a main source ---DSD, FLAC, MQA Streamers and DACS
As I read these forums, and watch copious amounts of Youtube, I'm struck by what a bad idea some of the streaming / digital formats are doing. I'm trying to build a system where I have a streamer, dad, and amplifier (with pre-amp) as separate components but what I keep finding is that the streaming/digital world is totally confused.
--MQA--
MQA seems to be both advancing with new MQair support and dying (few audiophiles seem to like it).
-- DSD --
Seems to be favored by High-end audiophiles but not streaming services.
-- FLAC --
FLAC seems to be pushed by Qobuz which seems to be the preferred service for high quality audio (but not for music recommendations).
Choosing a Streamer / DAC is a nightmare -- given the industry going back and forth on quality, formats, special licensing. Does one choose the formats they want to use and then find appropriate DAC etc or does one choose a DAC that sounds great and then accept its limitations.
I don't understand why streamers don't commit to upscaling to 24/192 or DSD256 for any format so the DAC peeps can focus on a single format.
So how does one decide where to start?
Thanks all - I have a decent company to work with but I like to look at the value from direct brands as well. honestly I wish BlueSound would make a $5k high end option - that might be the best of everything for a while. a lot of the advice here and elsewhere could probably be consolidated to go a great ‘start here’ forum post. |
Well, their parent company (Lenbrook) already does, if you consider some of their NAD offerings "high end" enough. NAD's M50.2 goes for $3999. It's not exactly a feature-for-feature "upgrade" from the BS Node, though. For instance, it does not incorporate a DAC. If you're not wedded to Bluesound's operating system (and app) there are many other alternatives at around the $5K price point. Mytek, Cambridge Audio, Matrix, Lumen, Exasound, etc.
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Buying used can be your friend as you can turn around and sell it for not much loss as long as you buy well. Here is a very good streamer and excellent DAC that together would come in well under $7k — just one example. Best of luck.
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