Tube DAC (Black Ice) Users - What Streamer Are You Using?


This question is primarily targeted at other Black Ice users but I would appreciate comments from other tube DAC users as well.

I have a newly acquired Black Ice DAC fed by a BS Node N130 w/LHY power supply upgrade.

Digital is not my primary source but since my upgrades from a stock Node, I'm listening to digital more frequently. 

I know the Node is entry level (and a great place to start IMO), but I'm guessing the Node is now the weak link.

So what dedicated streamers are you using with your Tube DAC?

macg19

@tksteingraber Thanks for the insight. The Bricasti looks well built. I'm not interested in ROON and it was unclear on their website if it has native support for streaming services like Qobuz?

Does it have it's own controller app and if so, how is it? (Bluesound's is decent)

The M5 does not have it’s own controller app.  I use Roon now with a sonic transporter i5 as my network server to both my streamers instead of my Macbook Pro that I used prior.  When I first bought the M5 I was not interested in Roon as well and contacted Bricasti to see what options I had.  They said Roon, Audirvana and mConnect were the main choices for streaming Tidal/Qobuz.  I tried all three and mConnect was ruled out.  I subscribed to Audirvana for 5-6 months and really liked it but decided to switch to Roon lifetime membership when I added my sonic transporter.  Glad I did it integrates seamlessly  and I like all the interface features and SQ is great.

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@dorislucero

Oops! The N130 supersedes the Node 2i. The U2 mini supersedes the U1 mini.

@macg19

Not a Black Ice but I have the latest Audio Mirror IV, a tube DAC. I upgraded from an N130 with Sbooster LPS to a Lumin U2 mini. It’s certainly a different animal and it’s certainly a serious upgrade. Rather than repost my current thread here, please have a look.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/from-an-mhdt-to-an-audio-mirror-quick-impressions

My posts starting 3/3/23 are about the Lumin U2 mini. The optional IR remote wasn’t mentioned. It has all the functions you would expect plus an unusually fine lossless volume adjust.