Old days & steamers vs newer stuff?
Given that there are a ton of variables depending on speakers and other equipment. What are the generalities in comparing? something like...
1) an old blusound node 2i with an ayre codex dac
2) lumin d2 for dac & streamer
3) node 2i with giselli labs dac
Basically, I'm asking if you think expensive old dac and streamers (lumen, node, ayre codex) still beat out the newer cheaper stuff like denafrips ares, gishelli labs, etc.
I want to improve my setup, but I'm not sure if used older higher end stuff is better than newer mid end stuff.
Quality improvements over time can often yield a newer less expensive product that is superior to older high end items.
Whatcha think in this regard when it comes to dacs and streamers?
Newest tech one can afford, or highest end used stuff one can find?
a newer less expensive product that is superior to older high end items. The Martin Logan Unison streamer comes with the best automated room correction among all streamers available (ARC), and is a bargain at the MSRP of $399 and it is on sale for $199, unbeatable unless you want to spend at least 10 times that amount: https://www.martinlogan.com/en/product/unison
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@kota1 that's wild. I had no idea it existed. This is cheaper than my node2i was. Does this item come with the microphone for ARC too? it looks like it has a digital out (to go to another better dac)? Is there any downside to this only having optical input instead of spdif/coax? I'm really green at all of this digital stuff, but I love the ease of streaming spotify. |
Yes, it is a GREAT streamer. Martin Logan is owned by Anthem and both Paradigm and ML makes a streamer with ARC. They are the same price but the ML also has airplay. I own the Paradigm version because I don’t use Apple and have the digital out connected to my Sony TAZH1ES dac and it is very versatile. This streamer also has RCA input so you can use it as a preamp and connect a CDP or a turntable, and also a digital/optical input to use it as a DAC. Yes, it comes with the calibrated ARC mic and the ARC software just had a major upgrade called Genesis and its free (unlike Audyssey and Dirac major upgrades). The streamer can be used with the DTS Play-Fi software run from a mobile device or a PC, spotify. and even DLNA. I have Bubble UPNP on my phone and can basically stream any file/service using DLNA if it isn’t installed on the play-fi app. The SQ is great and well worth the MSRP, the sale price makes it even sweeter. If you need an amp they also have the Forte amp which also has a steamer built in. BTW, I also own the Bluesound Node but no comparison, when you use ARC this streamer is the winner. There is no downside to an optical input. Review:
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