Glad to hear the Lamm was an improvement but can’t say I’m at all surprised. Likewise I’m pretty sure you’re gonna hear very significant improvements with the Meitner as you’re likely making big upgrades to both DAC and streamer, both of which are very important and impactful. Please let us know your impressions if you could, and congrats on the new pre.
Upgrade to PS Audio Direcstream Mk1 and Mac Mini?
Looking at upgrading my digital sources and potentially getting a streamer. My Mac Mini just died so I need to do something- I use that for streaming Roon and Qobuz. I am also reading the excellent reviews for the new PS Audio Direcstream Mk2. I have the Mk1. People have recommended Rose150B. The Rose150B seems to be a great streamer, potentially not as good as a DAC as the PS Audio MK1/MK2 and not a great pre-amp. If I added a pre-amp to my chain like the Lamm 2.1 would I see a material improvement in sound vs going "direct" via the DAC? Trying to figure out, do I keep a mac mini type music server and upgrade to PS AudioDirectstream Mk2. Do I replace my PS Audio MK1 with a Rose150B or am I going to need a separate streamer and a separate DAC.
My current system:
PS AudioDirectStream DAC/Bridge2 - connected to MacMini music server running - using PS Audio device as pre-amp
Thiel 7.2 Speakers
Lamm M1.2 Monoblocks
Thx
Malcolm
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@v-fi & @soix The Meitner MA3 is a material upgrade from the PS Audio Mk1 with Bridge. Is is consistent with how people describe it. Much less analytical than the MK1. Has a warmth/ease of listening to it. I notice improvement in all areas particularly noticeable to my ear with voices, guitar and piano: imaging, detail, soundstage all improved. Interestingly it also sounds meaningfully better if you run it directly with Mcontrol app versus using a roon server. @audphile1 - you were correct - getting rid of Mac/Roon has an impact. Can now see how having a dedicated streamer with good software could make a material difference. The is partly disappointing as I love the Roon App. I am still debating whether I get the PS Audio Directstream Mk2 and compare it. I may stick with the Meitner MA3 until I consider moving to something up a step to something like the Grimm unit. |
Glad you are enjoying it! I always tell people I think the MA3 is one of the safest choices in the high end DAC space. There are many enjoyable options out there but the MA3 is among the best in that range and certainly one of the most universally enjoyable. I have had systems where a much warmer/richer/slower DAC was just the thing I needed to balance things out. And I've had systems where an ultra-resolving, speedy, analytical DAC was the best match. But for the most part the MA3 is right down the middle and works with almost every situation. I would still try out the PS Audio if for no other reason than to confirm that you made the right choice. I did that comparison myself and ended up with the Meitner by a large margin, but your opinion might differ. |
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