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The Streamer-Dac-Preamp Chain

I'm building a second system, and I'd love your thoughts. My starting point is Roon / digital library / Qobuz.  My ending point is a Moon 761 power amplifier which then goes on to speakers. I need to insert a streamer, a DAC, and a preamp between the starting point and the ending point. Now, I know I can get a Moon 791 for around 15K, which looks and sounds lovely with the Moon 761.

Question: can you suggest a streamer, a DAC, and a preamp (for the same approx total) that spans this particular chain (e.g., no phono needed) and does better than the Moon 791?

[I do have an Auralic Vega G2.1 left over from my first system which connects all the dots above. But I don't like its preamp stage --- I've already replaced the volume control module. And the Moon 791 easily outperforms it. However, if you want to incorporate its DAC into your suggestions, I am happy to listen...]

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That ends my question, but you might be interested in hearing what ChatGPT had to say. Pretty confident character, our Chat :-)

This is a great problem. Here’s a stack that should significantly outperform the Moon 791 in terms of DAC resolution, preamp transparency, and streamer flexibility:

1. Streamer: Auralic Aries G2.2 (~$5,500)

• Tesla G3 processor is far superior to the Moon 791’s built-in MiND 2 module.

• Femto clocks + isolated dual processors mean exceptionally low jitter.

• USB, AES/EBU, and I²S outputs (versatile for DAC pairing).

• Dedicated power supply for streaming means cleaner signal delivery.

2. DAC: Holo Audio May KTE (~$5,500)

• R2R discrete ladder DAC (no delta-sigma conversion, ultra-natural sound). 

• Fully balanced dual-mono design.

• Separate power supplies for analog/digital stages.

• One of the most analog-like DACs available. Unlike ESS-based DACs (like in Moon 791), the Holo May avoids digital glare.

3. Preamp: Benchmark LA4 (~$3,000)

• Absolutely neutral, ultra-transparent preamp.  The Moon 791 preamp section is good but not at LA4’s level.

• No capacitors in the signal path, no coloration.

• Near-zero distortion and noise floor.

 

 

 

debrajray
yyzsantabarbara
4,941 posts
 

Yes, on the Benchmark LA4. I am listening to the CODA #16 (similar to the Moon 761) with the Benchmark HPA4, and I love it. I also have a Holo Audio Serene preamp in another system which is like the LA4/HPA4 but adds a tiny bit of warmth.

I have a super complicated and high powered ROON setup (running on a cheap $500 Dell PC in another room under a bed). I have 3 Sonore Optical Rendu’s for fibre optical streaming. I have compared this to the Lumin X1 streamer (using fibre optical) and the PlayBack Designs STREM-IF (SPDIF) and the OpticalRendu did well. The 3 different streamers sounded different, and I had all 3 in the house at the same time.

DAC’s to flavor the sound. Especially with the LA4 and 761 amp which will not color the sound.

BTW - if you want to save some money try the Schitt Wotan amp for $2k. I have the CODA #16 and Schitt Wotan that flow between my 2 systems.

BTW2 - Give me a million dollars for audio and I still get the LA4 or HPA4.

 

debrajray OP
9 posts
 

Thanks, super helpful so far!

I re-read my wordy post. The Moon 761 power amp is a given, I have it and won't change it. So it's really the other components that are even up for discussion here.

@erik_squires yeah, I'm tempted to put the Moon 791 in between and forget about the whole thing. That's what I have in my other system and I'm very happy, but the itch to tinker never goes away :-)

The Benchmark preamp --- yes! transparency -- but I have to be honest and say that the loopy signature across the front is aesthetically problematic. Aesthetics matter...

@ghdprentice the Aurender (N200? can't afford the N20) is a great suggestion for a streamer. After my mini-debacle with the Auralic volume module (though the rest of the Vega is super good with Roon @carlsbad2 ) I'm not in an Auralic mood, so no Aries.

Which leaves the DAC. And yes @yyzsantabarbara the Holo Audio adds warmth; I've read about this elsewhere. This scares me because I don't want too much color on the sound. This DAC warmth business is going to be the ultimate reason why I'll probably wimp out and redo the Moon 791. But convince me otherwise! And thanks again...

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,837 posts
 

Does Aurender work with Roon?  I know a lot of streamers that are not "Roon Ready" can be made to work but I think Aurender sees roon as competition and purposely prevents it's use.

Jerry

debrajray OP
9 posts
 

Hi @carlsbad2 I believe the Aurender N200 is Roon Ready.

yyzsantabarbara
4,941 posts
 

@debrajray If you are not into the LA4 for aesthetic reasons consider the Holo Audio Serene preamp. It should be good with the Holo DAC you are looking at. The Serene is compared to the HPA4 in this review. The reviewer liked the Serene more.
Review Holo Audio Serene Level 1 preamplifier - Tastefully Serene - Alpha Audio

I am considering trading my Serene for a LA4. 

The Serene and LA4 I think are better than the 791 which I heard with the 761 and Paradigm Persona 9H speakers (not an ideal pairing). I think my preamp and DAC are better for a fraction of the price. The 761 amp is amazing and one I would like to get used in a few years when people start upgrading again. 

 

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