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Options to improve digital sound

Hi,

I am looking for some, hopefully, simple advice.  My current digital system is an M4 MacMini feeding a Holo May DAC into a PrimaLuna 400 preamp and amp.  My speakers are Devore Gibbon X.  I primarily listen to downloaded and ripped files with Roon and Audirvana.  I also use Qobuz, but not as often.

The sound quality is good, but I feel like it could be improved.  The options I'm considering are a Small Green Computer SonicTransporter i7 to replace the Mini, or a SGC UltraRendu to put between the Mini and the Holo May.

Which option would be better?  Is there a better option?  I'd like to keep the cost under around $2500.

Thanks

walt8489
tony1954's avatar
tony1954
1,285 posts
 

@mihorn 

"All current digital players and DACs sound veiled/glared."

Interesting. So how long did it take to listen to every digital player and DAC?

ericrhodes1's avatar
ericrhodes1
75 posts
 

So I use the Sonic Transporter on my network but rather than using a noisy computer to control Roon, I just use a decent streamer connected i2S to my dac. Sounds awesome. 

gdnrbob
4,510 posts
 

@tony1954 , good point.

@walt8489 ,

you have some decent equipment going into the game.

My 2 cents-

What is the input cabling? How does it arrive at the DAC?

I second getting a good streamer. Aurrender and Innuos are two very good brands.

I have no experience with Apple products, but from a short Googling, it looks like the Mini Mac isn't expressly designed for music reproduction, leading me to suggest products made for the task. Though some might disagree, I believe that there is a difference in how digital audio products are made vs. generic.

HTH

Bob 

walt8489 OP
15 posts
 

There seems to be a definite consensus that a dedicated streamer is preferred over the Mini connecting to a UltraRendu and then the DAC.  One reason I am looking at the SonicTransporter is that it can be a Roon server.  I think Audirvana can also be loaded onto it.  That is not the case with Aurender and I'm not sure about Innous. 

I could stretch the budget by $1000 or so.  Any other suggestions for a dedicated streamer, preferably one where Roon can be loaded as a server (as opposed to just an end point) are appreciated.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,760 posts
 

mac mini is definitely not the best streamer.
if Roon is in the picture here I would keep it simple and run the roon core on mac mini and get a dedicated streamer that’s a roon endpoint. Not a fan of a server/streamer combo and at this price point there’s most likely no solution without a compromise with a one box unit. For Roon endpoint you can try Lumin U2 or Aurender N200 for example. 
Also don’t forget the USB cable makes a pretty significant difference. Good Ethernet cables can also improve sound. 

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