@kennymacc Thanks for the recommendation! Do you find integrated streaming DAC more cost effective?
My SACD Transport feeds so much better signal to my DAC compared with streaming end...
I mostly use Roon to stream my 2000+ album digital collection with Bluesound Node + Ideon 3R Master Time reclocker + Ideon Ayazi MKII DAC. Recently I got a used PS Audio PerfectWave SACD Transport to rediscover my CD collection from years ago that my parents brought back to me from their home, which I have not touched for a very long time. I thought the 3R reclocker would clean up much of the signal from the Bluesound to the extent that streaming will not sound much worse than CD -- Indeed, I have been satisfied with its performance. I was wrong. The CD playback experience totally blew me away. Much darker background, much better soundstage and depth, lots of details, and better dynamics with great authority... I guess you really need a good streamer to catch disc playback! At any rate, I plan to upgrade my front end to one that works with the SACD Transport's I2S output so that I can enjoy my SACDs as well...
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Before opting for a Streaming DAC configuration, I did do extensive research and listening tests, and I personally came to the conclusion that implementation was the key. I found both the Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty Streaming DAC, and the DCS Bartok Streaming DAC's to be so incredibly impressive sounding, they made me ask myself, why is there a need to go with separates? In either case, at their price points, I don't know how cost effective the Ayre or DCS would be to most audiophiles LOL!!! Happy listening. |
@kennymacc I haven't listened to dCS Bartok but I listened to dCS Lina which I believe uses similar core technology (Ring DAC) and is also a integrated Streaming DAC. To me it sounds amazing; extremely revealing with superb clarity. It is not a physically huge device and I am impressed of what it can do within its size. |
@joyceulysses I had a Node before my Innuos. My son has it now. I've run Qobuz on a tablet. My son runs Qobuz on his phone. I've also used Audivarna on a laptop and used the streamer in my dac. In my system, Audivarna sounded better than Roon. It could be that I didn't have things optimized correctly. Idk. I have read that Roon requires a lot of computing power to sound it's best. I don't have that. I loved the interface and wanted it to work, but in my system, it sounded flatter than the other options. I mentioned it because it should be easy to put Qobuz or Amazon on your phone or a tablet. You don't need Qobuz connect. |
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