Help me choose 2-CH rig

dhart86
dhart86 Posts: 1,594
edited February 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Currently I have the following secondary rig set-up in my bedroom:
Adcom 545 amp /Rotel RC 1070 pre-/Rotel rdv 985 source/ musical fidelity v-dac /yaqin cd3 tube buffer / Lsi7

I am considering the following change and need opinions
Change to PC source and HRT Music StreamerII DAC

Blakeh gave a great review of the Music StreamerII and I've read other positive reviews regarding this piece.

So, questions are:

1. V-Dac(coax/optical) vs Music Streamer (USB)?
2. Does USB cable selection make a sonic difference?
if so, what is a good USB cable?

3 PC source(HP Pavilion Slimline) VS Rotel RDV 985?

I know this is all a matter of personal taste.....but if you were in this position, what would you do

Thanks for any input you can provide.
PS: Thanks Blakeh for making me look deeper down the rabbit hole (lol)......really nice review!
Main Rig:
Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


Second Rig:
Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


Post edited by dhart86 on
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2011
    dhart86 wrote: »
    Currently I have the following secondary rig set-up in my bedroom:
    Adcom 545 amp /Rotel RC 1070 pre-/Rotel rdv 985 source/ musical fidelity v-dac /yaqin cd3 tube buffer / Lsi7

    I am considering the following change and need opinions
    Change to PC source and HRT Music StreamerII DAC

    Blakeh gave a great review of the Music StreamerII and I've read other positive reviews regarding this piece.

    So, questions are:

    1. V-Dac(coax/optical) vs Music Streamer (USB)?
    2. Does USB cable selection make a sonic difference?
    if so, what is a good USB cable?

    3 PC source(HP Pavilion Slimline) VS Rotel RDV 985?

    I know this is all a matter of personal taste.....but if you were in this position, what would you do

    Thanks for any input you can provide.
    PS: Thanks Blakeh for making me look deeper down the rabbit hole (lol)......really nice review!

    Be sure to give the 'new' Musical Fidelity M1 DAC some consideration - it's supposed to be the cat's meow.:wink:

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited February 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    Be sure to give the 'new' Musical Fidelity M1 DAC some consideration - it's supposed to be the cat's meow.:wink:

    Is it a good USB Dac? I have to google this. Thanks
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2011
    dhart86 wrote: »
    Is it a good USB Dac? I have to google this. Thanks

    Yes. Recently reviewed in Stereophile (3/2011) as well - if you give credence to such reviews. :wink:

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited February 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    Be sure to give the 'new' Musical Fidelity M1 DAC some consideration - it's supposed to be the cat's meow.:wink:

    the usb doesn't do asynchronous mode transfer though.....that's key !
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited February 2011
    C'mon..Help me out dudes!
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    edited February 2011
    I like my digital on the hard drive now. What op system does your 'putie have?
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited February 2011
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    I like my digital on the hard drive now. What op system does your 'putie have?

    Windows XP
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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