Usb dac

Jason_k
Jason_k Posts: 110
edited March 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Been reading lately about DAC's(still really new to it). Was looking at the HRT Music Streamer II+ unit, not sure if it would be any benefit for my setup, I do have a fair bit of audio on my PC inculding a decent collection of FLAC. My question is if I leave my Denon in the mix will I still notice a difference or should I leave it out?

Current Setup

Denon 3808 > Rotel RB-991 > Polk LSI 15

Proposed

Laptop > Streamer II+ > Denon 3808 > Rotel RB-991 > LSI 15 (Plan on adding JL F113 when it arrive this week)


Thanks
Post edited by Jason_k on
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Comments

  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,606
    edited March 2011
    I think it would sound fine. I have a Cambridge DAC feeding into the CD analog input of my Denon 3311ci and it's a big step up from the receiver's internal DACs.
    ALL BOXED UP for a while until I save up for a new place :(

    Home Theater:
    KEF Q900s / MIT Shotgun S3 / MIT CVT2 ICs | KEF Q600C | Polk FXi5 | BJC Wire | Signal / AQ ICs | Shunyata / Pangea PCs | Pioneer Elite SC 57 | Parasound NC2100 Pre | NAD M25 | Marantz SA8001 | Schiit Gungnir DAC | SB Touch

    2 Channel:
    Polk LSi9 (xo mods), Polk DSW MicroPro 2000 sub | NAD c375BEE | W4S DAC1 | SB Touch | Marantz SA-8001 | MIT AVt 2 | Kimber Hero / AQ / Signal ICs | Shunyata / Signal PCs
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
    edited March 2011
    You would be just fine doing that.. the HRT MS II and II + are great options for their price.. i'm really enjoying my MS II so far.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • MLZ
    MLZ Posts: 214
    edited March 2011
    You would get an improvement over almost all sound cards built into the motherboard.
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  • olilugo
    olilugo Posts: 405
    edited March 2011
    MLZ wrote: »
    You would get an improvement over almost all sound cards built into the motherboard.

    I will be putting this to the test soon!!!!
    Current HT setup
    Mains: B&W 804s
    Center: Polk CSi5
    Surround: Polk FXi3
    Sub: Velodyne DLS-3750R
    Receiver: Pioneer SC-07
    Amplifier: Sunfire TGA5200
    TV: Sony KDS60A2020
    DBP: Sony DBP-S350
    CDP: Pioneer DV-48AV
    Interconnect cables: SignalCable analog II
    speaker cables: SignalCable Ultra Speaker Cables Bi-wire
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  • On3s&Z3r0s
    On3s&Z3r0s Posts: 1,013
    edited March 2011
    I just picked up the Streamer II... I'm not sure how much more the plus gives you for twice the price, but the basic Streamer II is amazing. It not only sounds better than my PC's audio chipset, it also sounds better than outboard SPDIF dacs I've purchased. And I think you'll definitely want the Denon or some other pre in the chain for volume control. You can control it from the laptop, but that's not fun.
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  • Jason_k
    Jason_k Posts: 110
    edited March 2011
    I'am sold, just ordered one!

    Thanks guys
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited March 2011
    On3s&Z3r0s wrote: »
    I just picked up the Streamer II... I'm not sure how much more the plus gives you for twice the price, but the basic Streamer II is amazing. It not only sounds better than my PC's audio chipset, it also sounds better than outboard SPDIF dacs I've purchased. And I think you'll definitely want the Denon or some other pre in the chain for volume control. You can control it from the laptop, but that's not fun.

    I couldn't agree more with everything mentioned above. Just picked up the streamer II a real bang for the buck value. Sound quality is XO-LENT to my ear. Jus do it
    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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