Streamer/DAC/Preamp Suggestions
ambiophonics
Posts: 726
I'm looking at replacing my Peachtree iDAC that I've been happy with for years with something newer that has volume control and built in streaming. Wondering what folks are using and any experiences or suggestions.
Needs to have at least a couple toslink and coaxial inputs, volume control, and ideally stream Qobuz from a hardwired connection and integrate with Control4 by IP or RS232. New or used with a budget up to $1500.
The rest of the system is a recently restored Carver TFM-35 and some upgraded SDA-2BTLs.
Needs to have at least a couple toslink and coaxial inputs, volume control, and ideally stream Qobuz from a hardwired connection and integrate with Control4 by IP or RS232. New or used with a budget up to $1500.
The rest of the system is a recently restored Carver TFM-35 and some upgraded SDA-2BTLs.
2 Channel - Polk SDA-2BTL, Carver TFM-35, Peachtree iDAC, Qobuz streamed via Episode Lynk using bubble UPnP server
Comments
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Are you using the dac as a preamp on the Carver currently?Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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I am currently using the iDAC as a preamp but it has no volume control or gain so I guess it's not officially a preamp. My main source has its own volume control and the carver has an upgraded stepped attenuator I use for the device I stream qobuz from as that streamer doesn't have volume control.2 Channel - Polk SDA-2BTL, Carver TFM-35, Peachtree iDAC, Qobuz streamed via Episode Lynk using bubble UPnP server
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Ps audio perfect wave dac bridge 2
Used can get around $1500. And it's upgradable to the direct wave dac. And has a volume as a pre amp -
Schiit had a few choices as well as Ifi zen. For that price range, you can get a preamp and dac separates.
RME ADI-2 would also fit that as well.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's. -
Thanks for the suggestions so far, I am looking those mentioned up. Other models I've started looking at are the Cambridge Audio CXN V2, Primare SC15 Prisma, NAD C658, and Arcam ST60, some of these might be a bit above the budget but just trying to see what's out there. I also want to make sure I get something that's isn't a step down from the current Peachtree iDAC but that's hard to know without hearing them.2 Channel - Polk SDA-2BTL, Carver TFM-35, Peachtree iDAC, Qobuz streamed via Episode Lynk using bubble UPnP server
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All I can say is that I’ve been very happy with my CXN v2, and it would require probably more than triple the cost for me to replace it.Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
Discogs -
Another vote for the NAD C658. Make sure you ask about any problems, but I picked one up and it is working great. It's a streamer/DAC/preamp with room correction. Mine also included the HDMI board for less than your budget. Good, neutral sound and transparency.KEF 207s / Coda Continuum / SST Thoebe II / Oppo BDP-105D / Technics SP-15 w/SAEC WE-308SX & Ortofon AS-309 arms / Ikeda 9C2 & Dynavector XX2 Mk II carts
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HT- Samsung PN50B860/Integra DTR 30.3/Rt55 Fronts
Rt35i Surrounds/Cs1000p Center/SVS BP1000 Sub
2CH - B&K MC-101 pre/B&K EX-442 amp/NAD 2400 amp
Polk SDA1C, Polk Monitor 7, New Large Advents and Polk RTA 8T
BR - Yamaha CR800/Polk monitor 5 -
@engie490 where did you find one with the HDMI board in that price range?2 Channel - Polk SDA-2BTL, Carver TFM-35, Peachtree iDAC, Qobuz streamed via Episode Lynk using bubble UPnP server
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ambiophonics wrote: »@engie490 where did you find one with the HDMI board in that price range?
The Music Room. They have a 14-day return option for any reason and 45-day warranty. Thought those were good reasons to buy with them in this particular case.
Drove up to pick it up, so I saved shipping, but sales tax was almost twice what shipping would have been.
Looks almost new and came with OEM box and accessories.
KEF 207s / Coda Continuum / SST Thoebe II / Oppo BDP-105D / Technics SP-15 w/SAEC WE-308SX & Ortofon AS-309 arms / Ikeda 9C2 & Dynavector XX2 Mk II carts -
Schitt Audio Freya S pre & Bluesound Node would fit the bill nicely. Way under your budget with warranty.
From what I read Bluesound really upped their performance of the Node with it's new DAC & connectivity options.
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/gustard-r26-discrete-r2r-decoder-with-streamer-renderer-pcm768-dsd512-bluetooth-xmos-xu216-high-performance-audio-decoder
I had the Cambridge Audio 851N streamer. This is WAY better. I don't stream per se any more except via my phone and Bluetooth or my laptop and a USB cable. I honestly can't hardly tell the difference between USB and Bluetooth.
Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
ambiophonics wrote: »Thanks for the suggestions so far, I am looking those mentioned up. Other models I've started looking at are the Cambridge Audio CXN V2, Primare SC15 Prisma, NAD C658, and Arcam ST60, some of these might be a bit above the budget but just trying to see what's out there. I also want to make sure I get something that's isn't a step down from the current Peachtree iDAC but that's hard to know without hearing them.
Take a walk on the Arcam… it does not offer USB inputs, and reliability sucks.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Good to know about the Arcam, especially the reliability. Input wise I really only need 2 coax and 2 optical inputs to be happy2 Channel - Polk SDA-2BTL, Carver TFM-35, Peachtree iDAC, Qobuz streamed via Episode Lynk using bubble UPnP server
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I picked my perfect wave dac MK2 bridge 2
For $1500 and couldn't be happier. Can be used as pre amplifier. USB ,optical,coaxial and with bridge 2 .
