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$1500 what to buy.....USB or Ethernet based DAC?


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Hi All,

 

A mate who frequents these forums who will remain nameless as if it gets out he's even contemplated "damn computer music" it will cause him some grief said to me the other night..."I may have $1500 to spend on a computer based player"

 

So, this begs the question, what would everyone buy at that price point & what's better these days, a DAC with a USB &/or a Ethernet connection?

I ask about the ethernet connectivity as this is way I've gone with my PS Audio DSJnr & it seems to save me having to mess around with USB decrapifier, expensive USB cables, Linear power supplies etc...BUT USB DAC's are more common. It would also need to be something that's as stable as can be & easy to set up as he's now computer expert.

 

Something that is a ROON endpoint would be favourable, i.e. Mytek Brooklyn could be in the ballpark 2nd hand (USB only though but does have a  phono stage which could be a bonus)

 

What are your suggestions peeps, USB or Ethernet.

 

In the meantime, we've told him to start ripping all his CD's into his computer so he's ready to play some files when/if this comes to fruition.

 

Cheers all

Matt

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Since that's more or less what I'm planning to do (I don't foresee being caused any grief), I'll be watching this thread with interest.  My initial thoughts were something like a Bluesound Node 2 straight into my integrated or possibly via a reasonably good DAC.  And then there's the option of the Cambridge CXN or its equivalent.  I have a couple of advantages in that I've already ripped the great majority of my music to an external USB HDD and I'm not bothered by the thought of that "damned computer music". :angel:

Edited by brumby
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+1 for Ethernet based solution.

My USB based playback has improved vastly lately (with minimal spend). However, I still enjoy better playing via my Oppo 103 (sources music via Ethernet and feeds my DAC via Coax). More instrument separation, detail pop and realism when you are paying close attention to the sound. No difference for casual listening.

Even better if the DAC has Ethernet port but those will be expensive I think.

There are so many good solutions out there.

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HI Guys,

 

It maybe that my "colleague" will actually copy all music onto a HD but his 1st step is to rip them all so he has the files.

 

Quite a few of us who GTG regularly have moved to ROON/Tidal & I think he likes the look of this set up (or JRiver) so I'm trying to research this type of set up.

An Auralic Aries mini would be a good 1st step for not much $$ 2nd hand leaving plenty of $$ on a nice DAC & cables....& this will work as a ROON end point (I'm running this in one of my rooms).

 

My question I suppose is "Is there a single box/DAC solution that could be pointed to his music library on his PC via ethernet" with good quality sound for $1,500 all up?

 

Keep the suggestions coming.

 

Matt

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For $1500 doubtful u would find an Ethernet DAC, used Mytek Brooklyn would be rare as rockin horse ****. IMHO go for a Sonore MicroRendu streamer + good quality USB DAC, used wld save u some bucks. Then sign up for a Roon + Tidal subscription and you will be in music nirvana. 

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Hi Turtle Rustler et al,

 

I was thinking an all-in-one ethernet streamer DAC combo maybe out of reach with a $1500 budget (considering my PS Audio DSJnr is closer to $5K)...but I thought I'd ask as I think we will see more of these coming to the market & prices should come down. I was also trying to avoid having x2+ box's (PC > Ethernet streamer (+/- LPSU) > DAC) but with this budget this is looking unlikely.

 

The Cambridge CXN does look like a god one box solution but I'm not sure it's a ROON endpoint (Spotify yes, ROON no?). I've also demo'd one (18 months ago) & my Aurelic Aries Mini killed it & it also struggled to read an external SSD.

 

So...just so I'm clear, the trend is to move away from wifi streaming towards connecting a "transport" via your network (Ethernet) to access both your music files (PC, laptop, NAS or specialist PC like NUC) & subscription based music (ROON, Tidal, Spotify etc..)?

 

If this is the case, then we're looking at something like the MicroRendu, SOtM sms-200, Aurelic Aries Mini....all about the same price, all ethernet based & all ROON end points? Or Allo's USB Digital Bridge for $200 ish?

 

https://darko.audio/2018/02/step-up-from-a-raspberry-pi-with-allo-digitals-usbridge/

 

It's then a case of buying the best quality DAC with the remaining budget OR DAC & LPSU?

 

Am I on the right track?

 

Cheers

Matt

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