Pretty happy with my Cary DMS-600. I use it direct to my Pass Labs amps and it sounds very dynamic, musical yet still great detail. It replaced a PS Audio BHK Pre with Telefunken tubes and Luxman DA-06 DAC combo. Sound no comparison, but I do think the PS Audio was the limiting factor for me. I also tried an Aries G1 to replace the streamer portion of the Cary. Cary was so much more dynamic and live sounding.
Can anyone recommend a good streamer/DAC?
I have tried streaming on an Astell& Kern Kann Cube and love it. Now looking for a streamer DAC combo (or both integrated in one box) to put on the rack with my living room system. I have read good things about the Cambridge Audio 851n and their CXN v2; $1,500 and $1,100, respectively. Also about the Bryston BDA-3.14, at $4,200. I am willing to pay for good quality sound and at the same time I worry that the technology may be moving fast enough that as with computers and HDTVs there will be a much better version available soon for a lot less money. Anybody know if Cambridge Audio or Bryston has anything new in the works for streamer/DACs? All recommendations will be much appreciated.