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.
kevin1956

Showing 1 response by tomaswv

I can discuss the Cambridge 851N. I got one in 2016 and have been happy with the sound and reliability. I listened mainly to CDs and flac files ripped from CDs, with the odd hi-res and DSD download. I have a 10TB hard drive attached and it does very well as a streamer, tough the user interface here is a bit primative. The best part, though, is the recent firmware upgrade to include Qobuz. Wow. I couldn’t be happier. Switched from Spotify and now 90% plus of my listening is through Qobuz.
A buddy of mine has the CXN version 1 also with bel canto monoblocks, and the 851N does sound better, IMO. But it didn’t get the Qobuz upgrade I believe.
It would not surprise me though, to see Cambridge introduce a new network/streamer at the $1500 price point. Their new Edge is getting very good reviews, and it is logical to see some trickle down from there. But nothing has been announced to my knowledge.
One further note, the 851N on the used market (~$500) seem very very inexpensive to me...maybe an interim fix if you are waiting for a new product from Cambridge.