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Choosing a Network Player/DAC

I finally have the audio setup I want for vinyl. I’d like to add digital to the system. I’m finding it very difficult to choose a product and any help would be appreciated. I have a McIntosh MA5100 paired with PSB Stratus Mini’s. The best way I can describe the sound I’m wanting to achieve is smooth reference..I favor a bit of brightness and separation is important to me...none of that information may be important when choosing a digital component but I thought I’d share. I have a media server, mainly for video, running PLEX. I have like 500gb of FLAC files on that hard drive. I also have a Tidal Account. I’m looking to add both to my audio system. My budget is around $700 but I could do more if that doesn’t cut it. So Network Player? DAC Attached to my Laptop/Server? Buy a mac mini and attach to DAC? Tubes (since this is a vintage system)? There’s so many ways to slice this up..I’m having a hard time. If anybody has experience and can recommend the merits of one over the others, it would helpful...also, this isn't necessary, but multi-room/zone would be nice.
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Showing 4 responses by 4hannons

4hannons's avatar
4hannons
187 posts
 
I'd recommend starting with using the laptop with a USB dac. 

The new Soekris has gained a lot of attention. Uses a R2R multibit chip. For ~$400 shipped it seems like a good value. So good I bought one a couple days ago.

You might also benefit using a USB isolator between your laptop and dac. Intona gets pretty high marks. 

No affiliation with either company.

Soekris USB dac with Intona isolator would be right around your $700 budget.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

-Tom

http://www.soekris.dk/products.html


https://kitsunehifi.com/product-category/brands/intona/



4hannons's avatar
4hannons
187 posts
 
You may not need the USB isolator. Lots of people report however the isolation improves overall sound. YMMV
4hannons's avatar
4hannons
187 posts
 
@gaareneau I'm burning to hear it myself.  I received the Soekris (took only 3 days-amazingly fast shipping) last week  but my 2009 Mac mini is running Snow Leopard and won't play the Soekris. I suspect some sort of incompatibility with older OS X. Tonight I purchased Mountain Lion, should receive it tomorrow and begin listening.

As I'm evaluating the Soekris I am also preparing for major changes in my system; adding a Microrendu audiophile-grade micro computer for network audio streaming. This will fix a major system flaw having my computer and stereo together -- I expect vast improvement removing the computer and hdd away and into a different room.

Lastly, I also have a Schiit Yggdrasil on its way to compare. So to recap, my current Centrance Dacmini CX, which is very under appreciated in the audio community, will go head-to-head against the Soekris. The winner will go against the Yggdrasil. 

4hannons's avatar
4hannons
187 posts
 
I have some initial impressions of the Soekris I can share. To avoid hijacking this thread, I will post here: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/soekris-aps-dac1101-another-discrete-r2r-multibit-dac.

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