DAC + NAS streamer combo (NOT Tidal/Qobuz etc)
Qutest DAC - $1800 new ... DSD / PCM - 44.1 / 768 - 16 /32. FPGA Type ... IMO does more of what a DAC does (should do). Nuc Streamer - $700 +/- ... Darko Audio Review (choice of OS). Low Power / High Performance for Dedicated Audio duty. TDP 28W / 16 GB RAM / 1 TB NVMe / Quad Core Plenty of power if your NAS won’t meet spec. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVm_tCoxqyg |
+1 @nekoaudio So is there any advantage to a network streamer?This question is where the discussion (streamer) begins. One way to 'Stream' would be to use the NAS as the Server. Your current Flow / NAS > Ethernet (WiFi) > Roon Core > Sigma Streamer > DAC > Input ... The Sigma Streamer appears to be Roon Ready so the Mac Core is redundant in the flow. Typically an App (Roon for iOS / Android) is used to control the playback. By the time you have a file input to the DAC the media source (your files from the NAS) or a Streaming Service is not the focus of how the gear matters. Local files or Service (HD Audio) files are more or less equivalent for Streaming. Only a handful of DACs / Streamer DACs offer the capacity to run an Ethernet connection from DAC to PreAmp input-not to mention the Pre. The Pass Pre does not appear to have an USB input ... ??? |
@nekoaudio, would you please show where the Sigma Streamer is not being used as the Roon Core ... or how Sigma Streamer does not function as a Roon Core ... If the Sigma Streamer is not functional as a "Core" please show where this is stated. From exaSound website: Roon Ready - "The exaSound Sigma connects your exaSound DAC to the home network and turns it into a streaming device. It delivers seamless, top-quality sound with Roon, HQPlayer, UPnP and Airplay. " The Roon website states: Nucleus (Roon Streamer) or Apple Windows Linux NAS (gee none of this is confusing at all ...) -_- What am I missing here ... ? |
