DAC - Streamer or all in one unit


Hello all,

Starting from scratch presently and having been out of the Digital SOTA loop for a bit..

looking to build an above average primary stereo system. am trying to decide which way to go with a digital ONLY rig.

go with separates, and get a mid level dAC or higher and as competent a Streamer, or an all in one integrated unit which addresses red book or CD rips and streaming needs/desires without the need for ROON., regardless.

i’m guessing the investment for either avenue to as much as $10K all in, perhaps.

not opposed to giant killer big bang for buck gear that drops in below my initial budgetarry target either.

obviously the obligatory additions of more wires is duly noted if separates are the path. and they would be addressed apart from any chosen budgetary target.

your thoughts   or first hand eXP with recently released (’18 to ’20) DACs, and streamers in general, would be immensely well recieved and definitely appreciated.

thanks much!!
blindjim

Showing 2 responses by mahler123

I will be on vacation for a few days here, not sure about my internet access, so I will spend your 10 grand here.
  First, my experience with Melco is limited to the past few weeks, but I am very impressed.  I also didn’t expect it to be recognized as a NAS by the other  streamers in the home, but it is, and therefore potentially makes my Synology NAS redundant.  The Melco sounds superb connected  to my Bryston DAC3 by usb.  What the Melco 100 doesn’t offer is streaming Qobuz or Internet Radio, but my understanding is that future editions will do that.  Melco will also try to sell you a CD ripper for 4 figures.  I am using the Apple Optical Ripper with fine results, but the Melco ripper can be used as a high end CD transport.  So figure 3 grand max here.
  For DAC would get the Mytek Manhattan or the Bryston DAC3, each of which I have owned and can vouch for.  Figure five grand here, tops.
  Cables-I’m not a cable/power cord guy, but there should be enough left in the budget to indulge
Ten grand is a healthy budget.  I am assuming that you don’t own a DAC currently.  That to me is the most important part of getting the digital replay correct.
I am also assuming that you currently must be listen to CDs, or perhaps downloads, but do not have them stored anywhere except on discs.  You ought to budget for that as well...
Some general advice.  I would keep the digital files in a place independent of the DAC/Streamer, or at least have easily useable backups.  If you wish to change the setup going forward you don’t want your files hostage on the old device.  Are you then going to want the files available in multiple locations of your dwelling?  Or will one room suffice?
  I have 3 systems, one on each level of my home.  I like to be able to access the files from each system, so I have a NAS server (actually I now have 2 of them, since I have recently added a Melco), and some sort of streamer in each system.  If you don’t need this functionality then you don’t have to budget for it, and perhaps all you need is a hard drive that can attach by USB to the server.
  Another consideration is ease of use, which mainly means the software program to control it.  No one “needs” Roon, btw, it’s an option.  One of my streamers is a Bryston BDA3, which sounds fantastic but has an awful program called Manic Moose.  It doesn’t matter for radio play or Qobuz, but finding one of the 3000 CDs ripped to my NAS on it can be a challenge.  Many of the streamer companies have their proprietary software, and you may want to try and experiment with them to see what works best for you.
  Finally, streamers, IMO, are not a finished or mature technology, which is why they are constantly changing.  Basically they are computers masquerading as Audio Gear, and they are subject to the same IT issues that bedevil the workplace.  I recommend keeping the streamer and the DAC separate, so if the streamer is irretrievably buggy, you can replace it and keep the DAC.