Help teach an old dog new tricks
Hi folks, I'm a retired almost 70 former audiophile enthusiast who had gotten away from the hobby aspect of music and systems for 15 or so years and could use some system updating advice.
Background: My current system is part old, part somewhat old, and fully balanced via (XLR). I have an Ayre CX-7e red book player, feeding a Pathos Logos integrated, pushing a nearly 30 year old pair of Kef 104.3 that I've owned since new. I also have a turntable that I rarely use and will likely retire in the near future. Being on SS and a small pension, my financial means is adequate but not anywhere near enough to fund most components I'd like to have in my system, so I need to spend my money wisely with a look at probably never substantially upgrading my system again after this go-round. I've always loved the sound of a decent system driving Harbeth SL5+ (or similar) speakers but not sure I have the coin to make a move on speakers at this time, but would want to have a system that would work well with both the British Kefs and possible future Brit Harbeths. I also know that I've suffered some loss of hearing due to age. At nearly 70, I'm always mindful of my hearing causing me to reach a point of diminishing returns with money spent vs actual ability to hear the difference sonicly.
Where I want to be: To date, I have never streamed any music, ever. I'd like to change that and make music streamed from Tidal, Qobuz, etc. my main source. I've convinced myself that beyond sending my Ayre CD player back to them for a quick 'tune up', my best investment would be a separate DAC (balanced please) and a streaming device that's not computer based. Would like to control it from an I-pad or other hand held device. I want to stream mostly hi-rez music and would like the ability for DSD and MQA (at least for the first unfolding) to provide some future proofing.
My listening: I listen mostly to blues music of all types (from acoustic to blues rock) and quite a bit of jazz vocal standards, American songbook, folk, etc. Female vocals done right are what engage me most of all.
So here's where I am: I've very recently ordered a Denafrides 2541 DAC. It'll be a week or so before I have it here. No ability to test one but the reviews have been strong for an affordable unit ($1,200.) Knowing that I don't want to get involved with a traditional (Mac/Mini-Mac) computer based system because I have no patience for all the potential issues involved (did I tell you I'm nearly 70 and don't play that well with computers? lol). So what stand alone device do you recommend as my primary streaming device? My budget for such device is $1k to $1.5k. Ease of use, reliability and non-fussiness is what I'm striving for.
I'm open to hearing whatever your suggestions might be, and then I'll sort through them. HELP! and Merry Christmas to all!
Background: My current system is part old, part somewhat old, and fully balanced via (XLR). I have an Ayre CX-7e red book player, feeding a Pathos Logos integrated, pushing a nearly 30 year old pair of Kef 104.3 that I've owned since new. I also have a turntable that I rarely use and will likely retire in the near future. Being on SS and a small pension, my financial means is adequate but not anywhere near enough to fund most components I'd like to have in my system, so I need to spend my money wisely with a look at probably never substantially upgrading my system again after this go-round. I've always loved the sound of a decent system driving Harbeth SL5+ (or similar) speakers but not sure I have the coin to make a move on speakers at this time, but would want to have a system that would work well with both the British Kefs and possible future Brit Harbeths. I also know that I've suffered some loss of hearing due to age. At nearly 70, I'm always mindful of my hearing causing me to reach a point of diminishing returns with money spent vs actual ability to hear the difference sonicly.
Where I want to be: To date, I have never streamed any music, ever. I'd like to change that and make music streamed from Tidal, Qobuz, etc. my main source. I've convinced myself that beyond sending my Ayre CD player back to them for a quick 'tune up', my best investment would be a separate DAC (balanced please) and a streaming device that's not computer based. Would like to control it from an I-pad or other hand held device. I want to stream mostly hi-rez music and would like the ability for DSD and MQA (at least for the first unfolding) to provide some future proofing.
My listening: I listen mostly to blues music of all types (from acoustic to blues rock) and quite a bit of jazz vocal standards, American songbook, folk, etc. Female vocals done right are what engage me most of all.
So here's where I am: I've very recently ordered a Denafrides 2541 DAC. It'll be a week or so before I have it here. No ability to test one but the reviews have been strong for an affordable unit ($1,200.) Knowing that I don't want to get involved with a traditional (Mac/Mini-Mac) computer based system because I have no patience for all the potential issues involved (did I tell you I'm nearly 70 and don't play that well with computers? lol). So what stand alone device do you recommend as my primary streaming device? My budget for such device is $1k to $1.5k. Ease of use, reliability and non-fussiness is what I'm striving for.
I'm open to hearing whatever your suggestions might be, and then I'll sort through them. HELP! and Merry Christmas to all!