Suggestions for a top flight streamer/Dac around the $2000 mark?
See the product report (Monoprice Monolith) by Duster at the link here. Previously posted to the "Help in deciding USB cable" thread. Ridiculously high performance to cost ratio. If you don't like 'em, you can afford to just throw them out. On the other hand the seller does allow returns. Comments on my own experience with them included in the AudioAsylum thread. I now have 1 meter running from Seagate HD to Aries Mini and 2 meters running from Mini to Schiit Eitr. (then Blackcat Silverstar 75 from Eitr to Schiit Gungnir MB.) https://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/17/176921.html |
I lean more of the side of the DAC making all the difference, and the streamer is more of what user interface you prefer. Use whatever cable looks and feels best too, that is always my preference! :) If you believe that why wouldn't you just use chromecast audio with minimserver or a Node 2i into whatever DAC you like? Why spend big bucks on Auralic? Not being confrontational, just curious. Oz |
I’ve tried a few from Wireworld, Pangea, Audioquest, and Curious. They all sounding the same in my system. I was always using Auralic streamers (Aries G1, Aries, and Mini) into various USB DACs. The Auralics have optical & coax outputs too, and those sounded no different than using USB, in my case. I lean more of the side of the DAC making all the difference, and the streamer is more of what user interface you prefer. Use whatever cable looks and feels best too, that is always my preference! :) |
Well this is another fine mess indeed. Lol. While waiting for the N100h to arrive I picked up a Bryston bdp-pi and had been using that through a very cheap simple meridian explorer 2 USB DAC. Set up the n100h today and hmmm, what's the fuss about? The Bryston bdp-pi sounds a lot better to my ears. A lot more bass and body. Now the only big difference I can see is the USB cable. Because the meridian DAC us s a mini USB b port that has a different cable, a WireWorld Starlight 7. The n100h into qb9 regular USB cable which is just a Pangea one costing about $50. Could it just be the cable or? Next I am going to try the n100h through the meridian. Which only has a 3.5mm output so using a Audioquest adapter to twin RCA. Really should be a lot worse than qb9 via XLR cables! Perplexing. |
I did pick up an older Ayre QB9 DAC for peanuts as I was pretty happy with the Ayre DAC quality in my old EX8 and Ayre right now are offering an update to this to Twenty status which basically means the only old parts surviving are the outer casework! After reading on other threads of Aurender outstanding customer service and support that has pushed the N100H way up my list of viable streamer contenders. It is USB only and the QB9 is USB only so maybe a very good match. |
Agree entirely as anybody can read reviews and then near enough copy and paste here their opinions. Which is why I nearly always ask for contributions from members actual experience with equipment. I am more than able to Google manufacturer reviews as well as the next person but Agon member reviews are usually a little more reliable as we have paid our hard earned money to get to where we are now. Now that is not meant as disparaging to professional reviews at all but I hope you get my point. |
@david_ten I agree with your point about having points of reference and comparisons. My point of reference was the Blue Sound Node 2 / Auralic Vega DAC combination that I had prior to purchasing the TEAC. I shared my thought process about my purchasing decision, but did not make sound quality comparisons to something I haven't heard. I did share my impressions of the TEAC vs. what I had. I appreciate it when people make posts about their actual experiences, not conjecture, and try to limit my posts to my personal experience and stay away from conjecture. |
@big_greg My apologies for not being clearer or if I gave you the wrong impression. I’m glad you got the unit. I’m happy you are enjoying it. My point was around the value of comparisons. We need more of them. Serious, well thought out and executed comparisons. I believe those would be helpful to the community, regardless of the outcomes and preferences. Cheer and Cheers. - David. |
@david_ten I'm not sure what to say to your post, other than "duh". It's not like there are TEAC dealers all over where I can audition one. The only one within a couple of hundred miles that came up on TEAC's web site was Frys, which does not appear to carry the NT-505. There are more Lumin dealers, but I'm not aware of any nearby that would just let me take one home and try it with the Vega and even if they did, there would be no way I could have compared it to the NT-505. Trying things out and auditioning them is highly recommended, but not always practical or possible. Regardless, I'm happy with my purchase. |
Good to know you are Feature First and not Sound Quality First audiophile. I have no interest in a unit that falls far short of my bar. I do have a vested interest in calling out members who make fraudulent claims and who make claims they don't / can't back up. Still waiting for you to show me something under $5k that has all those features the Teac does ... Many mainstream receivers qualify. : ) |
Giant killer is a figure of speech It isn't. It's your imagination telling you that your 2K product is as good as a 10K one. Not saying the NT-505 isn't good. It is. It performs to it's price point. You haven't compared it with other options within the same price-bracket nor above it. The forum deserves more than speculation and palliative self-centered reassurances that what you have is much better than it is. Sweet Dreams (Are [Not] Made of This)... |
Audio Research integrated amp, Spendor D7, REL S5, MIT cables and XLR, Audio Art power. And the Teac NT-505 which is really really good, “Esoteric-lite”!! Add dual on-Board clocks and ability to add external 10G clock and Roon ready as additional features of this $2k product to my list above jackd has owned LUMIN and Teac and kept the Teac and ditched the LUMIN. Giant killer is a figure of speech Dave, LOL. Show me anything under $5k that has the features I listed for the Teac. The $2.3k LUMIN uses a dac chip that is older than the original iPhone, 13years!! |
The Teac is a giant killer for $2k. Teac is parent company of Esoteric, regarded by many as the leader in digital technology. Lots of Esoteric tech creep down into that $2k product. Virtually everyone on Agon or other forums who has gotten one raves about it Dual monoural AK 4497 dacs, dual toroidal transformer, fully balanced and XLR outs, excellent analog output stage, full MQA support, dsd512, LUMIN software app, and on and on .... |
Unfortunately the Teac doesn't have a digital out.That may or may not be a negative. If you have a top of the line DAC already and want to use it, then obviously it's a negative. I considered buying a streamer only (Lumin U1 Mini) but my thought process was that having it all in one box eliminates a power cord, a set of interconnects, and that DAC technology is somewhat mature now, while streaming technology seems to still be evolving. The TEAC sounds better than my BlueSound Node 2 did using my Auralic Vega (which was a $3500 DAC when new) as the DAC. I don't miss the transition from the DAC in the TEAC from the Vega. I'll never know now, but I doubt the U1 Mini / Vega combination would have been better than the TEAC and it would have been more expensive. I feel like I got more bang for my buck with the TEAC and am very pleased with the sound quality. |
I received my TEAC NT-505 yesterday and posted my initial impressions in this thread: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/moving-up-from-a-node-2i |
