Upgrading digital side

I've heard the Bricasti M21 and it's amazing, very neutral but the most important thing I heard is it's musicality. If you go this route look no further than their newish M19 transport. What makes this combo special is their IS2 connection.  (I'm envious already).

Really depends on what specific improvements you’re looking for and what sound characteristics are most important to you, especially for the DAC so I’d suggest sharing what specially you’re looking for to get more helpful/meaningful recommendations here.  With a really good streamer with storage you may find your CD transport being very rarely used, so I’d keep the Jay’s at least initially until you see how that works out.  By most accounts Innuos’ Sense app gets the highest marks for usability to the point that some Roon users ditched it once they had Sense, and I’ve not heard that said about any other streaming app so may be something to consider on the streamer side.  One thing I’d budget for is also upgrading the entire digital chain including the switch, Ethernet cables, etc. as those ancillary pieces can be critical in matching and possibly surpassing the sound quality of a really good CD transport.  Like everything in audio the chain is only as strong as the weakest link and everything matters, and that definitely holds for the digital chain.  Just some thoughts FWIW, and best of luck. 

I would also consider Antipodes on the server/player side, they offer a lot of flexibility in terms of software options, and their hardware and support is excellent. Worth a look.

• Server
• Streamer/endpoint
• DAC

How you stream music makes a difference but, in general, my experience is that your money should go in the opposite order of the list above, with most going to the DAC to achieve the biggest bang for your sonic buck.

As you pointed out, the Grimm MU2 does it all, and very well based on most reports.  You could also consider something like Meitner’s MA3i, which serves as a streamer, DAC, and even a volume control, but you would still need a server to run Roon core and store your files.  At reasonable prices, I have had good luck with Small Green Computer servers, especially when paired with a good streamer, like Sonore’s top model or something like the Innuos Pulsar. Separates work well, and particularly for flexibility but, at your price point and considering your needs, you might find that the Grimm delivers it all. As pointed out by @soix, you could rip your CDs to the server and then sell the Jay’ to increase your budget for the new stuff.  Ripping to a SGC server is a piece of cake.  I still occasionally buy and rip CDs even though I have nothing to directly play them on.

You have a good digital system already; a lot of changes, even more expensive ones, may be a sideways move. I find Primaluna gear to have a sound of its own, and not necessarily super transparent — you may benefit more from system matching than ‘upgrading.’  To use an extreme example just for illustration, if your system (and room) presents a somewhat dead sound that is also lush and warm, something as simple as a Topping D90 (which is ruthlessly revealing and harsh in some systems) may be better than a $15k tube DAC, or a Chord Qutest could fit the bill.  Or if your system is bright and very transparent, perhaps you’d prefer a tube DAC or NOS ladder DAC, for example preferring something like a DENAFRIPS Pontus to a Terminator.  Unless you don’t mind spending the money, I would recommend trying some of these sorts of DACs with various cables, do some quasi-blind testing, and hear if you can any differences.  If you’ve already done this, and truly want to ‘upgrade’, Soix’s questions become very relevant.  Have you checked out the DAC threads by users Verdant Audio and Mitch2 ?  There’s a huge sampling of different DACs and how they sound in those threads.  Lastly, consulting a good dealer like Verdant Audio, or another that sells Devore could be helpful.  As for me, I’ve tried a lot of DACs and with various systems over the years, and right now am using a $1500 DAC/streamer with no loss of enjoyment.  If I had a different system overall, a more expensive (or different) DAC might be appropriate.  

I replaced Aurender N200 Bricasti M3 combo with Meitner MA3i. Without a doubt it’s a superior DAC. But it also rendered N200 unnecessary. I’ve compared the internal network card in Meitner to N200 extensively.
I tested the N200 using native conductor app, as a Roon endpoint, with tidal connect and qobuz connect. Same high quality cables were used on both units - apple to apple comparison. I preferred Meitner as Roon endpoint point. Sold the N200. 
I will note though, that the N200 was a tremendous improvement over the Bricasti built in network renderer that I’ve been using prior to adding the Aurender. 

I have since migrated my library on an SSD to my Roon Nucleus One where it’s mounted inside the unit. 
 

I believe Meitner, EMM Labs, Playback Designs and dCS use the same roon ready network streamer from ConversDigital. Something to keep in mind when you’re shopping. 
Also, the most important and absolute critical part of shopping for a DAC is home auditioning for at least 2-5 days. Flipping back snd forth between dacs or streamers is not going to paint the correct picture for you. 

@walt8489 

Note:  be careful with SACD/CD players and transports.  SACD DSD will usually not output directly from the SACD/CD player through a standard interconnect.  Some kind of Sony copyright issue.  For SACD DSD (not CD), you are usually forced to use the DAC in the player...  For example,  I have a McIntosh SACD/CD transport and the SACD DSD is output through a special DIN cable to a McIntosh DAC while the CD PCM can be output through a standard interconnect.  I have ripped all my SACD to .dsf files and put them on a 1 TB MicroSD and play them through my streamer which connects through USB to my DAC.  Once you rip your SACD to .dsf files, you can play them through what ever DSD DAC you want. 

Question:  What do you not like about your Holo May KTE DAC ? 

I went down this path when I had to replace my main speakers.  I do want to say I did also replace all the cabling that enters the high end realm.  I first started with the eversolo a8 but soon after decided I could do better with the dac.  I then decided I wanted a dedicated streamer too.

my current setup is the LUMIN u2 for streaming she the Weiss DAC501 mk2 for the dac.  The power cables and usb cable for these are Clarus aqua series.  I have been very happy with this setup.

All separate DACs are made by same people who don’t know the music and can’t hear the sound. The results will be same dissatisfaction even if $100k DAC combos.

If you want the music, try Wavetouch audio (me) WT-95. It’s a SACD, CD, Flac, media player + streamer. Hear WT-95 here. 

Wavetouch audio live recording

@audphile1 - I have heard so many good things about the MA3i, I would really like to audition one in my system. It would be an uphill fight to replace the incumbents that are here but even if it ended up close, the simplicity and ergonomics of the MA3i would be so appealing to me.  Similar thing with the Grimm but I like the display and remote on the Meitner even better.  I don’t think they do in home trials, but maybe a favorable return policy?

OP  I have been looking at the Grimm MU2, Bricasti M21, Mola Mola Tambuqui and the DCS Lina. 

Above DACs’ videos below. Videos contain people’s voices. If you hear systems’ sounds are strange, compare them to people’s voices (clear and clean). Mics don’t lie. What you hear from videos are true their sounds. Alex/Wavetouch audio

Wavetouch audio WT-95

Grimm MU2

Mola Mola Tambuqui

Bricasti M21

DCS Lina

Note:  be careful with SACD/CD players and transports.  SACD DSD will usually not output directly from the SACD/CD player through a standard interconnect.  Some kind of Sony copyright issue.  For SACD DSD (not CD), you are usually forced to use the DAC in the player...  For example,  I have a McIntosh SACD/CD transport and the SACD DSD is output through a special DIN cable to a McIntosh DAC while the CD PCM can be output through a standard interconnect.  I have ripped all my SACD to .dsf files and put them on a 1 TB MicroSD and play them through my streamer which connects through USB to my DAC.  Once you rip your SACD to .dsf files, you can play them through what ever DSD DAC you want. 

There is 1 device that can get PURE DSD out of a SACD player. It is the GeerFab D.BOB. I am taking this device tomorrow to my friends place to listen with his incredible Allnic DAC. Both of my Yggi+ OG and MIB cannot do DSD. I am selling both of my Yggi+'s to buy an Allnic. Nothing to do with SACD playback. 

I upgraded my digital system from an Auralic G2.1 streamer and sonnet Pasithea DAC to the Grimm MU2 and it was surprising to me the level of upgrade 

I would highly recommend it. 
 

I currently own a.... ..... Holo May KTE DAC. 

I am  looking to upgrade my entire digital side.  I have an extensive CD collection that I will continue to listen to as well as thousands of files.

 I know that the DACS I mentioned also stream, but I’m not sure that I want to be completely tied to Roon or Audirvana.  I like the idea of internal storage for my files.

Any advice on the best combination of the above (or something I haven’t looked into yet) would be greatly appreciated.

You are an excellent candidate for PGGB. Once you hear your redbook CD’s remastered to the format preferred by your Holo I guarantee you will not listen to your CD player anymore, and you will stream less. I am all in: In my system with my T+A DAC 200  DSD 512 remastered CD’s sound better than the 24/192 Qobuz streams for those albums that are available as such, and all those old wonderful CD’s that aren’t available as high res streams because they are not popular enough? Well it sounds like they all got re-done by Steven Wilson. I believe your Holo prefers PCM so that is how you would remaster them. Doesn’t hurt or cost anything to try it, just a little effort, provided you have a decent computer to run the software. Send me a PM. 

PGGB

testimonial

@yyzsantabarbara I’m also interested in the GeerFab. Please share your thoughts once you’ve listened to it in your friend’s system. 

@arafiq We were not able to get the D.BOB to work on the Allnic because I forgot the remote to my OPPO BDP-83. I have owned the D.BOB for about 5 years and it worked flawlessly with my Benchmark DAC3B using the OPPO, However, when I got the Yggi+ OG (a much better DAC) I fumbled around on the OPPO menus to try and get it to work. When I took the OPPO to my friends the settings were locked in place, and I had no way to change it.

I burrowed his RME ADI-2 DAC fs DAC and when I got home, I got PCM and DSD to work with the RME. Only difficulty was the very complicated RME DAC settings. It sounded good on SACD, but I preferred the brighter Benchmark DAC3B (now sold) that livened up the sound, 

Now comes the interesting part. I wanted to try once more with my Yggi+ OG DAC to see if it would work. The designer of the D.BOB told me it would not. I started asking ChatGPT prompts on the feasibility of using the OPPO | D.BOB | Yggi+. ChatGPT was adamant that it would work but I came to a dead-end and realized my very old $150 used OPPO is missing a second HDMI output on the OPPO that should solve the final issue. 

I then went to USAM and bought a used $240 OPPO BDP-103 which has dual HDMI outputs. I will get it this week and see if it works based on ChatGPT’s advice. If it does, I expect it to be great and a big win for me since I love the Yggi+ OG.

I did some online research on my friends DAC, and it will work with the D.BOB using SPDIF since it supports DoP up to DSD128. THE Allnic and D.BOB would likely have worked with my older OPPO bdp-83 if I got the settings on the OPPO menu correct. The BDP-103 is almost certain to work with the Allnic.

Bing Videos (Allnic DAC I wanted to work with the D.BOB)

In terms of sound the D.BOB with CD/SACD is really tied to the DAC you hook it up too. 

Just to clarify you do not need a screen to run the D.BOB. I needed it to do a 1-time setup of the OPPO settings. Another point is that ChatGPT’s advice on this issue is originating from audio knowledge bases like A’gon et al.