2. digital
  3. 1431359285

Where to start

Ok, I've been resisting going the digital route as long as I could. I have a few questions, but first, let me tell you about my current setup. All digital files have been downloaded as flac files and stored on a portable hd and played through my WDTV box. It works, but I'm ready to take it up a notch or two. I really don't want to use a computer to play or store music on, but am not 100% against it.
Buying a device like pono, or a fiio x5 makes sense to me. I could store all my music on the device, plug it in to either of my two systems, and even bring it with me in the car. Whatever route I take, i would like to keep it under $1000. I am happy with my vinyl setup and my modded Sony sacd player, and I will use both of these for about 80% of my listening.
Does a portable device make sense? Should I look into a streaming solution like sonos or blue sound? Is there an option that I'm leaving out?
rgc

Showing 1 response by mceljo

mceljo
1,348 posts
 
I checked to see if your Sony SACD player in hopes that it would have a digital input and could be used as a DAC.

I have a Pioneer Elite PD-D6-J SACD player and also a Maverick TubeMagic D2 (all available upgrades) DAC (both tube and solid state outputs) and I cannot tell the difference between a CD or SACD on my Pioneer Elite SACD player and iTunes through an Apple Airport Express through the solid state output on the Maverick DAC. I can easily hear the difference using the tube output.

I'm a bit of a flat earther in that from my limited experience I don't have any real evidence that anything before the DAC makes much if any difference. Maybe the horizon will eventually develop a curve, but that's where I'm at for now.

The Maverick DAC is available under $300 new and the Airport Express is about $100 leaving you with some budget for the rest of the needed parts.
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