Schiit Vidar Outlaw RR2160
I think a music streamer is a great idea. I have the Bluesound Node 2 and it is great. Check it out if you get a chance. http://http//www.bluesound.com/en-us/products/node-2/?cl Cheers, Scott |
If you’re wanting to add streaming with Roon/TIDAL/MQA support as well, for your budget I’d get the Outlaw, skip the separate pre-amp, and add a Bluesound Node 2. That gets you everything you want in regards to functionality without breaking the bank...in fact, it leaves $200 for cables, more vinyl, or several months of Tidal. Nothing against the Schiit, but you will run into either budget overruns or gaps in your desired functionality if you go that route. |
Hi John - I am a bit out of my depths when it comes to streaming devices. I am strictly LPs and CDs. What Ethos is saying sounds ok. You may also what to check out Outlaw’s Saloon to see if there are any relevant discussions. http://saloon.outlawaudio.com/ubbthreads/ I don’t have any experience with the Tekton speakers, outside of the posts here on Audiogon, which can get somewhat polarizing when the discussions get going. Something I might consider though is taking the budgeted $500 for a preamp and putting in towards speakers. Speakers in the $1500 to $2000 range would elevate this system up a real level or two, sound wise. And granted I get the possibilities of adding streaming to the mix. At $2K, the Watkins Generation Four have really caught my eye. No experience with them, but from what I read they have me thinking about pulling the trigger. http://www.watkinsstereo.com I have always been a fan of single driver speakers and have had Omega speakers in my systems for the last 15 years. I like the looks of these a lot (Omega Junior XRS) and what I have found with Omega speakers is that the driver size adds an incredible amount of oomph to the sound. Also, the Omegas are heaven with solo vocals, both male and female. https://omegaloudspeakers.com/collections/tower-speakers/products/junior-8xrs?variant=38555245196 Obviously, there are many more to consider at $1500 to $2000. As for interconnects, I have the following in my systems and I am happy with them. They also don’t cost a tremendous amount of money and are good value. Audioquest Diamondbacks Audioquest King Cobra Audioquest Black Mamba II Kimber Kable PBJ https://www.musicdirect.com/cables/audioquest-diamondback-interconnects https://www.musicdirect.com/cables/audioquest-king-cobra-interconnects-pr http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQBMII https://www.musicdirect.com/cables/kimber-pbj-interconnects-pr With speaker cable, I splurged a bit and went with the Audience OHNO product. https://www.needledoctor.com/Audience-OHNO-Speaker-Cable?quantity=1&custcol115=7&custcol120=... I do a fair amount of scouring the reviews and message boards and then purchasing on-line. I attend shows and audition when I can, but that is hit or miss in NYC, especially since I work long hours and travel for business. I have 3 systems that all see a lot of use and fundamentally have remained in place for a long time. #1 - Prima Luna PL5 tube power amp (12 years) Musical Fidelity CD PRE24 cd player & preamp (12 years) SONY SCD555 ES SACD player (16 years) Parasound Zphono preamp (1 year) Pro-ject Classic Anniversary Turntable (1 year) Opera Platea Floorstander Speakers (9 years) #2 - Rega Brio R integrated amp (3 years) Unico CD player (1 year) Technics 1200GR turntable (new) Parasound Zphono preamp (1 year) Omega Super 7 MKII monitors ( 3 years) #3 Outlaw RR2150 receiver (12 years) Wharfedale Denton Anniversary monitors (1 year) Panasonic 500P blu ray player (4 years) Rega Apollo CD player (12 years) Rich |
