2. digital
  3. 146766-11545

Does this exist? Preamp/Streamer/DAC with MQA, Roon and more

I'm looking for a particular set of features that seem to be very hard to find in a stereo (2.1) product. My budget is preferably around $2,500 but there is some flexibility. Here's what I would like:

Must have
-Preamp
-Network streamer
-DAC
-Roon endpoint
-MQA compatible (not interested in your opinion of MQA)

Want to have
-HDMI inputs/output for video switching only and 2 channel audio (to allow TV sound through stereo)
-Room correction
-Subwoofer management

I recently purchased the newly released NAD C658 which, when adding the optional HDMI module, covers every must have and want to have (Dirac room correction is coming in a later FW update) for a total of $1,800. Perfect! The problem is that so far the thing sounds lousy. I'm trying to let it burn in more and see if Dirac comes and makes it better, but it's not looking good after the first few days. The DAC seems to be the problem. It seems to suffer from audible time smearing and sounds too clinical and harsh so I am suspect about Dirac helping with that.

I've also seen the SimAudio Moon 390 but it's $5,300 and doesn't have room correction or subwoofer management. On the less expensive end, SimAudio also has the Moon Ace for $2,900 which has the same features as the 390, minus the HDMI inputs. I'd use the preouts to my own amp since the Ace is an integrated amp.

Then there is the Aurender A10. It costs even more than the Moon 390 and doesn't have HDMI inputs.

Cambridge Audio has some well regarded streamers but they aren't Roon compatible.

Finally, there is the PS Audio DirectStream and DirectStream Junior. I recently purchased the DSJr since it can be had close to my budget and while it sounds incredible as a streamer and DAC, it's not viable as a preamp. I spoke to PS Audio about this and they recommend using a separate preamp for the DS and especially for the Jr. I can't remember exactly why but they told me the signal to noise ratio when used straight into an amp wasn't ideal. I tested this myself and found that the DSJr sounded better even running through a Marantz AV receiver as preamp than it did straight into my amp (the receiver uses pre-outs to the same amp). I don't want to run a DSJr through a Marantz receiver and if I blow the budget on the DAC, I won't be able to get a capable preamp worthy of mating with it. Plus I'm really trying to get down to fewer boxes.

Are there any other options out there that I'm missing?
jnehma1
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,588 posts
 
Have to respond here, the NAD C 658 sounds freaking amazing with the right amp and cabling.

What amplifier, and cabling are you using with the NAD C658 if you are using it with a Marantz receiver as an amplifier you will not be happy, the Marantz receivers are okay at best we have installed them before not that good in terms of sound quality compared to the higher end receivers from Arcam, Audio Control, etc.

We paired our C 658 with the Nuprime STA 9 which is a $699 120 watt stereo amp $1,399.00 as a 290 watt mono block set and the sound quality was outstanding. 

We did a recent shoot out of the NAD M10 which is a 100 watt Hypex amplifer with the same features as the C 658 vs the Naim Atom and the Atom was much warmer and fuller.

If your dealer was using the C658 with the matching 80 watt Nad Hypex amplifier and or the wrong cabling that is the reason why you didn't like the sound. The Nuprime amplifiers are a hybrid Class A/D technology and are designed to emulate the sound and musicality of a tube amplifier

this combination was so remarkable that we just ordered a second STA 9 to run the mono bridge to create this package of 290 watt monos with the Blue sound streaming dac.

We compared the Nuprime STA 9/NAD C658 to a Hegel H190 and the Nuprime/Nad pair was warmer, punchier, nearly as detailed with a huge soundstage. 

You can give us a call and we can assist you with your setup of the C658 it is remarkable piece when setup right. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Nad and Nuprime dealers
gregdude
222 posts
 
Can you change to a different reconstruction filter in your current rig? Might solve all your sq issues. Oppo 105/205 is a possibility as mentioned above. 
tcatch
34 posts
 
Might want to check out the new Audio Alchemy line from ELAC.  The previous versions of these pieces got a lot of very favorable reviews.  The DDP-2 is a streamer-DAC-preamp.
https://www.elac.com/product/ddp-2-preamplifier-dac-streamer/?r=us
I have the DDP-1 and it is a very good DAC-Preamp.  This year's model adds the streamer function, which used to require a separate $1600 component.
jnehma1 OP
111 posts
 
@larry5729 Interesting. The Arcam SR250 would be the more logical choice since it's a stereo receiver. It doesn't do MQA but does have subwoofer management and Dirac room correction. As you mentioned, I'd have to add a streamer though.
jnehma1 OP
111 posts
 
@audiotroy Thanks for the feedback. No dealer near me so I ordered it from Crutchfield without any prior demo. I have the NAD running into a 250wpc Musical Fidelity a308cr power amp. I’m using DH Labs Air Matrix interconnects and I don’t recall the speaker cables. Speakers are older Monitor Audio Gold bookshelves (dome tweeter, before they switched to ribbons). The clinical/harsh sound quality I described is also echoed by almost every other owner in the AVS Forum thread for the C658. But I am definitely open to any tips that might improve the situation. The product has every feature I need and want, so I REALLY want to like it. I’m just somewhat doubtful that switching from a $4k Musical Fidelity amp to a NuForce is going to be the solution. If only things were that easy, right! :-)
More to discover