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  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
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Wrap your mind around the fact around the fact that many of these old audio names are now just marketing companies with no real factory oftheir own and often little or no QC  control  themselves .
Van Alstine , for one, turns out a better product in the USA , for no more
money and actually have American techs who can and will fix anything they make . Most of the old names do not .
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,587 posts
 
Please get a Nuprime STA 9 to audition, yes it is a $700 amplifier it sounds like a $2k one you can try one from Audio Advisor, let the amp break in and then revaluate the C 568.

Our demo of the C568 with the Nuprime was amazing, the package outperfromed the Hegel H190 it was no contest and that was with one Stereo amplifier the monos are reported to sound even better.

Your Musical Fidelity amp is quite old and it may not be as smooth as you think it is. We had a client with a similar vintage Musical Fidelity amp and a newer integrated was far superiour sounding. 

Also Monitor Audio speakers can sound peaky used to sell them.

The unfortunate aspect of upgrading one component is that it can show you flaws in other components.

the demo of the NAD C 658 was with one Nuprime STA 9 with a pair of $1,600 Wireworld Gold Eclipse interconnect into a pair of Legacy Audio Signatures a $7k floor standing loudspeaker and in this demo the sound of the Nuprime/NAD C 658 was fantastic.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ


motokokusanagi
189 posts
 
There are only so many devices that meet your criteria; they all seem to be listed on the mqa website under the streamer section https://www.mqa.co.uk/customer/our-partners  HDMI would be the sticking point that might make you look at the mainstream Japanese brands' receivers.
jnehma1 OP
111 posts
 
Just ran into a brand I never heard of called DEQX. Thought I would share here in case anyone else was interested. They have a couple devices (PreMate Plus and HDP-5) that meet all my must have criteria except MQA, but also have room correction and subwoofer management. Not cheap ($5k and up) but I had never heard of them so wanted to share. I appreciate everyone's feedback
jnehma1 OP
111 posts
 
@audiotroy Fair enough, I appreciate the input and I'm willing to try anything once. But my hesitation that the Nuprime is a panacea is two-fold. First, everyone in the NAD658 owners thread on AVSForum is describing the exact same sound (one guy even returned his already). Second, when I connected a PS Audio DSJr through a Marantz AV receiver as preamp, then to the exact same Musical Fidelity amp and Monitor Audio speakers, the sound was GLORIOUS in comparison to the NAD.
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