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Digital Front end for Dummies

Have been an analog guy and will likely continue to be but am getting fiber optic Internet (I live in the middle of nowhere so this is a big deal) and am interested in developing a digital front end. My goal is really just to have a streaming set up, either Tidal or Qobuz, with a solid DAC. My dilemma is that I don't want an all in one as I feel like I'd rather have the opportunity to change DAC's later if I want. I also don't want to lay out a pile of money all at once. Wondering if I should get something like a Bluesound Node 2 to start and then add a DAC later or go with a less expensive front end like an Audioengine B-Fi and spend more on a DAC like a used Ayre Codex, Schiit Gungnir, or Denafrips Area II. Rest of my system is:
Rogue Audio RP-7Rogue Audio M180 monoblocksVandersteen Quatro Woods
rmdmoore
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,495 posts
 
Everyone should start with a Blesound and then you'll know where to go next.
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oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Why start there fuzztone? I don't stream, I do use the heck out of the Music Channel. 1-2 hours a day an hour of TT or CDs. I don't know if that is streaming or not. I'm savy in analog ok, but digital, music I need to figure out a few things.. 

Why Bluesound? Not trying to hijack the thread OP.. I'm one of the, 
(I guess dummies), when it comes to DEEP digital music source understanding.

Getting the best results with digital music and a particular analog device. I want to archive the material and then reproduce it.. RtR to be more exact. I like it.. SOURCE material.. is just way to scarce and not much of what I like.. I can learn.. :-)

My DACs are Mac, Krell and Cocktail, couple more.. These are HQ streaming devices, that require good DACs correct?

Analog!  I still crank up the Victrola.. no line in or out on that one.. LOL

Regards
mahler123
3,014 posts
 
A Bluesound Node 2i is a great place to start.  Don’t do the multiple unit/whole house thing, because they are more prone to failure when bought in multiple units.  Irish compatible with every streaming service imaginable and the supplied DAC is adequate.  If you take to streaming than it will be worth a few hundred bucks to upgrade the DAC.  The best feature about Bluesound is the BluOS app.
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jazzman7
334 posts
 
+1 for starting with Bluesound kit and then adding an external DAC.
Agree with mahler123 that the best thing about Bluesound is the BluOS app. Only user interface out there better in my opinion is Roon, but that is a whole other expenditure. But should you decide to eventually graduate to Roon, one of the nice things about Bluesound is that their kit is all Roon compatible. I started out with the original Bluesound Cube (the Node N100) and an external DAC back in 2014. Then started doing Roon a year ago. Today have 4 pieces of Bluesound kit all acting as Roon endpoints in different rooms in the house.
gcknapp
52 posts
 
Have a Ayre Codex for sale here on Audiogon.  Great dac, moving up the Ayre line.
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