@kennymacc I haven't listened to dCS Bartok but I listened to dCS Lina which I believe uses similar core technology (Ring DAC) and is also a integrated Streaming DAC. To me it sounds amazing; extremely revealing with superb clarity. It is not a physically huge device and I am impressed of what it can do within its size.
My SACD Transport feeds so much better signal to my DAC compared with streaming end...
I mostly use Roon to stream my 2000+ album digital collection with Bluesound Node + Ideon 3R Master Time reclocker + Ideon Ayazi MKII DAC. Recently I got a used PS Audio PerfectWave SACD Transport to rediscover my CD collection from years ago that my parents brought back to me from their home, which I have not touched for a very long time. I thought the 3R reclocker would clean up much of the signal from the Bluesound to the extent that streaming will not sound much worse than CD -- Indeed, I have been satisfied with its performance. I was wrong. The CD playback experience totally blew me away. Much darker background, much better soundstage and depth, lots of details, and better dynamics with great authority... I guess you really need a good streamer to catch disc playback! At any rate, I plan to upgrade my front end to one that works with the SACD Transport's I2S output so that I can enjoy my SACDs as well...
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@joyceulysses I had a Node before my Innuos. My son has it now. I've run Qobuz on a tablet. My son runs Qobuz on his phone. I've also used Audivarna on a laptop and used the streamer in my dac. In my system, Audivarna sounded better than Roon. It could be that I didn't have things optimized correctly. Idk. I have read that Roon requires a lot of computing power to sound it's best. I don't have that. I loved the interface and wanted it to work, but in my system, it sounded flatter than the other options. I mentioned it because it should be easy to put Qobuz or Amazon on your phone or a tablet. You don't need Qobuz connect. |
Yeah!!! There are soo many wonderful options out there when it comes to separates, or Streaming DAC's on the market today. Me, personally, I was just as impressed with the Ayre Streaming DAC as I was with the DCS, so I went with the better value product, and I've never been happier!!! Happy listening. |
Great to hear. I agree with upgrading your CD player. I moved from a Sony 300 carousel to a Rotel that’s in the same lineup as my amp and preamp. It definitely made a difference including using the XLR connection from the player to the preamp. Sounded better right from the opening of Baba O’Riley. I now burn my CDs into my Innuos MK3 streamer so I use the USB connection. It sounds as good as the CD player. |
Not sure it's entirely an answer to this query but I now use JPLAY as an alternate streaming program. SQ seems better than Roon/Nucleus. My Bartok DAC has its internal streamer, Mosaic , which is also excellent. Mosaic is best when used by UPnP to connect to Qobuz Connect, a new feature at Mosaic. The differences are small but if you are fussy about things. Nice to have alternatives. Have fun... |
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