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Help! Looking for a DAC with some unique ablities...

Ok, maybe I'm wrong in thinking unique. Here's the situation:

Currently using a Bluesound to Luxman CL-38uc to a pair of Luxman M383 driving Eggleston Works Andra 2.

On the one hand I want to upgrade the DAC and possibly streamer side of things (I'm willing to continue using tthe Bluesound for streaming and upgrade that down the road)

On the other hand the one aspect of using the Bluedude that I really don't want to give up is the ability to use the app from anywhere in the house and control what I listen to and the volume. (I leave the preamp volume at a high level and then the Bluedude can control the volume with the variable out.)  Far from the best option for sound quality but it sure makes life easy! 

So... Is there a DAC out there that has a phone app to control it and variable balanced outputs?

A second option could be a combined streamer/DAC I suppose that has a phone app and variable balanced outputs.

I know ultimately all are compromised options vs sending the processed signal directly to the pre-amp and then utlizing the volume knob on the preamp. But when I'm listening to music 40-50 feet away (not sitting in the music seat!) then the abilitiy to control the music trumps the quality. Still I'd like to do what I can to limit the qualiy losses and improve what I have.

Any good opinions out there?

Thanks, E.

everhard
fastfreight
1,278 posts
 

The stand alone Tambaqui DAC has app volume control but it is digital.

My Auralic Aries streamer has app control of volume as well, but again digitally.

rick_n's avatar
rick_n
476 posts
 

I might be wrong but, if you insert a DAC between your Node and Pre you won't have to change the way your are operating your system.  

bassbuyer's avatar
bassbuyer
883 posts
 

Agree that connecting the DAC from your streamer to your preamp you’ll be set.  I have the Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC.  It’s about $1300.  It sounds excellent and has no other functionality than connecting from a streamer to a preamp or receiver.  Highly recommended. 

everhard OP
15 posts
 

Thanks for the suggestions, so I understand correctly, I can connect the blue dude as a streamer only utilize coax for example connect to the Holo Cyan and it has an app that I will allow me to change the volume out the balanced outputs? 

In the case of the Auralic it just replaces the blue dude - presumably has balanced outputs. If I go that route to replace the blue dude with another streamer I'll have to consider other like units. If going that way I would want to be making a good step up. I kinda like the idea of separating the DAC from the streamer.

With the blue dude if you use the digital out you lose the volume control functionality. 

I definitely am not changing the pre, it's the best component I have in the whole chain. 

E.

yyzsantabarbara
5,550 posts
 

The Lumin X1 is a DAC and a streamer. A great streamer and an OK DAC. You can do everything with the streamer that you are interested in doing. The volume control on the streamer is the best digital volume I have heard.  I owned the X1 at one point.

Today I would get the Lumin U2X streamer which is the X1s streamer in a separate box. Some improvements are in the U2X.

High Fidelity

 

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