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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
lanx0003
1,928 posts
 

The Node Icon seems like a good fit for your needs, and it’s endorsed by three trustworthy reviewers. Its DAC also performs well.  Take their advices seriously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNHLnHulGFM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMpXGuG8DCw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ57f_AzKd0

fpomposo
135 posts
 

You should look at Aurender... I love mine, sounds so much better than any budget streamer, I couldn't believe how much better it sounds than my old streamer setup, night and day..

They make the A200 that has variable output, built in DAC, the app is really good too. And the best thing about it is you can stick a SSD hard drive in it and have your whole music library inside which is what I do and it sounds even better than streaming...

The A200 is the entry level but I think it's still pretty expensive, and they have more expensive analog out streamers, mine is the entry level digital only N150 and it's awesome

mashif
471 posts
 

I retired my Node 2i but I always used the digital coax output to an external DAC and occasionally used the Nodes Volume control. It's a digital volume control that controls the digital or analog outputs. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,857 posts
 

If you are anywhere in the house and not in a listening chair, digital volume control is not a detriment, it’s a convenience. 
 

If you are open to using Roon (yearly subscription) there are DACs like Mola Mola Tambaqui, Meitner MA3i, dCS Bartok (even has its own app making Roon not really necessary), Bricasti M1S2 and M21 to name a few. When back in the listening chair you would just set Roon volume to maximum and use your preamp. You don’t need bluesound with any of the above DACs as they feature a built in streaming card. 

bobbyloans
99 posts
 

If you’re keeping the blue sound I’d look at Gustard or Denafrips depending on your budget 

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