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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
ericrhodes1's avatar
ericrhodes1
253 posts
 

@jrwaudio ya. R2R streamer/dac with analog pre, analog and spdif digital inputs, balanced and single ended outs, and sub outs. He says he has the exclusive on this $8K piece for $7.5K

ddgtt's avatar
ddgtt
103 posts
 

I second the recommendation made by Fastfreight.  The Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC has everything you're looking for plus the finest sound quality anywhere near its asking price.  And if you want it integrated into the preamp, the Mola Mola Makua can come with an onboard DAC (basically an internal Tambaqui).  The Mola Mola is it!

jrwaudio
365 posts
 

@ericrhodes1 

I have the Exogal Comet plus that has all the same features except built in streaming  The cost at the time was $3,500 and designed by the Wadia engineers It had a remote and a phone app to change inputs and volume Unfortunately Exogal went out of business 

sonicdead
41 posts
 

Love my Ferrum Wandla DAC/Preamp. New firmware update I just installed has improve functionality so it is easier to navigate the options and the appearance of the screen is much better to read from listening spot. Has1 analog input which I have my phono preamp plugged into. Plenty of digital inputs for digital sources including hdmi arc (audio only). There is an option for an external power supply (Hyssop) which help with improving sound. Wandla replaced the SimAudio 390 NP I was using before. I got an Aurender streamer (N200) which sound great with the Wandla. 

knownothing
1,821 posts
 

Some thoughts on continuing to use the Node 2i as your streaming platform. Starting with the Node N130 and through to the current models (Nano, Node, Icon) Bluesound starting using the ARM® Cortex™-A53 quad-core processor, which is used in many high end streamers.  Adding a quality external power supply to any of these new generation units will get you embarrassingly close to the streaming performance of multi-thousand dollar streamers.  

That said, the DAC in the Node 2i or any of the previous generation of Nodes is just not very good, and certainly not up to the ESS implementation in the newest generation, at least if my experience with the little Nano is any guide.  If you like the Bluesound IOS and features, an upgrade path for you that makes sense might be something like this: 1) Node Icon - 2) Node Icon + external power supply - 3) Node Icon (used only as a streamer) + external power supply + excellent stand alone DAC to suit your tastes and budget.

Just a suggestion,

kn

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