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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
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

devinplombier
1,638 posts
 

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.

The Cortex A53 has also been used in Raspberry Pi since as far back as RP3.

Isn't it funny that many high-end streamers share their CPU with $50 SBCs?

knownothing
1,821 posts
 

@devinplombier yes, it is funny. But you know, other parts and implantation are important too, and nice casework has to count for something.

oberoniaomnia
350 posts
 

@devinplombier Not surprised that one can hear a difference when going straight streamer-poweramp, leaving out the pre-amp. May depend a bit on the specific type of pre-amp, most likely more noticeable with valve stages. Just a guess, never tried it myself.

Even with DAC without volume control, some software has volume adjustments (e.g. Roon), so it should also be possible to do Roon-DAC-Poweramp.

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