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Small Footprint Streamer/DAC unit

Greetings,

I'm considering putting together a system comprised of three pieces: a Headphone Amp, Headphones, and a Streamer/DAC. Prerogative is quality pieces with very small footprints. I've seen many headphone amps with small footprints but not many combined Streamer/DAC's with small footprints.

Atoll's MS120 Streamer/DAC is a possibility with a footprint measuring 12"W 8"D 4"H. A smaller unit would even be better.

If anyone would care to suggest other Streamer/DAC units with small footprints, I would greatly appreciate it. Budget is $3K (perhaps a $4-$5K unit selling used for $3K).

Thank you!

 

 

 

rbschauman
toro3's avatar
toro3
508 posts
 

No experience, but I’ve been interested in what Laiv is offering since I’m somewhat in the market. Like you, I haven’t been able to find too many offerings of small streamer/DAC combos that have interested me. Because of this, I’ve been intrigued with three separate components that can be stacked:

Harmony HP2A (headphone amp): 10” W X 9.8” D X 1.96” H with retail at $2700 and used average between $2100 - $2500.

Harmony DAC: same dimensions to stack with retail at $2700 and used averages between $1900-$2300 if patient. 

Harmony NET2: streamer with possibly the same dimensions, price unknown, soon to be released.

If not wanting a flush stack, you could go with the Harmony uDAC that could be placed on top of the HP2A (similar width) with retail at $994 and used averages around $850.

Maybe this post is more for me than for you - so thank you for allowing me to process and perhaps justify a future purchase.

akg_ca
2,479 posts
 

Think premier high-end Brit steamer/DAC performer in a small footprint  : CYRUS AUDIO 

3,46” X 8.66” X 15.16” ( H X W X D )

$USD 4000

https://cyrusaudio.com/products/40-st/

https://cyrusaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/40-ST-PIG-V1.0-2Oct24.pdf
 

reviews

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/cyrus-40-st

https://www.avforums.com/reviews/cyrus-40-st-network-streamer-review.22552/

https://bestofhighend.com/cyrus-40-st-streaming-dac/

akg_ca
2,479 posts
 

High-end small footprint Option #2

 

https://pro-jectusa.com/product/pre-box-rs2-digital/

 

PRO-JECT Pre Box RS2 Digital Preamp w/ DAC & Headphone Amp

$2,999.00

2.83” X 8.74” X 8.11” 

 

Features

  • Dual mono DACs: 2x ESS9038Q2M
  • High Quality optionally selectable upsampling of PCM and/or MQA content with proprietary filtering
  • Advanced re-clocking powered by new XMOS chip with Mulit-Core RISC architecture
  • 9 digital inputs: i²S HDMI, AES/EBU, Toslink, S/PDIF coax, Bluetooth v4.0
  • Analog: pre-out XLR/RCA/headphone, RCA input
  • Fully balanced dual mono design
  • Output stage switchable between 6922 tube & solid state
  • Ultra-linear and ultra low noise
  • New high-quality display with responsive and fast UI design
  • High quality full aluminium remote control included
  • Available in silver and black
  • Handmade in Europe ( Austria) 

REVIEW

 

https://www.hifi.blog/pro-ject-pre-box-rs2-digital-high-end-preamplifier-with-dac-and-headphone-amplifier/

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