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Dac with separate streamer or Dac with built in network card

In my search for a dac upgrade I was looking at the Weiss 501MKII, the Berkely Alpha Dac Series with the Berkely USB port. I then realized that the streamer controls the clock and hence jitter reduction in all connections except the USB.  It became apparent to me that in most cases I would not be getting the benefit of a new Dac upgrade as to clocking and hence jitter. So I then was advised I needed a new streamer whose internals were on par with the internals of my Dac. The new streamer would be a Lumin U2X or a Aurender N20, which both cost over $10,000.00,  

I was then advised by a few audiogon members that I should consider a stand alone Dac with a network card which would take the place of purchasing a new streamer. It was mentioned that I should consider the Meitner MA3i, which is a Dac with a network card. Until today I thought a network card is only found in a streamer. Was not aware of a Dac & streamer combination. I have always believed in separates such as power and preamps, as well as an external Dac running into a streamer. Does anybody have any thoughts regarding the option of a high end Dac such as the Meitner with a network card?  Thank you.  

kjl1065
zlone
1,365 posts
 

@audphile1 I visited the PS Audio room at a NY Audio Show but there was so much chatter there and the music was playing at such a low level that I couldn’t figure out what’s what  the new series component did look good  

I had the same problem at AXPONA. I tried multiple times to hear their new speakers, but the room was huge and always crammed. As much as people complain about the sub-standard listening conditions of the smaller hotel rooms, at least you can get feel for the gear. The big rooms are kind of useless to me other than the spectacle. And yeah, its pretty nice looking rig.

calieng
203 posts
 

PS Audio and Lumin among others have stated the all in one is the best way to go. You eliminate the interconnect cable and associated circuitry and can optimize the layout of the streamer and DAC components internally.

Aurender A1000 is a good bang for the buck (especially used prices) for tube amp owners (single ended). Or move up the price range for a balanced unit.

zlone
1,365 posts
 

Just to be clear, I am not suggesting a standalone all-in-one DAC/streamer solution. There is still a server of some type involved. The goal is to have all the heavy processing done elsewhere and the streamer board in the DAC only has to feed the stream to the DAC in the quietest and most efficient way possible.

kjl1065's avatar
kjl1065 OP
89 posts
 

Dear Zlone:

Would you be kind enough to suggest what you believe would be the best way to proceed. The Meitner solution with the built in dac and network card in one box vs. the totally separate. Any thoughts and rationales would be appreciated.

zlone
1,365 posts
 

I have followed your posts, but remind me what you are using for software/UI, and if you have any kind of server.

I guess my last post might have been a bit confusing. The DAC combined with an endpoint streamer has worked well for me and is a significant improvement over SPDIF/USB in my system, I recommend it. But I have a server that runs Roon core separate from the networked DAC, which only runs the Roon endpoint software. @audphile1 does something similar with a Roon Nucleus (I think). I think there are non-Roon configurations (JPlay maybe?) that would allow you to have no server, but someone else would have to chime in on how that is done and whether it works well.

As for which DAC, I have not heard the Weiss, but from what I read it sounds fairly detailed. The Meitner is known to be warmer and might be a shift for you. I "think" that Bricasti and the Tambaqui might be closer. But if you really like the Weiss sound, but just want an upgrade, the 501 is a good choice. It's all up to taste and synergy at that point.

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