Does anyone have a digital system that is as involving as their analogue front end?
I have a good analogue front end. Not stratuspherically good but good enough for this comparison. VPI Prime Signature 21 turntable, Pass Labs XP-25 pono preamp, Pass Labs XP-30 preamp and Hovland Radia amp. It has a lovely, very involving sound. On the right recording, I just drop everythng and am drawn in to listen.
My streamer, on the other hand, is decent but not spectacular. It is better than my CD player, but it is not jaw-dropping like my analogue front-end. My question is this: does anyone have a high-end, tier-one streamer (dCS Bartok Apex, Lumin X2, or something like them) that can rival a good analogue system?
@newton_john is it a one piece Linn? Or separate streamer and dac? Reason I ask is I was chatting with another audiogon member and he mentioned Wattson Audio Emerson network bridge. It’s not dirt cheap but not outrageously expensive (I think around $2k) It should work with jplay and has airplay as well which is a cool feature to have. |
I found a calm moment to discuss the purchase with my wife. My logic was that since we are retired and all money comes from the same pot that will be there now or in six months, why shouldn't I enjoy the upgrade for the next six months. I am hoping that this unit puts the thoughts about a streamer to bed. I used to love running around looking at different equipment, bringing equipment home to test, etc. Now I just love sitting in my Swedish recliner listening to music, or listening whiile I write. I'm not in the forever upgrade club anymore. Although that might be questioned with the purchase of the MA3i. It sounds like I can live with this forever, unless I get a large windfall and can climb to the heights of the dCS ladder. Although, where would I put that big stack of equipment? |
From what you and others have said, including some very, very positive reviews, I think I will too. My goal is to play the streamer and turntable without regard to sonics. Simply listening to whatever grabs my fantasy. I do expect, though, for vinyl to still have an edge. But i was about to buy a Wayne Shorter album and it sounded so good on the MA3, I thought i'd wait until the MA3i arrived next week. I don't think I'll need to buy it. |
My vinyl setup is no slouch. I am able to do just that in my system with this DAC @audio-b-dog And as I mentioned earlier…the difference will be in the source material where vinyl will sound better on some albums, and digital will come out on top when the master/source on Qobuz is of better quality. When is the new DAC landing in your system? |
