sunnyd

Responses from sunnyd

Another streaming newbie
Chuck, I own a bunch of Bluesound equipment and like it a lot. But if your budget is really in the $2K area, a Lumin D1 or D2 is a serious step up and should check all your boxes. I see a D1 on A'gon WITH the SBooster powersupply upgrade for under... 
Help me understand John Coltrane .... seriously.
erik_squires here is an article aimed at the Coltrane-curious, like you with accompanying Spotify playlists: https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/nemw88/john-coltrane-guide-essay-streaming. 
Which integrated amp do you suggest?
You sound like an ideal candidate for a used Bluesound Powernode 2. That would have a built-in DAC and streamer and a 60 WPC NAD integrated amp. I am seeing them in Canada selling for your price manufacturer refurbished https://www.ebay.ca/i/25413... 
Cover songs that are better than the originals.
Two by Ben Folds:Common People (original by Pulp) on William Shatner's "Has Been" AlbumBitches Ain't Shit (original by Dr. Dre) from "supersunnyspeedgraphic, the lp"NRBQ's cover of Johnny Cash's "Get Rythm" - so good that Johnny started to play it... 
Which band IS really America's Greatest (rock & roll band)?
One more vote for NRBQ. And I would add that the current incarnation is also excellent. No qualifications. 
Best sounding "budget" integrated amp for Vandersteen 2C.
A used Rega Mira should have enough juice at 60 WPC to power the speakers in a moderately-sized room and would be, IMO, a step up from the Cambridge Audio or Yamaha.  Should fit your budget. 
Ready to move onto next stage of streaming
I had the chance to listen to the Lumin D1 and the Bluesound Node 2 streaming Tidal side-by-side a few months ago. For MQA, the Lumin was the better of the two but not by anywhere near as much as it bested the Node 2 on non-MQA files. The Lumin wh... 
Basic system for living room
I have a system in my dining room that I am very happy with and find that one of its greatest strengths is exactly what you are looking for: the ability to play clearly and well at low volume. It also has the advantage of being very small and easy... 
Best Music Streaming Hardware Options
+3 on the Bluesound Node2. If you are on a REALLY tight budget , the previous generation, the Node N100, is available on Amazon at $300 and for less 2nd hand. It will still sound really good on the Tidal MQA files. If your budget allows it, anothe... 
Blue sound Node 2 vs Lumin D1
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to spend a few hours to audition the Bluesound Node 2 and the Lumin D1 (as well as the Lumin M1 integrated amp/streamer). Both are really outstanding products. For sheer sound quality, the Lumin D1 was defi...