streamer and amp recommendations under $2000 combined

[SK_music]

Hello,
I am new to buying audio equipment >$500/component. I’m overwhelmed by the choices online that one cannot listen to without ordering and possibily returning, but the limited choices within a total budget of $4000 at a local audiophile shop, where listening or borrowing for home trial is possible. I will put this system in a room of 9.5 x 9.5 feet or maybe 12 x 14 feet. I listen to classical, jazz, rock at moderate volume--usually at a volume one could talk over. I tend to like a slightly warm, not too trebly or bassy, sound, but still fairly clear or 'transparent.'

I bought Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator speakers and will get some decent used stands.

Now I would like to decide on the amp and streamer, and preamp if necessary, ideally for about $2000-2500 max.

Which Streamer?: wiim ultra ($329 +tax) or bluesound node ($549 + tax)? other?

The bluesound was recommended by the local audiophile shop and sounded good with Arcam and Sonus Faber speakers in the shop; but a friend/audio professional suggested staying away from bluesound.

Amplifier: Arcam Radia A25 ($1500 new, integrated amp) or a Parasound Halo A23 ($800 used; power amp)?

The local shop recommended the Arcam and the friend / audio professional recommended getting a used Halo instead of the Arcam.

If I get the Parasound Halo A23, will I need a preamp for streaming? or for occasionally playing CDs with a cheap DVD or blue ray player with digital output? Will I need a better external DAC (though I guess the Wiim and Bluesound have DACs in them)?

If I need a preamp and possibly external DAC with the Halo, what can I get for under $1200 combined that is/are good enough so that it/they do not undermine the quality of the rest of the system? In other words, what do I need to get to avoid putting a weak component in the system that makes all the other components sound significantly lower quality than what they are capable of.

thanks very much.

 

[prisoners]

I’m using both Blusound Nodes and WiiM Pro streamers in my systems. To answer your question I’d recommend a WiiM Pro plus ($160), SMSL D6S DAC ($200), and the Yamaha S-501 integrated amp. ($550) Use the rest of your budget on a subwoofer, cables, and maybe a cd player or turntable if either interest you.

 

[Sliphorn]

Hello,
I am new to buying audio equipment >$500/component. I’m overwhelmed by the choices online that one cannot listen to without ordering and possibily returning, but the limited choices within a total budget of $4000 at a local audiophile shop, where listening or borrowing for home trial is possible. I will put this system in a room of 9.5 x 9.5 feet or maybe 12 x 14 feet. I listen to classical, jazz, rock at moderate volume--usually at a volume one could talk over. I tend to like a slightly warm, not too trebly or bassy, sound, but still fairly clear or 'transparent.'

I bought Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator speakers and will get some decent used stands.

Now I would like to decide on the amp and streamer, and preamp if necessary, ideally for about $2000-2500 max.

Which Streamer?: wiim ultra ($329 +tax) or bluesound node ($549 + tax)? other?

The bluesound was recommended by the local audiophile shop and sounded good with Arcam and Sonus Faber speakers in the shop; but a friend/audio professional suggested staying away from bluesound.

Amplifier: Arcam Radia A25 ($1500 new, integrated amp) or a Parasound Halo A23 ($800 used; power amp)?

The local shop recommended the Arcam and the friend / audio professional recommended getting a used Halo instead of the Arcam.

If I get the Parasound Halo A23, will I need a preamp for streaming? or for occasionally playing CDs with a cheap DVD or blue ray player with digital output? Will I need a better external DAC (though I guess the Wiim and Bluesound have DACs in them)?

If I need a preamp and possibly external DAC with the Halo, what can I get for under $1200 combined that is/are good enough so that it/they do not undermine the quality of the rest of the system? In other words, what do I need to get to avoid putting a weak component in the system that makes all the other components sound significantly lower quality than what they are capable of.

thanks very much.

.
Are you going to stream only? Are you in the USA? If so here is what I recommend for a very good sounding streaming set up. I am a fan of separates, so…..

A WiiM pro streamer, $149 from Amazon, to a DAC (via optical cable or coax cable) in the $ 200 to $300 range. There are many choices such as the Geshelli standard J2 or a Schiit Modius or Modi multi bit along with a host of other brands in that price range. Then to a Schiit Saga 2 preamp, $279, it has a remote, passive setting (no gain) and a low and high gain settings. Then to an Akitika GT-104 amp or an Akitika GT-102 Z4 amp. The 104 is the fully discrete version and the 102 Z4 is the op amp version. Both put out between 50-60 watts per channel and are the 4 ohm versions. They are great sounding kit amps but he will build, test, and ship to your door for $625. Your speakers are 4 ohm. Add some inter connect cables, speaker wire and you are good to go for around $1600.

Of course, your local shop is probably the easiest way to get set up instead of ordering everything online.

 

[Sandman1221]

I have started streaming internet radio using the Radio Garden app and an iPad 8 gen. connected to my amp using a 3.5 mm headphone jack to dual RCAs. Of course I could stream anything else, iPad connected by WiFi to an ERROS 6 pro network and an independent line fiber optic network (versus shared DSL line). Sound quality is excellent, and the variety of music is incredible. And then I have an iPad for many other uses.

 

[Natasha Bell]

Hello,
I am new to buying audio equipment >$500/component. I’m overwhelmed by the choices online that one cannot listen to without ordering and possibily returning, but the limited choices within a total budget of $4000 at a local audiophile shop, where listening or borrowing for home trial is possible. I will put this system in a room of 9.5 x 9.5 feet or maybe 12 x 14 feet. I listen to classical, jazz, rock at moderate volume--usually at a volume one could talk over. I tend to like a slightly warm, not too trebly or bassy, sound, but still fairly clear or 'transparent.'

I bought Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator speakers and will get some decent used stands.

Now I would like to decide on the amp and streamer, and preamp if necessary, ideally for about $2000-2500 max.

Which Streamer?: wiim ultra ($329 +tax) or bluesound node ($549 + tax)? other?

The bluesound was recommended by the local audiophile shop and sounded good with Arcam and Sonus Faber speakers in the shop; but a friend/audio professional suggested staying away from bluesound.

Amplifier: Arcam Radia A25 ($1500 new, integrated amp) or a Parasound Halo A23 ($800 used; power amp)?

The local shop recommended the Arcam and the friend / audio professional recommended getting a used Halo instead of the Arcam.

If I get the Parasound Halo A23, will I need a preamp for streaming? or for occasionally playing CDs with a cheap DVD or blue ray player with digital output? Will I need a better external DAC (though I guess the Wiim and Bluesound have DACs in them)?

If I need a preamp and possibly external DAC with the Halo, what can I get for under $1200 combined that is/are good enough so that it/they do not undermine the quality of the rest of the system? In other words, what do I need to get to avoid putting a weak component in the system that makes all the other components sound significantly lower quality than what they are capable of.

thanks very much.

As far as a new integrated, I would recommend the Yamaha A-S501. It is probably the very best combination of value, build quality, and performance available currently. Parasound makes great products. I have one of their pre-amps myself. Arcam, is also exceptional. As far as a streamer, I use a custom built multimedia computer. In fact, I am using it to write this right now. It is far more reliable and versatile than any "streamer". If you do not have experience building PCs yourself, have it built by a local (but competent) shop. The money spent here, is well invested as the audio (and video) performance will be on-par, if not superior.

 

[stoutblock]

I think it would be very hard to beat the Eversolo DMP-8 for streaming/DAC duty. Yes it is a bit more expensive but you really do not need a preamp as the DMP-8 has analog input. The addition of a quality DSP will prove very useful IMHO. You could still make it to a $2500 price range by using a couple of little Fosi V3 mono amps. Don’t laugh as they will drive your Sonus Faber speakers amazingly well. I recommend using balanced connection between them.