Defender-90
Member
Do you need to be plugged directly into a router or can you connect via wifi/bluetooth?
Streaming?
- Thread starter Defender-90
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Defender-90
Member
No Im actually just getting into it.
I dont even have a streaming device yet.
My current set up is Mcintosh C22 Mk V, Wilson Sabrina X Speakers and Rega RP6 TT and a pair of Mcintosh MC60's
I am doing that right now on my iPhone. IOS 14.5 has Airplay II and can stream to any device with Airplay, it can also do the same thing with Bluetooth. You can do this with AVR’s, Apple TV, Chromcast, Firestick. and through a router with WiFi. Android has it’s own streaming options.
benricci
Super Member
Got it. You could just add a nice DAC to whatever device you are currently typing on (phone, tablet, laptop, whatever) and you've got an instant streaming setup.
Pick a service that offers hi-res lossless streaming (Apple, Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon, there are tons of them) and enjoy! The rest of your gear is great, so you're pretty much ready to get going.
Got Volumio running on a Raspberry Pi4 tied to my Fios Router through Wifi. Plays Qobuz at high res via USB to a DAC, then to my audio gear..
I control it with my iPhone or iPad. no Bluetooth here (Bluetooth is a lower fidelity signal)
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...ple-air-play-good.966394/page-2#post-14958471
I control it with my iPhone or iPad. no Bluetooth here (Bluetooth is a lower fidelity signal)
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...ple-air-play-good.966394/page-2#post-14958471
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Defender-90
Member
Whats a good DAC? Budget would be $1500 or less
Really nice equipment you have. My AmazonHD Music sent is sent via wi-fi to my Apple 6 iPhone which is then wire connected to an external DAC via lightening/USB. Not sure if AirPlay handles hi-res files if that is an interest. Regarding a DAC I am using the Denafrips Pontus II which is $1,735+/- depending on current exchange rate. The also have the Ares II that is less than $800 and is fabulous (owned it before the Pontus II). With your fine equipment, if the money is not an issue, I would go with the Pontus II. Plenty of other brands as well yet I am partial to Denafrips and Chord as another manufacturer.
benricci
Super Member
Good question. The excellent news is that there are a lot of great DACs out there, and prices have plummeted in the past few yers in terms of quality per dollar spent. Meaning, you actually might not need to spend $1500.
The Denafrips Ares II is one of the best DACs I've ever heard, flat-out, at ANY price point and I got one for around $700 a while back (the exchange rates are worse now, so it's probably a bit more pricey, but you get the idea). You could even get away with a Topping D30 for under $400 and it'll be great.
Hell, the "lowly" Schiit Modius sounds excellent for just $199, for crying out loud. This is the great part, DACs are getting better and less expensive with each passing year. Even putting an inexpensive, recently-made external DAC between your streaming device and amp should yield excellent results.
Defender-90
Member
ha funny
Ive been looking at the Denafrips and the Cambridge
Can the Denafrip be used via wifi etc?
Defender-90
Member
thank you.....
benricci
Super Member
No, that's not really how DACs work. You can stream music wireless to whatever device you are using as your streamer (like a smartphone or computer, for example), but THAT device will need to be connected by a cable to the DAC (usually via Toslink or Coax cable, more frequently USB nowadays).
Now, to further confuse things, there are all-in-one devices that offer both wireless streaming capabilities AND an on-board DAC. Something like the Bluesound Node, might interest you?
Defender-90
Member
yeah that might be just the ticket...
benricci
Super Member
Cool, the Node has received pretty good reviews. I haven't heard or used one myself, but from what I've seen it's super easy to set up.
Defender-90
Member
Does the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 work like the Bluesound Node?
benricci
Super Member
Similar concept, yep. The Cambridge DAC that's built-in is also pretty highly regarded, and that model seems to have a few additional inputs, as well. So yeah, research a few similar type things, see what makes sense for you, feature-wise and budget-wise, and take it from there. Good luck.
Defender-90
Member
great and thanks Ben
Have been hearing really really good things about Audio-Gd R2R dacs … start around $1k and range up to $5k or so. Pricey by any standard, but competing with much pricier ones.
Considering pulling trigger on the R8Mk2 ($2k) to replace using my Oppo 105 as (hopefully) end-game on my digital side.
Considering pulling trigger on the R8Mk2 ($2k) to replace using my Oppo 105 as (hopefully) end-game on my digital side.
