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Thread: Educate me please , Who has a quality dac / streeming setup ?

  1. #1
    Audio Al is offline Pishanto Specialist & Super-Daftee
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Dagenham Essex

    Posts: 11,215
    I'm Allen.

    Default Educate me please , Who has a quality dac / streeming setup ?

    OK , Go on then , Educate me

    I have a DAC 3 purchased from Jerry of this forum , I have been told by other forum users its not that good chip wise

    What do I need to hear these wonderfull sounds that reputedly better vinyl , I am willing to learn , I have itunes and Amazon music

    over 2 you
    [

  2. #2
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Interesting question

    Current digital setup is just as good (but different) as my vinyl rig, a Michell Gorbe, SME V, Dynavector XX2 Mk2.
    Pretty good disk spinner that, so digital's got to be too to keep up.

    It is.
    My Dacs a PS Audio Directstream Dac with Bridge II network card fitted.
    Music comes from selfbuilt Linux server running Roon, which is piped directly into the Dac.
    Sounds terrific I think, certainly as good a dac as I'll ever need.
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  3. #3
    Join Date: Mar 2017

    Location: West Sūþsēaxe

    Posts: 2,015
    I'm Edward.

    Default

    You probably have all you need to get great tunes without having to spend money at this stage. Get things working initially and then consider changing things.

    Highly recommend you don't use itunes and amazon music - best to start with local files in flac or wav format and use a quality software player (e.g. JRiver, Roon etc - lots of choices) and make sure the player is playing directly to the DAC (rather than via the operating system mixture) so your DAC gets bit perfect data to decode.

    What type of computer are you using? PC, Mac or Linux?

    FWIW my audio path is: FLAC (either local or via Tidal) > Win10 server > Roon player> Win10 fanless endpoint > USB > Metrum Hex DAC > Preamp etc.

    Lots of different ways of doing things. Mine is just one way.
    Current: [P20] Roon/Tidal > Custom PC> Chevron Paradox NDF16 > Phast Pre > Neuro. 686 > Tannoy Berkley (RFC tweaks)


  4. #4
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

    Default

    got several ways to do it here. the rpi and audiophonics dac board is good, currently with volumio2 installed and a local disc but can be streamed to via spotify and jriver, but hope to get the software changed at some time. its not bad at all for a free program.
    Jriver on my laptop with local flac files either into my smsl dac/headphone amp, or to my xaing sheng dac via usb cable. can also send spotify down to either dac.
    They are all pretty decent.. TT is decent too imo, and although not at levels of most here, it sounds good and uncoloured to me.
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

    I've said it before and I'll say it again: democracy simply-doesn't-work
    .... ..... ...... ...... ................... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
    FIIO K7 BT, M11 PLUS, BTR7, KA5 - OPPO BDP-103D - PANASONIC UB450 - PANASONIC 4K ULTRA HD TV - PIXEL 6 - AVANTREE LR BLUETOOTH - 2* X600 SOUNDCORE - HEADPHONES INCLUDE, FIIO, NURAPHONES', FOCAL, OPPO, BOSE, CAMBRIDGE, BOWER & WILKINS, DEVIALET, MARSHALL, SONY, MITCHELL & JOHNSTON - 2*ZBOOK'S- MERCURY BD ROM, ROON, QOBUZ, TIDAL, PLEX, CYBERLINK, JRIVER - MULTI HDD'S -

    Oh my god! There's nothing wrong with the bidet is there?

    “Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. It is easy for the weak to be gentle. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power. This is the supreme test. It is the glory of Lincoln that, having almost absolute power, he never abused it, except on the side of mercy".

    “You see these dictators on their pedestals, surrounded by the bayonets of their soldiers and the truncheons of their police ... yet in their hearts there is unspoken fear. They are afraid of words and thoughts: words spoken abroad, thoughts stirring at home -- all the more powerful because forbidden -- terrify them. A little mouse of thought appears in the room, and even the mightiest potentates are thrown into panic.”

    "You don't have free will. You have the appearance of free will.”

    “There's a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!”


    ***SMILE, BE HAPPY***

  5. #5
    Audio Al is offline Pishanto Specialist & Super-Daftee
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Dagenham Essex

    Posts: 11,215
    I'm Allen.

    Default

    Highly recommend you don't use itunes and amazon music - DOH ! , Amazon cost £79 per year and Itunes is £10 a month , Dont want to be spending even more money every month best to start with local files in flac or wav format Did I mention being a numpty with computer files and use a quality software player (e.g. JRiver, Roon etc - lots of choices) Is this something else I need to buy ? and make sure the player is playing directly to the DAC (rather than via the operating system mixture) so your DAC gets bit perfect data to decode.

    What type of computer are you using? PC, Mac or Linux? I have a iMac

    FWIW my audio path is: FLAC (either local or via Tidal) > Win10 server > Roon player> Win10 fanless endpoint > USB > Metrum Hex DAC > Preamp etc. Is this ancent hieroglyphs
    Goes over my head
    [

  6. #6
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,562
    I'm Kevin.

    Default

    I am going to try an Asus DAC on a soundcard for my PC to see what it is like compared to my super cap Caiman SEG.
    I am also going to see if it gives a decent SPDIF out direct to the Caiman.
    Then I want to try a Digione player feeding the Caiman.

    I think a good streamer is the SOTM 200(?) but it is expensive.
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  7. #7
    Audio Al is offline Pishanto Specialist & Super-Daftee
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Dagenham Essex

    Posts: 11,215
    I'm Allen.

    Default

    Just noticed im at 8000 posts , good god get a life man
    [

  8. #8
    Join Date: Mar 2017

    Location: West Sūþsēaxe

    Posts: 2,015
    I'm Edward.

    Default

    Al

    Just plug the DAC into your mac and connect it to your music system, start up itunes and press play. Then sit back and enjoy.

    No Egyptian writing or things going over your head or having to learn new things.
    Current: [P20] Roon/Tidal > Custom PC> Chevron Paradox NDF16 > Phast Pre > Neuro. 686 > Tannoy Berkley (RFC tweaks)


  9. #9
    Audio Al is offline Pishanto Specialist & Super-Daftee
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Dagenham Essex

    Posts: 11,215
    I'm Allen.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Edwardlon View Post
    Al

    Just plug the DAC into your mac and connect it to your music system, start up itunes and press play. Then sit back and enjoy.

    No Egyptian writing or things going over your head or having to learn new things.

    Hi Edward

    Alread done that via optical cable , far from impressed with the sound quality
    [

  10. #10
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Audio Al View Post
    Highly recommend you don't use itunes and amazon music - DOH ! , Amazon cost £79 per year and Itunes is £10 a month , Dont want to be spending even more money every month best to start with local files in flac or wav format Did I mention being a numpty with computer files and use a quality software player (e.g. JRiver, Roon etc - lots of choices) Is this something else I need to buy ? and make sure the player is playing directly to the DAC (rather than via the operating system mixture) so your DAC gets bit perfect data to decode.

    What type of computer are you using? PC, Mac or Linux? I have a iMac

    FWIW my audio path is: FLAC (either local or via Tidal) > Win10 server > Roon player> Win10 fanless endpoint > USB > Metrum Hex DAC > Preamp etc. Is this ancent hieroglyphs
    Goes over my head
    stick with the big black pizzas til someone comes and sets something up for you is my advice Al
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

    I've said it before and I'll say it again: democracy simply-doesn't-work
    .... ..... ...... ...... ................... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
    FIIO K7 BT, M11 PLUS, BTR7, KA5 - OPPO BDP-103D - PANASONIC UB450 - PANASONIC 4K ULTRA HD TV - PIXEL 6 - AVANTREE LR BLUETOOTH - 2* X600 SOUNDCORE - HEADPHONES INCLUDE, FIIO, NURAPHONES', FOCAL, OPPO, BOSE, CAMBRIDGE, BOWER & WILKINS, DEVIALET, MARSHALL, SONY, MITCHELL & JOHNSTON - 2*ZBOOK'S- MERCURY BD ROM, ROON, QOBUZ, TIDAL, PLEX, CYBERLINK, JRIVER - MULTI HDD'S -

    Oh my god! There's nothing wrong with the bidet is there?

    “Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. It is easy for the weak to be gentle. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power. This is the supreme test. It is the glory of Lincoln that, having almost absolute power, he never abused it, except on the side of mercy".

    “You see these dictators on their pedestals, surrounded by the bayonets of their soldiers and the truncheons of their police ... yet in their hearts there is unspoken fear. They are afraid of words and thoughts: words spoken abroad, thoughts stirring at home -- all the more powerful because forbidden -- terrify them. A little mouse of thought appears in the room, and even the mightiest potentates are thrown into panic.”

    "You don't have free will. You have the appearance of free will.”

    “There's a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!”


    ***SMILE, BE HAPPY***

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