Sounds Great - inexpensive, no fancy computer or power supplies

[audiobomber]

11 hours ago, Ajax said:

 

Hi Beer,

 

Your question is a good one. 

 

I don't participate in the forum that much anymore as I favour a more objective approach as propagated by Archimago and Amirm from Audio Science. If you are looking for good gear for less than US$3k then I strongly suggest you visit their sites (as well as Computer Style) to get a more "rounded" view that does not include the nonsense surrounding power supplies, cables and purpose built servers.

 

I have a variety of systems of varying expense. 

 

Interface:     Personally I find using either my iPhone or an iPad as a remote the most flexible and user friendly approach.

 

Streaming:   I stream Tidal incorporated in an Auralic Mini (I have 3 - US$400 each) using the free Lightning DS app or using Spotify Connect. In some systems I use the Mini's internal DAC and in others its digital out. I also use Chromecast Audio (I have 2 - $US30 each). These are both discontinued but you can find them second hand.... both are bit perfect.

 

DAC:           2 x Benchmark DAC2 second hand), a Topping 50Ds and an SMSL M8a

 

Amp:           Nord Hypex Ncore 500MP, Parasound Halo A21, Marantz PM 5006 (Integrated), Devialet 200

 

Speakers:   KEF LS50,  ATC SCM 40, ATOHM G1 with 2 x SVS SB2000 subs , B&W AM1 (outside), 

 

In my experience a combination that would sit within your budget (if you are OK with second hand gear) and provide excellent sound would be:

 

iPhone   >   Mini   >   Topping 50s  >  Hypex NC252mp   >   KEF LS 50   >   SVS SB 2000

 

You could easily swap out the Mini / Topping 50s for a Chrome-cast / Benchmark combination ... ignore the on-line comments about the jitter from the Chrome-cast as the Benchmark will handle it with ease. You could leave the Topping in and add a second sub to mitigate the room nodes.

 

As we are all aware the speakers and room acoustics will have the biggest bearing on sound quality and is where the majority of the money should be spent, however, If anyone has better suggestions for the streamer I would appreciate hearing about them.

 

Ah, if it were only that simple; read the measurements, buy the gear. For some, it is that simple, but by my definition, they are not audiophiles, they are in an adjacent hobby.

 

I bought the Topping D50s, for my headphone system, based on great measurements but also because I already owned the matching P50 LPS. Unfortunately, it sounded worse than Schitt, and by Schitt, I mean the much cheaper Modi 3. It also did not compare well with my Korg DA-DAC-100M, which has a pretty nice headphone amp. I sent the Topping back to Amazon.

[audiobomber]

13 hours ago, Ajax said:

If anyone has better suggestions for the streamer I would appreciate hearing about them.

I have two Chromecast streamers, a Raspberry Pi 3B+ and SOtM sMS-200. The sms is clearly in another price range but sounds best. The Pi sounds better than Chromecast, with any of my DAC's. I believe this is an opinion you will see on any audiophile site that has compared them. Of course if you just look at measurements and don't listen, you may come to a different conclusion.

[audiobomber]

On 6/11/2020 at 6:25 PM, beerandmusic said:

If you think you have a decent sounding solution for under $3K excluding speakers and amp, please share it.

Auralic Altair G1 

 

[audiobomber]

9 hours ago, beerandmusic said:

I looked at the original altair, but they only supported apple...is that still the case?

I don't have a definitive answer, I'm still investigating. The new Altair is on my list due to SQ, but the question of how to control it is a sticking point, especially since I am an Android phone user and will never change. From the Auralic site:

 

Music can be sourced from virtually any source - locally stored files on your network, Internet radio, Airplay™, Bluetooth, USB drive, an optional integrated hard drive or a playlist of favorites from a subscription-based streaming service such as Qobuz or TIDAL. Control is via either the proprietary Lightning DS app, or the manual intuitive control on the front panel with all functions clearly shown on the high-resolution 4" colour display.

 

I am not clear on whether I can use UPnP/Android or DLNA/Windows from my NAS, as I usually do. Also, no remote wand? Maybe the reviewer can help clarify, @The Computer Audiophile?