Network player - buying advice

[fredro82]

 

Hi everyone

 

I'm looking for a network player (without DAC or ability to bypass onboard DAC). Unfortunately, due to my location, I can't go into a store and test a range of network players. I don't have any stored files, so am more interested in the network playability than ability to rip CDs and store music.

 

My set up is:

 

- PrimaLuna evo 400 integrated

- Chord Hugo TT2 DAC

- Harbeth 30.2

 

What would you recommend ($7k or less)?

 

Cheers

Fred

[Godot]

I think the place to begin is to decide what you need the player to do. Will you use Roon, stream directly from Qobuz and/or Tidal, as well as other services such as Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, SoundCloud, internet radio etc. Would it be good for you to have Bluetooth, Apple Airplay and Chromecast onboard as well as Ethernet connectivity? What player software control apps are available on the devices you are considering? I know you don’t have any stored files but it could also be useful to have the ability to play off an external drive, for example if a friend wanted you to be able to listen to some of their stored files. 
Also worth exploring is the connectivity between the network player and your existing dac, I would make sure however you want to connect the two is optimized in the player, ie is the platform best for usb or bnc etc. 

There are so many options, I couldn’t advise what would work well with your existing dac in terms of sound quality. Good luck with it!

Edited December 21, 2022 by Godot

[fredro82]

Hi Godot

 

I currently stream using Spotify Premium but would be open to using Qobuz or another high-quality streaming service. I haven't used Roon but would also be interested in exploring that. I don't plan to connect the network player to a TV so the Chromecast and Airplay connectivity isn't a priority for me. 

 

Yes, it would be handy to link the player to a NAS or an external hard drive at a later date, but not a huge priority.

 

I've been looking into products from Lumin, HiFi Rose and NAD. But it's all new world stuff to me (I usually play vinyl) so hence I need some advice on what players people recommend, particularly using a quality standalone DAC.

 

Best wishes,

Fred

[Neo]

 

[Godot]

6 minutes ago, Neo said:

 

Perfect!

[fredro82]

Thanks. But if I was going to get a Lumin, it would be for the newer T2 (ex-demo is around the same price as this second hand A1) which replaced the A1 or the U2 mini.

[Neo]

Have a look at the Auralic range of streamers, they have transport only versions with ability to transfer cd to digital files and obviously all the latest fads people after these days. 
Neo

[Snoopy8]

43 minutes ago, fredro82 said:

Thanks. But if I was going to get a Lumin, it would be for the newer T2 (ex-demo is around the same price as this second hand A1) which replaced the A1 or the U2 mini.

But you said you do not want an internal DAC, which is what the T2/T3 has  ?  

 

Look at the Lumin U2 Mini instead. Or Auralic Aries G1.1, Innuos Zen Mk3

Edited December 22, 2022 by Snoopy8
Typo

[BugPowderDust]

@Snoopy8 I think he said no DAC or a DAC that can be bypassed. The T2 fits this bill.

[BugPowderDust]

Personally, I'd start at a Raspberry Pi with SPDIF HAT connectivity (say an Allo DigiOne Signature) and then work up the stack.  

 

Overspending on a network transport seems a very likely scenario from my own personal experiences using various network sources. 

[Snoopy8]

1 minute ago, BugPowderDust said:

@Snoopy8 I think he said no DAC or a DAC that can be bypassed. The T2 fits this bill.

I like a combined streamer/DAC and believe that the T2 will deliver exceptional SQ.  But using a T2 without the internal DAC is a waste.

[BugPowderDust]

It also seems a little off to spend potentially as much (Up to $7k is maybe more than the OP's DAC) on a network transport. Personally, I'd have consolidated the two investments into a higher spec unit like a MSB Discrete with the network renderer module or a DCS Bartok.

[Snoopy8]

2 hours ago, fredro82 said:

But it's all new world stuff to me (I usually play vinyl) so hence I need some advice on what players people recommend, particularly using a quality standalone DAC.

Given this is all new to you, and I note that  you bought the used Chord TT2 DAC in August, suggest you change your requirements and get a streamer/DAC like the Lumin T2. 

 

I suspect you are not aware of the challenges to get good SQ from individual streamer and DAC.  For both, good power supplies are critical and good clocking is also important.  The link between streamer and DAC has a major influence, as well as the quality of the cable.  

 

You bypass all these challenges when you get a good streamer/DAC.  As well as the Lumin T2/T3, you can also look at the Auralic Altair G1/G1.2,  NAD C658/M12, Hifi Rose RS250/150 (the brands you were looking earlier!).  Also the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 (which won this year's SNA network player award).

[fredro82]

Thanks all.

 

Sounds like the sensible solution is to sell the Chord DAC and get a Lumin T2/T3.  @Snoopy8 - If I were to keep the TT2 DAC and get a U2 Mini streamer, what links should I be looking at to make sure I get a good result.

[Snoopy8]

14 minutes ago, fredro82 said:

Thanks all.

 

Sounds like the sensible solution is to sell the Chord DAC and get a Lumin T2/T3.  @Snoopy8 - If I were to keep the TT2 DAC and get a U2 Mini streamer, what links should I be looking at to make sure I get a good result.

Do get this T2 (advert just came out!). 

 

Then I would not have to start another round of arguments on the merits of cables, and which connection etc.  There is also rabbit holes to explore!

 

To answer your question, you can either use BNC Coax or USB between U2 Mini and TT2 DAC. 

[Neo]

https://www.stereonet.com/forums/discover/content-started/

[Snoopy8]

Or get this?

 

[fredro82]

On 23/12/2022 at 7:37 AM, Snoopy8 said:

Or get this?

 

That looks like a good option. How do HiFi Rose compare to Lumin, Auralic or Innuos in terms of usability and sq? 

[Snoopy8]

22 minutes ago, fredro82 said:

That looks like a good option. How do HiFi Rose compare to Lumin, Auralic or Innuos in terms of usability and sq? 

Have not used one but @blakey72 but likes his!  

 

[maximus]

Or get this and be done with it.

 

 

 

[fredro82]

1 minute ago, maximus said:

Or get this and be done with it.

 

 

 

Nice.

 

I ended up getting an Auralic Aries G1. what’s the best way to connect it to my Chord Hugo TT2? I admit I know nothing about digital audio cables.

[BugPowderDust]

Can you go usb from the Aries to the TT2?
 

Failing that you look like spdif toslink optical is your alternate solution. 

[Neo]

25 minutes ago, BugPowderDust said:

Can you go usb from the Aries to the TT2?
 

Failing that you look like spdif toslink optical is your alternate solution. 

All three digital outputs from Aries are compatible with TT2 with exception of the AES/EBU. You will need to experiment with sounds better, with usb you will be able to access more file types like dsd and really hi-res, above 192/24, compared to spdif. 
Neo

[fredro82]

3 hours ago, Neo said:

All three digital outputs from Aries are compatible with TT2 with exception of the AES/EBU. You will need to experiment with sounds better, with usb you will be able to access more file types like dsd and really hi-res, above 192/24, compared to spdif. 
Neo

Ok sounds like USB is the preferred connection. It looks like USB B to USB B is that correct?

[Neo]

1 minute ago, fredro82 said:

Ok sounds like USB is the preferred connection. It looks like USB B to USB B is that correct?

A to B