Streaming system for 1.100 €

[steadyshot]

I get you about burr browns. I like the palpable and natural sound I hear from my attessa burr brown dac which is a pcm 5242 implementation. However I have not heard any dac from topping or smsl.

 

[Achim1811]

Made an interesting experience when replacing my older Node 2i with a new Node X a few weeks ago. The internal dac from the Node 2i never satisfied me, but I like the Bluesound app very much. And the idea having to add an external dac for the (of course with a price a bit over budget class) Node didn't pleased me. So I was a kind of sceptic when my dealer offered me the Node X. As far as I know the X has the same dac chip as the 2i had. I do not check this long numbers, I still trust my old ears. But they advertised they improved the circuit around the chip. The dac chips are all really cheap, therefore pricing of a lot of dacs in my eyes is ridicolous if not fraudish
And what shall I say, the X was from the very first moment all in. Better in my ears as the predecessor was. For ~800 € worth a look and a listening. If one does not fear bad kharma from Guru Amir and his disciples
What I do not like is this silverish colour. And the all plastic case, but I think that is due to the wifi options difficult to avoid. Especially for those like me who hates this Mork from Ork antennas.

 

[steadyshot]

Made an interesting experience when replacing my older Node 2i with a new Node X a few weeks ago. The internal dac from the Node 2i never satisfied me, but I like the Bluesound app very much. And the idea having to add an external dac for the (of course with a price a bit over budget class) Node didn't pleased me. So I was a kind of sceptic when my dealer offered me the Node X. As far as I know the X has the same dac chip as the 2i had. I do not check this long numbers, I still trust my old ears. But they advertised they improved the circuit around the chip. The dac chips are all really cheap, therefore pricing of a lot of dacs in my eyes is ridicolous if not fraudish
And what shall I say, the X was from the very first moment all in. Better in my ears as the predecessor was. For ~800 € worth a look and a listening. If one does not fear bad kharma from Guru Amir and his disciples
What I do not like is this silverish colour. And the all plastic case, but I think that is due to the wifi options difficult to avoid. Especially for those like me who hates this Mork from Ork antennas.

Archim, it is ESS9038Q2M inside node x!

 

[Achim1811]

As I wrote, I did not care about the specific chips and I did not check. Read three reviews about a dedicated chip and you get four results. Compared with the WiiM's the Node 2i performed slightly better. With the X it is remarkable better. But as mentioned often before, the Node X is ~ 500 € over the WiiM, the 2i still ~ 300. So one can expect a better performance. But main thing in my above post was that not only the dac chip cares, the environment is same important.

 

[adias]

Perhaps interesting for someone. If not, simply ignore it.
May be over the complete summer we will stay in our second home. Over the last year I looked for an affordable (wife friendly) streaming system for the vacation time. Far away from my everyday stereos and with much smaller invest. A turntable is a must, but that was on stock.

My result. It includes (for streaming only, a turntable with a preamp is also here):


NAD 316bee V2 integrated amp. ~ 420 €

WiiM Pro Streamer ~ 180 €

SMSL C100 DAC ~ 100 €

Q-Acoustics 3020i ~ 360 €

Cables, bits and pieces ~ 40 €


approx. 1.100 € cpl.

As an idea for a decent holiday setup only. Works! And believe me, it is already hifi


View attachment 878View attachment 879

All good except consider Schiit products and especially their DACs.

 

[Achim1811]

@adias
This tiny SMSL box was my first contact with these countless, mostly Chinese, brands, not manufacturers.
It was pure curiosity because in my private environment a question for a 1000 € system popped up. I was absolutely surprised by the way this SMSL thing performs in relation to his price. And I am absolutely sure many of these brands will do equal. So a Schiit will likely also perform well.
But in my opinion and I stated that very, very often here during the last few weeks: If one runs such a cheap or budgeted chain it makes no sense to "improve" the dac first. To get a remarkable better result the dac is in my ears the less important part of the system. Using f.e. the internal inside the WiiM is already good enough to bring such a system to its borders. It might be cheaper in first look to add a new dac, but that is, as I wrote before, trying to make a workhorse a triple-crowner by buying a better saddle. If someone tells me he is able to hear a difference between a 1000 € and a 100 € DAC in the chain I mentioned in my first post, I will give him or her hail for his ears. But I will not believe him. So in my world still amp and speakers first.
Back to your post, I am sorry always tending to write a little bit more. To much time to fill for a retired grandpa
I never ever will give a recommendation for things I do not own or have had at least the chance to try and hear. Therefore no Schiit, because I never listened to.

 

[adias]

I have compared the $129 Schiit Modi+ to significantly more expensive DACs and the Modi+ sounded like music… and the others analytical, artificial and fatiguing.

 

[Achim1811]

As long as it sounded like music everything is fine. I will not deny. But I do not know and therefore no judgement. A discussion of better and worse was not my intention, it only wanted to share my personal experience. So it is up to you to post a similar thread.

 

[adias]

Fair enough. My intention was to suggest other avenues, if not for you, for others to consider. Options are good.