jamieanderson1968
ninniest jackaninny
You say that now, but after you drop $2k on your fancy SACD/Streamer and struggle to use the crappy remote control software you will be singing a different tune.
The Dark Side; Digital audio equipment recommendations and setup.
- Thread starter Ed Selley
- Start date
MikeH
Well-Known Member
Just gotta wait until night time for when...he comes out.
I could probably not have Roon and still accomplish what I'm trying to do. But I'd have to use 5 different pieces of software and I'd probably be cursing every night when it's not working how I want. I'm fine to pay $10 a month to avoid all that. I tried JRiver, LightningOS, and a few others and they were all so clunky and made listening to streaming just not fun. There was always something going wrong or just took a ton of steps to do the simplest tasks on it.
MikeH
Well-Known Member
this is exactly what happened to me haha. Got a streamer. Hated the software and other software I tried to combine my downloads and high res subscription. Got a free trial of Roon and been using it ever since.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
With files in the mix for sure. I think I could live with Tidal Connect if I was only streaming. Used Spotify connect for years and although it’s not the best sq I had no complaints with using the app that way. But yeah outside sonos I’ve not seen a manufacturer app that doesn’t make me feel homicidal.
PS: PS Audio are developing an app in house, although they’ve been working on it for a lifetime by this stage, that sounds pretty much like they’ve made a Roon clone but just for their gear. Their video dude that’s in charge is one of those ridiculous audiophile types that slags Roon sq for no reason that I’ve ever been able to hear!
MikeH
Well-Known Member
For sure. I never had Tidal so haven't used Tidal Connect but I assume it would be good if your only need was streaming through Tidal. I did use Qobuz through the Auralic Lightning OS and it was real clunky.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Oh yeah qobuz is a different kettle of fish altogether. Because it doesn’t have its own connect it’s either through the app or airplay which will have to downmix.
This is why I ended up getting back into vinyl......and then dealing with warps, infill & cleaning solutions
jamieanderson1968
ninniest jackaninny
But NightMather never does things by halves. Once he tastes the power of local file streaming and realizes MQA is snake oil he will be dropping big coin at HDTracks
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
I mean MQA is proprietary DRM with a little lossless compression in the mix. While I roll my eyes at the “it sounds better just because” crew I’m also sure that it doesn’t sound worse than Qobuz! Plus you Canadians don’t get that choice anyway…
Mather
Unknown Member
I do not understand a single thing you wrote here. But that will not stop NM from confidently claiming he is in fact the world's foremost authority on each of these things and then promptly signing up/purchasing all of them.
jamieanderson1968
ninniest jackaninny
We get a choice, Tidal or squat all
GStephenH
Active Member
I finally received the Schiit Gungnir MB I ordered back at the beginning of April yesterday. I am amazed at the impact it has already had in my system. Everything has focused - not over-focused, just clear like that first time putting on a new pair of glasses even though you thought the old ones were working just fine. There is so much more information and details coming through.
I was using the DAC in my Oppo HA-1 previously. The Oppo is also a fully balanced design using an ESS Sabre ES9018 32-bit chip. When I first started using it I was amazed, but the Gungnir MB blows it away. Now, that isn't to say the Oppo is "bad" comparatively, just...less. I get more color, larger soundstage, more air (feeling like I'm in a space where music is happening), longer note decay, and the edges are more present and real.
And, while this may sound weird, it just sounds less...metallic. I mostly use Spotify for my streaming. Sometimes I can hear the compression and definitely can hear the digital edge to the sound. Hard to express. But, so far with the Gungnir it isn't there. So digging the experience!
I was using the DAC in my Oppo HA-1 previously. The Oppo is also a fully balanced design using an ESS Sabre ES9018 32-bit chip. When I first started using it I was amazed, but the Gungnir MB blows it away. Now, that isn't to say the Oppo is "bad" comparatively, just...less. I get more color, larger soundstage, more air (feeling like I'm in a space where music is happening), longer note decay, and the edges are more present and real.
And, while this may sound weird, it just sounds less...metallic. I mostly use Spotify for my streaming. Sometimes I can hear the compression and definitely can hear the digital edge to the sound. Hard to express. But, so far with the Gungnir it isn't there. So digging the experience!
MikeH
Well-Known Member
Personally, I'd use the internal DAC for now and make sure you use streaming enough before also adding the cost of an external DAC. I think the Node does MQA so should be good on that front if you're using Tidal.
I believe you need to use the RCA outputs if you're using the internal DAC. I think the optical out is only if you're using an external DAC, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong!
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
If you want to do digital either opitical or coax will work out of it. I prefer coax as it can support upto 24/192 whereas optical limits to 24/96 and there’s something about an coax digital cable that feels more solid but that last bit is probably in my head.
I use this cable for CDs and streamer and really like it.
The DIGI-COUPLER 75 Ohm (hlgn fr.)
The DIGI-COUPLER 75 Ohm is our top level SPDIF digital audio interconnect cable, though is equally suited for Video and HF signal transport at a maximum performance level.
www.vandenhul.com
If your fancy ARCAM has a DAC it’s likely better than what’s in the bluesound so I’d connect to it using coax (there’s also the option to try it both using its own DAC with RCA and the ARCAM one with coax and deciding what you prefer).
If your ARCAM doesn’t have a DAC I’d probably not get both it and a DAC off the bat because cost.
Mather
Unknown Member
My Arcam has a Cirrus CS42528 DAC. No idea if it's better or worse but I saw one post saying it doesn't decode MQA so I guess if that's true it would rule it out.If you want to do digital either opitical or coax will work out of it. I prefer coax as it can support upto 24/192 whereas optical limits to 24/96 and there’s something about an coax digital cable that feels more solid but that last bit is probably in my head.
I use this cable for CDs and streamer and really like it.
The DIGI-COUPLER 75 Ohm (hlgn fr.)
The DIGI-COUPLER 75 Ohm is our top level SPDIF digital audio interconnect cable, though is equally suited for Video and HF signal transport at a maximum performance level.
If your fancy ARCAM has a DAC it’s likely better than what’s in the bluesound so I’d connect to it using coax (there’s also the option to try it both using its own DAC with RCA and the ARCAM one with coax and deciding what you prefer).
If your ARCAM doesn’t have a DAC I’d probably not get both it and a DAC off the bat because cost.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Yeah as you’re stuck with tidal for hi res in Canada it would. I’d probably just connect it analogue with RCA cables to begin with and see how you like it. Can always add a stand-alone DAC and coax cable down the line if you get itchy feet!
Mather
Unknown Member
Dang, was REAAAALLY hoping I could avoid more expensive cables. Gunna have to go cheapy on these ones...
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
MikeH
Well-Known Member
I'm with Joe, @Mather . Since you can add an external DAC later and the Bluesound does MQA, I'd just rock the Bluesound and connect via RCA cables to your amp. If you find that you're using the streaming a ton and want to improve/test sound with other DACs, then look for an external DAC that can do MQA later on. If you, for some reason, hate streaming, then just re-sell the Bluesound. And if Qobuz ends up coming to Canada later, then your external DAC options open up a little bit since you wouldn't have to get something that has MQA support.