Streamer DAC yes or no

[doifeellucky]

It's not put me off and I'm still looking at getting one or the node 2 but the ifzen makes more sense to me if I can bag one at the right price

A few places have £40 off at the moment.

 

[shadders]

Is it worth spending a lot on a audio streamer if your going to use a separate external DAC ? .
And if it's not worth spending a lot because you are using your own DAC which audio steamer would you purchase ?.

Hi,
My personal approach is to keep things separate, such that if something goes wrong, then the entire unit is not required to be replaced.

I have a Dune Base HD 3D streaming unit, and use its optical output to my audio processor. If the Dune goes wrong, then i will replace with a Raspberry Pi solution, which is cheap.

A separate DAC in your example means you can change the DAC to obtain a different sound or other, if so required.

My recommendation for a streamer is the raspberry Pi as it is flexible, upgradeable in terms of software, and there are many software solutions available too.

Regards,
Shadders.

 

[Tinman1952]

It was actually cheapaudioman who I think had the global exclusive first review, and more recently 13th Note Hi-Fi, but he’s a bit of an idiot just trying to ride the crest of that particular wave.

I’d like to try it, as I’m fairly happy, but not blown away by, my Zen DAC V2. I’ve seen a few others who have praised its sound quality, but I’m not sure I’d notice a significant improvement. It feels like it should be more in the £250-300 region for what it offers.

What were you using before?

Yes I saw that CAM review. If I remember correctly he liked it but couldn't see the 'added value' over a RPi type solution.
I think what he missed was the iFi noise cancelling built in to the USB output, the iFi iPurifier technology built in to the co-ax output, the high precision clocks used and the 'audiophile' quality components used in the circuit.
The iFi iPurifier USB on its own costs £149 and the iFi SPDIF purifier is £199 when bought separately!
It also uses a customised version of Volumio which he loves!

If you look at products like the Sonore microrendu, as well as the SOTM and Lindemann products I mentioned previously the Zen Stream is actually a bit of a bargain....🙂

 

[Tinman1952]

What were you using before?

Sorry I didn't answer this...

I was using an Audiolab MDAC mini which cost £300 and was made from soft plastic!
Sounded 'ok' but nothing special...

 

[aversaurus]

Well I've bought one now so I will let you know about how I get on

 

[Tinman1952]

Well I've bought one now so I will let you know about how I get on

Good luck! 👍

 

[shipworm-archaism-recede]

My recommendation for a streamer is the raspberry Pi as it is flexible, upgradeable in terms of software, and there are many software solutions available too.

What HAT would you go for?

 

[shadders]

What HAT would you go for?

Hi,
I would not use a HAT, as my audio processor presentation is very good. I would use the Pi as a streamer, either delivering through an optical feed or HDMI. I would have to purchase a NAS drive.

Regards,
Shadders.

 

[shipworm-archaism-recede]

Hi,
I would not use a HAT, as my audio processor presentation is very good. I would use the Pi as a streamer, either delivering through an optical feed or HDMI. I would have to purchase a NAS drive.

Regards,
Shadders.

Thanks. Am I right in thinking you need to add a board to get optical out though I.e. a DSP?

 

[shadders]

Thanks. Am I right in thinking you need to add a board to get optical out though I.e. a DSP?

Hi,
I have a Pi 3B, and would have to purchase an add on board. They are quite cheap, and easy to implement. I would not go for any specialist power supplies, or other, so the Pi is a perfect solution.

Regards,
Shadders.

 

[Tinman1952]

Hi,
I have a Pi 3B, and would have to purchase an add on board. They are quite cheap, and easy to implement. I would not go for any specialist power supplies, or other, so the Pi is a perfect solution.

Regards,
Shadders.

So you WOULD use a HAT then.....

 

[shadders]

So you WOULD use a HAT then.....

Hi,
I was referring to DAC's as opposed to interfacing. Should have been more specific.

Regards,
Shadders.

 

[shipworm-archaism-recede]

Hi,
I was referring to DAC's as opposed to interfacing. Should have been more specific.

Regards,
Shadders.

Thanks for clarifying.

I think I'm taking this thread a bit off topic now (sorry mods), but I've been looking at HiFiBerry products as an inexpensive way to bring a second analogue stereo system into my collection of AirPlay devices. Since I'm not really interested in any of the other streaming-related services (Roon, Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon, Spotify etc), the commercial streamers seem an expensive way of doing what I want.

It's a pity everything seems to be out of stock at the moment.

 

[shipworm-archaism-recede]

I've just come across the Arylic S10 receiver. I think I'll try that. Available, less hassle and probably cheaper.

 

[aversaurus]

Well I can see why the some people have issues with the ifzen

 

[Al ears]

Well I can see why the some people have issues with the ifzen

Can you explain why?
And It is Ifi Zen.....

 

[aversaurus]

It's the lfi zen streamer .the instructions are poor and the switch on the back that you select the option with a plastic tool is odd .
But once it's set up in sounds amazing with tidal

 

[Teo]

I am just now using the Node ( not the Node 2) .On Tidal HIFI Plus . Works great , amplified thru Objective O2 to Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro .Sounds awesome . For the money i spent absolutely great .I plan to use it also to the other system ( the loudspeaker/amp one) but I am not using that one for now.
So , yes for this streamer , used with a good HIFI streaming service

 

[aversaurus]

I will say the ifi zen streamer is head and shoulders better than the audiolab 6000 n

 

[Peter227]

Is it worth spending a lot on a audio streamer if your going to use a separate external DAC ? .
And if it's not worth spending a lot because you are using your own DAC which audio steamer would you purchase ?.

Hi,

I use CXN v2: streamer + DAC + PreAmp - it is really great.
It worth the money.

Regards,
P