Using great Amplifier with Digital input OR Analogue output from Streamer

[lneill]

There is no doubt that a great streamer with an excellent D/A Converter plugged into a great amp will be very good.
But what if you spent more money on a fantastic amp with a top notch D/A convert built in and just a so so Streamer connected digitally to the amp.
Just curious what the forum thinks would be best?

 

[Al ears]

There is no doubt that a great streamer with an excellent D/A Converter plugged into a great amp will be very good.
But what if you spent more money on a fantastic amp with a top notch D/A convert built in and just a so so Streamer connected digitally to the amp.
Just curious what the forum thinks would be best?

Source first. Personally I would want my dac in the streamer rather than the amp. However others will surely think otherwise.

 

[Vincent Kars]

just a so so Streamer connected digitally to the amp

Excellent idea. If I was in need of a streamer (instead of using mobile or PC) I would settle for a $89 device like the WiiM mini. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/wiim-mini-review-streamer.33099/
The DAC is average but any decent external DAC with Toslink input can get perfect results.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

I'm with Alears on this.....keep the amp simple.....even better just get a power amp and use Streamer /dac as pre amp as many streamer /dacs have volume control these days and some have a rca input and phono stage if you apply the research.
And just before anyone calls me a hypocrite, Yes my Electrocompaniet eci 80d has a onboard dac....but I got it for a stupidly low price and could not pass it up......anyway, I don't think it's dac is that great to be honest, hence the eversolo z8 connected to the Eci 80d...but it's a fantastic Amplifier.

 

[davidf]

Almost always use a fixed output from a streamer. Very few streamers have a lossless digital volume control.